HENDERSON. On March 2, the City Council voted 4-1 to lift the Island District development moratorium, clearing the way for a potential $50 million project on Hovey Island by Sun Communities, which owns and operates campgrounds on neighboring Association Island. .

The moratorium was put in place so the city could set up a special committee to review the area’s zoning laws after some residents raised concerns about possible development on Hovey Island by Sun Communities.

Board member Matt Owen was the only vote in favor of extending the moratorium.

He said the city “should strive to ensure that the process is clear and predictable for citizens.”

“Six months ago they asked for it,” he said. “We had a committee of very hardworking people who devoted a lot of time to the process, and I think the city council should have had a more meaningful conversation about their proposals.”

City Warden Edwin D. Glaser said the moratorium allowed for some good ideas to materialize, though some board members disagreed.

“(The Select Committee) gave us a lot of details about where the city should be heading,” he said.

Mr Glaser said some board members felt some of the ideas were too restrictive for the island.

“These plans and the concept of all ideas are not going anywhere,” Mr. Glazer said. “There were people who worked very hard on it. These will be included in the city’s comprehensive plan and these specific outlines will be amended as soon as the board can agree on all the changes and details they would like to see there.”

At a previous board meeting, the Sun Communities put forward the idea that about 120 sites would be built. People will buy houses, but the land will be owned by Sun Communities. These structures will be seasonal homes and will be limited to approximately 400 square feet.

There will also be trees around the perimeter of the island to prevent residents from seeing structures from their homes outside of the island.

The concept also won’t increase RV traffic along Snowshoe Road, which has been causing concern among residents.

“I really appreciate (Sun Communities) that they listen to and respect the concerns about RV traffic, and if they go the route of these lodges, I think it will at least help mitigate some of the traffic problems on Snowshoe- road,” Mr. Owen. said.

Mr. Glaser said the houses would be built off site and moved inside.

Sun Communities emphasized at a city council meeting that the concept is still in a very early stage of development.

“They want to be part of the community, they want to participate in the community, they want to contribute to the community,” Mr. Glaser said.

Mr. Glazer said he believes the $50 million project could be a “win-win” for the city.

“How can a city refuse something like this, especially when you add 120 sites yourself?” Mr Glazer said.

According to Mr. Glaser, Sun Communities may also apply for PPD. The planned development, according to Mr. Glazer, is when the group asks the city council to consider the type of community.

He added that Sun Communities would still have to go through the State Environmental Quality Review, or SEQR, point out the benefits and drawbacks to the community, and convince the board that it was a good idea.

It also allows the board to restrict what the developer can do.

The review during the moratorium has not resulted in any zoning changes approved by the council to date, as the council did not support certain aspects of the report.

Mr. Glazer estimated that the board had problems with one line on each of four or five pages out of 104 pages.

“I don’t think it’s too bad to have four or five pages of ideas and changes that we all have to agree on,” Mr. Glaser said. “A lot of that has to do with failure and density and what they would like to see in the area.”

He added that if the board accepted the committee’s recommendations as written, “you won’t have a tenth of what you have around the lake right now” as it relates to latency and density issues.

The Department of Environmental Protection also already has wetland setbacks on Hovey Island 100 feet on the side facing Snowshoe Road and 75 feet on the side facing the harbour.

Mr. Glaser said Sun Communities added additional obstacles to provide walkways and a buffer.

“There are some areas where setbacks can be 165 or 185 feet,” he said.

Sun Communities will apply in accordance with applicable zoning laws.

“The board will look into it and see if it’s right for the community, if it’s financially viable for the community, if they’re going to hire people from the community, it has to be fully compliant,” he said. said.

Mr. Glaser said the board would take into account all of the committee’s recommendations.

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