Hearing dates set for hotel, tax relief

PENN YAN—The Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) set public hearing dates for proposed tax abatements for a Hometowne Energy bulk fuel storage facility and Hampton Inn hotel during their regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said hotel developer Chris Iversen is seeking a 10 year property tax abatement for a mortgage tax and sales tax exemption for the Hampton Inn to be located at the corner of Mace and Lake Streets in Penn Yan. He said the exemption will start at 100 percent for the first year and go down 10 percent every year following. Griffin said the hotel should create 30 full-time positions within the community as well.
Griffin said the total project cost for the 72 room hotel is projected at $9.25 million, and the gross cost savings from the FLEDC will be approximately $1 million. He said this triggers need for a public hearing looking for approval accepting their application for financial assistance. Griffin said the board is unable to do anything other than set the date for the public hearing at this time.
The board also set a public hearing date for a similar measure on a proposed Hometowne Energy bulk fuel storage facility to be located at 2300 Milo Mill Road in Penn Yan. He said they are looking to move forward with construction, having bought the former Casella waste transfer station at the location. Griffin said the reason Hometowne Energy went with this location over the Horizon Business Park is due to rail access to the area.
Hometowne Energy initially wanted to build their storage facility in Benton located at 1633 Route 14A across from Hayes Auction Barn until the land was purchased by a different party shortly after they received approval from the town. The company wanted to use the site for the storage and distribution of 60,000 gallons of petroleum and diesel along with 30,000 gallons of propane. Griffin said their plans remain the same at their current proposed site and have also received permission from the town of Milo to go ahead with the project.
Griffin said the site location is zoned industrial. He said Hometowne Energy also wants a 10 year tax abatement similar to the one they are considering for the Hampton Inn, starting at 100 percent and decreasing 10 percent every following year. Griffin said they are looking at creating six full-time jobs as well. While Griffin said the total cost savings for this project is $91,867, which does not require a public hearing, it would be safer to have it anyway in case it ends up exceeding $100,000, which would require a hearing.