Residents of both Clarkson and Sweden told Clarkson Planning Board members June 7 that they continue to have serious concerns over the increase in traffic the proposed Brook Field at Clarkson housing development would bring.
The Planning Board is currently reviewing the Brook Field proposal and took no action June 7. Chair Donald Osborne thanked residents for attending. “We will consider your comments,” he said. “There will be no decision tonight. We appreciate your attendance.”
The Brook Field development is proposed for the southwest corner of Sweden Walker Road and Ridge Road and includes 31.3 acres and 265 residential units.
The impact on traffic continues to be the main concern, particularly of residents on Sweden Walker Road, who say current heavy traffic volumes are already dangerous, even without Brook Field and other development proposed in the area.
“I’ve lost four mailboxes,” Sue Alexander said. “There are bad crashes … I’m afraid to walk to my mailbox. I don’t want to live in Greece. I live in Clarkson.” Alexander also said she does not want to look into the backyards of Brook Field villas, which are planned for the west side of Sweden Walker Road.
“I’m disappointed not to see more neighbors,” Alexander added, regarding the light turn-out for the public hearing. She suggested one reason might be that residents feel frustrated with the approval process, “our opinion doesn’t matter,” she said.
Julie Lapinski, who lives on Sweden Walker Road in the Town of Sweden, said the entire Clarkson/Sweden/Brockport community will be impacted by the increase in traffic created by the proposed development. “I don’t have a problem with smart growth,” she said, but, “this is a huge development. It affects our quality of life and nobody cares.”
Another resident of Sweden Walker Road, Diana Niedermeier, said she is worried not only about the Brook Field project, but duplexes proposed behind her home and additional potential development at the Sweden Walker/Ridge Road intersection.
“The Planning Board should plan what is good for the community. There are better places for this project … there’s a lot on our plate for people who live in this area (Sweden Walker/Ridge Road) … we are concerned it is too big for that area.”
Niedermeier and other residents said they are not happy with lighting proposed for the development and the sidewalk proposed is useless. “No one wants to walk on Sweden Walker Road,” Niedermeier said. “You’re taking our sunsets. This is very poor planning. It’s not what we want … but whatever the boards decide … that’s our frustration,” Niedermeier said.
Clarkson Town Engineer J.P. Schepp said the board has reviewed two traffic impact studies and requested additional information. “It’s a work in progress,” he said regarding how the increase in the already busy traffic flow will be accommodated. “The state hasn’t made a final call, they are both state roads. We are going to do what we can with the state, we are hearing you loud and clear.”
Michael Montalto, project manager with Costich Engineering, said the traffic impact studies (which indicated the impact on traffic would be minimal) have taken into account, “more intense development … and growth,” in the area. “The DOT has done nothing from an approval standpoint, they have not signed-off,” he said.
Montalto noted the purpose of the Planning Board public hearing was to help advance plans and continue dialog regarding the project.
