Sheehan Wants Approval Of Development Zone
POTSDAM - Businessman James E. Sheehan said he could begin construction on a $1 million administrative office building for the New York State United Teachers as early as next month if village officials approve a special "planned unit development" designation for land he owns on Lawrence Avenue.
Mr. Sheehan and architect Brooks A. Washburn received tacit approval for the project from the village planning board Thursday night after Mr. Washburn presented the board with a tentative site plan for the 8,000 square-feet office building proposed on 10 acres of land.
The parcel is part of a larger 111 acre plot Mr. Sheehan owns directly oppose Lawrence Avenue Elementary School in the village. He is currently proposing building a new NYSUT building on just one section of the land, and then later developing more office facilities in the future as new clients come forward.
Planning officials said Thursday they agreed in principal that Mr. Sheehan's land across from the Potsdam Central School campus is a good location for a new NYSUT facility and that re-designating the land from R-1 residential use to that of a planned unit development would not disrupt the existing community character in the neighborhood.
However, despite liking the project, the board took no formal action on Mr. Sheehan's request Thursday and instead has directed village Planning and Development Director Fredrick J. Hanss to draft a proposal for the so-called P.U.D. zone that the board can vote on at it's next meeting Sept. 16.
At that upcoming meeting the planning board is expected to recommend approval of Mr. Sheehan's project and then forward that approval on the village Board of Trustees to consider at its next meeting Sept. 20. If trustees concur with the planning board recommendation a public hearing will be set and then a final vote taken by the village board on the Sheehan request.
If both the planning board and village boards agree, Mr. Sheehan said he could begin construction before the end of October.
Mr. Washburn said the fact that Mr. Sheehan already owns the land, is himself in the construction business, and already has NYSUT as a client waiting to do business makes this an ideal opportunity for the village to green light a project that will maintain or create jobs and add to the community's tax base.
"This is a revenue generating opportunity," Mr. Washburn told the board. "This is a $1 million taxable development, and with the potential for other such buildings."
