County Planning Board recommends zoning change in Albion to allow for 70 housing units

The village zoning map shows the area in green between Washington and West State streets that is currently zoned for Mobile Home Park. It would need to be changed to R-C (Residential/Offices/Limited Business) to allow for a housing project across from the boiler house of the Albion Correctional Facility.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Village of Albion approve a zoning change to allow for the housing project at west end of Washington Street and West State Street.

The zoning for the land in the late 1990s was changed to a “Mobile Home Park” classification to allow for manufactured homes, but that project by the late Richard DeCarlo Sr. didn’t happen. The site at the west end of West State Street and Washington streets has remained vacant since. The land is across from the boiler house of the Albion Correctional Facility.

The vacant land formerly was used a horse racing track and the fairgrounds in Albion. CDS Monarch is eyeing the site for a 70-unit housing project in Albion. It wants the zoning to be changed to R-C Residential/Offices/Limited Businesses, which allows a mix of residential, offices and limited business uses in transitional areas between residential and commercial areas.

Richard DeCarlo Jr., president of Albion Mobile Home Inc., is requesting the village to rezone this property at 470 Washington St.

CDS Monarch sees demand for housing in Albion and Orleans County. The company wants to develop 13.5 acres into housing with one building having 30 units, and then five other 8-plex apartment buildings, Planning Board member Chris Kinter said during the board’s meeting on Thursday. Kinter is the village’s code enforcement officer.

The site is on flat land and is shovel ready for development, Kinter said. There is also room on the site to do more development in the future if there is a demand, he said.

If the zoning change is approved by the village, CDS Monarch will then present a site plan for the project, where the public and village officials can share their viewpoints.

ARG Disposal & Transfer has its business from 366 Washington St. and has voiced concerns that the housing project may not be the best fit for that area which also includes the village’s DPW facility and the Albion Correctional Facility. Their attorney has suggested the zoning instead be changed to light industrial.

Tim Elliott, a member of the County Planning Board from Ridgeway, during Thursday’s meeting also said he could foresee there will be conflict putting housing in an area with so many other uses.

Another Planning Board member, Dan Strong of Carlton, says the developer would upgrade the property, and bring needed housing and tax revenue for the community.

“The developer is taking the chance he can fill it,” Strong said.