Utica Planning Board deems draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for former St. Elizabeth’s re-use alternatives to be ‘complete’

 

At Thursday night’s meeting of the Utica Planning Board, the Board voted unanimously to deem the draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) to be ‘complete’, meaning that the draft document adequately addressed all of the various topics identified within the draft scoping document which the Board approved as the final scoping document at its meeting last December.  The DGEIS evaluated the potential for a host of environmental impacts resulting from the four various redevelopment scenarios for the former St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center that have been developed based on current market conditions and public input.

 

With this step in the environmental review process cleared, the next step is for the Planning Board to invite public comment on the DGEIS.  The Board scheduled a public hearing for its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 20th at 4:30 pm in the Common Council chambers of Utica City Hall.

 

Additionally, given the significant community interest in the project and the importance of its redevelopment to the south Utica neighborhood, the city of Utica and the Greater Utica region, the Planning Board voted for an extended public comment period on the DGEIS of sixty

(60) days, the maximum permitted under the State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); the minimum permitted is thirty (30) days.

 

Of this important step, Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime stated, “Public input has been critical at every step along this re-use planning process and it continues to be as we evaluate the potential impacts.  I have asked Urban & Economic Development Commissioner Brian Thomas to ensure that the full DGEIS is posted to the City’s website to allow for public consumption as soon as possible.  While an important step was cleared by the Planning Board, I look forward to reaching the point in the coming months at which the property can be marketed as its redevelopment represents a considerable expansion of the city’s tax base.”

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