Canandaigua new home tax

The Town of Canandaigua charges a $500 tax to people building a new home.  The Town's Parks and Recreation Master Plan says that tax should double to $1,000...and then raise in increments.

But on Tuesday, the Town Board will vote on a proposal to increase the fee to $3,000. 

"Rather than do the increments and have to adjust every year it's far easier to save on the paperwork set a fair standard and leave it at that for a number of years," said Lloyd Kinnear, Canandaigua Town Supervisor.

But not everyone on the Town Board is on board with that sentiment.  "We should adhere to the study.  I just can't legitimize a $3,000 rec fee right now.  Why did the taxpayers pay to have the Master Plan done if we aren't going to adhere to it," said Dave Dawson, a Town Board Member,

Roberta Smith is a real estate agent at Bristol Realtors.  She doesn't support an increase in the new home fee whatsoever,” If it's not broke, don't fix it.  Leave it be.  It's going to hurt the little guy.  I deal with the little guy every day.  All realtors deal with the little guy. and times are tough."

Roberta, who's lived in Canandaigua her whole life, says the town's park and lake areas are underutilized," I really don't think we need more parks"

However, the master plan calls for $800,000 for immediate park needs and improvements.

"We're not anti-development  What we are is managed development.  We try to manage who moves here," said Kinnear.

Some fear, if approved, this higher fee comes at a bad time.

"People don't have confidence in the economy.  They don't have job security.  They're scared," said Smith.

The town board will vote on the higher park and recreation fee resolution Tuesday night at 7 PM.

Last January, the town board voted for a $3,000 new home tax fee -  but rescinded it two months later because of legal concerns.

Now that there's a newly adopted master plan for parks and recreation the resolution has been put up for vote again.