Many questions, but no answers yet
concerning Hamlin project

The December 18 public hearing on a proposed government subsidized housing project held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church left attendees begging the question: how many Hamlin residents does it take to get an answer?

After nearly 300 residents forced an earlier meeting at the town hall to be rescheduled for December 18, the public hearing saw almost 200 residents come with questions for the DeMarco Group and the Hamlin Planning Board. After two-and-a-half hours, the residents left without any answers.

Mike Marchetti, Brick Schoolhouse Road resident and Burke Hardware manager, was responsible for encouraging many of those in attendance to come to the meeting. Afterward, he was really discouraged with the outcome. "This format was beyond bad," said Marchetti. "This was ridiculous, but I'm not going to give up."

Person after person went to the microphone to voice their concerns and ask questions about the 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. While all of the questions were entered into the public record, none were answered.

The process will allow the developers to get back to the Hamlin Planning Board with answers, and at that point another public meeting will be held to review new information.

Jim Martin, of Martin Road, expressed his concerns with the project and with the way the meeting was being conducted many times throughout the night.

"We need to know if there are any hidden time bombs and we need to know now," Martin said. "I don't think Hamlin minds breaking even on this project. We just don't want to lose."

Residents in attendance compared the proposed project to current low-income housing developments in Greece and Perinton. The proposal calls for occupants to rent the single-family homes for 15 years before having the option to buy. For a three-bedroom home, the minimum income requirement will be $22,525 and the maximum income limit is set at $36,040. For the senior living units, the minimum income is set at $14,500 and the maximum income is set at $23,200.

At the meeting Hamlin residents voiced their concerns over how this development might drain the town's resources. They also offered their concerns over:

• Drainage issues
• Need for increased police protection and fire and ambulance coverage
• Impact on local traffic
• Effect on local property values
• How many of the homes will sell after 15 years and for how much
• How the need for low-income housing in the Hamlin area has been assessed
• Impact on Brockport schools
• Can only seniors live in senior housing
• Who will manage the property
• Will public transportation be readily available
• Will more social services be in place
• What regulations can Hamlin have regarding building standards and building aesthetics
• What taxes will be paid by these residents

By the end of the meeting residents were apparently frustrated by the non response from planning board members and the DeMarco Group representatives. They did find the energy for a standing ovation, however, when one person asked the question, "How can we stop you?"

Dane Emens, Hamlin Planning Board chairperson, said the process will allow Hamlin residents the opportunity to have a voice. "Hopefully the information will be collected and people will be given the opportunity to ask second and third questions based on that information," said Emens. "They deserve that opportunity."