Public Hearing on the Town of Otsego’s Land-use Plan Set for October 21

By DEBRA MOFFITT
FLY CREEK

The public will soon get a chance to comment on the Town of Otsego’s much discussed land-use plan. The town will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m.

Earlier comments from the public led town officials to make changes to the original proposal. Controversial topics included requiring that short-term rental properties be owner-occupied—something property owners said was unreasonable. The revised comprehensive plan mentions owner-occupancy alongside the idea of grandfathering existing businesses until those properties are sold.

The revised comprehensive plan says:

“Explore new short-term (a period of less than 30 days) rental ordinances that reinforce and strengthen the residential quality of the Town of Otsego. Ordinances may include owner-occupancy, local (Town or County) ownership, grandfathering of existing business (until such grandfathered property is sold), regulations based on density of certain areas of the Town, etc.).”

An attorney for the proposed Manocherian development project also complained that the town should have given more opportunity for the public to comment on proposed changes to how large parcels are subdivided into smaller lots. The change to minimum lot sizes would have impacted the plan for a 126-home development that spans the towns of Otsego and Springfield.

The revised plan says the town should consider “eliminating minimum lot sizes within the designated Hamlets” because New York state already imposes minimum spacing requirements between wells and septic systems.

Otsego’s land-use plan, an update to the original approved in 2008, also recommends a feasibility study on building a sewer system or systems within hamlets of the Town of Otsego, as well as protections for Otsego Lake.

A comprehensive plan, also known as a general plan, master plan or land-use plan, guides the future actions of a town, city, or county. While not a law, it presents a vision with long-range goals and objectives for all facets of local government.

Visit townofotsegony.gov to see the 2026 comprehensive plan update. The October 21 public hearing will be at the Town Building at 811 County Highway 26 in Fly Creek.