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Mental health services hoping to locate in former Ogdensburg school to seek public input one day before meeting on proposed zoning change

Posted 11/1/14

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG – As Ogdensburg prepares for a Thursday town hall discussion regarding a proposed zoning law, Step by Step, Inc. Director David Bayne is also hoping to hear from the …

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Mental health services hoping to locate in former Ogdensburg school to seek public input one day before meeting on proposed zoning change

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – As Ogdensburg prepares for a Thursday town hall discussion regarding a proposed zoning law, Step by Step, Inc. Director David Bayne is also hoping to hear from the public.

Step by Step is inviting the community to an open house Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The facility is located at 211 Ford Street.

The mental health services provider, which purchased the former Lincoln elementary school, has been at the center of debate regarding a zoning proposal that would establish a “district” comprised of former schools, churches and community buildings located in areas zoned for other purposes.

At recent city hall meeting many people raised concerns regarding any potential change of use at the former school building.

Bayne says he understands the concerns and wants to inform the public of what Step by Step does and gather input from residents about what they would like to see happen with the school building.

He says he has a lot of ideas about services that could be offered at the school ranging from respite care to drop in services. He also said there is potential for leasing space, job creation and even apartments, but nothing has been decided.

To help determine future uses, Bayne is hoping people will show up to the open house and talk about it.

“I am reaching out to residents in the area. I have sent them invites with my phone number. I would love to answer any questions they have,” he said. “I want to know what the community would be willing to see in (the former school building). I want to know what I can do to make them feel safer. I want to know what I can do to be part of their community and what I can do to make them part of ours,”

Bayne says plans for the building remain on hold as the city considers the zoning proposal that could potentially allow the school to be used for other purposes. The facility is located in a single residential family zone and can only be used for a residential home or for an educational facility, according to existing zoning law. If the zoning proposal fails, a change of use is still possible, but would require a special variance. Even if the zoning proposals passes, it is unclear what uses would be allowed in building.

Bayne said he knew the risks when he purchased the building, but is hopeful the city, residents and Step By Step can work something out.

“We don’t know what we are going to do there, because we don’t know what the regulations are going to be,” he said.

Bayne said he is aware that some residents believe Step By Step could depreciate property values, but said he doesn’t believe that is true.

“We don’t want the property to lose value. If property values are going down in the neighborhood it’s going to affect us too,” he said. “We want to improve the property values.”

Bayne also pointed to studies his said shows that out patient mental health care providers in residential areas do not tend to negatively impact property values in those neighborhoods.

Bayne said he is hopeful that residents who have concerns about Step By Step will take the time to come to the open house or contact him. He said Step By Step has operated for 17 years, but has always had to lease property.

He said the purchase of Lincoln school could give Step by Step more security and control over its future growth.

Ogdensburg planners and city officials are hosting a town hall style meeting regarding proposed zoning law Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Dobisky Center. For more information on that meeting visit http://northcountrynow.com/news/ogdensburg-host-town-hall-meeting-discuss-controversial-proposal-rezone-36-parcels-throughout-c