Elmira- In accordance with the provisions of Title 23, U.S. Code, Section 128 and Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1500 to 1508; Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law; and Article 2 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law (EDPL); a combined Design and EDPL public hearing will be held at 7:00  P.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 in the Chemung County Legislature Chambers located on the 5th floor of the John H. Hazlett Building, 203 Lake Street, in the City of Elmira, NY, on the proposed Center at Horseheads Connector Road.  The total length of the project is 0.85 ± miles, of which 0.8± miles is in the Town of Horseheads and 0.05± miles is in the Village of Horseheads, Chemung County.

Design plans for the project have been developed by the Chemung County Department of Public Works (DPW) after coordination with Federal, State and local agencies.

County DPW representatives, the County’s project’s Consultant Engineers, and New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) representatives will be on hand one hour prior to the start of the hearing to discuss the project and answer any questions.

Tentative schedules for right-of-way acquisition and construction will be discussed.  Information will also be available regarding the NYS DOT’s Relocation Assistance Program which provides assistance and advice to those who must relocate if the property they occupy is acquired for this project.  Procedures will be described wherein occupants of such acquired properties may qualify for moving expenses.

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared which assesses the project's effect on the quality of the human environment.  Copies of the Draft EA, maps, drawings and other pertinent information developed by the County and written views received as a result of the coordination with Federal, State and local agencies will be available for public inspection, review and copying during business hours at the offices of:

Mr. Andrew Avery, Commissioner
Chemung County Department of Public Works
803 Chemung Street
Horseheads, NY  14845

Mr. Randy Olthof, Commissioner
Chemung County Planning
400 East Church Street
Elmira, NY  14901

Mr. Andrew Williams
Acting Regional Planning and Program Manager
NYS DOT Region 6
107 Broadway
Hornell, NY 14843

FHWA Division Administrator
Leo O'Brien Federal Building,
Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12207

Ms. Nancy Rohde, Town Clerk
Town of Horseheads
150 Wygant Road
Horseheads, NY 14845

Walter J. Herbst; Village Manager
Village of Horseheads
202 South Main Street
Horseheads, NY 14845

Steele Memorial Library
101 East Church Street
Elmira, NY  14901 Horseheads Free Library
405 South Main Street
Horseheads, NY  14845
 
The above noted Draft EA, maps, drawings, reports, etc., are also available (in *.pdf format) for viewing and downloading by clicking here.

During the hearing, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their views concerning the economic and social effects of the design plans, their impact on the environment and their consistency with the goals and objectives of such planning as has been promulgated by the community.  The proceedings will be recorded.  Persons may file written statements and other exhibits in place of or in addition to oral statements made at the public hearing.  Written statements submitted at the hearing, or mailed and received before August 1, 2011 at the Chemung County DPW’s Office, 803 Chemung Street, Horseheads, NY  14845, will be made part of the record.

Those property owners who may subsequently wish to challenge condemnation of their property via judicial review under the EDPL may do so only on the basis of issues, facts, and objections raised at the hearing (§ 202 (C) (2) of Article 2, EDPL).

Please advise the Department of Public Works office if a sign language interpreter, assistive listening system or any other accommodation will be required to facilitate your participation in this public hearing.  The contact person is Mr. Andrew Avery, whose phone number is (607) 739-3896.

TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) Relay Service:

New York Relay Operator - Translates calls between TDD & non-TDD users.  For In-State Calls Only.

Non-TDD User to TDD User:  1-800-421-1220

TDD to Non-TDD User:  1-800-662-1220