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1-17-2008 By JIM AUSTIN Editor In a letter to the mayor and planning board Wednesday, Galati proposed the creation of coordinated development district for the 2.2 acres. The only other coordinated development district in the village is the Fernleigh development. According to the zoning law, a coordinated development district may be used for developments like multi-family residential groups, institutional complexes and others that may not be feasible within the framework of the zoning law. It offers greater flexibility in the type, layout and design of buildings. "It gives everybody a bridge to cross over together. It seems like the most productive way to proceed," Galati said Wednesday afternoon. Galati had originally proposed residential development for the land, and sought a change from its current commercial zone to an R-3 residential zone. When that proposal stalled, he switched to a motel, which requires a special use permit from the board of trustees. Most recently, he suggested if the motel was not approved that he was considering a restaurant, parking lot and self-storage warehouse units. He currently has a proposal for a motel before the planning board and an application for the special use permit before the board of trustees, but has maintained his desire to see residential development on the property. The planning board voted unanimously last week to recommend a change in zoning from commercial to residential for the property, in response to a request from the board of trustees asking the planning board to review the village zoning map, and make any recommendations for change that they feel are necessary. "If this (residential development) is what we feel is the best use of the area, we should say so. Other uses are problematic. To me it's a no-brainer," planning board member Charles Hill said last week. In his letter to the board, Galati said he now believes a change to a residential zone may be "problematic for all parties, those being the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, the village of Cooperstown and JAG Associates." Galati is under contract to purchase the property, but it still belongs to the Railway Society. If the village agrees to work toward the goal of a coordinated development district, Galati said he will suspend all of his current and future applications for commercial development, but not relinquish his right to do so. He would like to work with the village to create ground level housing similar in size to the 18 three-bedroom units he originally proposed. The architectural design and site plan would not compromise the character of the immediate neighborhood, his letter stated. "I will give you my personal commitment to develop the vacant properties on Grove Street to the most beneficial use for the people of the village of Cooperstown, not only in functionality, but also in aesthetics," he wrote. Planning board member Charles Hill said Wednesday afternoon he had not seen Galati's letter yet, but believes the planning board would seriously consider any proposal. A coordinated development district has both advantages and disadvantages, he said, but the board can consider only one proposal at a time. The board of trustees has scheduled a special meeting for Friday at 9 a.m. for the adoption of a required election resolution, but also intends to discuss the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the process of rezoning property. |
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