After countless calls for riverfront development, Auburn may have a little more elbow room to do just that - if it gains access to the water.

A strip of land owned by Cayuga County with the Owasco River running through it may trickle into the hands of city officials.

The county Planning and Economic Development Committee is reviewing city manager Mark Palesh's request to acquire the land for development and possibly to expand the buffer around the landfill.

During a meeting between the two municipalities, Palesh inquired about the land bordering the city landfill that stretches into Throop and Aurelius. The river bisects the discussed property in some areas, and defines it in the southern half.

“We've not heard from the county, but that doesn't mean anything. We're still encouraged by the good reception we received,” city corporation counsel Andrew Fusco said.

City officials first learned the county owned the land when they were reviewing the surrounding area in preparation for the North Division Street landfill's pending expansion.

Fusco said they had believed New York State Electric and Gas still owned the property.

In fact, Cayuga County acquired it on Oct. 28, 1982, from the utility company for a nominal fee.

The county's master plan of 1992 indicated planners believed the city could use the plot to expand its landfill.

County attorney Fred Westphal presumed the drafters did not mean for the county to maintain ownership.

However, the land likely will not be used for enlarging the dump. When the fourth cell fills, city leaders instead will examine recapping the first cell and continue to dump trash on top of the original dump.

Palesh stated during the meeting he wants the land so he could have the option and still have room to buffer and protect the surrounding area. He could not be reached for further details.

During the meeting, he also had mentioned the possibilities of developing around the river. Fusco added officials are looking to acquire a gas line in the vicinity from Chesapeake Appalachia LLC.

“(The land) is continuous and it's a nice thing for the city to own,” Fusco said.

Any more development around the city's northwest corner area may help promote business and new technology to the city, Palesh had said at the meeting. The Auburn Technology park lies south of the landfill, and also borders some of the discussed land plot.

The land currently is vacant according to Westphal's knowledge, he said.

The next step means the planning committee will review the potential exchange, determine what portion could be sold, if any, and suggest a price.

If the committee agrees, the full legislature still has to approve the deal. The majority of the 15 legislators would have to declare the land surplus in order to transfer the plot to the city, Westphal said.

“First thought is that you should own it, but we'll do our homework,” legislator Paul Dudley said during the Ways and Means Committee meeting last week.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net