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Zoning Board of Appeals 448 Frederick Douglass Street (Comments Off)
From Dick Maguire – CHNA Board Member and Treasurer
Mark your calendars. On Thursday, September 30th, at 9:30AM at City Hall, there will be a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting regarding the proposed use of 448 Frederick Douglass Street (on Lunsford Circle in Corn Hill.) Come and express your opinion. Here’s why it’s important:
Pathways Houses, one of the many not-for-profit agencies operating in Corn Hill, recently purchased their third property, 448 Frederick Douglass St. This property has been and is designated a single family housing unit by City Code. It adjoins Pathways Houses’ two other properties.
Upon learning of the purchase, concerned neighbors invited the Rochester City Zoning Manager and the CEO of Pathways Houses of Rochester to discuss the purchase and the intended use of the property. Numerous questions were asked and opinions expressed during the well attended meeting.
One of the primary and consistent ideas stated by the Corn Hill residents was that Corn Hill has always been a socially sensitive community, welcoming those with a need and agencies that provide help. Proof of that commitment is the twenty-five not-for-profit owned properties in Corn Hill.
Just as strongly stated was the feeling that the intended use of this property violates the spirit of the City Code. Pathways Houses intend to use the house as a rental property, renting to four unrelated adult men as part of their supportive services program for former substance and alcohol abusers. These men would live in this residence as they reintegrate into the community. Pathways Houses indicated the relationship with residents of the property will be a landlord/tenant relationship.
Following are some additional facts brought forth during the meeting:
- There is general concern that there is an overabundance of not-for-profit owned properties in Corn Hill. This will be the twenty-sixth not-for-profit owned property in Corn Hill.
- There is extensive support for the work Pathways Houses does.
- This third adjoining property creates a sort of compound, possibly affecting property values of its neighbors.
- The stated intent is to integrate program residents into the community. This is not likely to happen; with so many residents in contiguous houses, they will become a community unto themselves.
- There is a strong feeling that the Pathways’ intended use does not meet current single family zoning.
- There is a strong feeling that this is not a normal, permitted landlord/tenant relationship because:
- Only program participants can live in the property. The general public cannot live there.
- The rent charged to the residents is heavily subsidized by Pathways Houses, again differing from a typical landlord/tenant relationship.
- The residents must live in a Pathways-owned house to complete their program, not a free will landlord/tenant relationship and
- Although it is not confirmed, there is a strong suspicion that Pathways Houses will seek tax-exempt status for this property as they have for their other properties. Typical landlords do not get the benefit of tax-exempt status on their rental properties.
Consequently, on behalf of the Corn Hill Neighbors Association, I have filed an Appeal to the Zoning Board challenging the Rochester City Zoning Manager’s determination that the proposed use complies with the current single family zoning status of the property.
Again, the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 30th, at 9:30AM at City Hall. I encourage you to attend this meeting and express your opinion regarding the proposed usage. The Zoning Board takes neighbors’ opinions seriously and poor attendance would likely assure that the proposed usage will take effect soon.
Erie Harbor Development Meeting (Comments Off)
A meeting has been scheduled regarding the Erie Harbor development for Wednesday, September 8th at 6:30pm in City Council Chambers.
Erie Harbor is located at 205-405 Mt. Hope Avenue along the river and involves the demolition of the four low-rise structures formerly known as River Park Commons and subsequent construction of approximately 131 new rental housing units on the site, of which 80% of the units will be market-rate and 20% will be for low and moderate-income households. The project follows the preservation and renovation of 202 affordable rental housing units at the north end of the site now know as The Hamilton.
At the August meeting of City Council, the final legislative action for the project was approved including City financing for the development and easements that will increase access to the river through the site. At the meeting, City Council also requested that a community meeting be organized. The purpose of the community meeting is to provide information and discuss the approval process completed to date, provide information on the remaining approvals required for the project and the approval process that still remains, and to receive feedback from the community on final design decisions. As you may know, this project went through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. As a result, the City hopes to get feedback on any proposed design changes since the Final EIS design, provide information on the process, and answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to hear general comments from the community.
So that the public can have easy access to existing information on the project and materials that will be presented at the meeting, a web page at http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589944103 has been created and will have all the relevant information and documents. At this time, the following is available at the website:
- Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
- FEIS Figures and Appendices (Forthcoming)
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
- Letter to the Community from Marcia Barry, Manager of Zoning, August 17, 2010
- Plans and Renderings as of September 2008
- Streetscapes as of October 2008
- Next week we will have some additional information and materials in anticipation of the meeting, including:
- Plans and Renderings as of August 2010
- Approval Process and Development Timeline
- Legislative History
- List of Proposed Design Changes from 2008 FEIS to August 2010
- List of Proposed Materials for Erie Harbor as of August 2010
- Agenda for Community Meeting, September 8th, 2010
If you plan on attending the meeting please RSVP by contacting Jennafer DiFranco in the Bureau of Business and Housing Development at 585-428-6808 or difrancoj@cityofrochester.gov.
Comments or questions about the Erie Harbor development can be directed at:
Bret Garwood
Director of Business and Housing Development
City of Rochester
Department of Neighborhood and Business Development
30 Church Street, Room 005A
Rochester, NY 14614-1290
Phone: 585-428-6150
Fax: 585-428-6042
Email: garwoodb@cityofrochester.gov
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