Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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A Westchester County developer says the denial of his proposal to expand a downtown Binghamton student housing project yesterday by the City Zoning Board of Appeals sends the message, ‘If you’re not from here, you’re not welcome.’

The board rejected the proposal from Alfred Weissman Real Estate of Rye, New York for an addition to a parcel at 20 Hawley Street already converted into housing for 200 students that would have made way for another 180 bed and that asked for the new residents to be able to park in the city-owned Collier Street parking garage.

The board voted 4-1 to overturn a previous ruling to allow the parking access, citing city codes that require on-site parking for residential developments.

Weissman says he thinks the board misinterpreted the codes and was being pressured by competing developer, Newman Development Group of Vestal to reject the proposal.

Weissman says his company will be considering whether or not to file a lawsuit against Binghamton over the ruling.

In addition to the student housing development, The Weissman group also owns the Double Tree Hotel on Water Street.

Newman Development owns student housing complexes in Binghamton and Vestal as well as several other properties in Broome County.

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