A 2,770-square-foot gas station with a convenience store, Subway restaurant and car wash is being proposed for the corner of Newport Road and Main Street in the village of Camillus.
The plans were presented at the village’s regular board meeting Monday night. The plans are an amended version of plans suggested about six months ago. Since that proposal, the village board has been working with the developer and the county to make necessary changes prior to voting on the site plan.
Should the developer get the OK from the village board, the convenience store would run 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The proposal at Monday’s meeting was to operate the car wash 24-7, as well, though village officials took aim at that part.
The area would have room for 19 parking spaces, including eight at the gas pumps. The car wash area could accommodate up to six cars waiting for the bays. The developer says the addition of the store would create up to 20 new jobs in Camillus.
“This is a place for people to stop on their way to work or on their way back home,” said Tim Bailey, of Keystone Associates, formerly Hawk Engineering.
Some key changes made to the proposal from the county’s suggestions include adjustments to the water systems and, if the plans went through, there would no longer be a left turn onto Newport Road from the parking lot.
Only one person spoke against the proposal at the public hearing on the subject. The hearing will continue until the next meeting, Feb. 20, where residents can share their support or opposition on the project with village officials.
Attorney Dirk Oudemool spoke on behalf of property owners on Genesee Street who vehemently oppose the gas station.
“I don’t think we need to sacrifice the future and the beauty of this village just to get something there,” Oudemool said. “[Operating] 24-7 is an outrageous interference for people who live here. This does not need to be the hubbub of activity.”
Oudemool says the proposed convenience store and gas station could jeopardize the look of the village, and believes the project is not in line with a local law adopted in 2011. The law is in addition to the comprehensive plan, both of which suggest the village’s developments “be consistent with the village of Camillus, circa 1900.”
“This doesn’t even come close to meeting that criteria,” Oudemool said.
Village officials are expected to vote on the project next month. A committee consisting of four people — two village board members, Bridget Yule and James Palumbo — and two residents is working to recommend an action on the proposal to the village board.
