The Village of Fayetteville’s Mayor says residents could possibly see the former site of O’Brien and Gere start to get a face-lift six months from now. However, a series of approvals needs to happen, first for a large apartment and mixed-use development project.
Planning Board Meeting for Apartment Project Monday, Apr 6th @ 7:00 pm, Fayetteville Village Hall
A meeting will be held Monday night for the Village Planning Board to look further at the specifics of the project. It calls for 12, three-story buildings with 26 apartment units in each. Mayor Mark Olson says the developer is required to get a zone change for the mixed- use development.
“The planning Board has to look at that so does the board of trustees. There’s a lot of studying that has to be done. It’s been vacant for a couple years and it’s an eyesore and we’ve talked to several developers about.”
Unfortunately, Olson says all of those prior talks fell through. Plenty of Fayetteville residents have been contacting the Village about the current project with concerns over density and traffic. Olson says the State D-O-T has proposed widening Route 5 through the village center.
“We just don’t want that to happen because it’s going to ruin the character of the village. That’s one of the nice things about Fayetteville because it has such a great character and such a rich history that we don’t want to lose that.”
(PROPOSED SITE PLAN BELOW)
Olson is hopeful that all interested parties can come together.
“We have to look out for what’s best for the whole community and we’re trying to do that for this project. So just to say ‘no’ before anything’s been done just really isn’t what I think is in the best interests of the community. Let’s continue to look at it, let’s continue to study it, let’s continue to see what the developer is willing to change, if we want change. Then if we can get a project that works for the best of the community then it’s a win for everybody.”
The Planning Board meeting will be held Monday at 7:00 PM at Fayetteville Village Hall, 425 East Genesee Street.
This rendering is from the Fayetteville Comprehensive plan for 547 East Genesee St:
