Developer Proposing Nearly 600 Units Outside of Syracuse

A developer is planning nearly 600 units within 20 miles of Syracuse, looking to take advantage of a computer chip plant coming to town next door.

A limited liability company operating as Landmark Challenger is proposing 590 units in Lysander, Syracuse.com reported. If approved, it could be one of the largest housing projects in recent Onondaga County history.

Dubbed Melvin Farms, the $150 million project would be located on vacant land between Hayes and Cold Springs roads off Route 370, covering 292 acres. In addition to the housing component, the developer will also pay for more than $2 million in public sewage improvements, some of which would support the nearby community.

It’s not clear who the developer is behind the LLC. The address is registered to a building in Cohoes that is also registered to Trinity Building and Construction Management, among others; Trinity did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Real Deal.

The homes, which would come in a myriad of forms, would all be market-rate. The project proposes 134 apartments for seniors, 168 garden apartments, 164 townhomes and 17 single-family homes. The development would also have a clubhouse and swimming pool.

The zoning of the site works in the favor of the developer, as it allows for the approval of specific features if public improvements — such as sewage improvements — are made. In this case, the benefit would be increased density.

While no zoning change is needed for the housing, the town planning board still needs to conduct a site review. It’s unclear if the developer will receive tax breaks for the project, which it hopes to begin in the next several months.

There’s sure to be some opposition to the project. Opposition killed a 2015 proposal at the same site, which accounted for a mere 400 units; those traffic concerns would only be worse this time.

It could be a helpful development considering the Micron Technology computer chip plant slated to come to Clay. The development could be used to support those who are working at the plant.

— Holden Walter-Warner