An Oneonta tempest in a coffee pot has come to an end.
Chris and Matt Grady have withdrawn their application to open a business selling java in a garage behind a house at 31 Walnut Street.
The local entrepreneurs wanted to bring their successful business model to Oneonta. They own Stagecoach Coffee in Cooperstown. But neighbors didn’t want them. And the two sides failed to work out a compromise.
If Oneonta is to thrive economically it needs new businesses, innovative entrepreneurs, and ambitious people to come to the city. At issue on Walnut Street was what kinds of enterprises are welcome and where they should be located.
Our economy is said to be based on eds, beds and meds — schools, tourism and health care. We also have retail and a few manufacturers. What are the growth opportunities?
It is unlikely large corporate employers paying six-figure salaries will locate here. It would be nice if financial services, tech giants or an e-vehicle assembly plant moved into town. But don’t hold your breath.
Opportunity lies in Oneonta becoming a destination for small businesses like coffee shops, restaurants and personal services.
In some cases NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard), is a legitimate concern. But it can also kill beneficial projects.
Residents of the Walnut Street historic district were vocal in opposition to roasting and selling coffee near their homes. Objections included lack of off-street parking, increased traffic, noise, commercial signs, odor, hours of operation, changes in the character of the neighborhood and the potential to decrease property values.
Some neighbors suggested a new coffee shop would be welcome if it were in another location.
Neighborhood character was an important issue raised during the controversy. Should Walnut Street be single-family residential or mixed-use?
Mixed-use communities are in vogue with many urban planners. They say multiple uses create vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.
Mixed-use advocates want housing options including single-family homes, multi-family units and apartment buildings. To create economic vitality they recommend mixing retail and commercial spaces in residential communities. They also promote the idea of walkability and mass transit, and discourage the use of automobiles.
Supporters say holistic neighborhoods promote a higher quality of life — a wonderful goal that works in urban centers, but not necessarily in small college towns.
What about the rights of folks who live on Walnut Street, spent a lot of money to buy a single-family home in a quiet, historic district?
Single-family homes are about privacy and personal space. Residents want their own backyard for their family and pets. Many plant gardens. There is pride of ownership, and the ability to control the appearance and style of their home.
Plus there are less tangible qualities like a neighborly environment and stability of long-term owners. And the freedom and mobility by having one’s own car to go where they want, when they want.
Preferences in housing types and location vary based on ability to pay, employment, family size and personal taste. As I pursued my career, I lived in nine New York counties and three states. I’ve lived in single-family homes, multi-family houses, duplexes, a Quonset hut and a 21-story apartment building with 1,600 units, to name just a few of the places I’ve called home.
Here are my suggestions. Preserve our wonderful neighborhoods. Sell abandoned houses to people who will repair them.
Simultaneously, rezone the entire length of Main and Chestnut Streets to allow for multi-family, mixed use buildings. Existing property owners will have the opportunity to demolish dilapidated or underused buildings, and construct more profitable structures.
Selective up-zoning will unleash market forces that will create affordable homes and commercial spaces for new generations of Oneonta residents.
Let’s talk about it over a cup of coffee.