Village of Pittsford ordered to pay legal fees in Westport Crossing case

Pittsford, N.Y. – The Village of Pittsford has been ordered to pay legal fees in a lawsuit stemming from a proposed development on Monroe Avenue.

The proposed Westport Crossing has been a source of controversy for several years in the village. Judge John Ark had previously ruled the village violated the New York State Open Meeting Law in connection with Westport Crossing proceedings.

Ark referred the case back to the Village Board, giving it the opportunity to hold a public meeting regarding the project, at which developers could present information on grant funds and Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credits.

The board would resolve at a meeting in July to reaffirm its Special Use Permits for the project, originally voted on in 2012.

In Ark’s most recent ruling, which orders the village to pay legal fees for Friends of Pittsford Village, the judge recommended members of the board – many of whom joined the board after the original 2012 vote – take part in training regarding the state’s Open Meetings Law.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, village officials said they strongly disagreed with the decision and said it intends to appeal.