Tonight (2021-01-04) was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls Zoning Board.
Much like last weeks Trustee meeting, the Zoning Board has solved their audio issues by dispersing to what looks like their respective residences. Still doesn’t beat having everyone in the same room, but we do what we can.
First application was for a special use at 12 Monroe Street, to have a office in what would otherwise be an apartment. The applicant, John Hefferon, essentially wants to move from his current location at 41 West Main Street. Primarily for more space, as his insurance agency has grown over the years. The fate of the existing barn came up. While nothing is set in stone current, John intends to repair or replace at some point.
After discussion, the Board approved the special use. Which was actually amusing, as it looked like they had 6 ‘yes’ votes. Of note, as the Board technically consists of 5 members, with 2 non-voting alternates. All is well, no harm no foul. I just find this sort of minor hiccup entertaining. It serve as a reminder of our humanity, warts and all.
Personally, I saw no direct issues to this approval. Request seems reasonable and makes sense to me. Having said that, it could potentially lead to business creeping up the road. Or not, the use really does seem to fit the location well.
Second applicant was the continuation of Wolfsberger Park. Again, no decision was made tonight. The focus was on traffic and trees, although other issues also came up.
To summarize the traffic study report: So long as people obey the speed limit, this development should have no impact. It was acknowledged that the current panic may be skewing data, although the presenter believed that had been compensated for.
I found the bit about the speeding to be more interesting. While there are adequate sight lines for the posted speed limit, they don’t seem to be adequate if people speed. Which they do. That then leads to the question of whether we plan for law abiding people, or plan for criminals.
To throw an additional twist on the situation, apparently the Department of Transportation claims jurisdiction for conducting any analysis of speeding. While I can’t confirm this, it is consistent with other State agencies. Which may mean the Board will be making decisions without meaningful data on traffic speeds, just residents concerns. Having lived on a road with frequent speeding, I can fully understand how a study can show there isn’t a very high percentage of speeding, yet it still happens frequently. Statistics are just fun that way.
The developers current plan is to plant trees outside of the ‘right of way’, deeper into the property. I wasn’t really sure if the Village was complaining about this or not, but the topic was brought up. I found this amusing in light of the recent code change in regards to ‘Village Trees‘. Which would include those in the ‘right of way’. I would think they would be happier with trees out of it, as they wouldn’t need to be maintained by the Village. But people sometimes do strange things.
Pictures were provided, showing that the current trees on the site originated as a tree nursery. When the nursery closed (in the 1940s?), the trees then grew wild. As plants tend to do. So none of the current patch could be that old, in the grand scheme of things. For however that factors in to things.
It was also brought up (mostly due to comments from the public) that this was an item for the Zoning Board to vote on. The public has no direct vote on this matter. Commenting to the Board through various methods, yes. Voting, no. The Mayor and Trustees are elected by the public. They then appoint the Zoning Board. Who act as they deem best, within the legal framework that is handed them. Although the public could always take legal action if they didn’t like a particular decision.
I have no idea how often legal challenges happen, as I suspect I wouldn’t hear about failed attempts. But I’ve seen the Board forced to change its decision a few times over the years. In many ways, it’s more about the option being there then it being used. So long as we believe the system allows us to overrule bad decisions, we are more likely to go along with decisions we don’t personally approve of. It’s when we believe there is no legal alternative that things get… messy.
The Village has a page for information on this project. Essentially a repeat of what is currently on their front page. But eventually the front page will change, while the separate page will hopefully remain. In theory, more information will be added as the project continues.
From a viewing experience it was a much much better meeting then last month. Good job to all involved. Hopefully the rest of the audience shared this opinion.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the January 4, 2021 meeting of the Honeoye Falls Zoning Board.