By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer

The Lysander Town Board voted July 25 to approve the incentive zoning letter of intent for the proposed Cabbage Patch development on Emerick Road. Councilor Roman Diamond cast the sole dissenting vote, saying he did not want this incentive zoning application to set a precedent for irresponsible development in Lysander.

“I just don’t know if the benefits will outweigh the costs,” Diamond said.

The other board members expressed their support of the project, which seeks to build 37 homes on 26 acres at 8185 Emerick Road. Dr. Robert Clark, a dentist who lives in Baldwinsville and practices in Liverpool, is the owner and developer of the Cabbage Patch property, which would become part of the Whispering Oaks subdivision.

Deputy Supervisor Bob Geraci said it would not be fair to not approve Clark’s application, as he had done his due diligence in meeting the town board’s requests, such as improving drainage and creating an entrance to the development off Emerick Road to ease traffic concerns.

“The thing that is selling me on this project is we put a moratorium on the rest of the incentive zoning overlay on Emerick Road to further study the issue,” Geraci said. “To Roman’s point, I share his concerns, but with that I will support this project.”

Supervisor Joe Saraceni said incentive zoning is “smart growth,” and the benefits developers provide in exchange for building on smaller lots are “self-sustaining” and allow Lysander to invest in infrastructure, saving taxpayers money.

“The more I look at incentive zoning, the more it makes sense to me for this community now and in the future,” Saraceni said. “It’s what I bought into a long time ago: It’s smart growth, it’s targeted.”

With an OK from the town board, the Cabbage Patch project now moves to the planning board.