Brockport discusses, prepares for rental housing meeting

While those involved say they do not expect a problem, Trustee Mort Wexler questioned the security at the May 9 Village of Brockport public hearing. The meeting to discuss the village's proposed amendments to Chapter 58 of its codes was rescheduled from late April when the number of attendees at the public hearing exceeded the capacity of the village hall, and will now be held at the Brockport High School. The school, in the Town of Sweden, is outside the village police jurisdiction and is instead under control of the Monroe County Sheriff's office.

Brockport Police Chief Dan Varrenti, who said he would be attending the public hearing, indicated he would contact the sheriff's office and alert them to the meeting.

"They won't detail an officer there and incur the overtime but perhaps they can increase patrols that night," Varrenti said.

The public hearing which would address "elimination by amortization of boarding houses and rooming houses (and any related similar uses, by other names or designations);" and changes to "eliminate by amortization of occupancy by more than three unrelated persons in residential dwelling units in properties acquired prior to April 17, 1995," drew student protestors, landlords and their attorneys and many others to the postponed meeting.

If the new codes were approved, landlords would be forced to stop renting boarding-style rooms and put a stop to landlords renting apartments to more than three unrelated people to live in one apartment. It is unknown by Brockport officials as to how many apartments are being rented to three or more unrelated individuals.

Wexler said previously that the law was intended to cut down the number of people who are in an apartment - for obvious safety reasons - and he has no problem with that. What he does have an issue with however, is the legality of the proposal.

"I just want to say that I think amortization should be voted on by this board before the election," Wexler said. "I don't think this issue should drag on for another six, seven, eight weeks before we vote on it."

Mayor Josephine Matela said the issue was too important to rush into a vote.

"I'd like to convene a task force made up of students, landlords, trustees and residents to discuss this," she said. "We're not going to rush into a decision."

Wexler said that deputy village attorney Frank Aloi gave the village the go ahead to move forward.

"If this takes too long to be digested it's likely to be regurgitated," Wexler said. "A vote should be taken prior to the election. Four out of five of us are running and we need to let people know where we stand on the issue."

The public hearing on the proposed code changes will be Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Brockport High School.