Published: May 08, 2008 10:50 am         

Planning board expected to accept CDD proposal

By JIM AUSTIN
Cooperstown Crier

The village planning board is expected to accept with conditions and recommendations a preliminary proposal for the creation of a Coordinated Development District on the old railroad right-of-way along Grove Street.

Joseph Galati has submitted a proposal to create the district for a residential development with 13 single family homes on the two acre parcel.

The board reviewed comments it received from the public and worked to formulate a decision during a special meeting last Thursday. Acting Chairman Charlie Hill said the meeting was one of the most important for the board because it sets a direction for the proposal. He said this week the board looked particularly at the number of homes, lot sizes and setbacks.

The proposed district is divided by West Beaver Street, and for the northern portion, the board set a minimum lot size of 5,100 square feet.

Hill said the board is still working on the southern portion. In comparison, the minimum lot size in the R-2 and R-3 zones is 5,000 square feet.

The increase in lot size will likely result in fewer homes.

``It will probably be in the neighborhood of 10,’’ Hill said.

A decrease in the number of homes in the northern section would better reflect the ``rhythm’’ of the existing homes on the west side of Grove Street.

Hill said the main objection they heard from the public centered around the possibility the homes would be used for short-term rentals. He was uncertain a prohibition against renting the homes could be included, but said he was doubtful if they could meet the criteria for a tourist accommodation, and weekly rentals were not permitted in the village.

Setbacks were another issue people were concerned about, and at a minimum, they need to be large enough to permit maintenance of the homes and property.

The board, Hill said, was pleased with the most recent home designs by local architect Susan Snell, which are more traditional and appropriate for the area.

Hill said he expects the board to complete its review of the proposal and vote to accept the preliminary proposal during the next planning board meeting on Tuesday, May 13, at 4:30 p.m.

If the proposal is accepted, Galati will have six months to submit a formal application for the creation of a Coordinated Development District and a site development plan proposal.