H'port officials seek legal aid on housing project
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

HAMMONDSPORT - Hammondsport village officials are waiting for a legal opinion before taking any new action on the proposed Steuben Churchpeople Against Poverty senior housing project on Lake Street.

Village Mayor Emery Cummings told trustees Tuesday the village has not yet received an opinion on site reviews from the law firm Davidson & O'Mara, of Elmira.

The village retained Davidson & O'Mara last month to research whether Urban renewal site plans must be reviewed by the host municipal planning board.

"If they find (SCAP) does have to follow the site plan review, the village will be obligated to challenge the project," Cummings said. "If not, then the project will go forward."

Village trustees agreed last year to waive any zoning regulations on the building.

The now-vacated municipal hall, a former schoolhouse, has been the subject of debate between the town of Urbana and the village for several years.

The town owns the property and maintains state urban renewal laws allow it to be converted into housing for seniors 62 and older with "moderate" in comes. But the building is located in the village and the site plan should be reviewed by the village planning board, according to some village officials.