By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Air conditioners will not be banned in street-facing windows under proposed downtown renovation guidelines, but there will be a recommendation to keep them away from the streets, according to the mayor.

The village board will hold an Aug. 21 public hearing on the proposed renovation guidelines for the so-called "downtown core.

The guidelines, which Mayor Tim Currier said are near completion, are aimed at giving the downtown a uniform appearance consistent with a historic corridor. He said the proposed code would include legal requirements and also other things that are recommended, but not legally required. Placement of air conditioners falls into the latter category, Currier said.

The document will be made available to the public prior to the hearing, with notice given to the press and a copy posted on the village website, the mayor said.

Those who are making renovations that don't fit within the guidelines would be able to request an exemption.

"If someone is doing renovations that are contrary to recommendations or requirements, you can go to the Planning Commission," the mayor said.

"We're going into this completely wide open to look for public input," Currier said. "We're looking for visual character. We hope that will put emphasis on retaining and displaying the history of downtown Massena."

The area impacted would be on the south side of the Grasse River from Main Street at Water Street to West Orvis Street, Church Street, part of Water Street, and Phillips and Glenn streets.

A slideshow Currier showed at the Tuesday, July 17 village board meeting said it will govern areas such as types of materials for storefront appearance, where gutters will need to be placed, types of window displays, sizes and placement of signage, and types and placement of exterior lighting.

It also would dictate color palettes. Owners would not be pigeonholed into only using specific colors, but it would have various color schemes to work with. He showed an example that was a five-color swatch with earthen red, tan, earthen green, black and goldenrod.

He said that was one of "many palettes that are available."

The hearing will be on Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall's room 30, which is where the board regularly meets.