Business Plans For Former Church May Face Opposition

FULTON, NY – The city will host a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed zone change request that could usher in new business at the site of the former Congregational Church at West First and Broadway.

According to Fulton Mayor Ronald Woodward, the request is facing some opposition from residents who don‘t want to see a historical church taken down.

“There are some people who have a problem with this because of the historical significance of the church,” he said.

“I recognize the historical value of the church,” Woodward said. “But a lot of churches are consolidating and closing because they can’t meet expenses. Once that happens, someone has to take care of these buildings.”

Based in Illinois, the Family Video Store is working to purchase the church, the parsonage and two houses to the north of the church along West First Street. The buildings would be taken down and replaced with a new Family Video Outlet Store.

In July, Second Ward Alderman David Guyer explained that the church had received a purchase offer for the property. He noted, however, that the offer was accepted contingent on the city’s zoning decisions.

Guyer explained that while Broadway is zoned C-2 commercial property, the houses that would be taken down as part of the project are zoned R-2 residential. One of the properties is a single family residence and the second is a multi-family rental unit. Guyer said both property owners are agreeable to the sale.

The zone change request, if approved, would change zoning to C-2 for the remainder of the block along West First Street from Broadway to Voorhees Street.

The project was referred earlier this summer to the Fulton Planning Commission. Woodward said that the commission was agreeable to the project.

“They didn’t do any of the site plan review yet,” Woodward noted. “They wanted to wait to see what would happen with the zoning before they spent time on that.”

If the zoning is changed, the council will also host a public hearing on a request to for a special use permit for the project. It would be the first time that the city has employed its new special use permit process since its inception.

“Unless the zoning is changed, there is no need for the permit,” Woodward noted.

When he first explained the project, Guyer said that he believes the proposal is positive for many reasons. He noted that the project would generate both new sales tax and property tax dollars for the city. While church properties are not-for-profit and do not pay property tax, a new business on the corner would.

Woodward also pointed out in July that as the building deteriorates and becomes a safety concern, the city could become obligated to take it down at the taxpayers’ expense. He estimated that cost around $100,000.

Woodward noted that the historical significance of the church would not be lost to Fulton. As part of the agreement with the church, the city will receive two benches from inside that would be set up at city hall with plaques that commemorate where they came from.

Guyer noted, too, that a salvage company would be brought in to remove many things from the church before it is taken down. Woodward said, for example, that he understands that the proceeds from the church windows are going to be donated to a charitable organization.

“I certainly understand the historical concerns that people have,” Woodward said. “I love history myself. But I believe this could be the best use of this property.”

The public hearings will begin at 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Fulton Municipal Building. missing or outdated ad config

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