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A Latham real estate investment company is seeking zoning variances to convert a closed Lutheran church in Lansingburgh into five apartments.
V and J Homes LLC, submitted plans calling for conversion of the former Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, its banquet hall and school at 246 Third Ave. into five apartments with off-street parking. The location at the corner of 111th Street and Third Avenue across from Powers Park is in an R-2 residential district, which permits single-family and two-family homes.
City Councilman Mark McGrath, who represents the 2nd Council District, and Councilwoman Kim Ashe-McPherson, an at-large member, said they oppose the request for use and major area variances from the city Zoning Board of Appeals, which will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
McGrath said the R-2 zoning aims to prevent buildings from being subdivided into apartments. He pointed out that the city has taken action over the last decade to prevent this, with an emphasis placed on Lansingburgh.
Ashe-McPherson said putting apartments into a neighborhood with one-family and two-family homes would have an adverse impact.
The Planning Commission approved the plans in January contingent upon the ZBA granting variances, Steven Strichman, the city commissioner of planning and community development, said Monday.
McGrath and Ashe-McPherson said they were upset that the proposal had gone to the Planning Commission before the ZBA had reviewed it. Mayor Patrick Madden’s administration said this was an oversight, which has been corrected.
Vincent Salvagio of V and J Homes declined to comment. The firm, which owns other properties in Troy, estimated it would cost $95,000 to convert the church into apartments, according to its application to the ZBA. The church’s market value was $650,000 in 2016 on city tax assessment rolls.
The former St. Francis DeSales Church on Congress Street and the former First Baptist Church on Third Street have been converted to fraternities. The former St. Mary’s Church on Third Street is expected to be converted to housing.
The former Woodside Presbyterian Church on Mill Street in South Troy, which closed in 2003 and was facing demolition, became the Contemporary Arts Center at Woodside in 2009. A former Lutheran Church at 101st and 6th avenues in North Troy became a children’s puppet theater before it was converted into the Sanctuary for Independent Media in 2005.
kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe
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