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Chair Brawn made reference to schools and said that there was na school site at Southern <br />Village, but Chapel Hill worked with same land and ended up building an elementary school, <br />which cost between $12-13 million. <br />Chair Brown said that Southern Village did not have open space when it was built; and when <br />it was approved, it stayed true to zoning but it did not build out the way it was predicted. All <br />the residential development was built first and not the commercial, as was expected. There <br />was supposed to be a park in the commercial area and it ended up being turned into parking <br />spaces. This was very disappointing. She said that the reality is that the entire area had to <br />be deforested with this type of density. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the proposed community college site and asked <br />why this particular shape was chosen. Jack Smyre said that it is possible to change the <br />shape and the reason it was shaped that way was because of the hilltop location. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked haw long it would take to extend the road and the water and <br />sewer. Jack Smyre said that it would take a year from construction. <br />Jack Smyre answered more clarifying questions from Commissioner Gordan. <br />Jack Smyre explained that the parcel is land-banked and there are pre-zoned areas and <br />same buildings will be built, as there are market pressures. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the projected number of firefighters that would be <br />needed. Eric Peterson said that if it requires a full station, then 14 full-time personnel would <br />be needed. At least one new fire truck would be needed. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked if there is a sentiment to break the fire station apart now (with <br />Orange Rural). Eric Peterson said that they are happy with what they have now with <br />Orange Rural and they want to keep this relationship. <br />Eric Peterson said that a lot of the viability of this project hinges on the fire station issue. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the prime benefits of this development for the <br />community is the connection of Waterstone Drive. He suggested that this be required in <br />phase 1, as opposed to hoping that it will follow later. <br />Jack Smyre said that it is not undoable to do the road in phase I. Their intent was to get a <br />quantifiable phase I and have access to this site for construction purposes. It would be <br />another expenditure for them and phase I does not get them into the black. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about any cultural and/or natural area studies with a <br />professional to see if there are any significant cultural or natural areas. Jack Smyre said <br />they have only done informal studies and there is one area that does carry remnants of an <br />old stagecoach trail. Their intent is that the old roadbed would go through the open space <br />into the mixed-use area and they may propose this roadbed to be turned into a greenway <br />corridor. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested that they hire professionals to do a thorough analysis of <br />this site -cultural and natural. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about affordable housing in this development. Jack Smyre <br />said that he does not think that this applies to the Town because the Town Board is <br />interested in increasing the tax base with this development. <br />