The following letter ran in the December 20, 1999, issue of the Daily
Messenger and is reprinted here with permission.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Victor
project needs
a careful
review
To
the editor:
At last week's Victor
town Planning Board meeting, approximately 75 residents representing a large
number of residential properties talked at length about a proposed
multiple-dwelling apartment project which may be built near their homes.
The Planning Board, Chris Hart, the chairman, and Jane Luce, the director
of development, handled a question-and-answer session for residents in a
professional and responsible manner. Tentative
timelines, legal issues, and key benchmarks were explained and discussed.
As president of the
board of the Drumlin's Homeowners Association, I spoke to the Planning Board
about two critical issues. This project
finds us rushing for details and information as we prepare for the public
hearing currently scheduled for Jan. 11 or Jan. 25.
While the Town has been preparing for this for months to years, we have
just recently received notice of the project. As
residents, we need more time to gather facts, make decisions, and plan a course
of action. As a result, I requested an extension of time which would put the
public hearing further out in time to February.
In addition, I
requested that a full environmental impact statement be required by the Planning
Board. There are wetlands bordering the
property, drainage issues, storm-sewer issues and sanitary-sewer issues which
must be resolved. Apparently, a negative
declaration was issued on this property over 10 years ago.
In my opinion, it is necessary to visit the issue again, since a great
deal of change has occurred in that 10 year period.
This project is of
profound importance to the contiguous homeowners, but all town and village of
Victor residents should become aware of the potential for significant added
costs to upcoming budgets for sewer improvements.
It is a matter of public record that the village sewer system (which
processes town and village sewage) is nearing its overload point during wet
weather. The number of units in this
proposed project (172) will push the sewer system to its limits.
While infrastructure must be addressed by our governmental leaders, the
project currently in front of them may not be meritorious enough to warrant
expansion of the sewer system for the benefit of one developer.
A slower rate of
development in this area will provide time to address infrastructure issues in a
planned and reflective way, rather than causing a "knee-jerk"
reaction.
Victor residents need
to pay attention to development in the town. This project is one that should
command your careful review.
Tim Reed
President
Drumlins Homeowners Association
Wellington Drive
Victor
