Published: July 01, 2008 11:55 pm            

CITY OF TONAWANDA: Environmental study approved

The potential for development of a prime piece of real estate along the Niagara River in the City of Tonawanda took a step forward Tuesday night.

Tonawanda’s Common Council OK’d a contract not to exceed $38,845 for LiRo Engineers to conduct what’s known as a Phase II environmental study at the water treatment plant next to City Hall. LiRo will conduct soil samples to determine if there is any potentially hazardous material in the ground at the more than 100-year-old site.

“We need to determine whether there’s any hazardous waste there,” Common Council President Carleton Zeisz said. He said it should take between two and three weeks to find out if there are any issues with the site, which would require the city to prepare a corrective action plan.

Although the plans are not finalized, the water treatment plant has been eyed by a developer for two luxury condominium buildings. Mayor Ron Pilozzi said Tuesday that plan is “not out of the picture,” but that the city still needs to talk with other developers to find out what potential uses the property holds.

“If that structure comes down, that property becomes much more inviting and worth much more to the city,” Pilozzi said.

In other business, the Common Council:

n Seemed interested in adopting a six-year plan to conduct yearly reassessments of all city properties. It will likely vote on the proposal at its July 22 meeting. In the spring, the city conducted its first reassessment in nearly 20 years, causing many residents’ assessments to increase significantly. Evaluating the data yearly would prevent such fluctuations.

n Enacted a series of local laws, including a “pooper scooper law” requiring pet owners to clean up after their dogs. The council also voted to raise to $100 from $25 the fee for high grass, and require property owners to clean up graffiti vandalism within 60 days.

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.

        

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