Syracuse, NY - Controversial legislation aimed at limiting new rental property in the University Hill area advanced this week after a public hearing of the Syracuse Planning Commission. The commission voted unanimously to support the local law during a Monday night hearing attended by about 50 people. The measure, which requires a single unblocked parking space for every bedroom in...
Syracuse, NY - Controversial legislation aimed at limiting new rental property in the University Hill area advanced this week after a public hearing of the Syracuse Planning Commission.
The commission voted unanimously to support the local law during a Monday night hearing attended by about 50 people. The measure, which requires a single unblocked parking space for every bedroom in new rental property, is supported by the South East Neighborhood Association and opposed by landlords. It will move to the Common Council for consideration, likely in June, said Corporation Counsel Juanita Perez Williams.
A nearly identical law passed Common Council in 2007, but was invalidated in state Supreme Court because the judge said the city failed to follow environmental review procedures. The city is working through an appeals process, as well as resubmitting the legislation to correct the error.
The Syracuse Planning Commission heard dozens of comments from landlords and neighborhood residents on the zoning changes. The parking space rule applies only to the special neighborhood district that borders Syracuse University. It does not affect existing rental property.
Landlords told commissioners the rules unfairly restrict their ability to invest in the neighborhood. They argued many blocks are already predominantly occupied by renters and that remaining single family homes on those blocks are most attractive to investors – not families.
“I’m opposed to any more regulation in this neighborhood, period,” said SU area landlord Greg Tweedy.
Ross Andrews, vice president of SEUNA, said the measure has effectively been in place since 2007 and has kept owner-occupied homes from turning into rental property on Maryland Avenue, where he lives. The members want to make sure the neighborhoods remain attractive to families and other owner occupants, rather than just to student renters, he said.
“There are three houses on my street, alone, that remained owner-occupied versus going to rental,” Andrews said.
Contact Meghan Rubado at mrubado@syracuse.com or 470-3260.