Public hearing on proposed zoning law amendment in Owasco on March 12, 2026.

Notice of Public Hearing Local Law 1 2026 Rezone 



TOWN OF OWASCO PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE




A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CONDUCTED ON PROPOSED

LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 2026 ENTITLED

“A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 150 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF OWASCO AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO REZONE CERTAIN PARCELS FROM RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS TO A RESIDENTIAL USES PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OVERLAY DISTRICT”




PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that a Public Hearing will be held by the Town Board of the Town of Owasco on March 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., at Town of Owasco Town Hall, 2 Bristol Avenue, Auburn, New York 13021, to hear all persons interested in a proposed Local Law entitled “ A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 150 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF OWASCO AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO REZONE CERTAIN PARCELS FROM RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS TO A RESIDENTIAL USES PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OVERLAY DISTRICT ,” being proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2026.




This proposed Local Law is summarized as follows:

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

The Town Board hereby finds and determines as follows:

A. The Town of Owasco has adopted a Zoning Law codified as Chapter 150 of the Town Code to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

B. Town of Owasco Zoning Code Section 150-53(A)(1)(a) states:

A. Types of PDDs and permitted uses. The use of land and buildings in a PDD may be for any lawful purpose as authorized by the Town Board of Owasco in accordance with the procedures of this article. The following general uses, or combinations thereof, may be considered:

(1) Residential Planned Development (RPD).

(a) Residential uses. Residences may be a variety of types. In developing a balanced community, the use of a variety of housing types and densities shall be deemed most in keeping with the objectives of this article, and the applicant shall demonstrate that they are reaching as broad an economic market as possible.

C. The Town of Owasco is uniquely positioned to capture and participate in an unprecedented wave of economic development opportunities occurring throughout Central New York, driven by transformative investment in advanced manufacturing, technology, and related supply-chain industries. These initiatives present a significant opportunity to strengthen the Town’s tax base, expand housing options, attract new residents, and support long-term community vitality.

D. New York State has identified a critical shortage of housing and has implemented statewide policies, programs, and funding initiatives intended to encourage municipalities to take affirmative steps to increase housing supply.

E. The Town of Owasco has been designated by New York State as a Pro-Housing Certified Community, reflecting the Town’s commitment to proactive land use planning and zoning strategies that support housing development.

F. New York State housing and infrastructure grant programs place significant emphasis on the identification of appropriately zoned, development-ready, or “shovel-ready” sites capable of supporting residential growth.

G. The Town Board finds that the area of the Town of Owasco located along New York State Route 38A at the northern end of Owasco Lake (the “Route 38A corridor”) constitutes a principal gateway to an area of the Town well suited for residential growth. This area is home to, and in close proximity to, significant recreational, cultural, and community amenities, including Emerson Park, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, a family-oriented playground, a nine-hole golf course, and yacht club facilities. The Route 38A corridor is also located within approximately ten (10) minutes of Downtown Auburn.

H. The Town Board has determined that amending the Official Zoning Map to rezone select parcels within this area from existing Residential zoning districts to a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District designation will best position the Town to pursue State housing and infrastructure funding, demonstrate zoning readiness, and encourage flexible residential development, while preserving full procedural review under Article VIII of the Zoning Law.

SECTION 3. AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 150 — ZONING MAP REZONING

Chapter 150 of the Code of the Town of Owasco is hereby amended to rezone certain parcels of land from their existing Residential (“R”) zoning classification to a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District.

The Planned Development District designation established by this Local Law contemplates and permits a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District , as that term and development type are defined in §150-53(A)(1)(a) of the Town of Owasco Zoning Law. Such Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District shall be subject in all respects to the procedural, substantive, and environmental review requirements of the Town of Owasco Code and Article VIII, including site plan, subdivision, and SEQRA review, as applicable.

SECTION 4. AMENDMENT TO OFFICIAL ZONING MAP

Pursuant to §150-9 of the Zoning Law of the Town of Owasco, the Official Zoning Map is hereby amended to rezone the following parcels from their existing Residential (“R”) zoning designation to a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District :

·

Tax Map No. 124.00-1-22.123; East Lake Road; approximately 195.60 acres

·

Tax Map No. 124.00-1-22.111; Bevier Road; approximately 243.64 acres

·

Tax Map No. 124.00-1-22.124; Bevier Road, approximately 10.45 acres

Rezoning of the foregoing parcels to a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District shall not authorize development, construction, or the issuance of any permits. Any proposed development within a Residential Uses Planned Development District Overlay District shall require full compliance with the procedural, substantive, and environmental review requirements set forth in the Town of Owasco Code and Article VIII of the Town of Owasco Zoning Law, including site plan, subdivision, and review under the New York State Conservation Law, State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), as applicable.

Copies of the proposed Local Law are available for inspection at the Town of Owasco Town Hall during regular business hours. This notice is provided pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law Section 20.

All persons in favor or opposed to the proposed Local Law are asked to appear at the above time and place.

Dated: February 12, 2025

By Order of the Owasco Town Board

Contact Point: Tammy Flaherty, Town Clerk, tflaherty@owascony.gov



PUB: FEBRUARY 24, 2026

COL-NY-101760