Penn Yan has details on waterfront costs

Oct 26, 2010 at 02:57 pm by Observer-Review


PENN YAN
  ADVERTISEMENT

Penn Yan has details on waterfront costs

PENN YAN—The long vacant Marine Manufacturing property is close to being placed on the market. Marketing of the 14 acre site on the Keuka Lake Outlet was delayed for an extended period due to environmental issues. Ownership of the property reverted to Yates County several years ago after taxes were not paid.
Penn Yan Village trustees heard from village planning board chair Rich Pierle, Waterfront Revitalization committee chairman Cliff Orr and Finger Lakes Economic Development Center Executive Director Steve Griffin. Pierle said about one year ago the group began to look at zoning for the waterfront. The committee looked at current zoning and permitted uses. Pierle said, “Almost anything and everything is allowed.” Orr said one of the biggest hurdles is infrastructure. Griffin said he looked at infrastructure costs The cost of infrastructure for the site is estimated at $2.2 million.
Griffin referred to development proposed in an earlier study of the site. That projection included 80 condos, 30 townhouses, a 70 room hotel, restaurants, retail stores and a professional office building. Griffin said revenue from the project could pay for the bond for the work.
Trustee Wayne Davidson said, “We have to figure some way taxpayers and rate payers won’t have to pay.” Orr said the developer would come up with a plan and as soon as they started to build, work on infrastructure would begin. Village Public Works Director Richard Osgood said it is hoped that infrastructure improvements would eliminate a lot of the inflow and infiltration problems that now exist on Lake Street. Trustee Michael Christensen said, “This could be an opportunity for huge economic development. Our revenue to operate the village is solely property tax.”
Orr said no municipalities would put out money until it was assured the bond could be covered. Mayor Bob Church said, “There has been a lot of discussion. We have to start somewhere. If we get to the point we feel it’s not fair to our taxpayers, we’ll have to slow it down.” Following the discussion, the required environmental review was completed by the board.
In other business:
Approved a resolution creating a village street to be known as Firehouse Avenue. A public hearing on the matter will be at 6:05 p.m. Nov. 16. The new street is in the parking lot between the firehouse and village office. The north exit is directly opposite the Elm Street entrance to the street. The parking lot was renovated earlier this year. If the street is created it will allow the village to use Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funds in the future when repairs are needed.
• Trustees scheduled a public hearing at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 on the Penn Yan Fire Companies’ plans to incorporate. There are four fire companies in the village fire department.
• Received a petition asking the village to create a street from the wastewater treatment plant to Himrod Road. Resident Carl Kaiser Sr. presented the document which contains signatures of 40 village residents. A petition asking for creation of the street was also presented to the Milo Town Board earlier this month.
• Trustees voted to approve submission of an application for $4 million of interest free financing the village is eligible for through the New York State Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The money will be used for wastewater treatment plant modification projects. Payments on this loan will be reasonable and will let the village cut down on sludge hauling costs. Village municipal board member Dan Banach said hauling sludge costs $75,000 a year.
• Consultant Steve Hill reported on progress on plans for a Violence Prevention program for the village. Church said, “This is another unfunded mandate.” Hill said he is waiting for feedback from village board members. Village Attorney Ed Brockman said formal requests for input will be sent to union heads and all department heads asking for feedback. Church said department heads will be asked to estimate the cost of any changes. One potential change is reallocation of space. Hill noted there is a lot of foot traffic in the second floor. About 90 percent is to the code enforcement office. He said that office could possibly be relocated to the first floor. Hill said, “This is not a recommendation. Just food for thought.” Brockman said he wants to make sure the procedural steps have been taken before any policy is adopted.
• Approved The Yates County Chamber of Commerce Star Shine celebration Friday, Dec. 3 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
• Agreed to hold approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Penn Yan Police Department Police Benevolent Association and the village until the Nov. 16 meeting.
• Scheduled a public hearing at 6:10 p.m. Nov. 16 for comments on a Local Law amending the Code of Ethics Chapter of village code.
• Authorized Mayor Bob Church to sign the Proclamation for Academic excellence Day Nov. 16.
• Decision of bids for a new excavator was tabled to allow trustees to review the bids.
• Recreation director Dan Doyle reported on the summer recreation season. Doyle said numbers were up this year with approximately 3,200 using the swimming areas at the two parks. He said he attributes the increase to decent summer weather and the new playground at Indian Pines Park. Surveys showed 77 percent of park visitors were from Yates County as compared to 36 percent village residents. Doyle said usage of the pavilion at Red Jacket Park was up this year.
The next meeting of the Penn Yan Village Board will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 in the village office building on Elm Street.

 

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight6)$

 

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight1)$

 

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight3)$

Sections: Additional News