Geneva likely to re-approve inn plan

The Geneva City Council likely will extend the deadline on a special-use permit for opening a proposed bed and breakfast inn at 109 Peyton St.

The council, meeting as a committee of the whole this week, authorized the measure, 7-3. It now moves on to a regular council meeting for a binding vote.

Alderman Richard Marks voted against it, as he did last spring when it was first proposed. Alderman Ralph Dantino also voted against it, and Alderman Charles Brown, the first to vote, did so, too, simply to keep the item off the council’s consent agenda and require a roll-call vote.

Several residents reminded the council that they think turning the two-flat into an inn is a bad idea, and urged them to deny the extension.

“I’m asking you, things haven’t changed any (in the last year),” said Leslie Juby, a Peyton Street resident and former Geneva school board member. She believes neighbors will be disturbed by noise from increased traffic, partying guests, wee-hour commercial garbage pickup and late-night check-ins.

“So I’m asking you not to extend it, because it wasn’t a good idea in the first place.”

Carla Hilbert, of North Second Street, said she still opposes the inn. “We have enjoyed this year reprieve,” she said.

Owner Linda Lydon said she couldn’t do the construction work in the past year because there were still tenants living there, but they are moving out soon. Among other things, she has to install a larger water-supply line, for a fire-sprinkler system. The original approval gave her until April 18 to start the work.

The building is on the northwest corner of Route 31 and Peyton. It was converted to a two-flat before Lydon bought it. It is in a single-family residential district.

“It is a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for Geneva to be a destination,” she said. “This is something that Geneva needs.”