A multi-million dollar development project in Irondequoit remains in limbo. For nearly a decade, the Lighthouse Pointe Project has been in the works. Time Warner Cable News reporter Breanna Fuss shares why some neighbors are still concerned about the latest plans.

 

IRONDEQUIOT, N.Y. — The fate of 5.5 acres on an eastern bank of the Genesee River in Irondequoit is the talk of the town. On Monday developers with Lighthouse Property Associates LLC presented a scaled back version of the original site plan for the Lighthouse Pointe Project. The plan, as of now, focuses on redeveloping land off of Thomas Avenue into 135 multi-family units.

"The front parcel is about 1.2 acres and the back parcel is about 3.7 acres, which is where the larger buildings will go," Alan Knauf, an attorney with Lighthouse Property Associates LLC, said to the packed meeting room.

Knauf, who's the attorney for the project and also one of the developers said because the land was a former landfill, environmental cleanup that must be done. The plan to fix the site is currently in front of the DEC waiting to be approved, again stalling the project. 

“Capping it with either parking lots or concrete or making sure there is two feet of clean soil,” Knauf said.

But for those who live in what's called the river harbor neighborhood, environmental hazards are the least of their concerns. 

"One-hundred and thirty-five additional living units, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom translates to traffic jams," Joanne Mudge, a concerned river harbor resident said. 

Mudge lives on Beacon View. Her backyard is where the development could go.

"We are concerned about our property values and we are concerned about the freedom to walk along the trail," Mudge said.

Mudge even started a petition gathering more than 100 signatures of those who live in the area.

"Ninety-percent of the residents are opposing this," Mudge said. "I hope that the board members will listen to the neighbors, we know the concerns and we are the ones that live down there."

Knauf, who welcomed the public's input Monday night, hopes at some point they can all agree that this needs some sprucing up.

“It’s not the most attractive use of the water front and our hope is, along with what the city is doing on the west side, that we will be able to take advantage of our water front and share it with the entire community,”  said Knauf.

Developers hope to get the final approval for the project next month. It all depends on when the DEC approves the environmental review.