Country Club Cottages proposal slammed at public hearing

by Larry Austin
Grand Island Dispatch, October 5, 2007

Environmental attorney Richard Lippes said that in his 37 years of work, he had seen only one draft environmental impact statement less detailed than the one discussed at a public hearing in Grand Island Town Hall Monday, and that was a previous DEIS submitted by the applicant.

Opponents of the development who followed Lippes to the microphone were less charitable.

The DEIS for Country Club Cottages, a 67-unit patio home cluster development bordered by Fix, Fareway, and Baseline roads, was stomped like a grape by residents in the surrounding neighborhood. Only Michael Metzger of Metzger Civil Engineering, representing the applicant, John Stickl, spoke in favor of the proposal.

Metzger said the two-year-old project had undergone “substantial change” from the original iteration and that Stickl had made a “significant improvement” that has minimized adverse impacts and “provided a lot of benefit.”

The development, aimed at “active adults,” evolved into a cluster plan, which preserved 13 acres of the 28.5-acre parcel, Metzger said.

He added:

•A redesign avoids wetlands

•Clustering ensures landowner rights

•Neighbors benefit from additional buffering

•The town has decreased infrastructure costs and increased long-term savings

•Creative design preserves natural areas, with 45 percent more open space.

•The project plan will result in more wetland. New habitat created will “outweigh small initial losses,” Metzger said. “Clearly the cluster plan turned out to be the best option.”

•The project “fills a need in the community” for “active adult” housing that requires less maintenance.

Gary Wochaldo asked the board to weigh the facts and warned the town against putting a development on what he called poor soil.

Lois Shriver called the DEIS flawed, inaccurate and a complete fabrication of fact.

“Surely Mr. Stickl could find a better location for this project,” she said.

Anita and Ray DeGlopper, owners of property west of Stickl’s property asked what constitutes a change in the character of a neighborhood? Anita DeGlopper said there is no guarantee that only seniors will live in the development.

“We hope that the town will really listen to the residents,” she said.

Tom and Artie McAuliffe of Fareway Lane said cluster zoning is back door way for developers to skirt zoning laws, adding that 12-foot distances between homes in the cluster development does not conform to similar homes on Fareway.

Elizabeth Stocklosa of Fix Road discussed hydrologic impacts of a development; opponents compared the land to that in Amherst, where homes have suffered from cracked foundations due to sinking soil. Are the members of the board so on mission that they can guarantee there won’t be problems in the future? she asked. “Do you really want this to be part of your legacy?” she continued. “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.”

Bill Jenkins asserted his opposition to what he described as an “outrageous proposal.”

Regarding wildlife habitat, Jenkins said species of animals will have more difficulty if the development proceeds.

“I doubt very much if it will remain a wildlife habitat,” he said, noting the deer that can be found there. A rental property owner, he added that he had “first hand experience that there’s really not that great a need for any new development.”

Scott Brady of Fareway said “there is no clear information” within the DEIS. “You’re going solely by his word,” Brady said, referring to Stickl. He asked if the town will have its own independent consultant review the document.

The public comment period remains open until Oct. 11 at 5 p.m., Supervisor Peter McMahon said, adding that no action will take place before then by the board.

Also at the meeting, two members of the public spoke during a public hearing on how best to use Federal Community Development grant funds, for which the town is eligible. Teresa Hooper of Bedell Road advocated for a handicapped accessible playground for children “so both handicapped kids and their brothers and sisters” can play together. Dave Birt, of Orchard Road in Ferry Village, was a proponent of a path to Ferry Village to enhance bicycle safety.

McMahon said the Town Board will make a decision at its next meeting on Oct. 15. There is a $100,000 limit on the grant.

In other news at the meeting:

•The board issued a special use permit renewal to Richard Benz to allow him to keep three agricultural animals on four acres. Likewise, a special use permit renewal was approved for John R. Ventry, allowing him to keep one agricultural animal on two acres.

•The board approved a tower permit renewal to Upstate Cellular Network (Verizon) for their location at 423 Ransom Road.

•The board granted approval to the Grand Island Fire Co. to close Baseline Road between Whitehaven Road and Grand Island Boulevard for their annual Fire Prevention Open House on Oct. 12.

•Councilwoman Susan Argy reminded that the Knights of Columbus will hold a blood drive on Oct. 9. Councilwoman Mary Cooke and Supervisor McMahon reminded that the VFW will hold its annual chili cook-off. Councilman Dick Crawford reported earlier that he will be a chili judge.