The Brockport Planning Board will reconvene a public hearing regarding the proposed Hibsch cluster housing development off East Avenue on September 10 at 8 p.m. It may be the public’s last formal chance to comment on the project as a whole, as the planning board expects to grant conceptual design approval by September 24, if required changes to the plans have been made.

At the August 27 planning board meeting, members discussed several issues with the project’s developer, Don Hibsch, and his engineer.

In what seems to be the final decision regarding the connection between the new housing tract and the Havenwood tract, a permanent connecting road will be built at the south end of Cloverwood closest to the canal. A temporary connector road will be built from Candlewick to the new development. That unpaved road is to remain open until the permanent road is installed. The permanent road will likely be constructed near the end of the build-out time, perhaps in five years, according to Hibsch. Eventually, a home will be built on the site of the temporary road.

All construction equipment access will occur across the new bridge Hibsch will build from East Avenue to the site. Hibsch was already granted permission to begin site preparation for that bridge.

The discovery of wetlands on the site has shifted the whole project westward towards the Havenwood tract. The presence of wetlands has also changed the size and scope of the pond to be located at the south end of the development. The pond will be smaller than originally intended, but a gazebo and walking trails will still be featured. Hibsch will also have to obtain permits from the DEC and Army Corps of Engineers to do the work in the wetlands corridor.

Hibsch has planned the single family dwelling unit development to serve "seniors" – those age 50 and older who are empty-nesters. He believes the homes will appeal to local residents who want to stay in the area but are ready to give up their larger homes and yards for something easier to maintain. Cluster development allows each home to have smaller than usual yards in exchange for leaving some of the property open. A homeowners association, which has to receive a charter from the state attorney general’s office, will establish development rules and provide for some services like lawn mowing and driveway plowing.