During the Town of Cortlandville’s Planning Board meeting last night, representatives from QPK Design Architecture Engineering Site & Planning presented to the board plans for a brand new Cortland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership at the same site of where the previous one suffered a total loss in a fire back in January.
The proposal shows a brand new 23,925 square foot building with a showroom, offices, service entry and a service department. The new building will be larger than the previous and would be built to corporate standards.
Additionally, the site will include more parking for vehicles, a total of 346 spaces. The only piece of the old dealership that would remain is the existing free standing sign by Route 281.
Overall the board’s reaction to the new proposed dealership was good, noting the updated look, improved fire access around the building, and parking space sizes for vehicles.
A concern was raised about the amount of lot coverage at the dealership. Due to the location of the dealership within a wellhead protection area, lot coverage may only be at 50%. Cortland Chrysler would need to seek a variance for their lot coverage. The current proposal shows a lot coverage of 70% on the property. The variance for a lot coverage is by the boards discretion, Bruce Weber, Planning and Zoning Officer informed to QPK Design.
Landscaping was also discussed by the board, with representatives stating that they have not yet gotten to that point of specifics. The board agreed that landscaping should be done towards the front of the building along Route 281.
The goal for developers is to have the new dealership up and running by Spring of 2024, with construction taking about 8 months to complete. QPK Design plans to return to the Planning Board with further detail on landscaping, lot coverage, and building efficiency in March’s Planning Board meeting on March 28th.
