Council reviews zoning step to advance Syracuse Developmental Center master plan

Eric Ennis of Neighborhood and Business Development described two items related to the Syracuse Developmental Center master plan: creation of a planned development district (PDD) and zoning changes to align the official zoning map with the approved master plan.

Ennis said the master plan anticipates a mix of townhomes and apartments and that the PDD “allows for greater flexibility” because the current MX4 zoning makes three‑story townhomes more challenging. He said the project was reviewed by the county planning board, city departments and the Planning Commission, and that the Planning Commission recommended approval.

For phase 1 Ennis said the team is preparing permitting and construction drawings; phase 1 would include “261 units, combination of the apartments as well as the town homes” and “27 town homes that are going to be built by Home Headquarters.” He also said the ownership and funding conversations are ongoing with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to secure financing needed for phase 1 to break ground.

Ennis described separate work to market a portion of the site for light industrial use and said the city and county continue discussions about land potentially related to the zoo; he said any land transaction would return to council for approval. Ennis and councilors also noted demolition activity is underway at the site.

The transcript records council discussion and questions but does not show a final council vote or adoption of the PDD during this session.