Developers respond to residents' questions
concerning Hamlin developments

Residents hoping for answers concerning Hamlin's proposed East Cove Senior Apartments and the Millstream Subdivision now have some places to start. Answers to the questions raised at the December 18 Public Hearing have been compiled by the DiMarco Group, and are now available for public review at the Hamlin Library, the Hamlin Town Hall, and on the town's website at www.hamlinny.org.

Dane Emens, planning board chairperson, said the public hearing phase is still open and concerned residents will get a chance to ask questions of the planning board and the developers at a date to be determined.

Residents have showed up in impressive numbers to demonstrate their concerns over a proposal to develop a portion of 135 acres of land off Lake Road West Fork into 24 senior citizen apartments and 25 single family rental houses. This low income housing proposal has generated a lot of anxiety.

Jim Martin, of Martin Road, is one of those concerned residents. After reading through the answers provided by the DiMarco Group, he said he continues to be worried. "There seems to be a lot of legalese and out-clauses in their responses," said Martin. "A lot of their answers are not even germane to the question."

The following is a compilation of some of the answers provided. (For a complete report residents can obtain an official copy at the locations listed above).

Question: How will this development impact surrounding property values?

Answer: There is no financial evidence that projects of this nature would have an impact on the value of your home.

Question: How will this development impact an area with a pre-existing drainage problem?

Answer: There is a drainage divide through the middle of the DiMarco property and the Brick Schoolhouse drainage issue is on the north and west side of the divide. This development will not impact drainage north and west of the divide. Drainage issues related to Brick Schoolhouse will be addressed in future phases. There is enough land on the north and west side of the drainage divide to address drainage issues. Our drainage design including the detention pond addresses the drainage issue and has been submitted to the Town Engineer for review.

Question: What type of taxes will residents in this development be paying?

Answer: The two projects will be fully taxed based upon a full-assessed value as determined by the town assessor and in accordance with all applicable laws.

Question: Do we have a need for low-income and senior housing in this area?

Answer: The market study and Monroe County Consolidated Plan has identified a need for affordable single family and senior housing.

Question: How similar is this project to English Village in Greece or the Pines of Perinton?

Answer: English Village and the Pines of Perinton are not appropriate comparisons for this development. They are massive developments, which by the size alone will have different demands. These projects are not regulated by The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DNCR) as our proposed communities will be. DHCR is now approving and considering small-scale development, which are more highly manageable. Similar projects have been recently developed in Fairport (Jefferson Park Apartments), Macedon (Evergreen Hill), Penn Yan (Meadowside), Fairport (Crosman), Honeoye Falls (Totiakton), and Greece (Canal Place).

Question: Has the impact on the local law enforcement and the Brockport School District been assessed?

Answer: After supplying project information, we have requested the local Sheriff sub-station to provide a letter assessing the impact of the proposed communities on their level of service. We have received a letter from James Fallon, superintendent of Brockport Central School District, stating that the district can accommodate the potential increase in students resulting from the proposed community.