Planning Board OKs Microtel project
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - A plan to build a 67-room Microtel motel on West Morris Street received preliminary approval Thursday from the Bath village Planning Board.

Board members unanimously okayed a proposal to subdivide a 2.5-acre lot that previously had been the site of Morrison Motors Inc. The subdivision would create a 1.9- acre parcel on which the motel would be built and a smaller lot for future development.

The board also unanimously approved site plans submitted and reviewed by Peter Romeo, a Rochester site designer representing Pittsford-based Indus Companies, the development firm behind the Microtel project.

Indus also owns the Bath Ponderosa and is a regional developer for Dunkin' Donuts, as well. Romeo, however, noted the company does not own the Bath Dunkin' Donuts.

The Planning Board attached several contingencies to its preliminary site plan approval:

+ Reception of an approved engineering study of the site for any contamination from prior owners. Romeo said a study by the engineering firm LaBella Associates already had determined the ground is clean.

+ Approval of construction plans from Jeff Muller, street supervisor for the Village of Bath; Matt Benesh, director of municipal utilities for Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems, and the state D e p a r t m e n t o f Transportation.

Muller and Benesh are to review drainage and utility usage issues, including a plan to move the existing underground sanitary sewer line, which currently runs beneath the proposed site of the building.

The DOT is to review the proposed location of an entrance located along West Morris Street.

Romeo told The Courier construction of the motel could begin in early May and be completed in six months.

Bonicave also offered Romeo a reminder that several village residents have expressed hope the motel would include a conference room to accommodate local meetings. "There's a need for it in town," Bonicave said.

Romeo advised Bonicave there are no plans for such space, noting the individual rooms are too "compact" to accommodate conference tables.