Syracuse Reviews Budget, Approves Polywood Rezoning Ordinance
September 16, 2020 at 9:04 p.m.
By Denise Federow-
The 2021 proposed budget is $3,989.840 with a proposed tax rate of $0.98 per $100 assessed valuation.
The general budget is $2,117,110; local road and streets $70,000; motor vehicle highway $958,600; and the park budget is $522,130. The council plans to adopt the budget at the Oct. 20 meeting.
There was lengthy discussion and several questions about rezoning 900 Brooklyn St. from Residential to Industrial II for Polywood’s expansion. Attorney Steve Snyder presented the survey and preliminary site plans to the council and spoke of the “highest and best use” of the land, which he said was allowing the rezoning to create jobs in Syracuse. He went on to explain how the expansion of Polywood and the resulting infrastructure improvements and expanded new athletic facilities are all benefits for the community.
He acknowledged there’s “always concern for traffic and noise with operation of two shifts but Polywood has taken all steps to minimize that” and he said county planning officials will go over their plans for buffer zones, lighting and traffic.
Pete Garber, of DJ Constructions, spoke about planning a dense row of arborvitae for a visual and sound buffer and they’d be using a new style of down lights that they’ll also put on motion sensors.
“I think the neighbors will be pleased when they see it,” he said.
Snyder said he knew there were also questions about property values and taxes and he said he reviewed the last five years of property values on Maple Street and even with Polywood nearby, property values have increased. He said adding assessed value to the community has the capability of reducing taxes.
“From a tax standpoint, I don’t think there’ll be a negative impact on Maple Street,” he said.
Several residents had questions about what would be going in there, whether there’d be semi traffic and the town’s capacity for sewer and electric.
Snyder explained building 8 would be an office and manufacturing facility at the corner of Brooklyn and Maple. Resident Melodie Rogers, who lives on North Street, shared concerns about traffic and whether speed bumps could be put in as well as concerns about sewers collapsing due to increased semi traffic.
Snyder said Polywood couldn’t determine whether speed bumps would be put in. Mike Noe, town manager, said when they redo the road it will be built to support semi traffic.
Snyder added the new facility would have a lift station and grinder pump before it reaches the town’s sewer system.
Noe said since Turkey Creek is no longer on the town’s sewer, there is plenty of capacity. To answer a resident’s question about an electric substation, Noe explained that Polywood is building a substation which would relieve approximately 50% of the town’s electric capacity that they are currently pulling from.
Another resident wanted to know if Polywood was going to control their employees from speeding through residential areas rather than putting that responsibility on the town. Snyder replied that Polywood does its best to be a good neighbor but said, “As soon as they leave our property, they leave our control, but the improvements on Brooklyn Street should reduce traffic on Maple and Oak. But we’ll work with the town council the best way possible.”
The council approved the rezoning ordinance.
The council also had discussion about a resolution for a memorandum of understanding with Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) for $25,000 to foster development of affordable workforce housing.
Councilman Larry Siegel again said he didn’t see why they needed to pay KEDCO for finding a developer when they could do that on their own. He also questioned how in the agreement an unnamed party could be made to reimburse the town. Town attorney Vern Landis said when the developer is found, that would be part of the agreement with them. Siegel said they already have someone wanting to develop 50 homes in town so he didn’t see why they needed this agreement.
Council President Paul Stoelting replied, “I don’t feel the town is in the development business. From my standpoint, I’m willing to try to work with KEDCO to make progress on what is a very big need for Syracuse.”
Stoelting said with 300 new employees coming into town with the Polywood expansion, 50 new houses would be a drop in the bucket.
“We need as much effort and manpower working with us to get the housing that is a dire need in Syracuse. That is not our expertise so I’m willing to give them a shot,” he said.
Siegel argued that the council didn’t need the expertise as the developers do all of those things. They just need to find a developer.
Councilman Tom Hoover said, “I’m inclined to agree with Paul. Economic development has done a great job but $25,000 is a minimum investment and I think it’s a good investment.”
Stoelting added that the town spends much more than that on professional services, and if this can help them even get a foot in the door, he said they should take all avenues. “We don’t have the wherewithal as a part-time council to do this.”
He added since KEDCO was working with other communities in the county, he thought Syracuse should be included rather than segregated.
The council voted 4-1 to approve the agreement with Siegel the dissenting vote.
Ben Pilkerd, owner of Brooke Point Inn, was present to discuss the possibility of his tying into the town’s sewer line. He wants to acquire an additional 30 acres with the option to purchase more but he can’t do that without being on the town’s sewer system.
Pilkerd said he wants to add an additional 28 cabins, a restaurant and conference center and in addition he’d like to build 50 to 70 senior retirement villas.
Stoelting said they needed to figure out annexation. “It makes no sense to allow (people) on our system and get the benefits of the town without supporting the town. We need to address annexation. I’m all for growth and I love that you’re an entrepreneur but somewhere we need to allow you to become part of the town.”
Pilkerd said he had no problem with annexation but others between him and the town probably would. He went on to say he’d like to buy some property between his place and town but he can’t do one without the other.
Siegel asked if the other property was contiguous to town and was told it was. Council members told Pilkerd they would try to work with him.
“There’s no doubt you provide a valuable service and you’re an asset, we just want to wiggle you into town,” Siegel said.
The 2021 proposed budget is $3,989.840 with a proposed tax rate of $0.98 per $100 assessed valuation.
The general budget is $2,117,110; local road and streets $70,000; motor vehicle highway $958,600; and the park budget is $522,130. The council plans to adopt the budget at the Oct. 20 meeting.
There was lengthy discussion and several questions about rezoning 900 Brooklyn St. from Residential to Industrial II for Polywood’s expansion. Attorney Steve Snyder presented the survey and preliminary site plans to the council and spoke of the “highest and best use” of the land, which he said was allowing the rezoning to create jobs in Syracuse. He went on to explain how the expansion of Polywood and the resulting infrastructure improvements and expanded new athletic facilities are all benefits for the community.
He acknowledged there’s “always concern for traffic and noise with operation of two shifts but Polywood has taken all steps to minimize that” and he said county planning officials will go over their plans for buffer zones, lighting and traffic.
Pete Garber, of DJ Constructions, spoke about planning a dense row of arborvitae for a visual and sound buffer and they’d be using a new style of down lights that they’ll also put on motion sensors.
“I think the neighbors will be pleased when they see it,” he said.
Snyder said he knew there were also questions about property values and taxes and he said he reviewed the last five years of property values on Maple Street and even with Polywood nearby, property values have increased. He said adding assessed value to the community has the capability of reducing taxes.
“From a tax standpoint, I don’t think there’ll be a negative impact on Maple Street,” he said.
Several residents had questions about what would be going in there, whether there’d be semi traffic and the town’s capacity for sewer and electric.
Snyder explained building 8 would be an office and manufacturing facility at the corner of Brooklyn and Maple. Resident Melodie Rogers, who lives on North Street, shared concerns about traffic and whether speed bumps could be put in as well as concerns about sewers collapsing due to increased semi traffic.
Snyder said Polywood couldn’t determine whether speed bumps would be put in. Mike Noe, town manager, said when they redo the road it will be built to support semi traffic.
Snyder added the new facility would have a lift station and grinder pump before it reaches the town’s sewer system.
Noe said since Turkey Creek is no longer on the town’s sewer, there is plenty of capacity. To answer a resident’s question about an electric substation, Noe explained that Polywood is building a substation which would relieve approximately 50% of the town’s electric capacity that they are currently pulling from.
Another resident wanted to know if Polywood was going to control their employees from speeding through residential areas rather than putting that responsibility on the town. Snyder replied that Polywood does its best to be a good neighbor but said, “As soon as they leave our property, they leave our control, but the improvements on Brooklyn Street should reduce traffic on Maple and Oak. But we’ll work with the town council the best way possible.”
The council approved the rezoning ordinance.
The council also had discussion about a resolution for a memorandum of understanding with Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) for $25,000 to foster development of affordable workforce housing.
Councilman Larry Siegel again said he didn’t see why they needed to pay KEDCO for finding a developer when they could do that on their own. He also questioned how in the agreement an unnamed party could be made to reimburse the town. Town attorney Vern Landis said when the developer is found, that would be part of the agreement with them. Siegel said they already have someone wanting to develop 50 homes in town so he didn’t see why they needed this agreement.
Council President Paul Stoelting replied, “I don’t feel the town is in the development business. From my standpoint, I’m willing to try to work with KEDCO to make progress on what is a very big need for Syracuse.”
Stoelting said with 300 new employees coming into town with the Polywood expansion, 50 new houses would be a drop in the bucket.
“We need as much effort and manpower working with us to get the housing that is a dire need in Syracuse. That is not our expertise so I’m willing to give them a shot,” he said.
Siegel argued that the council didn’t need the expertise as the developers do all of those things. They just need to find a developer.
Councilman Tom Hoover said, “I’m inclined to agree with Paul. Economic development has done a great job but $25,000 is a minimum investment and I think it’s a good investment.”
Stoelting added that the town spends much more than that on professional services, and if this can help them even get a foot in the door, he said they should take all avenues. “We don’t have the wherewithal as a part-time council to do this.”
He added since KEDCO was working with other communities in the county, he thought Syracuse should be included rather than segregated.
The council voted 4-1 to approve the agreement with Siegel the dissenting vote.
Ben Pilkerd, owner of Brooke Point Inn, was present to discuss the possibility of his tying into the town’s sewer line. He wants to acquire an additional 30 acres with the option to purchase more but he can’t do that without being on the town’s sewer system.
Pilkerd said he wants to add an additional 28 cabins, a restaurant and conference center and in addition he’d like to build 50 to 70 senior retirement villas.
Stoelting said they needed to figure out annexation. “It makes no sense to allow (people) on our system and get the benefits of the town without supporting the town. We need to address annexation. I’m all for growth and I love that you’re an entrepreneur but somewhere we need to allow you to become part of the town.”
Pilkerd said he had no problem with annexation but others between him and the town probably would. He went on to say he’d like to buy some property between his place and town but he can’t do one without the other.
Siegel asked if the other property was contiguous to town and was told it was. Council members told Pilkerd they would try to work with him.
“There’s no doubt you provide a valuable service and you’re an asset, we just want to wiggle you into town,” Siegel said.
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