By Margo Frink
(Oneida, NY – Nov. 17) The Oneida Planning Commission was updated on the site plans for the construction of the new Oneida Public Library at its November meeting.
Julia Marshall of Holmes, King, Kallquist & Associates of Syracuse, lead architect for the project and two of her associates presented drawings and answered questions by the commission. Members of the board and library representatives also were in attendance.
The one-story, 18,000-square-feet building will have two main entrances on the west side, which faces Main Street. Other entrances around the building will be mainly for employee use and service entry.
Plans include a one-way entrance and exit from Main Street. Motorists can also enter from the north side of Elizabeth Street and exit onto Main Street or wind their way around the library building and exit south of the building on Elizabeth Street. So, the library can be entered and exited from both streets.
Marshall said her team met with various city department heads and any changes made as a result of their comments will be addressed in the next submission of plans.
A book drop was added to the south side of the building that cuts in similar to a bank’s drive through.
Plans call for 67 parking spaces.
The building’s design will incorporate the historic neighborhood, she said. Plans have been sent to SHIPO (State Historic Preservation Office) for review.
Some concerns addressed by the commission were appearances from Elizabeth Street, traffic congestion on Main Street, storm water issues, excessive parking areas and lighting.
The team said shrubbery can be added as buffers with neighboring lots. There is an additional 7,000 square feet of property on the north side of the building that butts up against the Historical Society’s property, for possible future expansion.
Plans include a series of dry wells and an overflow pipe for the culvert to handle the storm water.
Light fixtures planned, about 25, will be 14 feet high, LED candles that shine straight down. Signage will include a monument sign at Main Street entrance/exit, letter signage on the building and a monument sign on Elizabeth Street that will require a variance. Signs will be lit from the front only.
Marshall said they would like to begin construction within the year. It will take nine months to a year to build.
The commission plans to hold a public hearing at the December meeting.
Other Business
The commission agreed to send a positive referral to the Common Council on an area variance request for a nine-foot, eight-inch setback from accessory structure and five-foot setback from side property line to construct a carport at 1229 Upper Lenox Avenue zone, Neighborhood Commercial (NC).
A positive referral was also agreed upon for an area variance request for 39.7 feet lot frontage and 9,596 square feet for required minimum lot size to demolish an existing single family structure and rebuild at 2384 Lake Road, zoned Agriculture (A) by James Kraus.
A public hearing was held and sketch plat approval, preliminary plat waiver and final plat approved for a minor subdivision located at 1224 Lenox Avenue, zoned NC by Amy Mammone. A positive approval was given.
Commissioner Geoff Snyder asked Mammone if she would consider allowing a property easement for sewer hook-up with other parcels along Route 5. She said she would be open to discussing an easement.
The Commission recommended a zone change request from R-1 (Residential) to R-P (Planned Residential) for property located at 435 Genesee Street by Charles Dattellas. The property in question, located behind Valenti Estates, was not zoned for a third apartment and the property owner constructed one anyway and now seeks the zone change, according to planning Director Cassie Rose. The property was only approved for one apartment and a workshop.
After a site plan review, the commission approved a conditional use permit for a vehicle repair business at 638 Fitch Street, zoned Manufacturing/Industrial (M-I) by Timothy DeMauro, contingent upon local approval and several conditions: obtaining permits, key box requirement, no outside storage of parts or unregistered vehicles, any lighting shall face downward and proper disposal of fluids.
Margo Frink is vice president of M3P Media LLC and managing editor of the Madison County Courier. She can be reached at Margo@m3pmedia.com or 315-481-8732.
