BRUTUS - When Brutus resident Kim Cuipylo applied for a special permit last year to expand her home-based group daycare service into a full-fledged daycare center in the Oaklands neighborhood just northwest of Weedsport, she wasn't anticipating the months of discussion and the strong opposition to the project that followed.
But many long-time residents in the Oaklands neighborhood saw the proposed daycare center as the first step towards slowly chipping away at the natural, scenic and secluded nature of the area. The neighborhood is bordered on one side by a railroad and the Thruway and on the other side by the Seneca River, thus creating a particularly isolated and rural environment.
Cuipylo's plan was to run the center out of her home for at least three years until she could qualify for a loan to purchase a building for a larger center in Weedsport to serve Brutus and the surrounding areas. Cuipylo, also a long-time resident in the neighborhood, recently built a new home there, which serves as a home for her family and as the daycare center.
Turning the group daycare service, which is limited to 14 children, into a full-fledged center, which can accommodate more children, required a special permit in the Oaklands neighborhood, which is zoned agricultural-residential.
On Monday night, the Brutus zoning board of appeals put the months of debate to rest, voting unanimously to grant Cuipylo the special permit for her daycare center.
Resident Carol Ozark, however, who, along with other residents, was opposed to the project, said the neighbors will discuss the possibility of appealing the decision with their attorney, Andrew Fusco.
Long-time Oaklands resident Jean Woodcock and her daughter, Janice, circulated a petition a while ago signed by those opposed to the daycare center, gathering 54 signatures.
They believe allowing a quasi-commercial entity to locate in the Oaklands sets a precedent that could eventually permanently damage the character of the underdeveloped area, which because of its isolation may never have access to public water and sewer systems.
“If you allow this use, then you will allow another and then the next one, until the system breaks down somewhere,” said Janice Woodcock, of the limited capacity for development in the neighborhood. “You may say, 'With this particular case, we're not going to worry about it,' but with that next case it's going to get the same kind of treatment, or at least it better if you're to be a consistent board.”
Water and sewer capabilities were deemed adequate for the daycare and the town highway superintendent rendered an opinion that the roads could handle additional traffic, at least for this individual project.
Though some neighbors were adamantly opposed to the center, others in the town were excited by the prospect of expanded daycare services for the area.
“I can't believe that those people out there don't want that daycare over there,” said Patricia Stoddard, whose grandson, Kyle, attends Cuipylo's current daycare and whose son-in-law lives in the neighborhood. “I really feel that is would be a shame if we lost that.”
Weedsport resident Kristine Marsh sends two of her children to Cuipylo's current daycare and would like to send her two school-age children, though the slots are not currently available under the limited group daycare service.
On Monday, board members poured over every detail of the proposal from traffic impacts and safety to water and sewer capability to the impacts on the character of the neighborhood. In the end, board members determined that the application rightfully met the requirements to be granted a special permit.
“This (zoning) ordinance talks about protecting future development. It doesn't talk about protecting the status quo for particular people and particular neighbors,” said Earle Thurston, attorney for Cuipylo, during Monday's meeting. “The future is coming ... because we need to keep the neighborhood the same, (is not a reason) to deny anything like this.”
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net.
Cuipylo's plan was to run the center out of her home for at least three years until she could qualify for a loan to purchase a building for a larger center in Weedsport to serve Brutus and the surrounding areas. Cuipylo, also a long-time resident in the neighborhood, recently built a new home there, which serves as a home for her family and as the daycare center.
Turning the group daycare service, which is limited to 14 children, into a full-fledged center, which can accommodate more children, required a special permit in the Oaklands neighborhood, which is zoned agricultural-residential.
On Monday night, the Brutus zoning board of appeals put the months of debate to rest, voting unanimously to grant Cuipylo the special permit for her daycare center.
Resident Carol Ozark, however, who, along with other residents, was opposed to the project, said the neighbors will discuss the possibility of appealing the decision with their attorney, Andrew Fusco.
Long-time Oaklands resident Jean Woodcock and her daughter, Janice, circulated a petition a while ago signed by those opposed to the daycare center, gathering 54 signatures.
They believe allowing a quasi-commercial entity to locate in the Oaklands sets a precedent that could eventually permanently damage the character of the underdeveloped area, which because of its isolation may never have access to public water and sewer systems.
“If you allow this use, then you will allow another and then the next one, until the system breaks down somewhere,” said Janice Woodcock, of the limited capacity for development in the neighborhood. “You may say, 'With this particular case, we're not going to worry about it,' but with that next case it's going to get the same kind of treatment, or at least it better if you're to be a consistent board.”
Water and sewer capabilities were deemed adequate for the daycare and the town highway superintendent rendered an opinion that the roads could handle additional traffic, at least for this individual project.
Though some neighbors were adamantly opposed to the center, others in the town were excited by the prospect of expanded daycare services for the area.
“I can't believe that those people out there don't want that daycare over there,” said Patricia Stoddard, whose grandson, Kyle, attends Cuipylo's current daycare and whose son-in-law lives in the neighborhood. “I really feel that is would be a shame if we lost that.”
Weedsport resident Kristine Marsh sends two of her children to Cuipylo's current daycare and would like to send her two school-age children, though the slots are not currently available under the limited group daycare service.
On Monday, board members poured over every detail of the proposal from traffic impacts and safety to water and sewer capability to the impacts on the character of the neighborhood. In the end, board members determined that the application rightfully met the requirements to be granted a special permit.
“This (zoning) ordinance talks about protecting future development. It doesn't talk about protecting the status quo for particular people and particular neighbors,” said Earle Thurston, attorney for Cuipylo, during Monday's meeting. “The future is coming ... because we need to keep the neighborhood the same, (is not a reason) to deny anything like this.”
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net.
The Citizens' Say
There are 4 comment(s)
A supporter wrote on Aug 8, 2006 9:50 PM:
Another Concerned Parent of Oakland Road wrote on Aug 8, 2006 3:18 PM:
A Rational Mind wrote on Aug 8, 2006 1:47 PM:
concerned resident of Oakland Road wrote on Aug 8, 2006 12:49 PM: