SKANEATELES | A proposal by Mirbeau Inn & Spa to expand its resort in Skaneateles with an office building and added accommodations is already drawing criticism from neighbors in the vicinity of the project. At Thursdays Skaneateles Town Board meeting, the board vote unanimously acknowledge an annexation from Mirbeau owner Gary Dower and schedule a joint public hearing with the village Board of Trustees to hear comments on the proposal. The hearing is slated to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the village hall, 26 Fennell St., Skaneateles. Supervisor Mary Sennett noted Skaneateles Town Court is in session that night, and the village hall provided the only meeting space that could fit two board tables. At the end of Thursdays meeting, several residents took the opportunity to voice opposition to the project when Sennett entertained public comments. I have significant objections to this proposal and the extensive impact its going to have on the residents in the community and the area, Franklin Street resident Tim Johnson. Two other Franklin Street residents, Lisa Byrne and Mary Redmond, said they agreed with Johnsons sentiments. Sennett encouraged residents to attend the public hearing to provide further comments. Before scheduling the hearing, Sennett deferred to Town Attorney Tom Taylor to explain the towns role in the annexation petition, which, if granted, would place the portion of Mirbeau property on which the project is located within village limits. Taylor said the boards only obligation was to move the petition forward by holding the public hearing with the village board and jointly considering the request. Taylor said the hearings date came as a the result of his consulting Village Attorney Mike Byrne on when to hold it. The only issue before this board is whether annexation should be grated or not, Taylor said, noting further subdivisions and other issues would be taken up by the village board since the property would then be located in the village. When Councilor Nancy Murray asked what residents in the vicinity thought of particular aspects of the project, Taylor said they can bring up any topics like that at the public hearing. After the meeting, Sennett said that Mirbeau is asking to have two different parcels annexed into the village and also rezoned since they currently lie in an area that is zoned for residential use. She noted that placing those pieces of property inside the village would allow Mirbeau to receive village water and sewer hookups for the buildings slated for construction there. The current Mirbeau resort property is already a part of the village. Councilor Connie Brace noted the potential measure is significant because the two parcels are among the few left that could be annexed into the village as they are among the few that comply with that process. But, Brace also noted, neighbors in the vicinity of the property in questions are worried about what the proposed construction could mean. The communitys concerns about this are not just zoning changes and annexation but the potential of future development, Brace said. Though he wasnt in the audience Thursday night, the board saluted Dick Marx, the former chairman of the towns Conservation Committee. Councilor Nancy Murray read a certificate of appreciation that paid tribute to Marxs 14 years on the committee and six as chairman. The town is grateful for your years of dedication to the residents of the town of Skaneateles, Murray read, adding that her stories about Marx is a list so long i couldnt possibly tell it all. She noted Marx helped organize the annual childrens fishing derby that takes place in the town Conservation Area, and now there will be quite a void in the community without Marx at the helm for the event. Sennett said the board feels it is important to have citizens committees and community involvement and that Marx represented that spirit with his work on the Conservation Committee. If you see him, tell him thank you for his service, she said.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 03:47:37 +0000
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