Distillery, other projects shape Perinton

A shift in Perinton's demographics is playing itself out in the types of new development in the east side town.

Residents 55 and older represent the fastest growing segment of the town's population, according to the town's 2011 comprehensive plan. At the same time the number of school-aged children is declining with enrollment at Fairport schools expected to drop by about 400 to 5,600 in five years, according to Cornell University's Center for Rural Schools.

That has brought a slow-down in the number of new single-family homes being built, but a greater focus on townhouses, apartments and other residential projects designed specifically for seniors and empty-nesters.

Currently, about 400 to 500 new rental units are in some stage of planning or construction.

"Developers say that demographically single-family dwellings aren't as popular," said Michael S. Doser, Perinton's director of code enforcement and development. "What you're primarily seeing is empty nesters wanting to live in newer rental units, and we don't have as many young families moving in."

For example, work is underway on Creekstone Development off Route 31 on Mason Road. The project will bring 160 housing units, including single-family homes, apartments, assisted-living townhouses, a community center and swimming pool.

In the village of Fairport, a senior housing project with about 45 one-bedroom apartments is planned for property next to the existing Rose Hollow apartments on Durant Place.

At 666 Whitney Road, the town has issued a permit for the construction of Whitney Town Center — three buildings with 151 apartments for tenants 55 and older. And the agenda for Wednesday's town Planning Board meeting includes a new application to build 27 single-family homes on about 8.5 acres on Woodcliff Drive.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of commercial projects have come to the area. In Fairport, the Iron Smoke Whiskey distillery opened about a month ago at 111 Parce Ave.

Iron Smoke, which produces about 60 gallons of whiskey daily, had been located in Seneca County for about three years before moving to Fairport. Co-owner Tommy Brunett said Iron Smoke uses only locally-grown ingredients to make small-batch artisan whiskey, such as apple pie whiskey.

"It tastes like your grandmother's apple pie coming out of the oven," Brunett said.

Construction will start soon on a 31,000-square-foot addition to the Wegmans store at 6604 Perinton Road. And a new CVS pharmacy at 1304 Fairport Road will open soon. The CVS is the first new business in a neighborhood that has received a lot of attention from planners in recent years.

"That was the first commercial area in Perinton. That was the thriving commercial area in Perinton," said Thomas C. Beck, Perinton commissioner of public works. "It has just gone through a change over time and now it's beginning to redevelop. We're pretty excited about that."

The road configuration was changed so that O'Connor Road, Jefferson Avenue and Fairport Road (Route 31F) now form a four-corners intersection, hopefully leading to a better traffic pattern and future development.

About 95 percent of the $2 million project to realign the intersection was paid for with state and federal grants. "We really think that will be a place where our residents, once they leave (Perinton Park), will be able to visit retailers and restaurants there," Doser said.

Town officials said there isn't much empty space available in the town. Although it may appear that there is much undeveloped land in the town, many acres are protected by conservation easements or are owned outright by the town as protected open space.

In the village, a five-story building with 48 condominiums is planned for a three-acre lot on Parker Street that had been a village public works site. The Fairport Public Library is spending $4 million on a major renovation that will start in December or January.

And Fairport Village Landing, a collection of downtown businesses is getting a $400,000 facade facelift.

"There has been more activity here now than there has been in 10 to 20 years. There's a lot going on," said Fairport Village Manager Bryan White. "It's a pretty good time. It's a lot of fun to see things moving up and progressing forward and have a nice positive impact on the community."

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Perinton by the numbers

Population (includes village of Fairport): 46,452.

Households: 18,947.

Median household income: $78,508.

Owner-occupied households: 14,690.

Median home value: $191,000.

Median age: 44.5.

Residents 60 and older: 24.2 percent.

Average family size: 2.96.

Residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.9 percent.

Residents 25 and older with a graduate or professional degree: 24.9 percent.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Residential

Messer subdivision: A four-lot subdivision planned for 27 Waterworks Lane.

Perinton Hills apartments: Six new buildings are planned to create 60 new apartments in the rear of the Perinton Hills Office Park. The new apartments will replace 40-year-old buildings that have been torn down.

Creekstone: The development on Mason Road and Route 31, behind the Egypt Fire Hall, will include 160 housing units on about 40 acres and include single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, assisted living homes, a community center,and a swimming pool.

Hickory Woods: A subdivision off Ayrault Road, between Shagbark Way and Folkside Lane, includes two single-family lots and 17 townhouses.

Stonebrook: The development on Route 31 between Thayer and Loud roads will include 32 single-family homes, six duplex units, 49 townhouses, a clubhouse and a commercial/office parcel.

Commercial

Iron Smoke Whiskey distillery: Parce Avenue business located to a 9,000-square-foot space in the village of Fairport about a month ago.

CVS Pharmacy: The 13,225-square-foot building at 1304 Fairport Road is almost ready to open. It's the first new business in a recently reconfigured area of Fairport and O'Connor roads and Jefferson Avenue.

Wegmans: The store at 6604 Pittsford-Palmyra Road will add 31,000 square feet of space. After the addition is complete, major interior renovations are planned for the existing building.

Mixed use/office/public space

Fairport Public Library: A $4-million renovation project is expected to start in December or January.

Southeast Quadrant Mobile Critical Care Unit: Planned expansion at 2527 Baird Road includes a 2,300-square-foot addition, with a 1,300-square-foot garage housing three first-response vehicles and 1,000-square feet of storage and office space, along with a training room.

Bushnell's Basin project: A former single-family home at 721 Pittsford-Victor Road will be converted to office space. The project also will include a new 2,740-square-foot restaurant space nearby with outdoor seating for 14, and a new 2,577-square foot restaurant space with outdoor seating.

Land use in Perinton

•48.9 percent (9,267 acres) is residential development.

•44.1 percent (8,375 acres) is agriculture, undeveloped, recreation, parks, community/public services.

•6.9 percent (1,294 acres) is commercial/office/industrial development.

•About 2,000 acres are protected through agriculture/conservation easements, donations, and development rights acquisition programs.

•About 15 percent of property is wetland or steep-sloped, leaving it undeveloped.