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Kenville project approved by Town
Conversion of Kensington Village Apartments into a gated community for college students was approved by the Town Board on Monday, but the approval is contingent on five outstanding issues.
Two of the issues took center stage at Monday's Town Board meeting.
The developer, Chason Affinity Company, has agreed to erect a sixfoot tall fence around the complex. The town board added a stipulation that the fence on the north and south property lines be constructed of solid wood.
However, a handful of neighbors who live on Southgate Road expressed their concern for the northern fence, which would abut their properties.
Mary Emerson wondered what would happen to a vinyl fence that she installed in the rear of her yard. The fence sits about three feet shy of her property line because of a utility easement.
Emerson noted that if the developer installs his fence right up to the property line, there will be a threefoot easement gap between the fences. She said she would prefer to keep her fence up.
"I invested money in a vinyl fence to make my property look good ... and to keep up my property value," Emerson added. "I'm happy for this project. I want to see something positive come out of it. I hate things that are done half-(correct)."
Eileen Klaiber asked that the property be graded better because storm water runoff tends to pool in the easement area. Klaiber said she has observed ducks swimming in the puddles.
Another outstanding issue is the price that Chason will pay the town for its abandonment and sale of the roads in Kensington Village: Kenville Road, Betty Lane and Marc Lane.
A firm retained by Chason, GAR Associates, appraised the roads and offered an undisclosed dollar amount to the town. However, town officials believe that the road's worth was undervalued.
As a result, Cheektowaga has retained its own appraiser to determine the value of the three roads.
Emminger, Hyatt, Newton & Pigeon Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting firm, has been retained at a fee not to exceed $1,500 to perform an appraisal review.
Chason Affinity will convert the apartment complex into housing that can accommodate up to 1,208 students. Eight existing apartment buildings will be razed to allow construction of a "student center" with conference rooms, a fitness center, swimming pool, theater, lobby and wireless Internet access. The project is valued at $96 million.
Additional stipulations attached to the board's approval include:
+ Chason receiving approval of the site's drainage and grading plan from the town engineer.
+ Closing Betty Lane to through traffic upon completion of "phase 2" by installing a breakaway emergency gate.
+ Chason Affinity coordinating its security plan with Chief of Police Christine M. Ziemba for concurrance and approval.
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