TEFFT MEADOWS PROJECT
8 Paul Street, Marcellus, NY 13108
May 10, 2023 Tefft Meadows Update:
The Village has recently been informed by Christopher Community, Inc. that the Tefft Meadows Project has not been awarded funding from the State of New York and, as a result, will not be moving forward with another resubmission of the project. Please note the following email sent by Justin Rudgick, President of Christopher Community to the Mayor. Also, please note the Mayor’s response which follows.
April 8, 2023
Hi Mayor,
I wanted to let you know that we recently found out that Tefft Meadows was not awarded funding from the State. We will be scheduling an official debriefing from the State related to the circumstances to the project. It is has come into my awareness that the project was perceived to not have strong municipal support for this project as a senior housing project including supportive services provided by PACE CNY for seniors 55+ including frail elderly. Christopher Community, Inc. has invested tremendous resources in the pre-development stage of this project to prepare a funding application in two separate funding rounds. We will not be moving forward in a potential resubmission with the Village of Marcellus. I’ve notified Scott McClurg of our decision as well.
Sincerely,
Justin Rudgick | President & CEO
May 1, 2023
Good morning, Justin,
I too am disappointed that Christopher Community was unable to secure State funding for the Tefft Meadows Project. Many of us felt that with the Governor’s emphasis in her budget on additional housing in the State, that the Tefft Meadows Project would be a natural addition to that budget.
As to the lack of strong municipal support for this project as a senior housing project, I take exception. The Village has also invested tremendous time and effort in the development stage of this project. I refer you, in particular, to the Village website and that part which specifies the Tefft Meadows Project (https://www.villageofmarcellus.com/tefft-meadows.html). It details just how very involved and supportive the Village has been.
Beginning in October 2021 and continuing through 2022 and beyond into 2023, the Village Planning Board and Board of Trustees have participated in numerous meetings and planning sessions, and worked with Christopher Community to approve what was felt to be a most positive and workable project that addressed not only the need for senior housing in the community, but affordable housing, as well as one that would allow residents to age in place.
In addition, this project would not only be beneficial for older residents of the community, but it would also remove what has long been an eyesore for the Village – a veritable junkyard would be eliminated. Village interest was also piqued because this might lead to the construction of a village pedestrian pathway (or sidewalks) connecting the site with the Marcellus Library, the Marcellus Historical Museum and Main Street businesses, etc. as well help to extend the creek walk from the Library to Paul Street and North Street.
On behalf of the Village, I am sorry that you have decided not to move forward with a resubmission of the project but can understand your reluctance to do so.
I have also spoken with Scott McClurg and know that he is stunned that the project was rejected. Thank you for your efforts as well as those who worked so very hard in the development of the project. I also wish you the best in your future endeavors with Christopher Community.
Sincerely,
John P. Curtin
[email protected]
The Village has recently been informed by Christopher Community, Inc. that the Tefft Meadows Project has not been awarded funding from the State of New York and, as a result, will not be moving forward with another resubmission of the project. Please note the following email sent by Justin Rudgick, President of Christopher Community to the Mayor. Also, please note the Mayor’s response which follows.
April 8, 2023
Hi Mayor,
I wanted to let you know that we recently found out that Tefft Meadows was not awarded funding from the State. We will be scheduling an official debriefing from the State related to the circumstances to the project. It is has come into my awareness that the project was perceived to not have strong municipal support for this project as a senior housing project including supportive services provided by PACE CNY for seniors 55+ including frail elderly. Christopher Community, Inc. has invested tremendous resources in the pre-development stage of this project to prepare a funding application in two separate funding rounds. We will not be moving forward in a potential resubmission with the Village of Marcellus. I’ve notified Scott McClurg of our decision as well.
Sincerely,
Justin Rudgick | President & CEO
May 1, 2023
Good morning, Justin,
I too am disappointed that Christopher Community was unable to secure State funding for the Tefft Meadows Project. Many of us felt that with the Governor’s emphasis in her budget on additional housing in the State, that the Tefft Meadows Project would be a natural addition to that budget.
As to the lack of strong municipal support for this project as a senior housing project, I take exception. The Village has also invested tremendous time and effort in the development stage of this project. I refer you, in particular, to the Village website and that part which specifies the Tefft Meadows Project (https://www.villageofmarcellus.com/tefft-meadows.html). It details just how very involved and supportive the Village has been.
Beginning in October 2021 and continuing through 2022 and beyond into 2023, the Village Planning Board and Board of Trustees have participated in numerous meetings and planning sessions, and worked with Christopher Community to approve what was felt to be a most positive and workable project that addressed not only the need for senior housing in the community, but affordable housing, as well as one that would allow residents to age in place.
In addition, this project would not only be beneficial for older residents of the community, but it would also remove what has long been an eyesore for the Village – a veritable junkyard would be eliminated. Village interest was also piqued because this might lead to the construction of a village pedestrian pathway (or sidewalks) connecting the site with the Marcellus Library, the Marcellus Historical Museum and Main Street businesses, etc. as well help to extend the creek walk from the Library to Paul Street and North Street.
On behalf of the Village, I am sorry that you have decided not to move forward with a resubmission of the project but can understand your reluctance to do so.
I have also spoken with Scott McClurg and know that he is stunned that the project was rejected. Thank you for your efforts as well as those who worked so very hard in the development of the project. I also wish you the best in your future endeavors with Christopher Community.
Sincerely,
John P. Curtin
[email protected]
Community Information Meeting 11/30/22
Thursday, November 30, 2022
Marcellus Free Library
7:00 pm
Representatives from Christopher Community and AccessCNY will provide an update on the Tefft Meadows project. The proposed project was previously approved by the Village to develop a 60-unit apartment building for seniors aged 55+ with Aging in Place services provided by PACE CNY/Loretto. Christopher Community, in partnership with AccessCNY, is now seeking to include additional supportive services for seniors that may have mental health diagnosis. It is being proposed by Christopher Community to include designation for supportive services for 9 units out of 60 (15%) for seniors with mental health diagnosis. The Village of Marcellus is seeking public input regarding the expansion of supportive services for seniors to be provided at Tefft Meadows Apartment.
Click to view the documents below:
Existing Project Narrative
Approved 2/16/22, submitted as part of funding application in March 2022
PROPOSED Project Narrative
Changes from previous document are highlighted in YELLOW
Christopher Community is seeking support from the Village that will be included, along with the proposed narrative, in the submission packet for 2023 NYS funding.
If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like to provide feedback, please send an email to [email protected] no later than November 28, 2022.
Thursday, November 30, 2022
Marcellus Free Library
7:00 pm
Representatives from Christopher Community and AccessCNY will provide an update on the Tefft Meadows project. The proposed project was previously approved by the Village to develop a 60-unit apartment building for seniors aged 55+ with Aging in Place services provided by PACE CNY/Loretto. Christopher Community, in partnership with AccessCNY, is now seeking to include additional supportive services for seniors that may have mental health diagnosis. It is being proposed by Christopher Community to include designation for supportive services for 9 units out of 60 (15%) for seniors with mental health diagnosis. The Village of Marcellus is seeking public input regarding the expansion of supportive services for seniors to be provided at Tefft Meadows Apartment.
Click to view the documents below:
Existing Project Narrative
Approved 2/16/22, submitted as part of funding application in March 2022
PROPOSED Project Narrative
Changes from previous document are highlighted in YELLOW
Christopher Community is seeking support from the Village that will be included, along with the proposed narrative, in the submission packet for 2023 NYS funding.
If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like to provide feedback, please send an email to [email protected] no later than November 28, 2022.
Documents and Information
To request copies please complete and return a FOIL request to the Village Clerk at [email protected]
For 8 1/2" X 11" paper copies there will be a fee of $0.25 per page
FOIL Request Form
To request copies please complete and return a FOIL request to the Village Clerk at [email protected]
For 8 1/2" X 11" paper copies there will be a fee of $0.25 per page
FOIL Request Form
Planning Board Public Hearing 2/16/22 (continued from 1/19/22)
Agenda Minutes SEQR Resolution- Determination of Significance Board Resolution- Site Plan Approval Documents: Tefft Meadows Site Plans revised February 2022 MRB Site Plan Review Keplinger Freeman Associates Response to MRB Review SHPO Letter of No Effect Tefft Meadows Floor Plans Tefft Meadows Design Elevations Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing 2/7/22
Agenda Minutes Documents: ZBA Application-Area Variance Driveway Permit Application Tefft Meadows Site Plans revised February 2022 Planning Board Public Hearing 1/19/22 (continued from 12/15/21)
Agenda Minutes SEQR Resolution-Declaration of Lead Agency Documents: Tefft Meadows Site Plans revised January 2022 Tefft Meadows Traffic Narrative Tefft Meadows Lighting Specifications Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Retaining Wall Profile Exterior Design Concept Planning Board Public Hearing 12/15/21
Agenda Minutes SEQR Resolution- Intent to Declare Lead Agency Documents: Tefft Meadows Preliminary Site Plans December 2021 Tefft Meadows Apartments Floor Plans 8 Paul Street Survey Tefft Meadows Exterior Elevations and Details Tefft Meadows SEQR Part 1 (Short Form) Tefft Meadows Planning Board Application Tefft Meadows SEQR Part 1 (Long Form) SEQR Lead Agency Coordination Package |
THE TEFFT MEADOWS PROJECT The site being considered by Christopher Community, a development company, for the construction of a senior living apartment complex (age 55+) off Paul Street is, at present, the site of an old lumberyard with a number of dilapidated outbuildings that would need to be demolished, along with a lot of asphalt that would have to be removed. Christopher Community has the rights to develop the property at #8 Paul Street and the Village was asked to consider a name for the proposed project (senior apartments) being considered for the old lumberyard. In trying to think of an historic name for the site, we looked at some old maps, in particular that of the Village in 1860. The land at the site was once the property of Dr. Lake I. Tefft and his wife, Hattie, who had settled in Marcellus about 1823. In 1834, Tefft purchased at auction this land, previously owned by Austin Godard (1795-1833) and it was Tefft who constructed the house at #18 North Street, what we refer to today as The Steadman House – the home of the Marcellus Historical Society. About 1850, Dr. Tefft gave up practicing medicine and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and his farm encompassed all of the land from North Street to Nine Mile Creek and beyond. Since the proposed project (senior apartments), as well as all of what are today Paul Street, Chrisler Street, and Austindale Ave, lay within what was once Dr. Tefft’s farm, we suggested that the name of the project and apartments be named after him. The Board has agreed to name the project Tefft Meadows. Dr. Tefft had once been the President of the Village of Marcellus (1855), and some have credited him, along with his brother, Dr. Nathan R. Tefft, as one of the founders of the Onondaga Medical Society. He e Hemoved to Syracuse in 1863 because of ill health and he remained there, at the home of his daughter until his death in 1880. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse. According to the property abstract, Dr. Tefft sold the property on April 1, 1864 to Robert F. and Mary Rhodes North and on February 27 1880, North sold the property to Thomas Hill, who, a year later on March 28 1881 sold the property to Jonathan Chrisler, who farmed the land. A few years later the Chrisler farmland surrounding the property started to be broken up and sold to other individuals, including several family members. In 1889, a piece was sold to Dwight J. Chrisler, son of Jonathan, who built a large home at 24 North Street and also opened up a lumberyard in the rear of the property. In 1906, Jonathan Chrisler donated land to the Village for a street, now named after him. His daughter, Mae Chrisler Edwards, built a house on this street as well. In 1939, L.D. Paul bought the D. J. Chrisler Lumber Company, and he continued to operate it for a number of years thereafter. In 1944, L. D. Paul purchased the residence at 34 North Street, gradually enlarged the structure, replaced the present office, display and sales room of L.D. Paul Lumber at 20 North Street to 34-36 North Street converting the ground floor into a modern hardware and building supply store and the second floor into apartments. In the lumberyard, he opened a shop, which specialized in turning out all kinds of custom-built cabinetry. In 1976 – L.D. Lumber Office and the apartments at 34-36 North Street were sold to Joseph J. Raite of Mount Chestnut Realty Corp. In 1978 – the L.D. Paul lumberyard was purchased by Alkera Pine Products Co., which began production of natural wood furniture products In 1984 – the lumberyard property was again up for sale In 1986 – Village demanded a cleanup of the lumberyard properties, which had fallen into much disrepair. In 1988 – Frank O’Brien bought the property and began a business called A & H Wholesale Supply In 1989 – Paul Street residents became upset over code violations at A & H Wholesale Supply In 1991 – A & H Wholesale Company closed its doors ending a long struggle with the Village In 1998 – Lewis and Alma Steadman bought the property In 2013 – Scott McClurg bought the old lumberyard and spent much time, effort and finances hoping to develop the property into patio homes. In 2021 – Christopher Community secured the rights to develop the old lumberyard from Scott McClurg. Originally, the company wanted two buildings, which would be townhouses with 3-4 family units and a third, which would be a 56-unit apartment building for a total of 70 units. After meeting with the Planning Board and Village Board, and much discussion, Christopher Community came back with an updated plan, with only one building (60 units) and only for seniors – this would be a two story structure and single bedrooms only. Developing this site has been a project long in the works and actually seems to be ideal for the site. This would not only be beneficial for older residents of the community, but it would also remove what has long been an eyesore for the Village – a veritable junkyard would be eliminated. Village interest is also piqued because this might lead to the construction of a village pedestrian pathway (or sidewalks) connecting the site with the Marcellus Library, the Marcellus Historical Museum and Main Street businesses, etc. as well help to extend the creek walk from the Library to Paul Street and North Street. The Village is also interested in improving Paul Street, widening it perhaps and adding more sidewalk on both sides of the road. |