The Daily Star | Whitney Bashaw

January 9, 2019

 

ONEONTA — Two representatives from the Delaware Engineering presented the results of the generic environmental impact statement on developing the Oneonta Rail Yards to the community development committee at City Hall on Wednesday.

Delaware Engineering was hired by Otsego Now, the county’s Industrial Development Agency, to conduct an environmental impact study on the 80-acre site off of Chestnut Street and Fonda Avenue, which is owned partially by Ostego Now, private owners and Delaware and Hudson Railway.

Mary Beth Bianconi and Tracey Ledder gave the presentation to the committee, which included committee chair Melissa Nicosia, Second Ward council member; Michele Frazier, First Ward council member; and Russ Southard, Sixth Ward council member. Mayor Gary Herzig, City Manager George Korthauer and Dave Rissberger, Third Ward council member, were in attendance.

Delaware Engineering based the review on “the most intense use we envisioned” to establish a “threshold for land uses,” Bianconi said, to understand what would be needed to develop the land and evaluate potential environmental impacts.

The Master Plan outlines about 317,000 square feet of building development.

According to Bianconi and Ledder, who have consulted economic developers in the area, the best use for the property would be a climate-controlled warehouse and shipping facilities. The proximity to a rail line and Interstate 88 and the county’s demand for such property make it well suited for development, Bianconi said, calling it “rare as a unicorn” for this reason.

The site is raw and would require water, sewer and electricity. Power could present an issue that could be solved by geothermal or solar, she said.

Parts of the development exists within 100 feet of wetland, Ledder, lead author of the study, said, requiring any developer to have a mitigation plan.

Included in the review is a traffic study, which showed a developed rail yard would yield no major impact to the associated roads.

Bianconi said the study approximated 230 employees based on the master plan build out.

“It’s an infill site in an urban area,” Ledder agreed. “It makes great sense to develop it.”

The Common Council will vote next Tuesday, Jan. 15, to move into the public comment phase. The resolution will confirm the completion of this stage and create a timeline for public comment and a public hearing where residents can ask questions about the review process. The environmental review will be available to read online on the city’s website.