Chautauqua Town Supervisor, right, looks at the latest phasing plan for Sunset View, the high end development project proposed at the former Chautauqua Point Golf Course. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

DEWITTVILLE – A $70 million housing and commercial development project is one step closer to becoming a reality.

During the Chautauqua Town Board meeting, the board unanimously approved a negative State Environmental Quality Review to Sunset View, the commercial and housing project proposed at the former Chautauqua Point Golf Course.

By making this decision, it does not require the developer Ellicott Development to get additional environmental studies and paves the way for the board to vote on a Special Use Permit as soon as next month.

The town board had previously declared itself the lead agency. It hired Square Engineering to do the studies.

Before the vote, the town board had received a letter from attorney Steven Daly, who is representing an unknown group called “Chautauqua Protest.”

Daly was not at the meeting, but attorney Sean Hopkins with Ellicott Development referenced the letter arguing various objections Daly had.

One of Daly’s points is that the project still needs some area variances from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

Hopkins responded that the zoning board can’t issue a decision until the environmental studies determination was made by the town board.

Because the town board made the negative declaration on SEQR, the zoning board is expected to take up the request for area variances at its next meeting on Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. at the Chautauqua Municipal Building.

After the board voted for a negative declaration on SEQR, another public hearing was held on the Special Use Permit needed.

Residents questioned the process to ensure Chautauqua Lake is protected from the development, if local contractors would be used, and where the sewage would go from residents who live there.

For protection of the lake, officials noted the involvement of the Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as the town’s code office.

Hopkins said they do their best to hire local contractors, especially because out of town contractors will cost more money. He encouraged any local contractors to contact Ellicott Development once a timeline is set.

Town Supervisor Don Emhardt noted the county is still in the process of putting in the sewer lines and a final determination has not been made if the sewage will go to the South and Center Sewer District or the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.

Attorney Joe Calimeri, who is representing some residents of Point Chautauqua, asked what specific conditions will be included in the Special Use Permit if approved.

Emhardt replied, “We have discussed it briefly, but we have not come to a final conclusion.”

The weather was quite snowy Wednesday night. Calimeri requested the town board keep the public hearing open until next month, arguing that some residents were not able to make it to Wednesday night’s meeting due to the snow.

However, board members said they felt they heard enough and voted to close the public hearing.

Since the public hearing was concluded, Hopkins requested the board consider voting in January on the Special Use Permit. Officials agreed that it would be a consideration, but did not guarantee a vote would take place.

The town board’s next regular meeting is set for Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

Ellicott Development is proposing a number of condominiums, single family homes and duplex residences that would have 174 residential units. The development also calls for a tap house/restaurant open to the general public, along with a public dock made up of 40 boat slips. Residents there would have access to a number of amenities and the development would be managed by a Home Owners Association.