Development center reviews condo project

Development center reviews condo project

YATES COUNTY—Members of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) discussed the proposed construction of a 15 unit condominium project during their regular meeting Wednesday, July 17. The project is Brandy Bay Heights, and is located on Central Avenue in Keuka Park.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said the cost of the project will be between $3.5 million and $4 million and will be exclusively senior housing for residents age 55 and older. He said the board is unable to act on anything regarding the project before a public hearing is held on the matter.
Griffin said there is a high demand for this type of development in Yates County. He said there was a housing study conducted back in 2008 that revealed there was a demand for 40 units per year for senior housing. Griffin said since that time the county has been doing around six units per year, with not all of those being exclusively for seniors. He said there are not that many other developments like this and the proposed condominium complex would provide housing that is not available otherwise.
Members of the board agreed with Griffin, saying they believe the demand is there for this kind of project.
“I see this as a perfect fit for us, this is what we should be doing as a community,” Chairman Kevin Bailey said. He said when seniors are able to move into these units then the places they leave behind will be available to other people looking to move to Penn Yan. Tim Dennis said if there is truly a need for this kind of housing, the project will happen.
Griffin said the 15 unit complex will also include a community center, with each unit being available for purchase rather than renting them out. He said while a person does not have to be older than 55 to own a unit, they would have to be a senior to live in the facility. Griffin said this would apply in situations like people buying a condo for an elderly parent or other family member.