Cortlandville Town Board Makes Decision on Proposed Transitional Housing Project on Starr Road

Wednesday’s Cortlandville Town Board brought the Town Board to make a decision on whether to allow Catholic Charities of Cortland County to begin their planning process for a transitional housing residence on Starr Road across from Abdallah Ave. Last night’s meeting again brought neighbors around the property, who voiced their concerns for the proposed project.

Catholic Charities of Cortland County looks to construct a single-building, short-term transitional community residence on an 11 acre vacant piece of land on Starr Road. The project would have a residential capacity of 14 individuals in 14-bedrooms. The building would be staffed 24/7 by professionals in providing supportive housing and rehabilitative services that are designed to assist residents in developing independent living skills and help them successfully transition into the community.

During the privilege of the floor, several spoke in favor for the transitional housing project, noting the project will help those who are part of the Cortland Community, offer assistance for those in need and help them avoid homelessness, and potentially save taxpayer dollars by reducing the cost otherwise associated with higher treatment care.

One neighbor of the project stressed during her turn to speak, that her and her neighbors around the property where the transitional housing is proposed are not against transitional housing, but concerned about the property itself. She noted previous development plans for the project encountered flooding risks, lighting & parking issues, and more and that these issues must be addressed.

Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Cortland County, Tim Lockwood, said he does wish he approached his intentions for the project differently, highlighting more community engagement, but noted that the issues brought up would be reviewed by the Planning Board. Any construction of the transitional housing project is required to receive planning board approval, where concerns and issues will be addressed and mitigated. Lockwood added the location in question is the only location where the Office of Mental Health has determined to be feasible in his two year search.

Prior to the vote itself by town board members, Keegan Coughlin of Coughlin & Gerhart, who is representing the town on this matter, once again brought up the three options the town has, but added with the states restrictions on a denial and other locations virtually nonexistent in the eyes of the Office of Mental Health, the town is limited in their choice.

Keegan did add the Town Board can include in their resolution to ask the planning board to carefully consider the concerns residents raised during last night’s and previous meetings along with the flooding, lighting, traffic, and parking. Town Supervisor Greg Leach agreed and called for a motion to approve the site itself for Catholic Charities to begin the actual planning process approvals. The vote was unanimous in approving the site with Leach abstaining from the vote.