City Planning Commission Voices Objections to Size and Design of Proposed Apartment Building on Owego Street

During Monday’s City of Cortland Planning Commission on Monday, the Planning Commission raised their concerns and objections towards a proposed 2-unit apartment building at 16 Owego Street in the City of Cortland. Their main concerns on the proposed project was the size of it and the lack of appeal and character the building had when compared to the neighborhood.

The property currently sits empty with a large hole in the ground of where the previous home was located. The previous structure was vacant for a number of years and torn down to make way for a newly constructed building. 

Developer John Barden looks to build a two-story 2-unit apartment building with each unit having 5 bedrooms in each. Total parking from site renderings show 6 parking spaces. City code requires 2 parking spaces per unit in an apartment building; the number of bedrooms per unit does not apply to required parking spaces.

Barden stressed that the apartment building is not being built as designated student housing. He continued on saying it is easier to find tenants who are long-term and providing an apartment with numerous bedrooms and space is easier to keep tennant long-term; adding a family with 3 or 4 children struggle to find large enough apartments in an already low supply housing market in the Cortland area.

The Planning Commission though raised their concerns and objections to the proposed project. Two of the main concerns were the size of the project and the lack of appeal or character the building has. Commission Members agreed the building appeared “towering” and just a large box-like structure that wouldn’t match the character of the neighborhood.

Barden continued to say he is willing to work on design aspects of the project and said he has already spent a lot of time and money on the proposed project. The project was approved for its required variances in the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting back in December of 2023 along with county approval.

After about 10 minutes of back and forth regarding the buildings design and size, both the Planning Commission and Mr. Barden agreed to meet for a sketch plan conference to discuss what the Commission would like to see exterior design wise. The meeting would then allow Barden to redesign the appearance of the building and present it to the board for site plan approval, which could be done in the month of November.

Until then, the Planning Commission voted to table the site plan until revisions are made.