By Gail Peckler-Dziki Correspondent
The Twin Lakes Village Board unanimously approved several agenda items and gave the Bear Development senior housing project the green light at the July 16 regular board meeting.
The board approved the project as a 24-unit multi-family-senior housing use within the commercial zoning district including the exterior appearance and site plan with conditions.
Those conditions included the placement of the handicap ramp to minimize the visual impact of the ramp and the deeded requirement of residents 55 and older.
The building will be located on the south side of Main Street just east of Burden Avenue and have 12 one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units with commercial space on the first floor. The all-masonry building will have underground parking for residents as well.
Also approved was the reduction of the rear yard set back for the Bassett Street frontage, an exception to the parking requirement related to commercial and guest parking and approve of the right of way dedication on Main Street and the amendment to show a parcel to be donated for village parking.
That parcel is located west of the building on Burden Avenue. It was also mentioned that there was enough space between the road and the building for the underground fire suppression tank to be placed rather than under that parcel.
Village President Howard Skinner said after the meeting that the village water fire suppression system is not yet hooked up. “It will take $2 million to complete it and it will be some time before we can do that.”
The one- and two-bedroom units range from 700 to 1,000 square feet. Rents may range $500 between $675. Mills is applied for the state tax credits for the project which would limit the development to residents over 55 years of age.
Choked channel to be Lake District meeting topic
The village board discussed the blockage of the channel that runs between Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth. Resident Mike Gartenberg, whose home is located adjacent to the channel, wrote a letter to the village board about the problem.
He stated that the level of silt and debris in the channel has become a health and safety issue. “It has become unsightly and does not smell too pleasant…Potentially, anyone who either falls from a canoe or kayak or gets out in an attempt to portage to the other lake could easily find themselves stuck or worse yet drown.”
The board briefly discussed some possibilities to get to the area to once again dredge it as was done some years ago. Skinner said that it would be discussed at the Lake District meeting slated for July 17, after press time.