Crossroads 312 – It’s Back Again.

Currently, Crossroads 312 has been approved by the Town Board for the first step in the process to have the zoning changed.  Crossroads 312 property is located on Route 312 across from the I84 west ramp.  The applicant (Harold Lepler) is currently asking the Town to change the zoning from rural commercial to highway commercial 1. 

So what’s the developer’s main preference for Crossroads 312?  A large commercial development, almost a copy of Highlands.

148,000 sf – unnamed big box store

29,000 sf – strip mall

7,000 sf – restaurant

3,000 sf – bank

If the Town Board desires a hotel, the 29,000 sf strip mall will be eliminated and replaced with a 128,000 sf 120 room 4 story hotel.  Thus the development would be a total of 286,000 sf.  It will require 60% deforesting of the 51 acres and a blasting of the top of the hill to create a platform for the buildings.  The ridgeline (ie views) of the property need to be severally changed leaving the community with another view of strip malls and concrete stores.  Where the property meets the metro north railroad tracks and the Lake Tonetta water shed 6 retaining ponds will be built to hold water runoff.

The developer has also given an option of keeping the rural commercial zoning, he will build:

178,000 sf - office space

128.000 sf  - 150 room hotel

7,000 sf - restaurant

3,000 sf – bank

The rural commercial development option would be 316,000 sf.  The DEIS indicates that this will be a poor option as the developer sees no finical opportunity in the office space nor the hotel.  So rural commercial zoning should be eliminated and changed to highway commercial 1.

As a resident I have another option.  Why not keep the rural commercial zoning and build the following:

Approxiately 120,000 sf hotel – Similar to Hilton Garden Inn.  100 rooms with conference center for functions.  Indoor swimming pool and fitness center with spa. 

29,0000 sf Retail – Like HomeGoods

8,900 sf Family restaurant – Like Cracker Barrel

This option would be approximately 157,000 sf and keep to the rural commercial zoning.  Our idea is to build a development which contains a county setting, not another concrete blight.  Would we attract out of town guests with a hotel that has views of a big box store? The hotel can be built in a compact design to avoid the complete destruction of the property and be aesthetically pleasing to our community. 

A Cracker Barrel would provide a greatly needed family restaurant for residents and hotel guests.  Not only does Cracker Barrel have tasty food, but their small retail store has seasonal items.  HomeGoods would fill a niche in Southeast, a place to buy furniture and home items.

Overall the project could be designed with a rural country flare to provide an attractive development which will not overwhelm the corridor. 

 Want to keep rural commercial zoning on Crossroads 312?  Sign our petition at www.southeastresidentsforresponsibledevelopment.com

Or

Come to the public meeting on October 24th at 7pm – Southeast Town Hall on Route 22.

Next article:  Crossroads 312 – The traffic numbers, widening of Route 312 and side roads will carry the bulk of the traffic.  Your street could be the next cut through!