OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon
Pictured are members of the Chautauqua County Legislature.
A number of properties were transferred by the Chautauqua County Legislature, with only one transfer being objected to.
During the recent county legislature meeting, Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, said he couldn’t endorse transferring a five-acre parcel in South Ripley to the county IDA wants so it can turn it over to Chautauqua Property Holdings, LLC for $56,000 plus filing fees and the 2022-2023 school taxes.
Mark Geise, county IDA director and chief executive officer, said in committee meetings land in that area generally costs around $8,000 an acre. Chautauqua Property Holdings is offering $10,000 an acre.
The company wants the land for ConnectGen’s $300 million, 270 megawatt solar project.
On the land is outdated electrical infrastructure that needs to be removed, which is part of the reason why it’s been hard to sell.
But Proctor said he doesn’t endorse that transfer. “I’ve spoke to many residents and many of our volunteer fire department members. They are fearful for their safety because of the large scale battery storage and what happens in case of an emergency with a fire,” he said.
Mina borders Ripley on the south side, where the solar project and battery storage is scheduled to be installed. “Living next to it, I have many concerns,” he said.
Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, expressed his support for the resolution. “I’m going to vote in favor of this tonight, not in opposition to Mr. Proctor, but I’m looking at it more on the revenue side, getting the tax money in and I feel that this piece of property isn’t going to advance or stall the solar farm in Ripley. I’m not a big fan of that solar farm, but I am going to support this,” he said.
Excluding Proctor, all other legislators backed the property transfer.
There were other transfers in that resolution as well. They included:
¯ The old Moose Lodge sits in Silver Creek. The building is located near the former Petri building, which is now owned by Christmas Dave, LLC. It’s expected to be demolished by the new company.
¯ Another parcel near the former Petri building, near the creek.
¯ A small parcel in Falconer near the railroad tracks by Maplevale Farms. That land would go to Maplevale.
¯ A small parcel of land behind the National Comedy Center, which the museum wants for their National Comedy Center Park.
All of those property transfers were for $1 each.
OTHER TRANSFERS
There were other property transfers approved at the meeting as well.
¯ The legislature sold a small parcel of land in the town of Ellicott to Target for $12,400. The land is for the new parking lot they are revamping at the former Kmart.
¯ The legislature approved transferring 106 properties to the Chautauqua County Land Bank. During committee meetings, legislators were told the number was so high because there hadn’t been foreclosures during the pandemic.
¯ The legislature approved transferring six parcels to the village of Celoron for $18,293. That is the amount owed for back taxes. During committee meetings, legislators were told the village wants to improve the parcels for redevelopment.
¯ The legislature approved transferring a parcel to the town of Portland for $6,658. That is the amount owed for back taxes. During committee meetings, legislators were told this property sits next to the town hall and the town wants it for additional parking.
All transfers were unanimously approved.
