(July 21, 2005) -- Officials with The Father's House church confirmed rumors last week that they will sell 16 acres off Paul Road to a commercial developer.

The buyer, the Atlanta branch of North American Properties, specializes in developing shopping centers with big-box tenants like Target, but there are no definitive plans for the land as of now.

The town hasn't received any project proposals for the area, Supervisor Tracy Logel and other officials have said.

"Right now we're in the initial stages of due diligence, " said North American Properties spokeswoman Jenn Weyland.

It is, she noted, way too early to say if, or when, the company could move forward with a local project.

"We would have considerable permitting issues we'd have to overcome, " Weyland said.

Pastor Pierre DuPlessis said the church's sale to North American is contingent on the company getting all necessary approvals from Chili town government to develop the property.

"We're here to work with the community, " added Gordon Winghart, the church's business manager.

The Father's House owns 60 acres along Archer and Paul roads. The 16 acres agreed to in the land deal aren't on the intersection, DuPlessis said. According to church officials, the land is adjacent to Westway Drive.

Winghart said the 16 acres is zoned for commercial development.

Weyland said at this early stage it's impossible to say what, if any, stores might eventually be involved in a North American Properties project, Weyland said. She said retailers like Kohls and Target have been frequent clients in past projects.

According to the company's Web site, the company's Atlanta office has developed 5.5 million square feet of retail space, mostly in the southwestern states, since 1996.

This project would be the first in New York, Weyland said.

Planning Board officials have lately expressed concern over the rapid pace of development at the center of town, Logel said

"Chili is growing and a retail (center) is something we don't have, " she said.

There is some contention already over the idea of any commercial development in that area.

Paul Road resident Gail Lyle said a development would be kiddie-corner to her house and would be a disaster for local neighbors. Traffic is bad enough now, she added. Lyle said allowing a shopping development would be the first step towards opening the whole area to commercial development.

"This is just going to be the beginning, " she said. "This is the first domino. "

DuPlessis wouldn't reveal the parcel's final selling price, but The Father House officials said the sale will help fund the non-denominational Christian church's expansion. The Father's House is planning on building a new house of worship, a children's play area and sports fields at the corner of Archer and Paul roads. Plans for a 3,500-seat auditorium are slated for later on.

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