Latest strip mall-adjacent project explained

Diamond Rock Plaza strip mall. / Business Review photo

If you have seen or heard the latest activity going on at Diamond Rock Plaza opposite the entrance to Highpointe, you no doubt are curious what's going on.

The last project undertaken there by property owner Tom Murley was an abortive attempt to make use of part of the parcel as a school bus depot. A number of Terrace residents testified at a Brunswick Planning Board hearing. That proposal eventually was withdrawn.

The latest effort involves a solar panel installation on a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the strip mall building that had been approved some time ago. 

Our neighbor Fred Fowler, who was among those testifying against the bus parking proposal, has spoken with representatives of the Town of Brunswick about the current plan for the parcel and reports the following:

(1.) A solar farm has heretofore been approved on other property that Mr. Murley owns that is more “inland” from Oakwood Avenue. However, there are to be some electrical lines that will run from that solar farm through the parcel next to the strip mall. I believe that the current activity is associated with the construction of the solar farm itself or perhaps the construction of these electrical lines. 

(2.) When the site plan for the strip mall was initially approved the parcel next to the strip mall was to be a car wash. Since that time the zoning law in the Town of Brunswick has been changed such that the Oakwood Avenue area is zoned as “light industrial.” Apparently Mr. Murley is now desirous of constructing some retail structure on that site. In order to do this he must first have the property rezoned for retail. I believe he may already have submitted such an application to the Town Board, which must then be referred to the Planning Board for their opinion. Assuming the Planning Board approved the request it would then go back to the Town Board for a vote. It is my understanding that the commercial zoning he is requesting is for over 5,000 square feet of retail space. If the Town Board approved the zoning change the matter would then go back to the Planning Board for the Site Plan Review process, which is what we had the hearing for on the school bus parking. 

(3.) Certain of our residents should get written notice of the zoning change proceedings as well as the hearings on the site plan due to the proximity of their property to the site. I assume these are probably Nos. 4 through 8 Hyland Circle [the homes that were notified of the bus parking plan], so I would appreciate being informed of any notices received pertaining to this matter. While I will try to keep abreast of any developments I do not receive any notices since my house is farther than 400 feet from the site.

Fred offers the following observations:

"I do think it is important to realize certain realities: 

• This is Mr. Murley’s private property and he has the right to development it in any manner that is consistent with the applicable laws and regulations. 
• The school bus proposal was so outrageous that it was easy to prevail. 
• None of us are voters in the Town of Brunswick. If something is to be built we may just be relegated to mitigating any negative effect on our community. 
• Arguing for a traffic signal at the entrance to Highpointe Drive and the proposed use could well be the best strategy."

NOTE: We will have a brief discussion of this latest project placed on the agenda for our Monday, October 2, THCA meeting at Faith Lutheran Church.

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