Residents raise concerns over proposed manufactured home development
Village of Akron residents from the area near a proposed manufactured home development in Clarence Center and Hake Road area filled the Village Hall Board meeting room twice in the last week with concerns regarding that project.
A Zoning Board of Appeals meeting last Wednesday was held to determine if a Special Use Permit should be approved for the project. The property is zoned R3 which allows single family homes, as well as duplexes and apartment buildings without any ZBA action and which allows manufactured home developments with a special use permit, as well as public utilities, private clubs, lodges and meeting places, funeral homes and mortuaries, office buildings.
The special use permit allows the Village of Akron to review if the development is meeting code and other requirements on an annual basis, as does licensing requirements for a manufactured home park.
Residents raised concerns and asked questions during the hearing. The ZBA determined that the proposed development met all legal requirements and approved the special use permit.
Residents came again on Monday night, raising concerns and asking questions at the regular Akron Village Board meeting.
Village of Akron Mayor Brian Perry gave an overview of the Board’s role in reviewing, and or acting on proposed developments in the Village. He noted that the Board is the last to act on these items and that the process begins with the Planning Board and Zoning Board as needed. He noted that the Comprehensive Plan, which is updated every five to ten years after significant opportunity for public input, is followed in determining zoning and accessing proposed projects. “The Comprehensive Plan drives how we grow,” Perry said. “It is based on the needs of the community.”
The proposed development fits the zoning requirements for which it will be built.
Concepts and plans for the proposed development have been before the Planning Board and referenced in Planning Board minutes, available on the Village of Akron website for over two and a half years. In addition to village requirements, the project must meet County, State, and Federal regulations and present proof to the Planning Board of their compliance.
The Engineer working with the Village Planning Board reported that the applicant has changed the concept design a few times following recommendations from the Planning Board, and has reduced the number of lots from 119 to 104. He also noted that the DEC determination regarding wetlands on the property is still not available and will affect final designs. He said that the design for electric and water/sewer is still not complete and Erie County Highway approvals regarding entrances have not been issued. “We are waiting for the applicant to come back with necessary approvals and a design which meets engineering requirements.”
Planning Board Chair Brian Murray said the Planning Board has given permission for some brush hogging in order for borings needed to determine if pads or piers are needed. He also noted that each unit will need a building permit. Some residents questioned whether any brush hogging was actually necessary to get the borings required.
Residents raised concerns over lack of information on the proposed project. They indicated that the sources highlighted by the Village – the Village website and Akron Bugle – were inadequate. One resident indicated his belief the Village Board was trying to push the project through.
Potential to reduce property values of homes adjacent to the project, noise, light pollution, pressure on village water, increased electric costs, pressure on emergency services were lifted as concerns. They also noted the Village of Akron and Town of Newstead already have three manufactured home parks, and another is not needed or beneficial to the community. “Stevens Development and the Tax Man are the only ones to benefit,” one resident noted.
High density was raised as a concern, as was proximity to existing homes.
The residents presented a petition with 453 signatures opposed to the project.
Allocation of infrastructure costs, longevity of the homes that will be placed in the development, location of structures on the property, were all concerns raised by those attending the meeting.
A resident asked if the Village Board can say “No” to the project. Information given in response to the question indicated that if the project meets all zoning and code requirements and the Village Board votes “No,” it would go to litigation. Mr. Murray noted that tweaks to the design are still possible and that he would take the concerns raised back to the Planning Board and that those concerns will be part of the conversation between the developer, the Planning Board, and the Village Board moving forward.
In a response to whether zoning could be changed, residents were told that zoning permitting a project cannot be changed once a permitted project is submitted to the Planning Board.
Murray told residents that the Planning Board meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and they are welcome to come listen. He said that if they wish to speak to the Board they should call to get put on the agenda.
Mayor Perry suggested that interested residents read through the Master Plan on the village’s website.
After Action report
Trustee Darin Schultz reported on an after action meeting regarding the Fourth of July Celebration with emergency services and the Celebration Committee. He noted the team is working on problems with traffic and parking for next year and more volunteers are needed for the Celebration Committee.
Bloomingdale project
The Village of Akron issued an Alert at 6:28 a.m. Monday notifying residents that a portion of Bloomingdale Avenue between John Street and Wesley Drive will have lane restrictions for an estimated time frame of August 5th through September 4th for the purpose of milling and overlay work per the Erie County Highway Department.
Mayor Perry shared that the County is keeping the Village informed regarding the work and the hope is it will be completed prior to the beginning of the new school year. Superintendent of Schools Andrea Kersten was in attendance and asked to be kept in the loop regarding the project so alternate plans for student drop off could be put in place is necessary.
Kersten gave the Board an overview of a report on implementation of conversion to electric buses. She told the Board members that the district will be reaching out to state representatives regarding the difficulty anticipated meeting the new requirements and that there will be a public meeting to review the findings.
Mayor Perry indicated that the MEUA (Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State) also has concerns over the feasibility of the conversion plan and is also speaking with representatives about the foreseen difficulties.
Perry and Kersten indicated cooperation in addressing those concerns with state leadership.
Kersten also expressed appreciation for Perry’s continued efforts to find a solution to poor cell phone service in the Village of Akron and Akron Central School District. Town of Newstead Supervisor Dawn Izydorczak has been working with Kersten and Perry to get improved service from Verizon. A new tower on Scribner Road in Corfu is expected to help in potions of the community and a new tower is being built on Hunts Corners Road with the hope it will further improve service. Perry, Izydorczak, and Kersten have worked to make Verizon aware of the significance of improving service in the area.
Shelter
Resident Kay Green asked the board if there are plans to have a designated shelter for Akron Mobile Home Park residents in the event of a tornado warning. Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Murray shared that they are working on a plan to address that need and will keep the community updated.
Grant received
Board members approved and authorized the Mayor to sign an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Erie County in reference to $125,000 in grant monies to extend the bike path across Cedar Street on to Village property. The funds obtained by Erie County Legislator Chris Greene will be used for infrastructure such as the signage for a crosswalk into the Village property, paving for parking, sidewalks, etc. that will support the plan to turn the area into a park with a shelter, picnic tables, and benches or those using the bike path, as well as the community at large.
Action items
Board member approved and authorized the Mayor to sign the Inter-Municipal Agreement relative to Village of Akron Police services for the Town of Newstead.
Approved a request from Akron Central School to hold their Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 11, 2024 using the approved parade route and to allow the Akron Police Department to assist with traffic control.
Other
Board members received an anonymous letter complaining about a property on Jackson Street. It was noted that letters which are not signed cannot be follow up on.
Village Crossing Guard Elizabeth Miller requested moving from full time to sub as a Village Crossing Guard.