Residents have the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the city’s zoning code at a public hearing during today’s Common Council meeting at 6 p.m.
The changes amend the city’s comprehensive zoning plan, passed in March, which had reviewed and approved the uses for all city parcels. Nine parcels of varying sizes on West Jackson Street and Niagara Street that are now zoned as open space are proposed to be redesignated as a low-density residential zone.
“Historically, they were zoned as a reserved area,” said Jason Dool, chief building inspector. “When the new map came out, they were zoned open space. Since then, we’ve had a couple of people inquire about building in these vacant parcels. There’s a couple (parcels) that have homes on them and have utilities on them. Despite there being homes, they weren’t zoned residential. They had variances there to build. It really never came to light until we had another resident wanting to build on a West Jackson parcel. There’s water and sewer there. If we have one person ready to build, why not make them all buildable?”
Mark Crocker, Town of Lockport supervisor, provided information on which of the addresses in question receive town water service through a contract, provided at a higher water rate. City parcels proposed for rezoning include:
• 1101 West Jackson St. with town water
• 1141 West Jackson St. with town water
• 1145 West Jackson St. with town water
• 1201 West Jackson St. with town water
• 1227 West Jackson St. with town water
• 1265 West Jackson St.
• 999 Niagara St.
• 998 Niagara St.
• 702 Niagara St.
The hearing will also accept comments on amendments proposed to increase permissible impervious surface coverage in the low-density residential district from 30% to 40% for lots of up to 1 acre.
Dool said an impervious surface is defined as anything impeding natural infiltration of water, including roofs, driveways, parking lots, compacted gravel surfaces, sidewalks, above-ground pools, sheds, garages, and homes.