Greenlight Given by Planning Commission on Monroe Heights Property – New Build to Replace Long Vacant Property

Work on a long vacant property in the City of Cortland may now commence after the City of Cortland Planning Commission gave the green light towards the site plan of a new two-unit residential building that will replace the vacant house at 4 Monroe Heights. The property has sat vacant since a fire caused significant damage back in 2004 and it was deemed unsafe to live in.

The newly constructed building would be in the same footprint as the existing multi-family house that currently occupies the property. However, the density of the new residential building would be less than the previous building. The structure slated to be demolished was a 3-unit building. Each apartment in the new build would have six bedrooms each for a total of 12 bedrooms.

Last month, the City of Cortland Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance for a pre-existing nonconformity on the property of the rear parking area. The Board of Appeals saw no issue and granted the variance. It is to note a majority of the properties on Monroe Heights have rear parking areas.