To the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the Planning Board of the Village of Geneseo:

We the undersigned, residents, property and business owners, and stakeholders of the Village of Geneseo, would like to draw to your attention:

THAT the property at 16 Main Street in Geneseo is a large historic building that has been used as a bed & breakfast known as the Annabel Lee Inn and two-family home in harmony with the neighborhood and the Village for many years;

THAT we understand that the owners have applied for a Special Use Permit to change the property to an "inn" because they would like to repurpose the prior owner’s living quarters as guest rooms (for a total of 6-7 guest rooms) and have a local innkeeper, however a bed & breakfast is only allowed 5 guest rooms and requires the owner to live at the property whereas an inn does not have these restrictions;

THAT we understand that the owners have also applied for an Area Variance because the size of the property lot is approximately 7% too small for an inn in the R-2 zone;

THAT the owners plan to provide a boutique inn experience in the Main Street Historic District to short term guests (e.g., tourists, visitors to the College, alumni, wedding guests at area venues, visiting friends & family of locals) and longer-term transient guests (e.g., visiting professors, consultants working on projects for local industries); and

THAT we believe this use would be harmonious with the neighborhood and prior uses, will provide a valuable service to the community, will drive foot traffic to local businesses, and will enable the owners to maintain this important historic building.

THEREFORE, we recommend that:
- The ZBA approve the Area Variance to allow the lot to be used for an inn, and that
- The Planning Board approve the Special Use Permit to allow use of the property as an inn.