Councilors OK Second Zone Change Request, Community Garden

by Steve Yablonski | March 13, 2012 8:57 pm

OSWEGO, NY – At this week’s meeting, the Common Council, with little fanfare, approved a zone change for property located in the Second Ward at 81 E. Fourth St. from an R-3 Residential District to a B-2 Central Business District.

The Oswego County Federal Credit Union is looking to build a new facility on the site of the former St. Louis Church, according to Allison Nelson.

“The proposed change wouldn’t be considered ‘spot zoning,’ and it would be compatible with the neighboring usage,” she said.

Councilors also OK’d a request from Michael Bonney, president of Oswego Center for Sustainable Living, and Katie Stout, manager and educator on organic gardening from Grindstone Farms, to designate a parcel of city-owned land on the north side of East Schuyler Street to be used for community gardening for the 2012 growing season.

The lot is about 35’ by 400’ and is located between East Seventh and Ninth streets.

“I think this is a great idea. Having come from an agricultural background, I see a lot of benefit from this for this community and a lot of great food,” said Councilor Ron Kaplewicz.

Second Ward Councilor Mike Myers thanked them for selecting a site in his ward and added, if there was anything else he could do to help, let him know.

“They have registered many people who are interested in participating in this initiative. They have requested the use of this vacant parcel of land for this purpose,” Mary Vanouse, community development director, explained.

There will be a meeting at noon Sunday at the Butch Ponzi Youth Center, at Fort Ontario Park, to discuss the planning and implementation of the first Oswego Community Garden.

In other business councilors approved:

• A request by Dan Healy to have the city of Oswego accept the donation of a park bench in memory of his mother, Shirley Healy, in honor of her upcoming 80th birthday. He also asked for permission to have the bench placed in Breitbeck Park.

 

• A request by Mary Vanouse, community development director, received authorization for William Price, housing inspector and rehabilitation specialist for the Community Development Office, to attend a conference of the Central Chapter of NYS Building Officials in Syracuse from April 3 through 6. This will include the 24-hour in-service training that is required in order to maintain Price’s certification as a code enforcement official.

 

• A request by Gary Hallinan, superintendent of Wastewater Treatment, to purchase a back-up Yeoman’s pump for the Eastside Pump Station. Each pump weighs around 3,000 pounds. Funding ($32,909) is available in the 2012 operating budget.

 

• A request by Harbor Festivals Inc. to use various city properties for the 2012 edition of Harborfest.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/councilors-ok-second-zone-change-request-community-garden/

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