Lakewood Resident Raises Concerns Over Sidewalk Project, Tax Increases, and Unregistered Short-Term Rentals
A Lakewood resident, Rich Fischer, has voiced significant concerns regarding several local issues impacting the village. Fischer highlighted the ongoing sidewalk installation project, noting discrepancies between a New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) letter, which stated sidewalk segments between Chautauqua Avenue and Green Street were not included, and recent actions by the state. He reported that state representatives have been discussing eminent domain with property owners and inquiring about tree and garden transplanting, suggesting a contradiction to previous communications. Fischer also analyzed Lakewood's tax rates, observing a shift from the 5th lowest in Chautauqua County two years ago to the 10th lowest currently, attributing this to substantial annual increases in village taxes ranging from 20% to over 40%. Lastly, he addressed the issue of short-term rentals (STRs), pointing out that despite a 2024 zoning law requiring special use permits, only three STRs are reportedly registe...