“I’d love to see something happen on that site,” Supervisor Randy Clark said after hearing a proposal for the Maplehurst property.
A team of four people attended the Town Board’s Feb. 4 work session to propose a concept for the three-acre property at the corner of Mailler and Willow Avenues.
Their idea is to put up multiple units that would have the feel of a neighborhood near Main Street. “Walkability is in,” they said.
Attorney Jennifer Van Tuyl addressed the board, and planner Jim Constantine showed pictures of developments that could be used as a model. (One that he mentioned frequently was Warwick Grove.) The other members of the team, Mike Bartolone and Phil Evans, were in the audience in case there were questions.
During the presentation, the board saw an array of homes that were close to the sidewalk and had front porches or second-story verandas. Neighboring homes varied so they didn’t look like they were all cut from the same mold.
The design would encourage a connection between residents and pedestrians. In warmer weather, people could sit on their porch and greet neighbors who were passing their home. The lots would be small, so the homeowners wouldn’t have much property to maintain.
The project would be marketed to anyone, but it would probably be attractive to retirees and senior citizens. However, there could be a downside.
The team had suggested a 36-unit development at the Planning Board’s work session in January. At the time, Mark Edsall (the Town engineer) raised the issue of density.
Attorney Van Tuyl acknowledged that concern when she spoke to the Town Board a few weeks later. She asked for a referral back to the Planning Board, where the team would present several concepts for consideration.
“I think so,” Town Councilman Kerry McGuinness said to indicate that he was in favor of the referral. “Let’s allow the Planning Board to do its work,” Supervisor Clark added. The board voted 5-0 to continue the review.
Once the developers and the Planning Board agree on a number of units, the actual design and approval process will begin. For the project to become a reality, the Town Board would have to vote on a zoning amendment.
There are issues, such as road widths and sewer capacity, that will have to be addressed before that happens. The developers were due to be at the Planning Board’s work session on Thursday, Feb. 13.