Black Acres founder seeks meeting with mayor after receiving notice about variances

James Paul, founder and executive director of Black Acres Inc., told the Utica Common Council during public comment that his nonprofit recently received an eight-item variance notice related to its Cornhill property and that he wants to meet with the mayor to clarify the city’s concerns.

Paul said he responded to the variance items by email and that when he learned at a neighborhood association meeting that city officials suggested the nonprofit was out of compliance, he contacted staff for clarification. “Last week at the Cornhill Neighborhood Association, mister Irving made a comment that…we are not in compliance with those variances and that the city is looking to shut down the business. So that gets me fired up,” Paul said. He said he had already provided requested information to Marcus Phillips and asked for a meeting with the mayor to resolve the matter.

The council did not take action on the variances during the meeting; Paul’s request was entered into the public record and a council member asked for background so officials could follow up. The transcript does not record any additional enforcement action or a timeline for city review.