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State, cable company give blessing to settlement details

July 11, 2019 -- State regulators and Charter Spectrum finalized a settlement after a lengthy dispute over the cable company's expansion of high-speed internet across New York.

The state Public Service Commission voted 3-1 to approve a deal negotiated in April. Charter will double its Upstate New York investment, which in 2016 was estimated at $305 million, in order to reach 145,000 residences and businesses before Oct. 1, 2021, the PSC estimated. Charter will also have to add another $12 million to expand broadband service to 45,000 more Upstate addresses.

The company has about 2.2 million customers in New York. New York regulators approved the 2016 merger of Charter Spectrum and Time Warner Cable with the caveat that Charter would expand broadband to 145,000 homes in largely rural areas of the state. While Charter said it was meeting its goals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the PSC contended otherwise, leading to lawsuits and a vote to force the company to cease operating in New York.

Charter Spectrum previously agreed to a $174.2 million settlement with the state Attorney General's Office over purportedly defrauding internet subscribers.

Jehovah's Witnesses conventions priced out of Blue Cross Arena

July 9, 2019 -- Unable to reach an agreement on costs, the Jehovah's Witnesses will not hold their annual summer conventions at the Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial for the first time in more than 30 years.

A spokesperson for the religious group said this year's gatherings have been moved to Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, Pa., after negotiations with Blue Cross Arena's new owners, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, fell through.

sThe events are scheduled for Aug. 9-11 and 16-18.

Shadow Lake owner suing Penfield

July 5, 2019 -- The owner of the Shadow Lake golf course is suing the Town of Penfield over the moratorium on redevelopment of the property.

In papers filed in State Supreme Court, Shadow Lake Properties LLC argues that the moratorium imposed in 2016 is unconstitional and negatively affecting business. The company has not been on record as seeking to sell or redevelop the course on Five Mile Line Road.

The 2019 renewal of the moratorium would prevent "public golf course redevelopment" in Penfield. Shadow Lake, which opened in 1979, is the only public course in the town. Restricting development of a single property is unconstitutional and unfair, Shadow Lake’s petition argues.

Controversy over Shadow Lake and a nearby sister course, Shadow Pines, erupted in early 2016 when the courses' owner put them on the market. The Penfield Town Board imposed a one-year moratorium on redevelopment of the two courses, saying it needed time to consider appropriate future uses of the property and potential zoning changes.

Shadow Pines was purchased by the town, and part of it has been converted into a park. A newly formed company associated with the Odenbach family, which built the two courses, purchased Shadow Lake in March 2016 and said it would continue to run it as a public golf course and banquet center.

In the court papers, the company contends the golf course has had "regular and repeated inquiries from the public" about whether the links will remain open, which the company said has hurt its finances and reputation. The company also says the town overassessed the value of the Shadow Lake property and has talked about operating the former Clark House at Shadow Pines as a banquet facility, which would compete with Shadow Lake's business.

Spot Coffee in Buffalo under fire from state senator

July 4, 2019 -- State Sen. Tim Kennedy has called for or a boycott of Spot Coffee in Buffalo after the company fired three employees connected to a union organizing drive.

"Spot Coffee executives need to answer for these unlawful terminations, and until they do so, I urge Western New Yorkers to boycott their locations," the Buffalo Democrat said in a statement describing Spot Coffee's actions as "deeply disturbing."

Supporters of the fired workers gathered outside the chain's Williamsville location to protest the firings, and union organizers said they will file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The company responded with a statement on its Facebook page saying it was prepared to defend the firings before the NLRB.

Employees of a Spot Coffree location in Rochester voted to unionize this spring.

Senior housing proposed for former Wambach's site

July 3, 2019 -- The Irondequoit Town Board is considering a proposal to build a three-story senior living facility on approximately half of the parcel off Culver Road formerly hosting Wambach's Garden Center.

The application from Rochester Management Inc., seeks to convert 6.7 acres at the back of the property into 80,000 square feet of senior housing, primarily as one-bedroom apartments for seniors. Roughly half the units would provide medical support as the senior residents age, and three of the 80 units units will accommodate blind and hearing-impaired tenants.

Supervisor Dave Seeley said the town board will hear the proposed plan July 16. The property is zoned residential, but would need to be rezoned to become mixed-used commercial in order for the plan to advance. The Town Board could vote on the matter next month.

Wambach's Garden Center closed in March 2018.

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	A summary of news about Greater Rochester business and industry
	More from early 2019 State, cable company give blessing to settlement details July 11, 2019 -- State regulators and Charter Spectrum finalized a settlement after a lengthy dispute over the cable company's expansion of high-speed internet across New York. The state Public Service Commission voted 3-1 to approve a deal negotiated in April. Charter will double its Upstate New York investment, which in 2016 was estimated at $305 million, in order to reach 145,000 residences and businesses before Oct. 1, 2021, the PSC estimated. Charter will also have to add another $12 million to expand broadband service to 45,000 more Upstate addresses. The company has about 2.2 million customers in New York. New York regulators approved the 2016 merger of Charter Spectrum and Time Warner Cable with the caveat that Charter would expand broadband to 145,000 homes in largely rural areas of the state. While Charter said it was meeting its goals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the PSC contended otherwise, leading to lawsuits and a vote to force the company to cease operating in New York. Charter Spectrum previously agreed to a $174.2 million settlement with the state Attorney General's Office over purportedly defrauding internet subscribers. Jehovah's Witnesses conventions priced out of Blue Cross Arena July 9, 2019 -- Unable to reach an agreement on costs, the Jehovah's Witnesses will not hold their annual summer conventions at the Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial for the first time in more than 30 years. A spokesperson for the religious group said this year's gatherings have been moved to Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, Pa., after negotiations with Blue Cross Arena's new owners, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, fell through. sThe events are scheduled for Aug. 9-11 and 16-18. Shadow Lake owner suing Penfield July 5, 2019 -- The owner of the Shadow Lake golf course is suing the Town of Penfield over the moratorium on redevelopment of the property. In papers filed in State Supreme Court, Shadow Lake Properties LLC argues that the moratorium imposed in 2016 is unconstitional and negatively affecting business. The company has not been on record as seeking to sell or redevelop the course on Five Mile Line Road. The 2019 renewal of the moratorium would prevent "public golf course redevelopment" in Penfield. Shadow Lake, which opened in 1979, is the only public course in the town. Restricting development of a single property is unconstitutional and unfair, Shadow Lake’s petition argues. Controversy over Shadow Lake and a nearby sister course, Shadow Pines, erupted in early 2016 when the courses' owner put them on the market. The Penfield Town Board imposed a one-year moratorium on redevelopment of the two courses, saying it needed time to consider appropriate future uses of the property and potential zoning changes. Shadow Pines was purchased by the town, and part of it has been converted into a park. A newly formed company associated with the Odenbach family, which built the two courses, purchased Shadow Lake in March 2016 and said it would continue to run it as a public golf course and banquet center. In the court papers, the company contends the golf course has had "regular and repeated inquiries from the public" about whether the links will remain open, which the company said has hurt its finances and reputation. The company also says the town overassessed the value of the Shadow Lake property and has talked about operating the former Clark House at Shadow Pines as a banquet facility, which would compete with Shadow Lake's business. Spot Coffee in Buffalo under fire from state senator July 4, 2019 -- State Sen. Tim Kennedy has called for or a boycott of Spot Coffee in Buffalo after the company fired three employees connected to a union organizing drive. "Spot Coffee executives need to answer for these unlawful terminations, and until they do so, I urge Western New Yorkers to boycott their locations," the Buffalo Democrat said in a statement describing Spot Coffee's actions as "deeply disturbing." Supporters of the fired workers gathered outside the chain's Williamsville location to protest the firings, and union organizers said they will file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The company responded with a statement on its Facebook page saying it was prepared to defend the firings before the NLRB. Employees of a Spot Coffree location in Rochester voted to unionize this spring. Senior housing proposed for former Wambach's site July 3, 2019 -- The Irondequoit Town Board is considering a proposal to build a three-story senior living facility on approximately half of the parcel off Culver Road formerly hosting Wambach's Garden Center. The application from Rochester Management Inc., seeks to convert 6.7 acres at the back of the property into 80,000 square feet of senior housing, primarily as one-bedroom apartments for seniors. Roughly half the units would provide medical support as the senior residents age, and three of the 80 units units will accommodate blind and hearing-impaired tenants. Supervisor Dave Seeley said the town board will hear the proposed plan July 16. The property is zoned residential, but would need to be rezoned to become mixed-used commercial in order for the plan to advance. The Town Board could vote on the matter next month. Wambach's Garden Center closed in March 2018. [ LOOK BACK AT OLDER STORIES ]