Neighbors oppose Brockport
rezoning for Sunflower Landing

Does the area truly need another senior housing project? That was one of the many questions posed by residents to the engineers of the proposed Sunflower Landing in the Village of Brockport during the August 15 public hearing on the project.

"This just isn't a concept that belongs here," resident Betty Northrup said. "If the houses don't sell, then what?"

Northrup was also opposed to the change in zoning from residential to a Q-zone, as she said the zone change allowed for commercial development. Chris Schultz, the engineer for the project, said no commercial development was planned within the 50 acre community.

Many residents, as well as the police and fire chiefs, expressed concerns with the traffic situation on the stretch of East Avenue where the 174 units would be located.

Fire Chief Christian McCullough said he was in "disagreement" with traffic studies that had been conducted and said a reduction in the grade of the hill by the driveway entrance would make sight lines better but would do nothing to alleviate the possibility of accidents.

Police Chief Dan Varrenti said the installation of a traffic light would be the only element that might alleviate traffic concerns. He also pointed out that the traffic study undertaken by the developers was a one day study done in October. "That just isn't representative of the traffic flows," he said.

Brockport Mayor Mort Wexler said everyone is in favor of increasing the village's tax base but not at the expense of the safety of the residents.

Other residents raised concerns that the homes would only be situated 15 feet from one another.

"If person A only wants to live 15 feet away from person B, that's their choice, but we have other concerns that need to be addressed," Wexler said.

Trustee Carrie Maziarz asked how the proposed senior housing tract proposed for Redman Road would affect this development. Schultz answered that it wouldn't.

"There is a demand for this type housing in the area," he said. "People are leaving Brockport and moving to Greece and Fairport because they can't find this type housing here in your own village."

The houses proposed for Sunflower Landing would be comprised of 15 percent single family homes that would be available to any age range while the remaining 85 percent are earmarked for those 55 and older. The houses would range in price from $150,000 to $350,000 and would be from 1,200 to 3,000 square foot of living space.

Any decisions on the proposed rezoning were tabled until board members received answers to the questions and concerns raised by residents regarding traffic concerns.