OCLARIFICATION REQUIRED! 

The date was Tuesday, August 5th, the time was 7PM the place was City of Fulton municipal bldg., upstairs in the Courtroom, the venue, Common Council meeting. 

There were two public hearings, one was a hold over from the month before regarding a change in housing use. The second one was for a zone change. 

The owner of the old Holly Drive Motel was asking for a zone change from R1 to C2 

Clarification is needed for information presented by two speakers. 

First speaker, Mr. Dennis Merlino, made statements about a zone variance for the property in question, saying that Byrne Dairy had a zone variance(fact or fiction), site plan drawings were computer generated by the owner not a engineering firm(fact or fiction), a dumpster on the property without a permit,(fact or fiction-if fact when was the permit acquired), questions about purchase agreement and non-compliance(fact or fiction), statement about the adjoining property and C2 zoning and not needing a public hearing(fact or fiction),buyer beware statement about the listing of the property and due diligence,(fact or fiction-legal question), these are the issues that Mr. Merlino brought forward. 

 Most of these need to be answered by a member of Mayor Rice’s team, he should have a member from Codes and Assessor’s office and City Attorney at the next meeting to address these issues. 

Mr. Sherman spoke next; he brought up counters to Mr. Merlino. Mr. Sherman then said that he has spoken with residents of the area and they are happy with his plans(fact of fiction), Mr. Sherman then said he didn’t take possession of the property until two months after the sale(fact or fiction), Mr. Sherman brought up that the property was listed Commercial property(fact or fiction), Mr. Sherman stated he didn’t find out until he took possession that it was zoned R1(fact or fiction) Mr. Sherman stated he had a buyer for the property if is zoned C2(fact or fiction). Mr. Sherman should bring in his copy of the purchase agreement. Mr. Sherman should ask residents to come and speak at the next meeting. 

My points are that if all Mr. Merlino has stated is fact then the Common Council and public need to see or hear proof from the City Government in an open meeting! Mr. Sherman made some good points about the need to develop the site. However if it is true  that he has said that he has a potential buyer if the property is zoned C2. That changes whether the residents would be happy with the new owner and their plans for the site. People being happy with an office building in their back yard is one thing. However having a business that would attract an increase in traffic, is another thing. The public needs to be informed one way or another. Development is great but it must fit into the area. 

Both men  should be aware of the fact that they will not be allowed to speak at the next meeting. Rules state that if you have spoken at the public hearing once you aren’t allowed to speak again. 

Mr. Merlino didn’t say he was against progress or development, he just said he had issues and that they should be addressed. However his statements must be researched and proven f to be fact or fiction. 

Mr. Sherman wants development however he has to live with the vote of the council. 

It is a perfect location for development. The site is not suitable for single family homes, It is best for a business of some sort and the residents must be heard and in favor of the type of business that would be in their back yards. 

As an elected official, representing the 25th District, I want to hear from other residents. Not the owner of the property or just one resident. 

Clarification is required by the City at the next meeting, not behind closed doors. 

Frank Castiglia Jr. 

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