By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Oct. 7, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees made a decision regarding the future of traffic through the connection between the adjoining South Village and South Meadow subdivisions.
The board passed a resolution declining to enact a local law to amend the village code to establish Atwell Ridge (southbound) and South Meadow Drive (northbound) as “limited through traffic streets” upon which vehicular access would be limited to emergency and municipal vehicles only.
In 2012, the Village of Cazenovia Planning Board granted preliminary plan approval for “Phase 1” of the South Meadow subdivision subject to a number of conditions, including the stipulation that there be no general public vehicular through traffic between the existing South Village subdivision and the proposed South Meadow subdivision, and that there be signage indicating the restricted access.
The planning board recommended that the board of trustees take legislative steps to “declare the portion of Atwell Ridge from South Village Drive southerly to the boundary between the two subdivision as restricted to emergency and municipal vehicle use only, with appropriate signage reflecting such status to then be erected within the South Village subdivision.”
Although the village carried out the condition in a practical sense — erecting the requested signs and seasonal barriers at the connection — the board of trustees never adopted the local law required to codify the travel restriction and enable police officers to enforce the restricted access.
On Sept. 3, 2019, the board of trustees held a public hearing on the adoption of such legislation.
Comments made during the hearing and through written communications raised concerns in favor and opposed to the adoption of the proposed local law.
South Village residents, in particular, expressed concern regarding safety issues and street congestion that could result from opening up the connection to general through traffic, given the lack of sidewalks in the neighborhood. The residents also commented on the potential increase in noise and hazards from construction and delivery trucks, as well as other vehicles.
On the other side of the discussion, a number of residents raised concerns that the signs and street barriers create a negative image of the community; hinder the development of a sense of community between the neighborhoods; are inconsistent with the objective of the Village Comprehensive Plan to promote connectivity between neighborhoods; create an unnecessary risk to public health and safety by inhibiting the movement of emergency vehicles; and violate NYS law prohibiting restrictions of this nature on public streets.
After considering the public input and determining that declining to enact the proposed local law would not have significant adverse effects on the environment, the board decided against enacting the proposed local law.
The board’s action will result in the removal of existing barriers and signage.
The resolution adopted by the board on Oct. 7 states “There is no professional testimony in the record that eliminating the barrier will have any adverse impacts beyond those that exist to one degree or another in all residential subdivisions.”
The board said the removal of the barrier will reduce confusion by motorists; eliminate the need for traffic to turn around at the barrier (in a location that was never intended to be a turnaround); allow for unimpeded access by emergency, school and governmental vehicles; and promote community spirit and connectivity.
The resolution states “The Board finds that its authority to enact this local law as proposed is not supported by prior legal precedents, which, among other things, require the Village to hold its public streets in trust for all the people, not favoring a defined group.”
Mayor Kurt Wheeler described the situation as challenging.
“The majority of the current trustees were not on the board when the original discussions took place, which required us to look at the situation objectively and consider all perspectives,” he said. “The board ultimately voted for a solution we believe will address the legitimate safety concerns raised by the South Village neighborhood while staying within New York State law and remaining consistent with our comprehensive plan. Our professional staff will provide recommendations next month on a reduced speed limit, prohibition of truck traffic and the addition of sidewalks in the South Village neighborhood. We believe these measures will increase safety and walkability while still retaining connectivity.”
Proposed Burton Street development
The board closed the public hearing regarding the application of Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. for a zone change (R-10 to PDD) to construct “The Landing at Burke Meadows” — a senior and family housing complex on land east of Burton Street.
The board will continue to accept written communication until Oct. 28.
According to Wheeler, the applicant’s updated plan has been reduced significantly in scope based on public input.
The project now has 49 units compared to the originally planned 70 units.
Housing Visions is proposing four 4-unit townhomes (16 units total) and 33 units in the senior building.
The applicant also relocated the community center to inside the senior building and revised the proposed road to increase the buffers between the adjacent properties.
The village board will make a determination on the zone change only after receiving a recommendation from the planning board.
“We hope to have a recommendation from them by our Nov. 4 meeting,” said Wheeler.
If the village board grants the zone change, the planning board will then make a determination on the final site plan.
The village board meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Village Municipal Building, 90 Albany St. To learn more, visit villageofcazenovia.com.
