It appears the Brook Field mixed-use development project proposed for the southwest corner of Routes 104 (Ridge Road) and 260 (Sweden Walker Road) in the Town of Clarkson will not move forward.
In a split vote, members of the Clarkson Town Board October 14 decided not to provide incentive zoning for the project which officials had said would create a $20 million tax base once the project was fully developed.
Brook Field was not part of the regular Town Board meeting agenda on the 14th, but Councilperson Patrick Didas brought a motion forward to close a public hearing on the incentive zoning which had remained opened since July 23.
Following the close of the public hearing, a motion to reject the incentive zoning application was brought forward by Councilperson Didas. In a 3-2 vote, the Town Board rejected the application. Councilpersons Didas, Christa Filipowicz and Jackie Smith voted to reject the application; Supervisor Paul Kimball and Councilperson Allan Hoy voted not to reject the application.
“Councilperson Filipowicz and I have felt from the time that the application was filed that the scope of the project was not in line with the town’s comprehensive plan,” Didas told the Suburban News/The Herald. “Once I learned that Councilperson Smith felt the same, I figured it was time to call for a motion to reject the incentive zoning application. In addition, the overwhelming feedback that the Town Board members received from the constituents – that we are elected to represent – was opposition to the project.”
With rejection of the incentive zoning, Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball says, “… as it stands, the project (Brook Field) will not move forward.”
He said he was surprised the vote came up because it was not on the agenda nor added to the agenda prior to the meeting.
“It’s unfortunate there was no real dialog with the developer,” Kimball said. “That’s the purpose of incentive zoning – to see if there could be changes (to the project plan) to accommodate residents’ concerns.”
Supervisor Kimball says the property is still owned by the developer.
Many residents had expressed concerns over the size of the project, including impact on traffic and on the Brockport School District. The proposed development called for a modern mixed-use residential/commercial “Hamlet” project with more than 300 units. Those opposed to the project said they also worried that the development would ruin the rural character of the town.
