It's still a go. The project to build a mixed-use development in the town of Dunkirk cleared another hurdle recently.
The Dunkirk Meadows Mixed-Use Development project is being proposed by Regan Development Corporation, which altered its original proposal of just housing to a mixed-use development.
The current proposal would have two buildings of housing on each of two separate sites along with commercial development on both facing Route 60. The original site on Chadwick Drive would remain with the property at the southwest corner of Williams Street and Route 60 utilized to hold two housing buildings along with commercial development.
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OBSERVER Photo by Gib Snyder
Dunkirk Town Councilman Juan Pagan studies reports before the start of the Town Board’s meeting Tuesday.
Town Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer Ryan Mourer, submitted a letter to the board stating he has reviewed submitted plans for the project.
"The main goal of my review was to see if the basic package was complete and the project met the zoning requirements," Mourer wrote. "It is my opinion that at this point of the review it seems to be complete."
The board's vote was needed to move the process along, according to Supervisor Richard Purol after he read the letter into the record.
"We need to make a motion to refer the plans to the Planning Board for their review," Purol said.
Town Attorney Jeffrey Passafaro explained the need for the vote under Article 22, Section 5c of the town's local code, adding it states "it is review and report back to the town board."
Town officials have previously stated the project could provide some $3 million in taxable commercial development with a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program a possibility for the housing units. The development was announced in December by the Empire State Regional Development Council which approved $3.5 million for the then $13 million project.
Another PILOT program was approved by the board Tuesday.
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. has notified town officials that it has agreed to the $6,000 figure the town board agreed to at its June meeting. At that time the board authorized Purol to sign the paperwork to meet a July 1 deadline. The PILOT program is for property COI owns at 10825 Arrowhead Drive.
"It was a 15-year PILOT with COI and it had expired. We came to terms with them with another PILOT for 15 years," Purol reported.
According to Passafaro, COI still needs to submit some paperwork on the PILOT.
"There are certain certifications that we await. They need to give us certain certifications under the Private Housing Finance Law, but I am told by their representative that those will be forthcoming," Passafaro explained. "They have agreed to the $6,000 PILOT dollar figure. I have that from them in writing."
Passafaro said the agreement was retroactive to July 1.
"We've kept the consistency with the last PILOT agreement. Beyond that, they can lose the PILOT and lose the exemption for various provisions such as they had last time," he explained. "In other words, the use has to be such that it qualifies under the Private Housing Finance Law."
Passafaro said he would contact COI to get the paperwork.
Town Planning Board member Jay Warren was present to invite the town board to a July 18 workshop meeting at 6:30 p.m.
"We're having a presentation by Wendell Associates. It will be, I think, very informative," Warren stated. "They're going to talk about the steps in the process of developing a comprehensive plan."
Warren said the presentation could answer questions the town board may have.
"We have encouraged other communities that are contiguous to ours ... to send their representatives to hear what is happening," Warren continued. "We do feel from our perspective at the planning board level that as we develop the comprehensive plan we need to be considerate of what's happening in our neighbors, especially those that are contiguous to us."
Councilman Juan Pagan said he agreed with the suggestion.
"It's a good time to listen to some of things they've put together," he stated. "I think it's time we learned what's going on and what you're doing."
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