Webster · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Webster public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sewer Code Amendments (Local Law No. 4)
The Town is proposing to amend sections of Chapter 257 of the Webster Town Code. A public hearing gives residents a chance to weigh in before the Board votes on adoption.
fairlife facility agreements and Certificate of Occupancy
Two items relate to the fairlife facility at 1886 Tebor Road: a license agreement for fencing and gates within Town easements, and up to $34,920 for Campus Construction to provide project management support as fairlife works toward its Certificate of Occupancy.
Van Alystyne Park Subdivision stormwater pond dedication
The Town would take ownership of land containing a stormwater maintenance pond from the Van Alystyne Park Subdivision, meaning the Town would be responsible for maintaining it.
2026 Town Organizational Structure and Appointments
Charles Zlotkus is resigning from the Conservation Board effective September 13, 2026, leaving an open seat with a term ending December 31, 2026.
Vosburg Pump Station Bidding
The board increased the bond authorization for the Vosburg Pump Station upgrade from $5.7 million to $6.35 million due to rising labor and material costs.
Town of Webster 2027 Final Budget
The town is working through preliminary department budgets for 2027, balancing rising operational costs with strategic use of sales tax revenues and fund balances to keep property taxes steady. Pending union contract negotiations mean personnel costs will likely change before final adoption.
E-Bike Safety and Regulation
Board members raised concerns about reckless e-bike riding on sidewalks and downtown areas, calling for future code discussions to give police enforcement tools.
Backyard Chicken Coop Application at 440 Lake Road
Residents with backyard chicken coops successfully renewed their special use permits for another four years after maintaining compliant properties with no neighbor complaints.
Verizon Cell Tower Construction on Wildflower Drive
Residents strongly objected to a proposed 120-foot Verizon cell tower in a residential neighborhood, citing health concerns, declining property values, and negative impacts on Mill Creek wildlife.
Olive Garden Restaurant at Holt Road
Plans to convert the old Uno Pizzeria into an Olive Garden were presented to the board. Officials discussed landscaping requirements, brick restoration, and community impacts.
Stormwater Drainage Easement Encroachment
Nearby residents raised concerns about existing flooding issues on Blue Creek Drive and questioned whether the Sienna Reserve subdivision's retention pond and grading would worsen runoff. Engineers and board members explained that the detention pond is designed to handle runoff from the new development and maintain existing drainage rates.
State Snow and Ice Removal Contracts
The town approved funding adjustments for its state highway snow and ice removal agreements with NYSDOT for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons.
Cell Phone Tower Proposal Near Wildflower Drive
Residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed Verizon cell tower, citing wetland disruptions, decreased property values, and potential health concerns. Council members discussed whether cell towers could be added to the town's development moratorium.
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Concerns
Residents expressed strong concerns during public comment regarding proposed comprehensive plan changes, unexpected commercial rezoning along Five Mile Line Road, and potential impacts on property values and local businesses.
Library Location and Facility Debates
Residents debated the future of the Webster Public Library, contrasting the high long-term costs of renting commercial space with the potential financial and logistical challenges of building a new town-owned facility.
Waterview Apartments Phase 3 Expansion
Neighbors raised concerns regarding the 56-unit townhouse project on Willowpoint Way, citing steep slope protection, E-pods, and delays in obtaining DEC wetland determinations.
Solar Energy Zoning Code Clarification
A citizen challenge contends that the town incorrectly classified the Xerox Solar Farm project under an industrial use permit rather than a special use permit, bypassing key environmental reviews. The zoning board tabled the discussion to July to review past town board records.
Economic Development
Coca-Cola just broke ground on a massive new fairlife dairy plant in Webster, bringing hundreds of jobs and a serious boost to our local economy. It's a huge win for commercial growth in town.
Privacy Fence Placement on Corner Lots
Homeowners on corner lots face challenges meeting front-yard setback rules when installing privacy fences. The board weighed safety visibility against the residents' need for privacy.
Local Law No. 3 Traffic and Parking Regulations
Residents expressed concerns about the upcoming Monroe County Bay Road revision, citing traffic safety, emergency access, and the narrow two-foot shoulders of the proposed road diet. A local resident urged the town board to take a more active role in communicating project details to reduce community anxiety.
Setback Variances for New Residential Construction
A developer requested a variance to keep a pre-existing metal garage close to the road while splitting a large lot into new single-family homes. Neighbors and board members weighed the visual impact against preserving an established structure.
Police Salary Adjustments and Pay Compression
The Police Department is requesting to make permanent its temporary staffing increase to 35 authorized positions and is investing in technology upgrades like in-car cameras and booking room security improvements.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations and Capital Projects
The town is increasing the budget threshold for extending sanitary sewers to six properties on Woodard Road to account for higher-than-expected bid costs.
Aberdeen Estates Phase 3 Residential Subdivision
Forest Creek Equity Corp received final approval to build 36 single-family homes on Hazelhead Lane, moving the long-planned residential subdivision closer to construction.
Commercial Signage Updates (7-Brew & Canandaigua National Bank)
The board approved updated illuminated signage packages for the new 7-Brew coffee shop on Hard Road and Canandaigua National Bank on Ridge Road.
Affordable Housing
Need a break on rent? A new housing lottery just opened up for affordable apartments at 3547 Webster Ave, but you'll have to act fast to get your application in.
2027 Town-Wide Property Reassessment
The board authorized an agreement with the state Office of Real Property Tax Services to support the upcoming 2027 town-wide property reassessment project. The project aims to bring all property assessments back to 100% market value.
School Resource Officer Program Contract
The town board approved a 2026-2027 contract with the school district for two police officers to serve as school resource officers. Board members discussed legal language regarding police authority to interview students, emphasizing that police department policy governs juvenile questioning.
Renewable Natural Gas Project Cancellation
The town is moving forward with engineering and design for an anaerobic digester gas capture project at the wastewater treatment plant. Supporters say it will create a long-term revenue stream and tax credits, while dissenting members raised concerns over the town's current debt load.
Climate Action and Smart Growth Grant Applications
Residents and board members debated whether Webster should register as a Climate Smart Community to unlock state grants and technical support. While supporters cited cost savings and environmental benefits, some board members raised questions about staff workload and program mandates.
Municipal Flag Policy and Community Inclusivity
Dozens of residents spoke during public comment about the recent flying of the Pride flag at Town Hall. Supporters praised the display as a message of inclusion, while critics urged the town to adopt a neutral flag policy limiting displays to official government flags.
Bay-Ridge Residential Re-Subdivision
A lot line adjustment for five historic properties on Ridge and Bay roads raised concerns regarding shared water lines, old septic systems, and stormwater runoff into local creeks.
Temporary Development Moratorium
The town board advanced a proposed six-month moratorium on major subdivisions, large solar projects, data centers, and commercial districts while updating its 2008 comprehensive plan.
Webster Transportation Improvement Project
The town initiated the SEQRA review process by declaring its intent to act as lead agency for the Webster Transportation Improvement Project. The major infrastructure initiative includes road rehabilitation and a trail along Phillips Road.
Dinks & Links Recreation Facility Proposal
A proposal for a massive 39,100 square foot indoor/outdoor recreation facility featuring pickleball and volleyball courts sparked heavy debate over noise, lighting, and wetland impacts, leading the board to table the project.
Lakefront Property Consolidation & Redevelopment
A lakefront property owner is combining two undersized parcels on Lake Road, tearing down a dilapidated house, and building a single-story accessory cabana that cuts property lot coverage in half.
Bella Terra Phase 3 Final Subdivision
The final section of the Bella Terra subdivision adds 66 single-family homes to a 21.2-acre property, completing the long-running residential project.
Front Yard Above-Ground Pool and Neighborhood Impacts
Residents debated whether an above-ground pool should be allowed in the front yard of a corner lot on Danby Drive, raising concerns about noise, privacy, safety, and drainage.
RG&E Substation Modernization and Utility Expansion
RG&E requested multiple setback and fencing variances to modernize Substation 73 on Klem Road, sparking public pushback over utility rate hikes and corporate priorities.
Webster Solar Garden Development
Numerous residents spoke out against the proposed solar farm on Xerox land, citing environmental risks, destruction of mature trees, and proximity to a capped brownfield landfill.
Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge Operation
A resident urged the town to address long-standing seasonal operational issues with the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge and establish a year-round 24/7/365 bridge solution.
Community Wellness Center
Webster is finally getting a brand new community wellness center, bringing much-needed health and neighborhood resources right to our backyard. Construction is moving full steam ahead, so we'll soon have a dedicated space to work out, gather, and access local support.
Pot-Bellied Pig Special Use Permit Renewal
Tammy Proof sought a renewal of her special use permit to keep two pet pot-bellied pigs at 261 Volk Road. With zero complaints over the past five years and positive code enforcement reviews, the board granted a five-year extension.
Electronic Voucher System Transition
The town is working to transition from a manual, paper-based voucher and purchase order system to an electronic workflow in Munis. The board debated hiring a temporary project manager to assist with department testing and workflow setup before tabling the resolution.
Subdivision Snowplowing and Road Maintenance
Residents complained that local residential subdivisions are being neglected during snowstorms while main roads and commercial areas receive prompt attention. They urged the town and highway department to prioritize neighborhood plowing and salting.
Commercial Property Standards on Ridge Road
The board raised concerns about cluttered auto dealership lots along Ridge Road, demanding better property line staking, vegetative buffers, and landscaping for the Best Buy Auto Sales addition.
Subdivision Tree Conservation and Phasing
Discussion over Aberdeen Estates Phases 2 and 3 highlighted tensions between developers seeking faster approvals and town officials concerned about preserving trees and resolving stormwater and tile issues promised during initial rezoning.
Access to Local Parks and Waterways
A local resident raised concerns about restricted public access to Irondequoit Bay for winter recreation like ice fishing and ice biking due to new curbs, fences, and parking changes.
Highway Salt Barn and Truck Wash Reconstruction
The town is moving forward with rebuilding the deteriorated highway salt barn and wash station, awarding contracts totaling nearly $4.4 million with the help of a $600,000 state grant.
Pedestrian Safety and Infrastructure
Residents raised concerns about inadequate sidewalks and pedestrian safety, particularly near high-density apartment developments and major thoroughfares like Route 104.