MOOSE LODGE Back to the zoning board

The owners of the former OneidaMoose Lodge have submitted a reworked zoning proposal for the long-abandoned property off Route 5.

Currently zoned planned residential, Russel and Katrina Blanchard are asking the city to rezone 42.3 acres into commercial zoning, leaving roughly 6 acres adjacent to neighboring homes zoned residential.

“As you know, I have gone out of my way to remove the old moose lodge (sic) in a timely manner as requested by the city,” Russell Blanchard wrote to the city in a letter filed by the Oneida Common Council Tuesday. “I now have almost $400,000 invested in doing so in total. I would think that I have more than shown that I’m willing to invest in the city of

Oneida.”

The Blanchards have previously proposed turning the former Moose Lodge into a sporting goods store and a banquet venue. They are also the owners of Wolf Oak Acres. In another letter filed with the city, the Blanchards talk about their long-standing commitment to the city, as well as how long their families have lived in Oneida.

“We are not strangers to this community, and know what it takes to run a successful business,” they write. “Running a local family owned and operated business shows your dedication and passion not only for your company, but for the surrounding community.”

Several residents with homes adjacent to the former lodge presented the Common Council with a petition opposing the rezoning request. Twenty-nine home owners representing roughly 200 percent more land than the formerMoose Lodge property signed the petition, said Michel DeBottis. Representatives from the east, south, and west of the property each provided a petition to council.

No one from the public was invited to speak on the issue as council was simply accepting and receiving the zoning change request. It will now go to the Zoning Board for review before returning to Common Council for a public hearing, if it’s approved.

Madison County Supervisor Mary Cavanagh updated the council on several county issues, including a recent resolution to oppose the Drivers License Access and Privacy Act, which would amend the state’s vehicle and traffic law and limit what information about an applicant the DMV can share with law enforcement and immigration officials.

She also praised theDMV staff for increasing revenue by $10,000 over the past year.

“Our DMV is doing some great work,” she said.

Supervisor John Reinhardt encouraged residents to attend the Madison County Courthouse open house on Saturday, at which time renovations to the 100plus year old building will be unveiled to the public.

“If you haven’t had a chance to see it you will,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun day andmomentous occasion.”

“It is an amazing building,” added Ward 4 councilor Helen Acker. “It’s phenomenal.”

“There have been painstaking efforts to refurbish and make nice” the old fixtures, windows, doors and more of the courthouse, added Supervisor Joe Magliocca.

Ward 3 councilor James Coulthart touched on a recent meeting with councilors, police, and community membersmeant to help bridge the gap between the community and the police department. The discussion was designed to facilitate discussion between the Oneida Police Department and the community to benefit children and underserved or disadvantaged populations and inform the public of what it is the OPD does.

“There’s a lot of stuff the police force does out there that people might not know about,” said Acker. She pointed to the bike rodeo, Youth Court, bike patrols, fingerprinting, and other programs the police hold to help community members. “The police do a great job.”