Cortland Common Council tables vote on proposed property redevelopment law (Audio Included)

(Photo via the City of Cortland).

Cortland mayor Scott Steve and the city’s Common Council decided to table voting on a proposed local law that would ease the process of redeveloping some properties in the area.

Steve noted at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting that he wants the city’s planning commission to review and make a recommendation of the proposed law before council members vote on the measure. The planning commission canceled its February meeting due to a lack of a quorum.

The Common Council will vote on the proposed law at a future meeting.

The proposed law will look to amend chapter 300 of the city code to “allow for building or property repurpose that serves a substantial public benefit.”

For property redevelopment applications, the Common Council will have authority to “approve a

special use permit for a vacant or unoccupied building, structure or property where the original or permitted use is no longer feasible, regardless of whether the proposed repurpose use for said vacant or unoccupied building, structure or property is expressly prohibited (by chapter 300 of the city code).”

A full breakdown of the proposed city law can be seen here on the first two pages of supporting documents from the Feb. 21 Common Council meeting.

A public hearing on the proposed law was held on Tuesday. A handful of area residents expressed concern for the proposed law and the potential effect it would have on the former Parker School building on Madison Street.

Below is audio of Tuesday’s public hearing on the proposed law:

Below is audio of mayor Steve responding to the comments from the public hearing and providing more details on the proposed law. Steve and the Common Council, along with corporation counsel AJ Meldrim, engaged in a discussion about the proposed law.