Residents speak out against Mooseheart plan
Person after person attending a meeting Wednesday in Batavia questioned and criticized a plan to develop part of Mooseheart with stores, restaurants, senior housing and multifamily housing.
More than 50 people attended the hearing Wednesday conducted by the city's plan commission. The commission will make a recommendation to the city development committee, which would then make a recommendation to the city council.
Mary Ann Sestak, widow of former Mooseheart Superintendent Michael Sestak, scolded Batavia officials and Mooseheart executives, drawing applause.
“I must express my upset and dissatisfaction with both institutions,” she said, saying her husband had “defended this property with all of his being” during his 11-year tenure in the 1980s and 1990s. She mentioned the farmland, where students used to learn agriculture, and which is currently leased to a farmer: “We have the richest gift of soil right here in our own backyard and you people are throwing it away, right here, right now.”
The plan shows they have “no regard” for the work of Loyal Order of Moose members to “purchase, promote and protect this institution” over the last 100 years.
“There is no loyalty, and there is no order anymore.”
The meeting was a continuation of a public hearing begun in September on whether to amend the city's zoning map for 470 acres located along Randall Road. It is the second step in a process to develop the land. The first came when the city council amended the city's comprehensive land-use plan for the area in June, changing it to accommodate what Moose International, which operates the residential school, has proposed. The next would be when the council considers an annexation agreement being drafted by Mooseheart officials and city workers. The last would be to actually annex the land.
Some residents living near the proposed development have organized as Batavia Neighbors and hired real estate development consultant Jim Urhausen, of the Urhausen Group, to represent their interests. Urhausen presented a list of questions related to access, stormwater management and location of housing next to Randall.
Several residents questioned whether Batavia's sewage treatment system has the capacity to take on more sewage. Several worried about flooding.
“I think what is being missed here is the green side of all of this,” said Leonard Wadewitz. He asked if park, city or county officials have approached Mooseheart to buy the land to preserve as open space. “I'll pay property taxes if you can buy that land and keep it green,” he said, drawing applause.
Joe Segobiano, a developer representing Moose International, says the fraternal organization doesn't want to sell the land. “Their intent is to create long-term cash flow for Mooseheart. The only way they can do that is to create a long-term revenue for this land.”
The Moose opened Mooseheart Child City and School there in 1913. The 1,000-acre property stretches in general from Mooseheart Road on the south to Main Street on the north, Route 31 on the east to Randall Road on the west.
The hearing was continued until 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Meanwhile, information about the proposed project, including the annexation agreement when it is finally proposed, will be posted on the city website, cityofbatavia.net, under the heading “Projects Mooseheart Annexation and Zoning.”