OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg unanimously supported a zoning change that will allow a former flower shop owner to develop three residential properties along the city’s waterfront.

Joseph Basta’s request for a zoning classification change from residential business to moderate density residential was approved following a public hearing Monday.

The property is approximately 2.12 acres and is located on vacant waterfront property situated between formerly industrial property to the west and residential properties to the east and south.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson said she received an email requesting the city develop the property as parking lots in order to accommodate potential development the adjacent Diamond National and Shade Roller sites.

But Stevenson said because the property is not owned by the city, it couldn’t even consider the request.

Deputy Mayor Michael Morley said he was very pleased to get the property rezoned so that it could be developed.

“It’s about time,” he said.

Morley said it’s an opportunity for the city to get some development on the waterfront, which has been a goal for many years.

Mayor Wayne Ashley and councilors Dan Skamperle and Stevenson also vocalized support for the project.

In a letter written to the city Basta says he wants to build three upscale single-family homes. The letter was submitted to the city Dec. 9, 2015.

Ogdensburg Planning Board also unanimously supported the proposal.

“The neighborhood is primarily composed of single-family lots with mixed multifamily residential and small scale commercial usage along Main Street (Downtown Arterial). To the west of this parcel is vacant formerly industrial property including the City owned Diamond National and Shade Roller sites; the latter is currently undergoing remediation,” the planning board report says.

“The parcels contiguous with those in question as part of this request are MDR to the east and MDR to the south, therefore staff recommends approval of the request.”