1) Property #153.07-1-40.11- owned by Elbert Adams and Robert Taylor (located on Main St. behind the Blue Dolphin) PASSED (vote 4-3)
2) Property #153.07-1-39.00 - owned by Nicholas J Rossi Jr & Constance J Rossi (Nick's Garage on Main Street, an existing business with part of the property zoned HIC and the front on Main St. with the building zoned Residential) DENIED (vote 3-4)
3) Property #153.07-1-40.12 - owned by Nicholas J Rossi Jr (vacant lot east of Nick's Garage on Main Street) PASSED (vote 4-3)
Town of Owego officials have many times stated that the Town is "Business Friendly", many in the business community have noted different. This decision today by the town Planning Board makes one wonder if the town is really "Business Friendly".
The board passes two vacant lots, one with the
hopes of a hotel, and the other with no plans for development. Then with
out a batting an eye they denied a locally owned business, operating for
over 25 years as a non compliance use (the property has been used for business
for over 50 yrs) The fact that part of the property is already
in HIC zone was not even taken into consideration when voted on.
Just days before the Tioga County Planning Board approved
all three properties for the zoning change.
After listing to all the remarks by the board and hearing the final votes I just had to tell them what I think of their decision. "This is the dumbest decision I have ever heard, approving two vacant lots, and denying an existing business. This is really dumb" FJB
Now it is up to the Town Board. The decision by the Planning Board
is just a recommendation, the final decision will come from the Town Board
after a public hearing on April 21 at 7:30 pm. I hope that they make
a smarter, more "Business Friendly"
decision.