Zoning law could pave way for Twin Shores

TOWN OF MANLIUS – The town of Manlius is in the process of developing a law that would authorize a Planned Unit Development zoning district that could pave the way for the Twin Shores development proposed to the east of North Burdick Street.
Both the town board and the planning board discussed the proposed law last week ahead of a April 12 public hearing on the proposal.
A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a tool that municipalities use to provide structure for development proposals that don’t fit into existing zoning, whether because of density or land use. As stated in the proposed law, a PUD provides a process “to allow for the approval of a beneficial development plan that would not otherwise be possible due to existing zoning law.” The law currently under consideration is not specific to the Twin Shores development but would provide the framework for that project, or other proposed projects, to apply for a PUD rather than conform to fit within the town’s current zoning.
“It allows us to be more creative in working with [developers],” Councilor Katelyn Kriesel said.
PUDs are relatively common in other municipalities, an example being the Radisson community in the town of Lysander, which incorporates both low- and high-density housing, recreation, industrial, healthcare, and other uses into a single development plan.
Two Manlius residents spoke at the public hearing on the law last week, mostly requesting clarification on what a PUD is and what types of developments they could be used to encourage. In addition, town code enforcement officer Tom Poitras said he had had discussions with housing developers who were interested to see if the PUD law would enable them to construct more dense single-family housing.
The proposed law states that PUDs would only be allowed in R-5 (the most dense residential zone), neighborhood shopping, commercial or industrial zones. The zoning for the Fietta property, where the Twin Shores project has been proposed, was changed to R-5 last year.
If enacted, PUDs would still be subject to the town’s current planning and approval procedure, including a recommendation from the town planning board, a public hearing and then final approval from the town board before going back to the planning board for site plan review.
After clarifying some of the language in the law at the request of the planning board, the town board is expected to vote on the law at its April 26 meeting.