BALDWINSVILLE — CDS Life Transitions, a Webster-based agency that offers affordable and accessible housing, is looking to build as many as 140 apartments on a 15-acre parcel between Phillips and East Oneida streets in the village of Baldwinsville. The area’s current R-1 zoning only allows single-family or duplex homes, so the agency is seeking a zone change to R-2.
The Village of Baldwinsville Board of Trustees voted July 21 to set a public hearing on the issue for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at village hall.
In an email to the Messenger, Baldwinsville Planning Board Chair John Tonello wrote that the project could encompass as many as 14 two-story buildings constructed across two phases. Phase I would consist of 70 one-, two- and three-bedroom units as well as a common building. A possible second phase would add 70 more units. Monthly rent would depend on tenants’ income and would range between $650 and $1,100.
Tonello said the village board has requested the planning board weigh in with a recommendation.
“The planning board can recommend the village keep the R-1 designation, change it to R-2, or change it to a Planned Development District (PDD),” Tonello said. “Under a PDD, the village would retain authority to set project-specific design standards. Any requirements set by the village would apply only to the CDS project and would not transfer to any future property owner. An R-2 designation limits village design input and would apply to the current or future owners of the 15-acre parcel. Keeping the R-1 designation would allow only one- and two-family homes and no apartments.”
The planning board’s recommendation is not binding, so the village board can choose to follow it or reject it when considering the zone change.
Tonello said residents have expressed concerns about traffic and the “potential removal of trees and greenery that shield them from activities at the Baldwinsville Central School [District] campus.”
Sally Patterson, a resident of Mechanic Street, said at the July 21 trustees meeting that she and several of her neighbors are against the proposed zone change.
“We’d really hate to see that in light of the traffic problems,” she said. “Two-hundred and forty cars in addition to what we have now? I don’t see it going well.”
Deputy Mayor Bruce Stebbins said he was against the R-2 zoning as well.
“I don’t even see why we’d hold a public hearing,” he said. “I can’t support moving to an R-2 because it does not provide any benefit that I can see to our village and community as a whole. If they’re set on an R-2, I’m set on not approving it.”
Stebbins said the village already has many apartments, which would generate less tax revenue than single-family homes. He said apartments also attract “transient” residents.
“That’s not usually where you set up to make your lifelong home. That tends to be not somebody that contributes to our community,” Stebbins said.
Village Attorney Bob Baldwin advised holding a public hearing to allow CDS to present their case, as the agency has the right to request the zone change.
Stebbins said he is in favor of a PDD. Code Enforcement Officer Gregg Humphrey said the planning board’s attorney, Jamie Sutphen, favors a PDD as well.
Humphrey said there are more than 513 housing units that have been approved or are being proposed in the village, including the CDS project. Most of these units are apartment housing.
Tonello said he requested that the village board receive the developer’s traffic study, a report on municipal water capacity, the project’s estimated annual tax revenue and input from the Baldwinsville Central School District about the “potential impact from anticipated new students.”
Mayor Dick Clarke said he, too, is concerned about traffic and the water supply, though he said Superintendent of Public Works Chuck McAuliffe told him he is not worried about the project’s impact on the village water system.
In addition, Tonello would like to see Baldwinsville partner with New York State and Onondaga County to conduct an expanded traffic study.
“Such a study would help inform decisions for this and other village development projects,” he said.
Trustee Nate Collins asked if the village has received any positive feedback from residents about the CDS proposal.
“Not that I’ve seen. I’ve not gotten emails from anybody, I’ve not gotten calls from anybody that thinks it’s a great idea,” Clarke said. “Everyone that I’ve talked to has concerns. The developers think they can address those concerns. That remains to be seen.”
Clarke said CDS Housing is geared toward low-income and disabled residents. The village does not have much housing for those underserved populations, he said.
Police Chief Mike Lefancheck said the board should consider the long-term effect this project could have on traffic, parking and other issues.
The board voted 5-2 in favor of scheduling the public hearing.
Clarke encouraged residents and trustees to familiarize themselves with the project details by attending planning board meetings or contacting local officials. To learn more about the proposed CDS project, click here or contact the code enforcement office at 315-635-2481.
