The village of Cazenovia just got a little larger.

During the Nov. 7 village board meeting, a resolution was passed by both the village and town approving the annexation of 13.452 acres of land as village property.

Following a public hearing and completion of a SEQR form for a Type I Action, it was determined there would be no negative environmental impacts.

As the lead agency, the village passed the resolution first and immediately contacted the town board with their decision.

Minutes later, town councilors approved the resolution, making the transaction official.

The parcel, popularly known as the “Stowell Property,” is located just east of McDonalds on Route 20 and is already being eyed by developers for Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, a Canastota-based convenience store chain that boasts more than 80 locations in Central New York.

“I think Nice N Easy is a good fit for Cazenovia. What a lot of people don’t understand is that Nice N Easy is a local company. The headquarters is on Oxbow Road in Canastota,” said Bob O’Leary, a representative for Nice N Easy who attended the Nov. 7 meeting. “The trustees and the mayor are very conscientious, and incredibly focused on proceeding with the best intentions of Cazenovia residents in mind.”

Jim Hagan, an architect hired by Nice N Easy, presented an informal site plan to those in attendance, and outlined what the company had in mind for development.

Initially, Nice N Easy would inhabit 3.5 acres for their proposed 25-foot-tall, single-story structure, gas pumps and car wash. As the land allows limited frontage on route 20, it was suggested the remaining 10 acres be used for office buildings, as opposed to retail space.

Hagan said he and Nice N easy are working to refine their proposal, and will look to submit a formal site plan to the village board in the coming months.

Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].