HENRIETTA, N.Y. -- The Henrietta Town Board heard public input Wednesday on the next phase of its "Smart Growth" plan. This could include rezoning some land in the southwest quadrant of the town into industrial but, as we heard, residents will do whatever they can to stop this.
More than 200 people packed the meeting room and hallway at Henrietta Town Hall. Their concern is over the fate of 1,300 acres deemed as a good place to be rezoned for industrial development in the southwestern part of town.
As part of the process, the town board must get public input on the draft generic environmental impact statement. They got an earful.
"I'm still looking for answers from the question I asked at the last meeting,” a concerned resident said to the board.
“You need a plan for a buffer,” another added.
We met up with Christina Kretchmer last week at her home on Middle Road. With her 20 acres touching one of the seven sites, she wants answers.
"Numerous people have asked for a showing of what percentage within those seven sites will be reserved for wildlife habitat protection, ecology, green space,” Kretchmer said.
For others, if the land is rezoned, it will be the final straw.
"I like living in the area and I may have to sell the house and move elsewhere if that happens." Kevin Youst, of Henrietta said.
Many said they’re more angry than concerned because they feel blindsided.
"There's over 400 acres, and they didn't notify me, Jack (Moore) told me they didn't have to because I'm a half mile, a little more than a half mile away. You know what I say to that? That's baloney," Cheryl Brustin, of Henrietta, said.
Henrietta Town Supervisor Jack Moore told the public on more than one occasion that the best thing for the board to do would be nothing in this case, but he said they're not going to do that because it wouldn’t put Henrietta on a path for a successful future.