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Construction Trailers in North Utica Removed After Legal Battles

2024-11-27

In Utica, New York, an unusual sight emerged as a significant number of construction trailers were piled up behind a motel in North Utica. This situation sparked legal proceedings that would ultimately lead to a significant resolution. In July, NEWSChannel 2 brought to light that City attorneys had prepared a show cause order to encourage the trailer owners to relocate their units. As of Tuesday, these trailers near Exit 31 of the New York State Thruway have been successfully removed. Utica Mayor Mike Galime announced that this marks the end of several months of legal battles. He took the case to the State supreme court, stating, "While I aim to collaborate with taxpayers and stakeholders, I ran on a promise to uphold process and procedure, which made legal action necessary." Although the land is private property, it was not intended for trailer storage. Last month, a fire occurred in one of the trailers, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Timeline of Legal Actions and Resolution

From the Mayor's Office, here is a detailed timeline of the events:

7/18/2024

Petition filed by Willscott Mobile Mini to overturn the denial of the Temporary Use Permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). This was the first significant step in the legal process, as it challenged the initial decision regarding the trailers' placement.

8/8/2024

The City responded by filing an answer and responsive affidavits in opposition. This showed the City's stance and commitment to resolving the issue through legal means.

9/5/2024

The plaintiff filed a reply affidavit, further adding to the legal discourse and intensifying the battle.

9/11/2024

A crucial conference was held with all parties and Hon. Mark Rose. Through negotiations, a settlement was reached, and an agreement to enter into an Order on Consent was made. The agreement stipulated that all trailers must be removed by 11/30/2024. Failure to comply would result in fines of $500 for the first trailer and $250 for each additional trailer per day.

10/30/2024

The Order was signed and filed by Judge Rose, formalizing the legal requirements and setting a deadline for the trailer removal.

11/25/2024

All trailers were finally removed from the property. This was a significant milestone after months of legal wrangling. At one point in June 2024, there were 94 trailers, with estimates suggesting that the peak number reached over 130. Mayor Galime added, "I am pleased that the trailers have finally been removed and that the legal process worked. I want to thank all members of my administration who contributed to this effort, and I'm happy to provide peace of mind to the concerned constituents."