Proposed 12-Unit Apartment Project Under Review in Cortlandville

At Tuesday’s planning board meeting, members reviewed a proposal to construct a 12-unit apartment building at 1342 Fisher Ave. The applicant, John Delvechio, is seeking to consolidate four parcels and develop the new building while also renovating an existing multi-family property.

The site currently includes two two-story apartment buildings, a commercial storage building, and a single-family home.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has already approved an area variance allowing relief from the requirement that all buildings include commercial space on the first floor.

Delvechio explained that the project involves more than just new construction—it also includes restructuring property ownership.

“Currently, there are several LLCs, all of which I am part of, that own the respective parcels,” Delvechio said. “What will happen is everything will be consolidated, with all necessary deed work completed to reconfigure the property into one. There will be a single limited liability company that owns all of the lots.”

Planned renovations to the existing buildings include new vinyl siding to match the proposed construction. Existing garages and sheds will be removed, and overgrown vegetation across the property will be cleared.

Renderings of the new building show a two-story structure with 5,554 square feet per floor. The 12 units will each feature two bedrooms. Plans also include 26 parking spaces, along with new landscaping and sidewalks.

“Our intention is for the new building to match the existing ones,” Delvechio said. “We’re going to give facelifts to everything that is there. I’m asking the board to consider this as a unified application for both the new construction and the existing buildings.”

The Cortland County Planning Department has already reviewed the proposal and recommended several conditions. These include submission of a complete site plan, installation of a crosswalk within the parking area, adding a vegetative buffer between parking spaces and Fisher Avenue, and submission of a stormwater pollution prevention plan. Additional recommendations call for coordination with County Public Works to identify and survey the location of a box culvert on the property, and for the town to weigh the benefits of granting the requested variances against any potential impacts on community health, safety, and welfare.

Planning board members expressed general support for the project, noting the need for additional housing in the area.

Attorney Keegan Coughlin of Coughlin & Gerhart, representing the town, advised the board that a short-form State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) would be required due to the size and scope of the project. He also noted that further information is needed, particularly regarding the culvert location and landscaping plans.

“My recommendation, assuming the applicant is agreeable, is to table this until next month so additional information can be provided,” Coughlin said. “That way, the board can review a complete package consistent with the county’s recommendations.”

Board member Nasrin Parvizi asked whether a stormwater prevention plan would be required. Coughlin clarified that the board only needs confirmation that such a plan has been submitted and can make it a condition of approval. Parvizi also requested that Delvechio provide a landscaping plan, as well as details on dumpster placement and site lighting at the next meeting.

With no further discussion, the planning board voted unanimously to table the proposal until the applicant submits the requested additional information.