Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel says that she will wait for input from the Planning Board and the public before a decision is made on the controversial Reserve project. FILE PHOTO
After months of inaction, the pace of a controversial Brighton development is picking up.
Last week, the Town Board completed the environmental review for A.J. Costello and Son's the Reserve, which would consist of 337 units - single-family homes, loft apartments, and condominiums off South Clinton Avenue along the Erie Canal.
Next up for the project is an incentive zoning proposal; Costello needs the town to allow higher densities and to grant height variances.
In return for the zoning changes, Costello would build a boat launch on the canal, make improvements to the Erie Canal trail, and make other parks improvements - a list that is smaller than what town officials expected.
Another sticking point: the project does not include affordable housing.
"The Comprehensive Plan is very clear that they want, in any development, some affordable housing component," board member Ray Tierney says.
Developers argue that affordable housing units won't fit with the development's high-end concept. Instead, Costello proposes a contribution of $5,000 a year for five years to the Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, to try to entice the organization to start a Brighton-specific program to help seniors make home repairs.
Another alternative may be for Costello to put up funds for an affordable housing program in Brighton.
Supervisor Sandra Frankel says that the Town Board will not make a decision on the Reserve until it receives input from the Planning Board. Too, the town is still accepting public comment on the proposal.
If the Town Board signs off on the zoning changes, Costello will have to present the plans to the Planning and Architectural Review Boards for their approvals.
Comments for "DEVELOPMENT: Reservations about the Reserve" (7)
City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these comments. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.
Brighton Resident said on Mar. 08, 2009 at 7:58am
I'd agree that the affordable housing probably doesn't fit with this development AS DESIGNED today. I think that having Costello work on affordable housing elsewhere in Brighton would be the best answer. The problem is, Brighton doesn't really have any other land on which to develop affordable housing. I would like to the the town stand their ground on this one and have Costello go back to the drawing board.
Concerned Neighbor said on Mar. 08, 2009 at 10:18pm
Since the development is so high-end,maybe Tony Costello could contribute say 5% of the gross revenue a year to the Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation for the life of the project. $25,000 is laughable considering how much he is looking to make.
Tenta said on Mar. 11, 2009 at 11:36am
The real question is: does anyone, other than Costello, really want or need this? Are we not a community with stagnant population growth? Who is going to move there people from Pittsford or Webster? Is that progress? Do we need to develop every available acre just because it is there? What needs improvements on the canal trail? I was there ( at the clinton ave entrance across from the future entrance of the "Reserve"(d) for the wealthy )the other day and it is well paved and marked. Is it Costello's goal to create his own little kingdom of unneeded developments (doctor's offices, empty office space next to Town Park and now wasteful housing) along the southern edge of Brighton? Who is going to shell out big money to live in a condo that is backed up to a major highway exchange? How scenic!
Has Mr. Costello forgotten about his City Gate project? If so, he can drive down Westfall and see the deteriorating signs trumpeting this stalled project himself. Waste Waste Waste! The Reserve will probably happen though. It seems that Brighton does not resist his plans. Now, we have a traffic light on Clinton that serves his doctor's park, with another light on the other side of the highway bridge to come once the Reserve is built. Who is spending public money on traffic lights for a private development that has plenty of entrances and exits, not to mention it already has a traffic light on the Westfall side of it? Well, at least having a traffic light every two feet will slow the speeders down on the four lane stretch of Clinton south of the highway exchange. Actually, it will just result in more people running red lights and probably cause some accidents but what do I know, I am just a citizen, I have no real voice in matters such as these.
Erin said on Apr. 03, 2009 at 10:54am
The proposed location for The Reserve development is currently a small field inhabited by three cell towers on South Clinton Avenue. On my daily commute from the Park Ave area to Henrietta, it is the only empty field I pass. Despite the cell towers, it is frequently populated with large numbers of deer or turkeys, probably due to its proximity to the canal and the fact that it is the only “wilderness” in the area. Every morning I scan the field for wildlife. Aside from roadkill, this is the only wildlife many of us see on a daily basis. Why on earth would Brighton even consider squeezing a monstrosity of unnecessary housing onto this last open lot? Since when is an open field viewed only as a development prospect? Is it so terrible to have a field stand undeveloped that we have to cram new buildings into every inch of our suburbs? I, for one, would be extremely disappointed to see The Reserves take over this site " and what of our deer and turkeys? Where else will they go?
Jeremy Moule said on Apr. 03, 2009 at 11:56am
Erin: Thanks for the comment. I just wanted to clear one thing up. The proposed location of The Reserve is not the lot with the broadcast towers on it, it's actually the next lot over. It's between the towers and Meridian Centre Park.
John said on Apr. 03, 2009 at 12:03pm
Are we really saying that we need deer and turkey in the city limits? I hear you. I understand your points. But, respectfully, would argue that deer and turkey don't really belong in any city. If you want to see wildlife, you should probably live in the country.
john said on Apr. 03, 2009 at 4:30pm
Mr Costell owns the land and pays taxes on it. Has he no rights? Is anyone willing to send Mr Costell a contribution for the pleasure they currently enjoy viewing his property. What about the deer and turkeys? Are they paying rent?
Leave A Comment
Respond on Your Blog
Create an Account
or
Login
If you have a City Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own City Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.