By David Tyler
Freeman Estates, the proposed development on the site of Freeman Interiors on Route 92 in Manlius, is now being proposed as a smaller development featuring 12 single-family homes.
Earlier this year, Brolex Properties proposed a development with up to 26 units on the site, which is just east of Limestone Creek from the intersection of Route 92 and Woodchuck Hill Road. Because of the steep grade and flood plain on the back of the property, only about eight acres of the 23-acre site are able to be developed.
Planners seemed more favorable to the new plans, which call for 12 ranch-style homes ranging in size from about 2,000 square feet to 2,400 square feet to be clustered at the top of the hill. While the homes would be similar, developer Tom Oot said there would be some custom elements and each property would be different.
“I don’t want them to be cookie cutter,” he said. “We don’t want them to look all the same.”
The developers plan to use wild area at the bottom of the slope bordering Limestone Creek for walking trails for residents of the community.
“I think we’re on the right track,” said town engineer Doug Miller, who added that the town is still waiting on some surveys before planners can make a decision to allow the cluster development.
Hoag Lane project back before planners
The long-discussed Hoag Lane subdivision is back before the town of Manlius planning board. In August, the board determined the project would have a significant environmental impact, requiring the developer to prepare a lengthy environmental impact statement answering the board’s concerns.
“There’s nothing new in those documents,” developer Tom Douglas told the board. “There hasn’t been any new information in probably over a year.” The statement does, however, clarify the developer’s answers to the board’s environmental concerns about the 21-lot subdivision, he said.
Board members, who indicated they had not had time to effectively review the 50-page document, tentatively plan to address the issue at their meeting on Jan. 11 and must, by law, address it by their second meeting of January.
