OGDENSBURG -- A town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Dobisky Center to discuss a controversial proposal to rezone several parcels in the city.

The plan allow more than 30 parcels included in a proposed Adaptive Reuse District to circumvent the traditional zoning process, which requires a special variance for changes in use.

A similar law already exists for parcels of two or more acres, but these properties are too small to be covered by existing legislation.

The proposal drew strong criticism at a recent city hall meeting as it could allow a wide range of operations to move into former schools, churches and businesses that were constructed in areas zoned residential.

Much of the public concern, so far, has centered around the possible reuses of Lincoln School, which was recently sold to Step By Step, Inc., a provider of community-based mental health services. But residents in other areas included in the ARD also raised concerns regarding property values and quality of life issues that they say are protected by zoning regulations.

Director of Planning and Development Andrea L. Smith will review the proposed district, its goals and objectives, and the process of review that would be followed for any redevelopment of parcels within this district.

The proposed process mimics a process already on the books in Ogdensburg, the Planned Development District or PDD, except that Adaptive Reuse Applications will be reviewed by a Joint Planning and Zoning Commission, and is a predefined zone not a floating zone like the PDD.

The proposal for a nine member Joint Commission to be comprised of Planning Board, Zoning Board, and City Council members would review each application for any parcel within the proposed district.

The commission would be required to hold a public hearing and ultimately would determine if the proposed reuse of the parcel is compatible with the surrounding areas and zoning districts.

See earlier story regarding the adaptive reuse plan at http://northcountrynow.com/news/city-council-tables-zoning-bill-allowing-bypass-traditional-zoning-laws-certain-structures-resi.

To see the ARD draft proposal visit http://www.ogdensburg.org/DocumentCenter/View/1507