LAGRANGE – Two town officials are rejecting a proposal from the developer of the town’s largest project in two decades. The developer of LaGrange Town Center North plans to build 608 residences, 160,000 square feet of office space, and three restaurants on 194 acres at the intersection of Route 55 and Stringham Road. The proposal gives the town ownership of the internal roadways and a recreation parcel, but Town Supervisor Anthony Marinaro and Highway Superintendent John Wisseman have rejected it.
In a memo to the town’s planning board, which has the decision-making authority, Supervisor Marinaro and Superintendent Wisseman cited the need to protect taxpayer dollars as the reason for opposing taking ownership of the streets and park. “We recognize the potential community benefit of providing public access to the proposed recreation parcel. However, the Town accepting ownership of such a recreation parcel would also create ongoing responsibilities for the Town, including maintenance, upkeep, and potential liability.” The two authors made their positions clear by telling the planning board, “We believe the applicant should retain ownership and responsibility for maintaining the recreation parcel while providing for public access through an appropriate arrangement consistent with the law.”
The memo also denounces the plan to have the town take possession of the streets within the project’s boundaries.
The developer intends to build the roads and then turn them over to the town, but the highway superintendent says it would burden taxpayers. “Our position is that the applicant should retain ownership and responsibility for the roadways and associated infrastructure, including ongoing maintenance and related services.” The freshmen elected officials added “We do not support accepting the dedication of roadways and related infrastructure as such acceptance would create additional financial and operational obligations for the town.”
The LaGrange Town Center North project remains before the town’s planning board, and both men say they are not trying to interfere with the board’s decision-making process and want to ensure their position is reflected in the planning board record.
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