NORTH SYRACUSE — The Village of North Syracuse Board of Trustees is considering the addition of automotive repair shops as an allowed use in the C-3 Village Center zoning district. The board discussed the issue at its Nov. 10 meeting.

There are two auto repair shops — Mercury Speed and Garry’s Auto Repair — on North Main Street. Patrick Barry, owner of Mercury Speed, had secured a variance for his service station, but the variance is not transferrable to a new owner.

Currently, C-3 allows establishments such as retail stores, offices, places of worship, schools and multi-family housing. Special permits under C-3 allow restaurants, hotels/motels and recreation centers.

Butterfield said he and Village Attorney Robert Germain discussed the possibility of allowing auto repair shops in C-3.

“I’d rather have another auto repair than two more smoke shops,” he said.

“Or Dollar Generals,” Trustee Christopher Strong added.

The village board will hold a public hearing on the issue at 6:29 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

‘Park at Dark’ a success

Kim Lane, president of The Bville Connection, presented at the Nov. 10 meeting about the nonprofit events committee’s Park at Dark event, which took place Oct. 1 at Heritage Park. North Syracuse Parks and Recreation Director Tony Burkinshaw had worked with Lane and The Bville Connection when he worked for the town of Lysander’s parks and rec department.

Lane said Park at Dark drew more than 500 visitors and featured 40-plus vendors from Baldwinsville, Camillus, North Syracuse and beyond.

“That’s what The Bville Connection is about: we like to connect people and resources, whether it’s in Baldwinsville or inviting Baldwinsville people to other places that we know are really great and have good things to offer.”

Park at Dark featured trick-or-treating, crafts, games and a “Trail or Treat” to encourage kids to be physically active. Volunteers from the CanTeen center in Cicero supervised the creation of luminaries for the Trail or Treat.

Lane presented the village of North Syracuse with a $500 donation.

“We hope that you can earmark this for a scholarship for somebody to go to summer camp,” she said.

Other proceeds from the event benefited the CanTeen and Purpose Farm, a farm sanctuary in Lysander that connects at-risk youth with rescue animals.

Troublesome tree

A resident on Herman Drive has asked the village to look into trimming or removing a tree. While village officials said they were not sure if the tree is in the right-of-way, Trustee Strong said multiple homeowners have complained about property damage from Spectrum moving around the tree to access utilities.

Strong asked if the village could mediate between an affected homeowner and Spectrum to see what the cable company can do to address the issue. Trustee Fred Wilmer said the village should find out for sure if the tree is in the right-of-way before taking action.

Codes officer needed

As the village’s search for a new codes enforcement officer continues, the trustees discussed appointing Sheila Weed as interim codes enforcement officer. Weed previously served in this role after the resignation of David Barnhart in 2017. Brian Johnstone served as codes enforcement officer from 2017 to October 2022.

The village’s need for a codes officer is urgent as a developer has fallen behind on its weekly reports for a new development. The village issued a stop-work order for the project. Weed is scheduled to inspect the property soon.

Mayor Butterfield said the village will find out Weed’s hourly rate.