Updated: Brick Pond apartment proposal stalls

With nearly 30 community residents in attendance, the Tioga County Planning Board heard a request from the developers proposing a 40-unit housing complex to be built on a 4.3-acre lot within the Turtletown residential area and by Brick Pond.

The request, at Wednesday’s meeting, was for a Special Use Permit for Floodplain Development.

Ed Keplinger, architect, offered a presentation about tests they performed at the site, and to answer any questions about the proposed development. 

Susan Kimmel, from Two Plus Four Construction out of East Syracuse, N.Y., was also in attendance to answer any questions rendered.

During the public comment session, close to a dozen individuals spoke, mainly with concern about the site’s location in an area that floods, and draining issues that might occur following a rain event.

Penny Bartlow, who was in attendance, called the proposal reckless, and questioned, “Why can’t you find another location in Owego?”

Kimmel explained that a New York State grant required her to build in the village, and that the acreage for the site at E. Main and Division Street fit these requirements.

She also stated that there were no other sites in Owego that were a good fit.

According to Kimmel, the housing will provide 40 units, with approximately five units to be utilized by persons with disabilities. Achieve, which is located down the road from the proposed site, would be a partner in the effort to provide persons with disabilities a chance for independent living.

The other apartments would be offered at approximately $550 a month, depending on the apartment size.

The presentation on Wednesday was focused on soil tests at the site, and to determine if the development would rise above the requirements set forth to construct a complex of this nature in a floodplain.

And even with renderings of the proposed elevation of the buildings, drainage plans and storm water solutions, most of the residents in attendance were against the developer’s proposal.

“I fail to see any reason to build anything, especially a 40-unit apartment, in a floodplain,” said Ron Passo, adding, “There’s got to be a better place for this.”

Resident JoAnn Lindstrum, who resides in the Turtletown area, stated, “It’s a slap in the face to those who had to clean up after the flood.”

Lindstrum’s concerns, like others, was that the capturing of groundwater in the field would be obstructed upon development, thus forcing groundwater to further inundate the Turtletown residential area in the event of flooding.

Jonathan Marks also attended the meeting, stating, “This is our livelihood, these are our homes. There’s got to be a better place.”

But according to Kimmel, there is not. The development, she noted, must be in the village because of its walk-ability. And with Achieve as a partner, the proximity to Achieve’s employment center near Sanmina was also a factor. 

At the end of Wednesday’s meeting, Kimmel felt confident that she would gain the permits necessary to continue moving forward with the project, which would be funded, in part, through a New York State grant.

But following the presentation and public comment session, the Tioga County Planning Board was unable to get enough votes to pass the request, and the Special Use Permit was therefore denied.

Five members on the Board voted yes, two voted no, and one member abstained. They needed six votes for the Permit to pass. 

Here is how they voted. Pam Moore, from the Town of Nichols voted no, Sarah Titus, from the town of Newark Valley voted no; William Dimock III from Waverly, John Chrzanowski from the Town of Tioga, John Current from Owego, Gracy Updyke from Barton, and Jim Tornatore (Alternate on the Planning Board), voted yes.

Member Georgeanne Eckley abstained, as she is also on the Village of Owego Zoning Board, and is not allowed to vote twice.

The developers, Two Plus Four Construction out of East Syracuse, N.Y., will now go to the zoning board of appeals planned for Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. at the DPW building located on Elm Street in Owego.