Troy rezones street
Last Thursday, the Troy City Council voted to rezone much of Hoosick Street. The zoning changes seek to discourage the suburban shopping-center development that has been occurring.
The proposal attempts to retain an urban feel for Hoosick Street by requiring developments to be built near the road without stretches of parking lot in front. It is hoped that this will spur pedestrian traffic, and discourage the en masse arrival of big-box outlets that have become common.
The rezoning will divide Hoosick Street into the waterfront area, the commerce center, and eastern-end professional offices. The designation of the lower end of Hoosick as a waterfront zone is expected to further the development of retail and light industrial operations there.
The zoning also includes a provision for large 12-foot sidewalks to give pedestrians a sense of safety. The zoning changes seek to protect Troy’s residential neighborhoods while attempting to bring a more urban feel to Troy.
Judge rules against bar
A New York State Supreme Court Justice recently rejected the efforts of Mario and Elda Abate, owners of the Eldorado and Elda’s, to halt actions by the city of Troy which would close the Eldorado under a new nuisance abatement law and evict its tenants.
The Abates had contended that the law enabling the city to close the bar and remove its tenants is unconstitutional. The judge, however, did not address the merits of the case, pointing out that they were not entitled to stay the closing of their establishment if they could get a monetary judgment later.
After a few recent crimes in and around the Eldorado, Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian ordered the establishment closed under the nuisance abatement law. He ordered that the building be brought up to code and additional security be installed. The Abates refused, citing the law as unconstitutional, and filed suit.
