Which Future Do You Want For Penfield?
255 Houses, More Traffic, and Higher School Taxes
OR
Open Space and a Long Term Plan for Penfield Lake?
Why Should You Vote Yes On Both Propositions?
- Failing to preserve Shadow Pines means hundreds of new houses. There is no doubt about what will become of Shadow Pines if the Town does not preserve it. Combat Construction prepared a conceptual plan for 255 houses even before the Town implemented the development moratorium and is still intent on developing Shadow Pines. On September 17, 2017 Michael D’Amico of Combat Construction was quoted in the Democrat & Chronicle saying “We had a conceptual plan for the land in Penfield, but the town wouldn't accept it. Now the town is trying to negotiate a deal to purchase the land for what we were going to buy it for (around $4 million). If they can get residents to put up that money, then they can have it, but my guess is that they won't be able to and hopefully I'll end up with it."
- It's cheaper for the Town to buy Shadow Pines! An influx of more than 300 new students would create massive challenges for Penfield’s schools. The high quality of education provided by the Penfield Central School District (PCSD) is part of what makes Penfield a great place to live. PCSD reviewed Combat Construction’s development plan and concluded that the proposed housing development would not generate enough school taxes to cover the costs of the additional students and could result in an annual budget shortfall of approximately $1 million dollars. Given PCSD’s commitment to excellence in education, it would be challenging to eliminate such a large shortfall without a significant tax increase. By purchasing the property and avoiding this school tax increase, the $3.6 million cost of purchasing the property will be “paid back” in just a few years with significant savings thereafter.
- Preserving open space maintains Penfield’s high quality of life. Why did you choose to live in Penfield? One reason for many residents is that other area towns are allowing rapid development and experiencing congestion, turmoil, and changes to the character of their community. Preserving Shadow Pines, a beautiful and unique property in western Penfield, the most densely developed part of the Town, will be a wise continuation of the Town’s award-winning commitment to preserving open space.
- When it’s gone it's gone forever! Failing to preserve Shadow Pines would be a tragic missed opportunity. For over thirty years, Dolomite has filed public documents stating that Shadow Pines and the adjacent quarry will become a beautiful town park with a large lake, over 100 acres, in the heart of Penfield. For decades, the Town has designated the land for use as “Recreation/Sanctuary” in the Comprehensive Master Plan. This is our opportunity to save this beautiful property.
- It is unsafe to allow homes so close to the quarry. New York state would never grant a permit for an open-pit mine with 100-foot vertical cliffs so close to the homes of hundreds of children, but the Dolomite quarry is a “grandfathered” non-conforming use. It makes no sense, however, to allow residential development abutting such a dangerous industrial site when the Town can purchase the property.
Referendum to purchase Shadow Pines
Tuesday, February 27 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
at the Penfield Community Center on Baird Road
Tuesday, February 27 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
at the Penfield Community Center on Baird Road
Saving the heart of Penfield means
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