Members of the Ogden Planning Board have set an environmental review process in motion for the Spencerport Mixed Use Center proposed at the southeast corner of Routes 31 and 259 in Ogden.
During their November 12 meeting, board members passed a resolution classifying the project as a Type 1 Action, requiring the long form environmental review. The board, while expressing interest in acting as lead agency, will now send out notices to other involved agencies to inquire if they might be interested in lead agency status.
Currently, a 14,608 square feet Rite Aid Pharmacy is the only building proposed for the portion of the 33-acre parcel which is closest to the intersection.
Eventually, 14 commercial buildings could be housed on the site and will be serviced by public water and public or private sanitary facilities.
Timothy O’Brien, project manager at Ellicott Development, discussed the project with the board prior to a public hearing.
O’Brien said the plans have been revised to include more foundation plantings and additional islands in the parking lot, which includes 64 parking spaces. He noted trucks with deliveries will enter off Route 31 and exit via Route 259, and described changes to the elevations which include a gabled roof. “We added dormers, including along the back, and a gable roof on the drive-thru,” O’Brien said.
Planning Board member Linda DelRegno said members have been concerned with the appearance of the building as it will be located in the Heritage Corridor. “We are satisfied with what they have come up with,” she said regarding changes. “They have met our expectations.”
Developers say they foresee using a septic system for the Rite Aid and then switching to a sanitary sewer as the development expands.
Ogden Building Inspector Patrick Smith reported that when the development ties into the village sewer, it would be via Coleman Avenue. Eight trees (between #160-#204 Coleman) would have to be removed, but developers would be required to replant new trees once the sewer work was complete.
Town Engineer John Freel expressed concerns over drainage as well as the internal truck traffic pattern. He said large trucks would end up hitting curbs. “You’re gonna have to widen it out,” Freel told O’Brien.
Several residents, mainly from the Nichols Street/Union Street area, spoke during the public hearing. Most said the increase in traffic that the Rite Aid would bring is their biggest concern. One resident called the current traffic, “horrendous.” Another called the intersection, “way too busy and too congested,” for the pharmacy.
Others questioned the status of the new store now that it has been announced that Walgreens has acquired Rite Aid. “Will we eventually end up with a vacant building?” one resident asked.
Timothy O’Brien responded that Walgreens typically phases in changes in name when they acquire pharmacies.
Following the public hearing, Planning Board members discussed concerns raised by the Ogden Conservation Board over “segmentation” of the SEQR environmental review. The Conservation Board believes the impact of the entire 33-acre eventual build-out must be considered in the environmental review, not just the Rite Aid building, which is the only building proposed at this point.
Planning Board attorney Keith O’Toole composed the resolution regarding the environmental review which Planning Board members passed unanimously.
