OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Brian Aldrich was acting Chairman of the Sheridan Planning/Zoning Board at its April meeting when the Board discussed future development at Eagle Bay.

SHERIDAN — One of the most sizable pieces of land in the town of Sheridan, the vacant Eagle Bay site, was up for discussion at a recent Planning/Zoning Board meeting.

The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) was recently awarded $675,000 of Empire State Development funding for a future project at Eagle Bay, a 657-acre site along Route 5 in the town of Sheridan. The Planning/Zoning Board discussed the matter at its April meeting.

Brian Aldrich, Tom Hawk and Steve Muck of the Planning/Zoning Board discussed potential planning and zoning implications of future development of the site. It is owned by Steve St. George, and is currently zoned as recreational land. Eagle Bay is the largest single-owner site receiving grant funding from Empire State Development through this round of the FAST NY initiative.

While the County IDA received $675,000 of grant funding, that represents only half of the total project cost of $1.35 million. The Planning/Zoning Board did not discuss specifics of the project. They did say, however, that development of the property could result in zoning changes in the area to attract “large employers and high tech manufacturing companies.”

In the official release from Empire State Development, the funds were allocated for a pre-development project to allow for “shovel-ready advancement” of the site.

The release stated, “Funds will help expand upon work done during the 1990s, including environmental investigation, rezoning, surveying and real estate due diligence.”

The release from Empire State Development further stated, “This work will position this location as the county’s second large-scale industrial site with direct rail access to both CSX and Norfolk Southern railways, marine cargo, and proximity to the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. The project will reduce development risk, support shovel-ready certification advancement, and reposition Chautauqua County to compete more effectively for next generation industrial development.”

The Planning/Zoning Board stated that any re-zoning decisions “will be made consistent with the best interests of the Town of Sheridan; mindful of Eagle Bay surrounding neighbors; and with Zoning and Planning Best Practices and Standards given due consideration.”

The Planning/Zoning Board added that surrounding zoning district designations will also be considered. The Board will be reviewing its Mission Statement and updating it, as needed.

Resources needed from the County Planning Board and the Town of Sheridan include any proposed plans for development at Eagle Bay; definition of the specific studies and analyses proposed by the State and County; contour maps of Eagle Bay and the surrounding properties; Host Community Agreement recommendations from the County Planning Department; FAA flight restrictions/approvals; and availability of subject matter experts, such as licensed professional engineers.

The Planning/Zoning Board expressed “strong interest” in visiting the site for themselves to gain a better understanding of the situation.