May 08, 2008 10:49 am
—
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.
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