Jeff DiVeronica

@RocDevo

PENFIELD – The phrase “no-brainer” was heard at least three times on Wednesday night at Penfield Town Hall. It was used by residents at a town meeting to express strong sentiment that the best thing the town can do with the approximately 220 acres of land that used to be known as Shadow Pines Golf Club is to buy it and keep it as open or green space.

What they don’t want is for the land to be turned into a massive development that could hold close to 300 houses.

“We’re already going to increase the traffic at Five Mile Line and Atlantic Avenue with the 80-house development that’s going in (on that corner this summer),” Penfield resident Phil Monahan said. “Are the schools going to be able to take the increase in population? Are we going to have to build a new school?”

More than 20 people stepped to a podium and spoke during a public information meeting about the future of “The Shadows,” which are Shadow Lake Golf and Racquet Club at 1850 Five Mile Line Road and the Pines, located nearby at 600 Whalen Road. Both are just off Atlantic Avenue.

Shadow Lake, sold in March, is open for golf, just as it has been since 1979. The Pines, though, is still for sale by Ireland-based Oldcastle Materials, which runs the nearby Dolomite quarry that has operated in the heart of Penfield for more than 50 years.

Shortly after Shadow Lake was sold and the Pines remained in limbo, the town declared a one-year moratorium so officials and citizens could consider options for the land, which is zoned so it can be used for residential housing. More than 80 people applied to be on a “moratorium committee,” that is researching and talking about ways to use the land, from parks to ball fields and hiking and biking trails.

There are concerns among residents that only seven members of the moratorium committee live near Shadow Pines.

“A much higher percentage of resources on that committee are going to be researching and exploring development options (instead of open-space potential),” said Kate McArdle, one of three residents along with Jeff Burns and Mike Ruff who started a “Save Shadow Pines” committee. “That, to me, is unacceptable.”

A room of about 100 people applauded that. The moratorium committee’s report to the town board and Supervisor Tony LaFountain is due Sept. 2. It has met four times. Its next meeting is set for July 12.

A few others said the town should rezone the land so it can never become a residential property. The moratorium committee has said the purchase price for the Pines’ parcel could be about $3 million. A handful of residents on Wednesday that price made it a “no-brainer,” to buy it, too.

Ruff laid out two scenarios for the future. If Shadow Pines goes residential, he spoke of overcrowded schools and kids being taught in trailers. Here was the second:

“The town board purchases Shadow Pines for open green space with a 20-year bond, ensuring that this land is preserved for future generations. We transform these 200 acres into ball fields for our residents to use for softball, soccer, lacrosse,” Ruff said.

“We have a natural walking park for the elderly and our youth. We add a dog park for all of our four-legged friends to frolic. All of that is in the town master plan. All of that is in the open-space plan. This is a seminal moment for Penfield. We need to save Shadow Pines. Please, leave a positive stamp on Penfield.”

JDIVERON@Gannett.com