By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Town Council approved holding two public hearings next month to allow part of the highway commercial district on Taylor Road to be rezoned to accommodate a development.

Scott Lamay came before the board on Wednesday to ask for help getting land rezoned or getting a variance so he can build new apartment buildings over the summer.

They will be on a plot behind the former state trooper barracks on Highland Avenue.

Councilman Albert Nicola told Lamay that because of the way the local laws are written, they will need two public hearings to get the zoning change.

He thought that would take longer than Lamay’s deadline to begin work.

Councilman Steve O’Shaughnessy, who has past experience on the Planning Board, told Lamay they could do both hearings back-to-back and save some time.

Councilman Samuel Carbone said the board could announce a special meeting.

“We’ll have a special meeting if need be, and have everything wrapped up before June,” Carbone said.