BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — Officials with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency signed a letter of intent for a purchase option for land in the Gouverneur Industrial Park during a recent board meeting.

The land included in the letter of intent is a two acre parcel located within the park, a subdivision of a larger, 16 acre parcel, officials say.

Though officials would not name the potential buyer, they did elaborate on the nature of the business that may enter the park when they disclosed it is a mental health clinic that is looking to relocate from another location in Gouverneur.

The reason for the move to the park would be an expansion of facilities for the company, who intend to build a 10,000 square foot clinic at the site.

Though the letter of intent was agreed upon in a unanimous vote, some members voiced concerns about the potential impact such a business operating in the park may have on other businesses already established in the park.

Others worried what may happen if the company purchasing the parcel decided to sell the land to another company for an alternative use the board had not originally intended the site for.

“The considerations would be the ability to subdivide the parcel, municipal approval. So they’ll have to get zoning and planning approval for the proposed facility. Also, their agreements with NYS for this facility would have to come into place as well,” IDA CEO Patrick Kelly said.

According to officials, provisions are in place from the IDA, as well as the county and local municipality, including zoning and planning restrictions, that would safeguard the park and the businesses that call it home from any potential negative ramifications if such a decision is made down the road.

Officials opted to move the discussion to an executive session to further consider the project, with Kelly citing the potential contract implications as the reason for the move.

No further discussion was had, with officials opting to take a vote on the letter of intent before moving on to other business.

Following the meeting, further conversations were had about the viability of the project, with Kelly saying local and county officials feel comfortable moving forward with the project.

“After conversations with the local mayor, town supervisor, and others, we feel the proposed center is needed and would be an asset to the community. The option gives the potential buyer one year with two six month extensions to secure local site approval and permitting as well as securing a lease with New York State for the facility,” he said.