Ruling may clear way for senior housing project in Hammondsport
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

BATH - A Steuben County Court ruling Tuesday has cleared the way for work to begin on a senior housing complex in the village of Hammondsport.

The Steuben Churchpeople Against Poverty's project has been the source of controversy since it was first proposed in early 2003.

The non profit group seeks to renovate the former municipal building into 21 apartments for seniors with a modest income.

The building is owned by the Town of Urbana but is located in the village of Hammondsport.

For years Hammondsport village officials have wavered between supporting the project an d takin g legal action to stop it.

The project was most recently challenged by the village questioning the legality of permits already issued by the town for the project.

Village officials said the project's site plan must be reviewed by the village planning board before permits could be issued.

On Tuesday, county Judge Marianne Furfure granted a preliminary injunction against the village of Hammondsport, saying any lawsuits against the project would most likely be decided in SCAP's favor. Furfure said more delay would be detrimental both to funding and the seniors served by the project.