The landscape looks more favorable for the 40-unit apartment complex planned for Richmondville.
Heavily criticized at earlier meetings, Housing Visions’ project drew positive comments at a village planning meeting and public hearing Thursday afternoon.
At the same time, company representatives showed a willingness to work with local officials.
The planning board’s decision on the project, however, may be a month away as Richmondville awaits information from the state.
A non-profit corporation, Housing Visions is proposing to construct two 20-unit buildings between Radez School and the under-construction Dollar General.
At April and May meetings, critics ripped the project because they felt it didn’t fit with Richmondville, that Housing Visions would get a tax break and that rents would be too high for the units to be filled.
None of those concerns surfaced at Thursday’s meeting. Instead, the planning board received letters supporting Housing Visions’ work from Cortland and Lockport, both communities where the company has worked.
Board members also received a strong supporting letter from resident Phil Butler and heard Mayor Kevin Neary say he spoke with mayors of Cortland, Utica and Lockport, all giving positive reviews of Housing Visions.
Bill Seebold, who owns a house on High Street, also endorsed the project.
“I think the apartments are a great idea,” Mr. Seebold said. “There may be problems with traffic and parking, but they can be dealt with.”
As for earlier criticisms of the what are thought to be high rents, planning board Co-Chair Diana Spenello observed that “people want to see more quality housing,” and therefore may pay the rents.
There was also a question about whether the complex would have an on-site manager, and Matt Nissen of Passero Associates, which works with Housing Visions, assured that a manager would be there to “really protect our own investment.”
Also, Housing Visions originally sought a zoning variance to reduce parking spots from the required 80 to 60.
But the company has rescinded its variance request and will comply with the 80 slots, Ms. Spenello reported.
The planning board is still waiting for an environmental impact statement from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. Albany is involved because Housing Visions is receiving funding from the Governor’s office.
Schoharie County Senior Planner Shane Nickle, also at Thursday’s meeting, said the information was sent to Albany March 24, but there’s still no word.
“Some things you can’t answer yet because you don’t have the environmental review,” Mr. Nickle told the planning board.
Board members must also continue their research, Ms. Spenello said, and she suggested splitting the work up among them.
“We want to be as thorough as possible,” she said. “A lot of people have been against this, and now we’re finding more in favor.”
Board members will keep the Housing Visions public hearing open at least through their next meeting on July 13.
The meeting will be at 3:15pm in the village office.