By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
This spring, the Village of Cazenovia received a Planned Development District (PDD) application for “The Landing at Burke Meadows” — an affordable senior and family housing development on Burton Street.
Housing Visions, a Syracuse-based nonprofit developer, has agreed to take on the proposed project.
On June 3, David Cox, P.E., the project’s civil engineer, presented the preliminary plan to the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees.
“Getting quality senior housing into the Village of Cazenovia has been a desire for many years,” Mayor Kurt Wheeler said.
Wheeler also noted Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS) recruited Housing Visions for the project after researching senior housing providers in the northeast.
According to Cox, Housing Visions develops, constructs and manages real estate projects that provide high-quality, affordable housing for families and help to revitalize communities.
After almost 30 years, the organization now owns and maintains 342 buildings in 13 municipalities.
After describing the work and reputation of Housing Visions, Cox said The Landing at Burke Meadows is designed to not only meet the need for senior housing in Cazenovia, but also to provide affordable housing for families.
“What we are hearing from the seniors right now is that they don’t want to be [isolated]; they want to be part of a community,” he said.
The preliminary development plan includes a three story senior apartment building, as well as townhouses with units for families.
Cox said while the senior building would be tucked in toward the back of the property, the residential-style townhouses would be positioned closer to Burton Street to fit in with the surrounding single-family homes.
The plan also features an amenity area — including a patio, raised flowerbeds and bocce courts — that would serve as an outdoor gathering space for the seniors.
The property is located within walking distance of Burton Street Elementary School, Cazenovia Community Preschool, Evergreen Cemetery, Cazenovia Recreation Center (Burton Street Park) and the Gorge Trail.
Cox said the developers made a concerted effort to preserve the heavily wooded areas in the back of the property and to keep a buffer of dense vegetation between the residential properties to the north and south.
The plan proposes access to the property by way of two connected roads. The street through the development would feature sidewalks on both sides and village lighting.
In addition to the planned parking lots tucked in between the buildings, Wheeler suggested parallel parking on one side of the street.
Trustee Maureen Fellows said because the senior building is located atop a slope, the structure would be visible from certain locations throughout the village.
Cox replied that only the top of the building would likely be visible due to considerable tree coverage.
“If it’s a well-designed building with appealing architecture, the fact that it is visible isn’t necessarily a detriment,” Wheeler said.
Cox also provided the board with a potential schedule for the project.
He said the plan would be submitted to New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) — the state’s affordable housing agency — in December for funding. The awards would be announced in May 2020, and work would begin three to six months after receiving the funding.
“Housing Visions has a very good track record with HCR,” Cox said. “They know all of their projects and the quality housing that they do . . . all of their projects have been funded in the past.”
Following the presentation the board passed a resolution to forward the preliminary plans to the Town of Cazenovia Planning Board for further review.
“Our consideration of the change of zoning through the planned development district and the planning board’s analysis of the site plan will occur on parallel tracks,” Wheeler said.
If both boards decide to advance the project, public hearings will be held on the site plan and the zone change.
In other news
Trustee Amy Mann delivered her final report as a village trustee.
Mann has served on the board since 2009.
She currently serves as deputy mayor and tree commissioner and public works commissioner. She also chairs the Carpenter’s Barn Restoration Committee.
Previously, she worked as the police commissioner and the parks and recreation commissioner, and she sat on the Lake Watershed Council.
“Amy has been central to the village’s success and good government for the past decade,” Wheeler said. “She will be missed dearly.”
The board passed a resolution of appreciation for Cazenovia Police Department Officer Thomas Engelmann, who will retire after 19 years of service to the village and its residents.
Throughout his career, Engelmann served as the lead security officer for the town and village courts; as a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association; and as director of the Cazenovia College’s Phase I Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Program. He also dedicated considerable time and effort to countless fundraisers, charitable events and organizations.
Lauren Lines, executive director of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, announced the submission of village’s application for Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The proposal will be presented to the Regional Economic Development Council later this month and the winner will be announced mid-July.
Lines also announced a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new kayak launch at Lakeland Park at 1 p.m. on June 13. Wheeler and Brian Stratton, director of the NYS Canal Corporation, will speak at the event.
Frogbit (an invasive aquatic plant) pulling in the lake will begin in mid-July and continue for five to six weeks. Paid crews members will begin pulling work in two shifts — morning and afternoon. Volunteers are encouraged to help.
