50 Hemlock Road Neighbors Speak
Against 69 Proposed Double-Wides
By LIBBY CUDMORE • for allotsego.com
WEST ONEONTA – The attendance wasn’t as high as opponents would have liked, but neighbors who did speak at the presentation on the proposed Hemlock Village Adult Living Community were united in their answer: No.
“We appreciate that you came to talk about this, but we don’t want it,” said Norm Payne.
Jordan Whitney, his sister Kaitlyn Lanza and her husband, Jess, own the 30-acre property and have proposed a 69 manufactured-home development for residents 55 or older. The homes would sit on poured concrete slabs, and although the residents would own the home, they would pay a lot rental fee.
“We wanted to meet with everybody to address and clarify misunderstandings,” said Whitney.
The number of homes has been reduced from the proposed 71 to 69, and two wells with a pump house, rather than individual wells, will provide water, said Whitney. Trees and shrubbery have also been included in plans, he pointed out, to aid in privacy and reduce noise pollution.
But nearly 50 homeowners from Morningside, Angel Heights and Hemlock Road expressed concerns about depreciating home values, a lack of sidewalks and property maintenance.
“When this was proposed, it was proposed as a mobile home park,” said George Brown, who lead a petition that garnered over 100 signatures against the project. “This lot was specifically zoned against mobile homes, with a general purpose to provide low-density residential homes in harmony with each other,” he said. “What you’re doing is exactly the opposite. You haven’t said anything tonight that makes me feel comforted.”
“In this county, mobile parks are horrible,” said attorney Carol Malz. “I would love for there to be affordable housing, but as an attorney, I would recommend my clients not buy into your development.”
And though Whitney and the Lanzas do own the Valleystream Mobile Home park in Laurens, he pointed out that he has been steadily making improvements on that property. “We bought that at foreclosure,” said Kaitlyn. “We have removed several homes, and tenants agree that it looks better.”
And although everyone in the audience agreed that senior housing is a priority, no one spoke in favor of the proposed project. “We should do this the right way,” said Mike Butler. “This is not the right way.”
“I hear so many negatives,” said Roger Moran, an associate broker with Benson Agency who will sell the homes to residents. “This is something special they’re trying to do.”
But despite the negative reaction,Whitney felt the meeting went well. “We want them to know all the facts,” he said. “If they’re arguing against it, at least they’ve got concrete reasons instead of misconceptions.”