Developer Ken Steen’s request to recover his deposit account held by the Town of Marion as a source to fund any outstanding obligations to his Marion Village Estates project was once again continued by the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals to July 28.
The ZBA’s June 23 public meeting primarily served as a think tank for the board members to hold discussions related to two Steen Realty projects.
One of those is Marion Village Estates, and ZBA Chairperson Cynthia Callow clarified the fact that the disagreement between Steen and the ZBA as to whether changing MVE’s water meters from one per floor (three total) to one per unit (62 total) constitutes a “substantial change” (and therefore would become subject to a public hearing) is now in the hands of the state.
At Town Counsel Jon Witten’s advice, the ZBA voted earlier this year to consider that change substantial, and Steen immediately appealed to the state. Both the developer and the town have stated their cases and await the state’s judgment on the matter.
At question on June 23 was whether Steen had met his contractual obligations to the residents of Marion Village Estates and should recover his deposit. That case was continued to July 28.
The other Steen-related discussion focused on the proposed Heron Cove Estates 40B housing project planned for Route 6 and the town’s peer-review consultant Joe Booth, who is expected to request greater detail from Steen’s representatives regarding construction details.
The continued Heron Cove case will be next heard at the ZBA’s next public meeting on Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 pm at the Marion Police station.
Marion Zoning Board of Appeals
By Mick Colageo