The Town of Clay Planning Board held hearings May 27 on two of its more substantial pending proposals — a 61-lot subdivision proposed for Lawton Road and a new bank with drive-through lanes planned for the Raymour & Flanigan Plaza on Route 31 — but put off votes on both while additional questions are resolved. Cornerstone Homes CNY LLC is seeking a zone change from RA-100 to R-7.5 for a Lawton Road parcel to build 61 single-family homes arranged around a loop road that would extend Harriet Fisher Drive to Lawton Road, according to the minutes. Tim Coyer of Ianuzi & Romans, representing the applicant, told the board the district is meant for areas already served by public water and sewer. The Onondaga County Planning Board found the referral would have no significant adverse implications but flagged several points: any extension of public wastewater lines needs county health department and water authority approval, stormwater areas should sit on their own lots, and the project should eventually connect to surrounding areas to improve walkability. Chairwoman Michelle Borton said that last point was aimed more at long-term development in the area than the immediate zone change. Planning and Development Commissioner Brian Bender said he had spoken with Highway Superintendent Nicoletti, who raised no concerns about the project's effect on Lawton Road, which is tentatively scheduled for repaving in 2027. Borton noted Lawton Road also runs through the Town of Cicero, and Clay's planning department has reached out to Cicero for comment but had not heard back. Borton said the board would not vote on the case until those comments arrive. Bender added he had heard from several residents whose concerns include traffic, the loss of trees and green space, and adjusting to changes in the area tied to Micron's presence nearby. At the hearing, resident David Yates of Brisbane Trail asked whether the parcel could keep its current RA-100 zoning to preserve trees, and Nick Gallipeau of Harriet Fisher Drive raised similar concerns about Lawton Road traffic and the loss of trees residents use for privacy. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn the case to June 10. In the second closely watched case, Community Bank N.A. is proposing a 2,717-square-foot branch with drive-through and ATM lanes on a 1.056-acre portion of the Raymour & Flanigan Plaza, between the plaza's retail building and Smokey Bones. Representatives said special permits and variances for the project have already been approved, and coordination is underway with the Onondaga County Water Authority to relocate a water line crossing the site. Board members raised several concerns: Karen Guinup asked about rooftop HVAC equipment, which will be moved to ground level and screened, and about drive-through stacking lanes that would take away part of the plaza's interior loop road; Jim Palumbo said narrowing that road could make it harder for fire trucks to maneuver, and Borton said the fire department would be asked for input; Hal Henty asked that lighting height and type be added to the plan; and Russ Mitchell suggested a peaked roof instead of a flat one, noting the town has tried to move away from flat roofs. Resident Janet Rathburn of Freestone Road told the board it is already difficult to turn into the plaza and that additional traffic would make it worse. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn the case to July 8 for a revised plan. In other action, the board voted 7-0 to recommend a zone change to the Town Board for West Herr Automotive Group's dealership on Route 31, shifting a .78-acre parcel from NC-1 to HC-1 to allow expanded parking. Onondaga County health officials noted that any future construction there will require a connection to public water and, depending on projected sewage flows, a sanitary flow offset plan. Bender said the Town Board has already noted the change would help address parking problems at the dealership, and Mitchell said during the board's roll-call vote that it would help keep cars off the road. The board also adopted a negative declaration under the state environmental review law and approved the final plat for the second phase of Donald Gabor's subdivision on Morgan Road, based on a map by surveyor David Bardoun; the final plat vote was 6-0 with one member opposed. Two other applicants — Summit Federal Credit Union, for a proposed branch at 4955 West Taft Road, and Maple Roads Associates, for the Farmstead Subdivision — requested and received adjournments, to June 10 and July 8 respectively, both by unanimous vote. The board's next meeting is June 10.