By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Approximately 25 people attended a town hall meeting regarding a zoning change that would allow the city to adapt new uses to former schools, churches and non-conforming properties within residential areas.

The plan calls for the creation of an Adaptive Reuse District, which some Ogdensburg residents say is the equivalent of spot zoning.

Two residents spoke out against the draft plan, which has been scrutinized over the past few months.

Major complaints centered around language in the plan that resident Carol Shaver says removes any real oversight from the city council.

The plan calls for the establishment of a Joint Planning and Zoning Commission, which includes members of the planning board, zoning board and city council.

In order to establish a new use for a property within the ARD, the Joint Commission must approve hold a public hearing then approve the plan.

The plan then goes before city council, which is also required to hold a public hearing before approving.

However the city council would be required to have six votes in order to override, or deny, the Joint Commission’s recommendation.

Shaver said that requirement was too restrictive and that it ultimately stripped the council of any real oversight. She also criticized language that state failure of the council to act on a proposal within 30 days would be deemed approval.

“It’s blatant spot zoning,” she said.

City councilor Michael Morley, who attended the meeting, said he did not support any aspect of the ARD proposal and would not be supporting it. He also raised issue with the six-vote override requirement, because if two councilors with conflicts of interest are forced to abstain, then there is no way to deny a permit.

“Would removing that requirement kill the whole plan? Because I don’t think you have the votes to pass it,” he said.

Planner Andrea Smith said that at least three councilors supported the draft plan.

Mayor William Nelson said that the council would be discussing the plan before any vote would take place. He said he had no problem with the six-vote requirement, because the city council will have three members on the Joint Commission.

“The city is going to be involved in every step of the process, so I don’t have a problem with it,” he said.

Nelson said it is important to establish a plan that allows the city to develop it’s vacant properties and said zoning restrictions have already cost the city opportunities to get properties back on the tax roll.

The city is expected to vote on the plan Feb. 12, a Thursday.

The draft plan can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.ogdensburg.org/documentcenter/view/1532 .