Townhomes planned for Freeman Interiors location

By David Tyler

A proposal for a new 28-unit townhome development on the site of Freeman Interiors on Route 92 has crossed its first hurdle.
On May 11, the town of Manlius Planning Board voted to recommend a zone change on the 23-acre parcel that could pave the way for Brolex Properties of N. Burdick Street in East Syracuse to build 14 duplexes on the property.
“Our intention is to be able to have a town home community that we feel is a great fit for the area,” said Brandon Jacobson, representing Brolex Properties. The proposal, submitted as Freeman Estates, calls for the units to be clustered on approximately eight acres of the parcel closest to Route 92.
The remainder of the property slopes downward toward Limestone Creek and lies within the stream’s floodplain. There are no plans to develop that section of the property.
“We can’t really economically use the whole property,” Jacobson said. “We don’t have a big footprint to work with.”
Brolex Properties sought a zone change on the property from R-A to R-3, which would allow for a higher density usage. The property is bordered on two sides by developments that are already zoned R-3: Ravine Ridge across Route 92 and Huntwood immediately to the southeast.
In recommending the town board make the zone change to R-3, the planning board specifically noted that it was not an endorsement of the project and that several issues with the development would need to be worked out through a site plan review.