Staff Writer

ONEONTA — City zoning board members are not enthused about a business owner's plans to convert his first-floor retail space on Elm Street to apartments.

The board tabled James Reeks Jr.'s request Monday for density and parking variances, and for a site plan review of a project to convert Samsons Decorating Warehouse at 9-15 Elm Street to nine first-floor apartments.

Board members told Reeks they want time to examine the findings of the city's recently conducted parking study before they make any decision. They did not specify when the request would be put back up for discussion.

Reeks' parking request, which would allow him to avoid building more spaces to accommodate for the additional apartments, was the major point of contention among board members.

According to city code, Reeks would have to expand his 15-space parking lot to 31 to meet city code requirements, which say there must be two available parking spaces per dwelling unit.

There are already six apartments above Samsons.

"You'd be increasing the magnitude of parking 100 percent with nowhere to go from there," board Chairman Tom O'Brien told Reeks.

But Reeks said the parking problem wouldn't be exacerbated because students who already live there are not parked in the area during the day.

The Planning Commission, St. James Church officials and Seventh Ward Alderman Sean Farrell wrote letters — which were read at the meeting — expressing concern with Reeks' request.

The Planning Commission, in its letter, recommended denying both variances because Reeks' request to convert retail space to apartments goes against the city's Comprehensive Plan.

The plan, members wrote, includes the need for the strengthening of the city's downtown retail base, "not the other way around."

Commission members also echoed the parking concern.

O'Brien also said Reeks' request for a density variance, seeking more apartments than the building's square footage allows under city code, asks for too much.

In March 2000, the city approved Reeks' plans to convert the building — the former Showcase Cinema — to the decorating store with six three-bedroom apartments on top.

Reeks has said a shortage of parking, a lack of visibility from Main Street and problems with truck delivery maneuvering on Elm Street led to his plan to relocate again.

He said earlier this month that he plans to move the business to property he owns on Southside.