The Daily Star | Denise Richardson
March 6, 2018
ONEONTA – The Oneonta Common Council on Tuesday night adopted a Draft Scoping Document for preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement pertaining to redevelopment of the Oneonta Rail Yards.
The Council also set dates for public sessions on the Draft Scoping Document and a period for submission of comments, among other business during a meeting at City Hall.
Mayor Gary Herzig said he withdrew a proposed ordinance pertaining to certificates of compliance and inspections for residential and commercial rental properties because some more adjustments were needed to the language of the document.
Herzig said a revised version of a “social host” ordinance was laid on the Council’s desk for consideration and a vote on March 20.
In the Oneonta Rail Yard project, the Council is the lead agency in the mandated State Environmental Quality Review Act process for redevelopment of the designated area around Roundhouse Road. The Otsego County Industrial Development Agency will prepare a redevelopment master plan and economic development strategy for the project. The city has received a site plan application and Environmental Assessment Form prepared by Delaware Engineering on behalf of the IDA.
The project will provide an opportunity to create an industrial/commercial business park that would provide markets for Otsego Country, create jobs and add to the local tax base, officials said.
On Tuesday night, through a resolution, the Council accepted the Draft Scoping Document submitted by the IDA, and the document will be available on the city’s website, with paper copies available upon request to the city.
Public sessions on the document are set for Riverside Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. April 4 and at Greater Plains Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. April 5.
Written public comment regarding the Draft Scoping Document will be accepted by the Council, as lead agency, from March 7 through April 27, and with submissions sent to City Hall, 258 Main St., or by email to npowell@oneonta.ny.us. The submission dates were adjusted from an earlier copy of the resolution.