Lily Lake delays vote, ruffles developer's feathers

Developers vented frustration Tuesday with the Lily Lake village board for its indecision surrounding a proposed development along Route 47 that has been under review for months.

One trustee countered, "We're going just about as fast as we can."

The exchange came after trustees indicated they were unlikely to take a final vote in the latest of several meetings called specifically to discuss the development known as Huntington Ridge.

Attorney Ken Shepro, who represents the developers, responded by saying trustees appeared to be negating an informal agreement to expedite a review and final vote.

"We thought commitments were made back in October," he told the board. "But time after time we come and it's, 'At the next meeting, we're going to get it done.' "

The dialogue quickly shifted to some of the hundreds of comments, questions and suggested revisions trustees have made in recent weeks. But village attorney Alex McTavish -- repeatedly noting a Daily Herald reporter's presence at the meeting -- suggested the board appoint two members to address the issues so the discussion could take place without a quorum, and therefore not require meeting in public.

"I don't think a public meeting is necessarily conducive to frank and open discussion on terms of an agreement," McTavish said. "This is just entertainment for the readers of the Herald."

The project is, no doubt, a dicey issue for village leaders. The village could use the potential tax revenue generated by the development's commercial sections; at the same time, trustees face strong opposition from residents who say building hundreds of new homes and adding shopping areas would alter the town's rural way of life.

The project calls for about 225 houses on 230 acres along Route 47 and additional residences and commercial properties on 46 acres at Route 47 and Empire Road.

A public hearing was concluded in January, and the board met again at least twice before Tuesday. But officials continue to raise issues about details such as land donations, commercial occupancy requirements and specifics of an annexation agreement, according to developers.

"I think it's very unprofessional of the board to be doing this at this point," trustee Jeff Lonigro said. "Nobody wants to make a decision, and we need to make a decision. If we didn't want to do it, we should have told the developers to take a hike and we'll see you in court."

Trustee Mary Damisch encouraged everyone to work together. "I think we're going just about as fast as we can. I think we're moving along and everybody has to be patient with each other's opinions."

Village President Jesse Heffernan and another trustee plan to meet with the developers in the coming week to negotiate further. She said a final vote should be taken at the board's next meeting, in March.