Post by newsfeeder on Jul 11, 2006 7:54:17 GMT -5
Ontario Heights neighbors will have to wait a little bit longer before finding out whether the Oswego Common Council will approve a zone change that would limit future retail and commercial development near their homes.
The council tabled a resolution Monday night to schedule a public hearing on the change, following a request by a lawyer whose clients own most of the property within the area. He said the changes would be too restrictive for anyone who might want to buy or develop the land.
Neighbors requested the zone change three months ago to stall a developer's plan to build off-campus student housing in their neighborhood.
The developer, United Group, told neighbors in the 3rd Ward that they wanted to start building the furnished suites for college students this summer. The project was expected to cost between $17 million and $20 million and house about 320 students. But those plans have been put on hold.
Councilors were scheduled Monday night to set a public hearing about changing the zoning from B-1 Neighborhood Business District to R-3 Residential District.
The lawyer representing Steve Thomas and Gary Shanley, who own most of the property that would be affected and have a contract with the developer who wants to buy it, asked the council to table the resolution. The contract includes several conditions, said lawyer Kevin Caraccioli. One is getting the proper zoning approvals to develop the property, he said.
"The neighbors are pretty clear. They don't want college housing. My clients are sensitive to that," Caraccioli said. "They are not looking to ignore the concerns of the neighbors, but the way the proposal is set now it would prevent or eliminate the possibility of developing a commercial or retail business on my clients' site."
That site owned by Thomas and Shanley - between Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts, from Route 104 to George Washington Boulevard - is currently vacant. Another parcel on Washington Boulevard is currently occupied by a carwash, city councilors said.
Councilors voted 4-2 to table scheduling the hearing, a decision that upset many Ontario Heights neighbors at the meeting.
"We're talking about preserving the quality of the neighborhood. Some of the issues have been blurred by this last-minute opposition to a proposal that had been made by the community," said Donald Vanouse, of Washington Boulevard.
"We're disappointed, of course. Some way along the way you have to keep faith in the process," said Anthony Joseph, of Sheldon Avenue. "We were hopeful there could at least be a discussion."
Councilor Edward Harrington, D-3rd Ward, said he also wanted to see the zone change move forward as quickly as possible.
"I think these people have waited long enough for an answer. Caraccioli's clients could care less what happens in this neighborhood," Harrington said. The zone change "would protect the integrity of the neighborhood. It prevents people from coming in and developing the properties in ways that are detrimental to the residential character of the neighborhood."
Acting Mayor Randy Bateman agreed but said the council needs to take a closer look at the wording within the proposal before opening it up to public discussion.
"We have to look at what the effects are going to be," Bateman said. "Is the value of the property going to be affected by the zone change?"
Bateman said the council is looking to revise the zoning so it conforms with the city's 20/20 Vision plan, which calls for residential zoning north of the Route 104 corridor and along the south side of Washington Boulevard.
If that happens, professional offices and some other businesses could still apply for a special permit to move into the neighborhood, Bateman said.
Neighbors said they are hopeful that will still happen.
"The bottom line is we want to preserve the quality of our neighborhood," Joseph said. "I think what the fear is that little bit by little bit it will become too commercial and it will change the residential neighborhood we have."
from www.syracuse.com
The council tabled a resolution Monday night to schedule a public hearing on the change, following a request by a lawyer whose clients own most of the property within the area. He said the changes would be too restrictive for anyone who might want to buy or develop the land.
Neighbors requested the zone change three months ago to stall a developer's plan to build off-campus student housing in their neighborhood.
The developer, United Group, told neighbors in the 3rd Ward that they wanted to start building the furnished suites for college students this summer. The project was expected to cost between $17 million and $20 million and house about 320 students. But those plans have been put on hold.
Councilors were scheduled Monday night to set a public hearing about changing the zoning from B-1 Neighborhood Business District to R-3 Residential District.
The lawyer representing Steve Thomas and Gary Shanley, who own most of the property that would be affected and have a contract with the developer who wants to buy it, asked the council to table the resolution. The contract includes several conditions, said lawyer Kevin Caraccioli. One is getting the proper zoning approvals to develop the property, he said.
"The neighbors are pretty clear. They don't want college housing. My clients are sensitive to that," Caraccioli said. "They are not looking to ignore the concerns of the neighbors, but the way the proposal is set now it would prevent or eliminate the possibility of developing a commercial or retail business on my clients' site."
That site owned by Thomas and Shanley - between Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts, from Route 104 to George Washington Boulevard - is currently vacant. Another parcel on Washington Boulevard is currently occupied by a carwash, city councilors said.
Councilors voted 4-2 to table scheduling the hearing, a decision that upset many Ontario Heights neighbors at the meeting.
"We're talking about preserving the quality of the neighborhood. Some of the issues have been blurred by this last-minute opposition to a proposal that had been made by the community," said Donald Vanouse, of Washington Boulevard.
"We're disappointed, of course. Some way along the way you have to keep faith in the process," said Anthony Joseph, of Sheldon Avenue. "We were hopeful there could at least be a discussion."
Councilor Edward Harrington, D-3rd Ward, said he also wanted to see the zone change move forward as quickly as possible.
"I think these people have waited long enough for an answer. Caraccioli's clients could care less what happens in this neighborhood," Harrington said. The zone change "would protect the integrity of the neighborhood. It prevents people from coming in and developing the properties in ways that are detrimental to the residential character of the neighborhood."
Acting Mayor Randy Bateman agreed but said the council needs to take a closer look at the wording within the proposal before opening it up to public discussion.
"We have to look at what the effects are going to be," Bateman said. "Is the value of the property going to be affected by the zone change?"
Bateman said the council is looking to revise the zoning so it conforms with the city's 20/20 Vision plan, which calls for residential zoning north of the Route 104 corridor and along the south side of Washington Boulevard.
If that happens, professional offices and some other businesses could still apply for a special permit to move into the neighborhood, Bateman said.
Neighbors said they are hopeful that will still happen.
"The bottom line is we want to preserve the quality of our neighborhood," Joseph said. "I think what the fear is that little bit by little bit it will become too commercial and it will change the residential neighborhood we have."
from www.syracuse.com