by Kristina Gabalski
The new owner of the former Kleen Brite facility in Brockport presented a conceptual use development plan for revitalization to the village Planning Board at their regular meeting September 17 that includes a mixed use of retail and re-use/recycling facilities.
Al Plumb, co-owner of ALPCO Recycling in Macedon, took ownership of the complex at 100 Fair Street – which covers 11.23 acres – in July.
He said he has ruled-out a single use plan in favor of multiple uses that he believes will work for residents, the village, the Town of Sweden and his business.
Plumb’s plan includes a reuse and retail resale center at the west end of the complex in a wood structure he intends to restore to the way it looked 50 years ago.
“The front third would contain a farm market … which would sell produce year- round and meats,” he explained.
The back of the building would be used for a recycling/bottle/can drop off center, and drop off of residential refuse. Four types of mulch and topsoil would be available for sale as well as propane, Plumb said. “Things the homeowner can use. It works very, very well in Macedon,” he said. Also included would be a cash and carry beverage center and a re-use and retail resale center where used items like metal, wood, electrical components and bicycles would be sold.
Proposed uses for the other buildings on the site include an office complex for small businesses; equipment maintenance and repair, storage, recycling of scrap metals, processed material storage (paper, plastics); dismantling of scrap vehicles; used car sales and a construction and demolition debris/recyclables recovery and transfer station housed in a 29,000 sq. ft. building at the east end of the complex.
“All noise will be kept away from everyone,” Plumb said. He explained that much of the traffic would be handled on the east side of the complex.
He noted he would also like to bring sidewalks from Fair St. down to South Avenue along the west side of the property.
Planning Board Chair Charles Switzer said he liked the concept, but expressed some concerns about the transfer station and the related traffic, noise and odor.
Plumb said his business keeps a “zero inventory.” He said residential trash is put immediately into a compactor. “There is very little noise and no smell,” he said.
He explained that all metals collected are kept out of sight and that the transfer station would be housed indoors, eliminating odor problems.
Planning Board members also asked about increased traffic, but Plumb said at this point he did not have any firm numbers. He said much of the traffic would be directed to enter/exit from South Avenue on the east side of the facility.
“We can make this work and it can work very nice,” he said.
Because of the uniqueness of the plan, board members said they would like to meet with the village attorney before proceeding.
Village engineer Jason Foote of Chatfield Engineers said a more detailed conceptual plan should be presented to the board for approval and then the SEQR process could begin. Board members said they may approach the project in phases.
Plumb said his priority is getting the office building ready for occupants and then he would focus on the retail/residential drop off area.
“I want to give residents something they can be proud of,” he said.
He also reassured the board that, “ … any building can be torn down if you don’t like the operation … we will eliminate what is creating a problem.”
