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The Forum:

Proposed Watkins apartment complex
would definitely have a negative impact

The following was sent to the Village of Watkins Glen Planning Board in late April. Its writer wishes to make it public.

To Whom it May Concern:

My name is Lisa Scaptura, daughter of George and Elizabeth Scaptura. My parents built our home on North Glen Avenue in the 1950s. It is the home I was raised in and where I currently reside. I am writing to you in regard to the Seneca Terrace Project (on the Magee Manor property).

After attending the Planning Board meeting held Wednesday, April 17, 2013, I feel the need to voice my concern in regard to this project. The architect/engineer who has designed this project has shown a plan for 28 apartment units on two levels, complete with access roads and parking for two cars per unit, plus guest parking. They have promised that these units are high end apartments specifically for "senior citizens."

It is my belief that the impact of this structure in our immediate neighborhood will be negative. Many of the reasons were highlighted during the board meeting. These included, but were not limited to: increased traffic, safety, lighting, increased costs, increased noise, and type of tenants. I agree that these are all extremely valid concerns.

I am cognizant that the architects/engineers have a vision for this project. They have succeeded in making the layout of the buildings fit, and the flow of traffic look reasonable on paper. However, as someone with training in design, I know that the reality of this project is most likely to be very different when the changes this makes to the area are considered. The quantity of units and parking are too large for this property, bringing 56 potential new residents. In addition to an increase of traffic and population, the increase of noise must be acknowledged. Residents whose properties line the Magee Manor Property treasure their peaceful backyards and decks; their quiet bedrooms and living spaces. With the advent of this project, these will be a thing of the past and a quiet, residential neighborhood will no longer exist.

Concern was expressed about the increased traffic on North Monroe, North Jackson and Partition Streets. The engineers stated there would only be a car every 3.5 minutes, but this is far more traffic than is present in this area currently. In addition to the risk of more car accidents due to traffic, we have so many walkers in that area, increased traffic would increase the likelihood of accidents affecting pedestrians. Despite the concerns raised, compromise was not genuinely offered. Though an entrance to the complex from Route 14 was proposed, the engineers were obviously hesitant to alter their plans.

Our community already has "high end" apartments being constructed on Salt Point Road, above Jerlando's, above Wags to Riches/Yarn Shop. The old Seneca Food Locker has currently been given the go ahead to construct apartments, and potentially this fate could also befall the Watkins Glen Middle School. Does our small area truly need such mass quantities of apartments? Tourists come to visit our quaint, scenic village and beautiful landscapes. They bring income and business to our town. Do we want tourists driving south entering Watkins Glen via Route 14, greeted by row after row of apartment buildings, or the beauty and uniqueness they currently experience?

At the meeting held April 17th, one of the representatives of this proposed project "promised" these apartments would be for senior citizens only. Keeping this promise is unlikely. At $1300 a month per unit, how many Watkins Glen senior citizens can afford the rent? Renting a second floor apartment is unrealistic and unsafe for many senior citizens. Both of my parents faced issues with stairs in our family home, with my mother unable to navigate stairs for the last two years of her life. My father (who can walk a mean mile) is at Bethany Assisted Living due in part to his inability to balance on stairs.

If these units are offered to seniors and not filled, financial concerns would force the owners to offer these units to other types of tenants who can afford such living quarters, thus changing the project and its makeup significantly in many ways.

Glossed over at the meeting was the potential increased cost of utilities and taxes for residents of the town. Many of us who reside in family homes are already doing everything we can to maintain and keep this part of our heritage "in the family." Additional increases in costs could force us out of our homes. Senior citizens on a fixed income would be especially affected by these costs.

While all communities need to consider future growth for their town or village, as residents of a scenic and richly historic village, shouldn't we carefully consider what that "growth" will look like and how it will affect the experience of visiting or living in our community? Once these apartments are built, the architects, engineers, builders and their crews will all go home (Binghamton, Nichols, etc.). This project will not affect their neighborhoods, traffic patterns, noise levels, cost of living, or any other part of their lives, but it WILL permanently affect ours. Our village, its reputation, outward beauty and experiences will be permanently altered, and in my opinion, not in a positive way. In my opinion, the negative potential of this project far outweighs the positive potential.

Despite the complaints of neighboring residents, I realize that unfortunately this project will most likely move forward. Before it does, I think we need to consider the abovementioned concerns and examine why "we" feel the need to pack as many people as "we" can into a small parcel of property. We need to ask ourselves why "we" need to develop every inch of available property, rather than leaving wooded areas and green spaces in the community. Possibly this project should be considered on a much smaller scale, thus possibly posing a remedy to the Route 14 entrance, and lessening many of the other negative concerns and effects that have been expressed. Or, instead of developing this land for apartments, consider building single family homes.

While I appreciate your consideration in moving the access to this "complex" to come from Route 14 and relieving some of the traffic from residential roads surrounding it, many other potentially negative issues remain. I truly hope that you will hear the concerns of residents who love this community and want to preserve its integrity, beauty and uniqueness. I ask you to meditate on what our community truly needs and what is beneficial to the residents and the tourists that come here each year (causing our town to be voted one of the top ten small town destinations to visit). I hope you will reconsider the scope of this project and what is truly best for our area. What do we want our town to be remembered for -- a multitude of generic apartment buildings, or instead for the quiet, serene natural beauty and family atmosphere this area offers and is known for by both by its residents and tourists.

M. Lisa Scaptura