Residents raise issues regarding traffic, drainage
Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball says it is likely the town board will vote in September on incentive zoning for the “Brook Field at Clarkson” project.
A public hearing was held on proposed re-zoning for the mixed-use project on Wednesday, July 23 at the Clarkson courthouse.
“Brook Field at Clarkson” would be located on the west side of Sweden Walker Road, south of Ridge Road and north of East Avenue. The project includes 18 duplex homes; four, 16-unit two story apartment buildings; five, 26-unit three story apartment buildings; an 89 unit independent senior living facility for seniors 55 and older – including garages for some residents and a community room; and a community center with a business center for Internet and computer access, a fitness facility, lounge space with a fireplace and flat screen television, gaming tables, kitchenette, and a pool for the use of all residents in the development. Mixed retail space on Ridge Road is also proposed.
Clarkson resident Tom Trapp attended the July 23 public hearing, which he says was well attended.
“Residents asked good questions,” he said. “Most spoke against the incentive zoning.”
Trapp says he understands the project will generate significant tax revenue for the town, however, he and other residents have concerns regarding the size of the proposed development. Trapp says residents voiced their concerns to the town board mainly regarding traffic and drainage issues.
“Exiting off Ridge Road (turning) left is almost undoable,” he says.
Many residents also question if the development will attract those who can pay rents ranging from $900 – $1300/month.
Bergmann Associates has completed a Traffic Impact Study regarding the development. The study states that impacts from the proposed Book Field development would be “minor.”
In a letter dated May 1, 2014 regarding the incentive zoning written to the town by Al Spaziano, manager of Atlantic Funding & Real Estate, LLC, the developer of the project, Spaziano states: “We propose to pay the Town of Clarkson for Incentive Zoning and Tax Program with COMIDA in the amount of $375,000 after the project is fully approved by all government agencies prior to construction building permits being issued.”
The letter further states the project is expected to create $175,000 in recreation fees for the town as well as building permit fees, “… and lastly, the tax base being created after the project is developed will be approximately 20 million dollars which will all be privately funded.”
“The project is significant in terms of revenue for the town,” Kimball says and adds that building permit fees are expected to be $160,000.
Tax incentives proposed for the project would provide tax breaks on increases in assessment over a ten year period.
Kimball says if the project is eventually approved by the town board, it will return to the planning board for site plan review.
All documents pertaining to the project are available on the town’s website:http://www.clarksonny.org.
