Syrcuse, NY -- Syracuse officials are planning to vote next week on a series of rules meant to reduce conversions of single-family houses to rental property in neighborhoods around Syracuse University. The city already did that once, but the law was so unpopular with University Hill landlords that they sued and won. The law was invalidated in state Supreme Court...
Syrcuse, NY -- Syracuse officials are planning to vote next week on a series of rules meant to reduce conversions of single-family houses to rental property in neighborhoods around Syracuse University.
The city already did that once, but the law was so unpopular with University Hill landlords that they sued and won. The law was invalidated in state Supreme Court in January 2009.
The regulations, which do not affect existing rentals, require one off-street parking space for every bedroom in a new rental property. The old rules required one off-street space per rental unit.
The Syracuse Planning Commission will hold a public hearing 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall to hear comments on the slate of proposed zoning changes — five pages of definitions, requirements and limitations that are nearly identical to changes made by the previous law. If the commission approves the resolution, it will move to the Common Council, said Corporation Counsel Juanita Perez Williams.
Meanwhile, the city is still trying to appeal the court decision, which said the city failed to adhere to environmental review procedures. The state Supreme Court Appellate Division upheld that decision earlier this year. The city would be sure to correct the problem if the new resolution advances, Perez Williams said.
“The goal is to ensure we exhaust all of our remedies,” Perez Williams said. “One is to appeal and one is to correct the law. We’re doing both.”
The city has continued enforcing the law as it seeks an appeal and plans to continue doing so, Perez Williams said. The original law, supported by the South East University Neighborhood Association, passed the council unanimously in 2007. Mayor Stephanie Miner, then a common councilor, voted in favor.
Landlords say the law unfairly restricts investment in a neighborhood primarily occupied by students. They plan to turn out for the public hearing and fight the changes again.
Landlord Joseph Tupper, who was among those who sued the city, said he is waiting for decisions on several pending applications to create new rental housing at properties that don’t meet the parking requirements. He’s hoping the commission opts not to advance the changes. This is a student neighborhood, and they’ve got to deal with that,” Tupper said.
Tupper said he figures city officials are hurrying to pass the zoning changes so they don’t have to approve pending applications from landlords if the city’s appeal fails again.
On the other side, SEUNA members want to protect residential blocks from being converted to student housing. SEUNA President Michael Stanton could not be reached for comment, but has said he hopes the rules, combined with the addition of new SU campus housing, will allow for single-family rental property to change back to owner-occupied housing.
Like the original law, the zoning changes would apply only to the University Special Neighborhood District, where new rental property would need one off-street parking space that is easily accessed without moving other vehicles for each bedroom.
The Special Neighborhood District is roughly the area south of East Genesee Street, north of Colvin Street, east of Comstock Avenue and west of Westmoreland Avenue.
Meghan Rubado can be reached at mrubado@syracuse.com or 470-3260.