Oswego Common Council Proposes Driveway Zoning Change

by Shea O'Malley | July 29, 2020 6:14 pm

OSWEGO – Introduction of a proposed zoning law and public hearing, were some of the items passed during Monday night’s Common Council meeting in Oswego.

Proposals to amend Local Law No. 4, Article II of Chapter 280, were introduced. The amendment to the city code would reduce the allowable area of driveway paving for Traditional Neighborhood (TN) properties, down to 12.5%, from 25%, with an allowance of 17.5% for hardship cases such as medical circumstances.

The modification would strengthen the existing language in the law concerning unpaved and gravel driveways, which are prohibited within city limits.

The amendment also covers requirements that all driveways be covered in asphalt, concrete or brick, or driveway space will return to a green area.

The amendment would limit over-paving and the destruction of green areas/public space, while preserving neighborhood characteristics. The new law will also prevent landlords from destroying beneficial grass space for parking or other purposes.

The neighborhoods largely affected by the new proposal will be in the TN1 and TN2 zones[1] because of their dense population and historic value within the city.

The amendment will require non-owner occupied properties or rental properties to go before a planning board before they can proceed with any type of paving or driveway construction.

A public hearing on the proposed zoning law was also addressed. The hearing is to be scheduled during the Monday, August 10 meeting, beginning at 7:15 p.m.

During the meeting, the council also passed a retirement incentive for city employees. The package includes early retirement to anyone 53-years-old and up, with at least 15 years of service or more. The incentive includes full health benefits for those wishing to take advantage of the program.

The measure was created as a way to save money due of COVID-19 budget shortfalls, as the city enters into a new budget season. The retirement program could produce an initial savings of up to $400,000 for the upcoming year.

The council also approved an additional advancement of $500,000 to the Blight Reduction Loan Fund to help refurbish vacant and zombie properties throughout the Oswego area. The money will be matched by New York State Funds for a total of $100,000.

All resolutions were passed. For more information regarding Monday night’s agenda[2] , please click on the link provided.

All Common Council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of the month.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/oswego-common-council-proposes-driveway-zoning-change/

---