Developer wants to add 70 units of housing in Albion

Project eyed for former fairgrounds site at west end of Washington Street and West State Street

The village zoning map shows the area in green between Washington and West State streets that is currently zoned for Mobile Home Park. It would need to be changed to R-C (Residential/Offices/Limited Business) to allow for a housing project.

ALBION – Land formerly used a horse racing track and the fairgrounds in Albion is being eyed for a 70-unit housing project in Albion.

The zoning for the land in the late 1990s was changed to a “Mobile Home Park” classification to allow for manufactured homes, but that project didn’t happen. The site at the west end of West State Street and Washington streets has remained vacant since.

CDS Monarch sees demand for housing in Albion and Orleans County. The company wants to develop 13.5 acres into a 70-unit housing project with 30 units for seniors and veterans, and the other 40 units for working families.

CDS is based in Webster. It has developed projects in Buffalo, Rochester, Elmira, Endicott and Cicero.

Michael Lill, project associate for CDS, said the company wants to build 8-unit flat level buildings. The company would like to have businesses on site as well, including a pharmacy.

The housing would not be Section 8 or for people in drug rehab, he said.

CDS said Orleans County faces an out-migration of residents, with a shortage of housing a factor in the exodus.

The Albion Village Board held a public hearing on the zoning change on Wednesday. An attorney for ARG spoke against the change, saying putting more housing in the area by ARG may not be the best fit for that area which also includes the village’s DPW facility and the Albion Correctional Facility. The attorney suggested the zoning be changed to light industrial.

The attorney also said the village had the wrong tax map information about the parcels to be rezoned as part of the public notice.

Village Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver acknowledged there had been a typographical error on one of the parcels. It was corrected about a week ago on the village website and Facebook page. The Village Board adjourned the public hearing until 7 p.m. on Aug. 26 to ensure it meets the public notice required for the zoning change.

The village sent the zoning change to the Orleans County Planning Board for its input but the board didn’t meet last month due to insufficient items. That board’s decision won’t be required due to the board not meeting, Mayor Tim McMurray said.

He sees the project as a positive for the village and Orleans County, bringing in new investment and housing opportunities. The community has experienced increased homelessness, McMurray said, and the state is trying to increase housing opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

CDS said it will present a detailed site plan for the project if the zoning change is approved. That site plan would then be subject to review by the Village Planning Board and code enforcement officer.

CDS said it has completed a phase 1 environmental impact study and also a wetlands delineation for the site.