By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
A wide majority of the speakers at the public hearing conducted Feb. 26 by the Liverpool Village Planning Board voiced strong opposition to the proposed 108-apartment Meyer Manor complex proposed for 1225 Tulip St., just north of the Thruway.
“We’re opposed to a development there of this magnitude,” said Ashley Hicks, who resides on Sheridan Road. “They dropped the number of apartments from 130 to 108 — big deal! It’s not an appropriate project size.”
Local developer Cosimo Zavaglia plans to purchase Marvin Meyer’s Tulip Street property to construct four 27-unit apartment buildings on a vacant wooded lot located just south of the Johnson Tract residential neighborhood. Many of the opponents who turned out for the Feb. 26 hearing live in the Johnson Tract.
Before the neighbors voiced their opinions, Planning Board Chairman Joe Ostuni Jr. asked to hear from the developer’s project engineer, Steve Calocerinos, who said the design has added “substantial landscaping” including a berm next to the 162-space parking lot to mitigate any impact on neighbors. Calocerinos spoke for 45 minutes, but when others were invited to speak Ostuni limited their comments to two minutes each.
Peg Salvatore, the president of the Johnson Tract Homeowners Executive Board, objected.
“We have legitimate concerns,” Salvatore said, “but you listen to the developer. You don’t listen to us.” She listed the names of nine families whose residences could be affected by the project. “These nine families will suffer a major impact on their property values, family lives and their quality of life,” she said.
Many of those who oppose the project said they’re worried about traffic safety. Matt Rettinger said school-bus safety was his concern, while David Nortman reported that vehicles routinely drive 40, 50 and 60 mph as they traverse the Tulip Street bridge over the Thruway.
Michelle Allison expressed fears that mosquitos, mice, rats and foxes will descend on her neighborhood if the woodland is developed. Roy Johnson asked the planners to consider the possibility of a mass-casualty incident occurring at such an apartment complex.
Liverpool Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Captain Craig Griffin said the developer agreed to provide a new water main and two hydrants at the site, but firefighters would like to see a second entrance into the complex other than the main entranceway on Tulip Street.
Former Town of Salina Planning Board Chairman Harry “Pat” Ehle spoke in favor of the project, as did Nancy Schmu Wildoner of Binghamton. Wildoner previously lived at 1233 Tulip St. and is related to property owner Marvin Meyer.
“I don’t see the apartments as negative at all,” Wildoner said. “I see it as progress.”
Ostuni asked the planning board to keep the public hearing open so they can continue to take comments from interested parties. Meanwhile, the board sent the project description to the City-County Planning Board for review and scheduled a State Environmental Quality Review for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the Village Hall, 310 Sycamore St.
