Grace Baptist Church and developer submit rezoning petition for 6.8‑acre downtown site; council accepts petition for processing

Janet Garris, an attorney representing Grace Baptist Church, told the Mount Vernon City Council on June 25 that the church submitted a formal rezoning petition for three contiguous parcels totaling approximately 6.8 acres at 70 South Sixth Avenue, 47 Second Street West and 60 South Sixth Avenue.

The petition, presented by Garris of DelBello, Jamelle and Weingart (with land‑use counsel Jody Cross assisting), requests new zoning that would allow a mixed‑use redevelopment being advanced in a joint venture with Mount Coe Construction & Development (referred to in the presentation as Malco). The applicant asked the council to accept the petition for processing so city staff can complete the required reviews.

The petitioned project as described to the council would be reduced from the team’s earlier concept: a 15‑story building with 262 dwelling units (23 studios; 115 one‑bedrooms; 102 two‑bedrooms; 24 three‑bedrooms), roughly 11,188 square feet of office space on two floors, 114 on‑site structured parking spaces, and amenities including storage, bicycle spaces, laundry, fitness and community rooms and landscaped roof terraces. The applicant said some of the office space would be reserved for the city and for church uses. The petitioner said the units are intended to serve working families at or below 80% of area median income.

Attorney Garris told the council the project team worked with city staff and consultants over the past year and adjusted building mass and height to align with the city’s Downtown Vision Report, adopted by the council in January 2024. The petition materials indicate the three lots are currently zoned NB (neighborhood business) and RMF‑6.75 (residential multifamily); the petition seeks rezoning so multifamily development would be permitted.

Garris said the applicant is preparing an environmental assessment form; she described the project as a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and asked the council to accept the petition for processing and to consider declaring the city lead agency once the environmental materials are circulated.

Rev. W. Franklin Richardson, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, described the project as an extension of the church’s long involvement in local affordable housing and community‑development work, told the council the congregation has been pursuing this vision since the COVID period and said the development is intended to support economic activity on the city’s South Side. Joel Mauti, principal of Malco, summarized his firm’s role as financial and construction partner.

The council voted to accept the petition for processing. The motion was made and seconded on the floor and approved by roll call: Councilman Boxhill—Aye; Councilwoman Caitlin Gleason—Aye; Councilman Thompson—Aye; Council President Danielle Brown—Aye.

Next steps described by the applicants and staff include continued coordination with city planning staff, finalizing and circulating the environmental assessment (SEQRA) for public comment, the council’s declaration of lead agency, required studies and reports, and later site plan review by the planning board if rezoning is approved.

Clarifying details provided to the council and recorded during public remarks include the applicant’s estimate of 6.8 acres of combined parcels, the 262‑unit total and the stated affordability target of households at or below 80% AMI. Garris advised the council that the environmental assessment is under preparation and will be submitted to staff in the coming weeks for circulation and SEQRA review.

The council did not make a decision on any specific zoning map or ordinance in the June 25 meeting beyond accepting the petition for processing; subsequent public hearings, environmental review and planning‑board site plan review were described as required later steps.