Syracuse, N.Y. – The years-long wait for new zoning rules in Syracuse got a few days longer Tuesday after a city councilor blocked a scheduled vote on the legislation despite pleas from her fellow lawmakers to pass it.
Councilor Jen Schultz, who represents the first district on the North Side, objected to the legislation before a vote could be held, a procedural maneuver that delays the vote at least until the council’s next meeting.
Council President Helen Hudson responded by quickly scheduling another meeting to take the vote. Hudson put out a notice this afternoon that the council will meet at 2:30 p.m. Friday to take up the legislation. The council has to give a minimum of three days’ notice before a meeting.
Supporters of the new zoning law, led by Councilor Pat Hogan, chairman of the economic development committee, said there is no question the new zoning ordinance will be enacted Friday, regardless of how Schultz votes.
The ordinance, dubbed ReZone Syracuse, is scheduled to take effect July 1.
ReZone, which has been under development for six years, is expected to spur development of affordable housing and encourage livelier neighborhood business corridors. It is the first comprehensive rewrite of city zoning codes in six decades.
Schultz was the only one among the nine voting councilors who expressed hesitation about ReZone at Tuesday’s council session.
After Schultz objected to the vote, Hudson asked her if she would elaborate on her reasons.
“No, thanks,’’ Schultz replied.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Schultz declined to comment on her concerns.
But during a break before Tuesday’s voting session, Schultz told syracuse.com that one thing she wants is clarification of the word, “landscape,’’ as it appears in a section of the 263-page document on historic preservation.
Schultz said the wording appears to give city officials the authority in historic districts to regulate the choice of landscaping elements such as trees, shrubs and…
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