DELHI _ A 12-unit apartment complex to be built at 37 Meredith St. in Delhi has been approved by the village Planning Board.
Lee Marigiliano, project architect, said the site plans were submitted, and the construction documents are being worked on but have not been submitted to Tom Little, village code enforcement officer.
Marigiliano, of Catskill Mountain Architects, said construction on the 1.2-acre lot is planned for 2009. He said the owner of the project is Frank Forte, of Walton and Staten Island.
Several neighbors attended public hearings on the project to protest the placement of the apartment building, but Marigiliano said the property is zoned commercial, and multi-family residential buildings are a permitted use.
Kim Cairns, planning board secretary, said the board approved the site plan Sept. 2.
Gail Black, of 50 Meredith St., said the village Planning Board did not consider concerns of area residents.
"The village code states that the Delhi village Planning Board must contact nearby residents," Black said in an e-mail. "Many of the neighbors went to two Planning Board meetings to express their concerns about the size of this building.
"We also have concerns with flooding as there is a brook which was put under ground a long time ago," Black's e-mail continued. "The brook comes above ground and floods the properties and road below 37 Meredith St. when there is a lot of rain and, particularly, during floods. We asked the developer to reduce the number of apartments to a reasonable size such as six units.
"The developer revamped the plans but did not reduce the number of units," Black added.
Marigiliano said the plans allowed for increased side-yard setbacks, and the building will be 100 feet from the road. The plans include 22 parking spaces and an outdoor recreational area. The front yard and side yard will be landscaped with shrubs and trees.
The two-bedroom apartments are targeted for college and hospital professionals and senior citizens. Two of the apartments are wheelchair-accessible, Marigiliano said.
"The building will be tasteful with a vintage village aesthetic," he said Friday.
The house that currently occupies the property will be razed.
Marigiliano said the site plans did not require any variances. He added that the public hearings were held at the discretion of the Planning Board and were not required by law.
Planning Board chairman David Wakin and Mayor David Truscott did not return e-mails and calls requesting comment.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
