A long-stymied Town of Montgomery development project is back in motion, with its developer agreeing to chip in for some infrastructure improvements.
Vistamor at Montgomery, an active-adult (age 55 and older) development was first proposed more than 20 years ago, when it was known as Village at Goodwill. The plan called for a seven-phased development of cottages and larger single-family homes on a 191-acre site off Route 208, bordered by Goodwill Road. The initial site-plan approval and special exception use permit was granted for the development in June, 2005, but ground was never broken. The plan originally called for a contribution of $600,000 from the developer to create a water tank, but as costs have arisen over the nearly two decades since approvals were granted, the cost of these improvements has also increased.
The Montgomery Town Board, last week, approved an amended development agreement that now requires a payment of $655,000 in phases. The initial payment of $175,000 is non-refundable, according to town officials. The remainder will be paid over a period of time.
According to the agreement, the developer will contribute the $655,000 towards the construction of a water tank on the Scott’s Corners Drive property that is home to the Walden Savings Bank Corporate Headquarters. The 500,000 gallon tank is expected to serve expanded water services in the Scott’s Corners area.
The developer’s agreement also requires Vistamor to develop three wells on its property that will be deeded to the town and to construct a water storage tank on Hawkins Drive. Vistamor is expected to then petition the own of Montgomery to be included in the Hawkins Water District.
Renewed interest in the Vistamor site prompted renewed concerns about the development that first surfaced 20 years ago, when Village at Goodwill was first proposed. At that time, residents complained about the potential impact on increased traffic and the stress it might cause to the underground water table.
“What will happen to our wells?” asked Goodwill Road resident Elaine Buck Phillips at last week’s town board meeting.
Town Supervisor Brian Maher said there was “no discernible difference” in the water tables when testing was first done 20 years ago. He promised that more testing would be conducted.
According to its website, Vistamor is a collection of homes with pricing in the range from $200,000 -$400,000. They range in size from cottages (1,367-$1,751 square feet) to Country homes (1,654 - 2,062 square feet). Most will have two or three bedrooms (some will have the option for a fourth) with a one or two-car garage and community areas that include a gazebo and swimming pool.
“This development can move forward with or without this amended developers agreement,” Maher said.
Town of Montgomery Engineer Jim Farr said the town has not received a construction schedule yet, from the developers, but anticipates that most of the work to be done this year will consist of infrastructure and roads within the development.
Compounding the concerns of residents over the town’s water supply is an additional proposed 80-unit senior, veteran and affordable housing development behind the Shop Rite Complex on a 3.77 acre parcel. It is expected to hook into the same water and sewer district as Vistamor.
Farr said all of the town’s water districts, with the exception of Lake Vue, will eventually be consolidated. The new Scott’s Corners water tower, in addition to serving the new housing projects in the Goodwill Area, is also expected to provide water service to all of Bracken Road.