A possible rezoning of land near Jefferson Park that could have led to more housing in the city of Canandaigua appears to be dead for now after several business owners gave a collective thumbs-down to the idea.
An ad-hoc committee has been looking at ways to add housing in this part of the city’s Ward 2 and that rezoning some of the properties from manufacturing to a form of residential zoning could allow for several types of housing, including apartments.
Among the issues is a lack of vacant property in the city for housing. This area has some.
But Canandaigua City Council’s planning committee wanted to see if there was support from them before moving forward.
Why are Canandaigua officials talking about rezoning?
The last three community surveys have indicated that housing is a serious issue in Canandaigua, and more housing is a goal to work toward as outlined in recent comprehensive plans, according to City Councilmember Guy Turchetti, who chairs council’s planning committee.
This is no “grand scheme” by the city to rezone hundreds of acres, Turchetti said, only that city officials wanted to hear if the rezoning was supported by business and property owners.
Message received.
Why was there opposition in Canandaigua?
The committee on Aug. 3 voted against having the idea be passed along to the full City Council, meaning it will not be pursued anytime soon.
If the property was rezoned, existing businesses would still be allowed to operate, but any potential expansions would not be allowed, which is why several business owners spoke out against the plan.
Councilmember J.T. Squires supported their arguments.
“I don’t think we should be touching businesses,” Squires said.
No buy-in likely for Canandaigua rezoning
Jefferson Park, which is located on Jefferson Avenue near Saltonstall Street, has a skate park as well as a renovated all-season pavilion. Several teams use its sports fields to play.
More homes would mean more use of the park, as well as more of an impact on city services, such as police and fire, as one resident pointed out.
But the points all may be moot for now.
Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin said the city has no proposals on the table nor any inkling that there are any to come.
Even if the properties were to be rezoned, which again, does not seem likely at this point, that does not mean anything will happen there.
“It all depends on the market and what property owners and developers are willing and want to do,” Goodwin said.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Canandaigua rezoning plan near Jefferson Park shelved after business opposition
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
