Houghton College has completed the sale of its West Seneca campus, fetching more than $1.6 million for the Union Road property that has been the focus of an ongoing court battle.

Houghton sold its 36-acre satellite site at 810 Union Road for $1.675 million to Young Development Inc., under the legal party 800 Union Road, LLC., county records show.

The deal still allows Houghton to use a couple of the existing buildings on the property until March 2012, so the college can continue offering its adult degree program and have time to find another Southtowns location, Houghton officials said. The four-year Christian college in Allegany County announced the completion of the sale on Friday.

But the future of the property is still in legal limbo.

The site, just south of Seneca Street and Southgate Plaza, has been the focus of a high-profile legal battle over affordable housing for senior citizens.

People Inc. wants to build subsidized senior apartments on five acres of the property to complement the market-rate apartments proposed by Young.

The developer sued West Seneca after the Town Board — by a 2 to 1 vote — denied a request for a special-use permit on the site, even though the land already is zoned for apartments.

In March, State Supreme Court Justice Gerald J. Whalen dismissed the town’s case and ordered the development to move forward. The town — backed by neighbors who have opposed the project — filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court in Rochester.

“That is still pending,” said Shawn P. Martin, the town’s attorney.

The project is at a standstill until the matter is sorted out in the courtroom.

“[The developer] consummated the purchase of the property and fully expects the project will go forward,” said Ralph C. Lorigo, the attorney representing People Inc., “but for now, we’re still tied up in litigation.”

jrey@buffnews.comnull