Foes of Vestal Housing Project Win Round in State Supreme Court

Plans for a 161-unit housing development near the Binghamton University campus in Vestal have been dealt a setback by a state Supreme Court justice.

Justice Mark Masler in a ruling issued Wednesday found the town board failed to comply with state environmental review procedures when it acted on the proposed Retreat at Bunn Hill.

The board last April voted to allow the project planned for a 42-acre site off Bunn Hill and Jensen roads to move forward. The action would have created a planned development district for six contiguous parcels for the housing development.

Victor Lamoureux, who has been leading a group opposed to the project, was pleased with the court decision in what is known as an Article 78 proceeding.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Thursday, Lamoureux noted the judge's ruling was based on procedural matters and not on other issues those fighting the project raised.

Georgia-based Landmark Properties wants to construct 64 cottage-style buildings in a complex that is designed to have up to 700 residents.

Plans call for the project to include a clubhouse, recreational facilities and more than 550 parking spaces.

Town supervisor John Schaffer said he expects the board will redo the environmental quality review to follow the appropriate procedures. He said the developers "definitely want to move forward" on the project.

The land to be used for the development now is controlled by the Kradjian family.

Landmark Properties did not reply to a request for comment on the court decision.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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