City Council Public Hearing on Cathedral Prep

Erie City Council had a lot on its plate Wednesday night. Five public hearings on zoning issues... but the topic that dominated the meeting was the requested zoning change for Cathedral Prep. In order for Cathedral Prep to build a multi-million dollar athletic complex the city must change the zoning ordinance from M-2 commercial to mixed use recreational. This multi-purpose athletic facility would include an all-weather track, swimming pool, and gymnasium and would be open to all youths of the community. The of changing the zoning ordinance idea drew mixed support at Wednesday’s meeting. Supporters agree an athletic complex at the former Gunite site is long overdue for Cathedral Prep. “I don’t see that it interferes with industrial base, we’ve kind of lost our industrial base anyway and I think it will draw other activity into the area.” “We realize the value of this property for the project we’re looking at and the benefits it will have for the entire community of Erie.” Opponents of the project spoke up and said its not the project theyre against, but if the new zoning ordinance goes though it could potentially change the prospect of M-2 zoning and become a major safety issue. And there’s the issue of spending tax dollars. “ The city should not be changing definitions of M-2 to allow one party to commit to one site.” “Now what are we doing helping people getting loans so they can buy land and resell it to the diocese?” City council member Jim Thompson said the public hearing was to look at the overall picture of the zoning project and hear from both sides. “We’re trying to make it more pedestrian friendly. It’s no longer an industrial corridor. We have to look at the reality.” City council members say they will now go to the planning commission for recommendations and hope to be able to take a vote on the project in about 2 weeks.