Turnout Strong for Recent Public Hearing on Second RSS Housing Project Proposal
By MONICA CALZOLARI
ONEONTA
Approximately 100 local residents provided feedback for nearly two hours to the City of Oneonta Planning Commission at a public hearing on Tuesday, February 24 regarding the supportive housing complex that Rehabilitation Support Services proposes to build at 164 River Street in the Sixth Ward.
This meeting took place in the Riverside Elementary School cafeteria. Planning Commission meetings on this topic inside City Hall were standing room only and could not accommodate the crowd.
Planning Commission Chair Marcela Micucci, PhD, called the meeting to order just after 7 p.m. and asked the audience to address the Planning Commission and not the crowd. Two Oneonta police officers were stationed in the back of the room.
According to the Planning Commission Meeting Materials web page, “The applicant proposes the construction of a 3-story, ±61-unit, affordable housing project known as ‘Solstice Commons’ to be located at 164 River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. The building will occupy the northern portion of the ±6.5-acre tax parcel (299.12-2-37). The project proposes to subdivide the southern portion of the parcel (see attached site plan).”
In a memo dated September 4, 2025 from City of Oneonta Code Enforcement Officer Stephen Yerly described the site of the proposed development as approximately 6.5 acres between West Broadway and 164 River Street and the total acreage expected to be disturbed is ±3.2 acres.
“Solstice Commons will include ±31 units for individuals with serious mental illness and ±31 units for individuals at or below 70 percent of the area median income,” the CEO Memo states.
At least 20 residents voiced concerns about the scale and nature of the proposed RSS project. Only five people spoke in favor of the project. Many of the 25 people who spoke read prepared statements. Micucci enforced the three-minute rule when some exceeded the time limit.
