From Point A to Point B, and Then What ?
It is about five years since then-Supervisor Marino convened a new Master Plan Committee. At that time the then-Town Board was in the process of trashing the old one, which had itself been disregarded for some time. You may remember that the Town Board approved a "Special Permit" that allowed retail businesses in the Light Industrial Zone without doing the State-required SEQRA Review, as that Zone is comprised of some 340 acres, and any change to a Zone of more than 25 acres requires a full Environmental Impact Study. Their apparent reason was to allow local developer Pat Magee to make a huge profit on land he already owned in the Kay-Fries property (LI Zone) area, which he then resold the land to Shop-Rite. We have already written much on this subject.
On November 30, 2010, the Comprehensive Plan Committee held a "public hearing" so poorly publicised that only two residents showed up for it. Clearly this entirely misses New York State's directive that as many residents as possible should be involved with the generation of a Comprehensive (Master) Plan.
All those years ago, that Master Plan Committee composed mainly of people from Town Hall with very few residents came up with a document consisting of a page and a half outline of suggestions. Somehow the town planner's office expanded this to a twenty page document which got it's first required public hearing back in March. It is now being given it's final public hearing on May 10. Sometime back, SPACE reviewed the plan and sent its recommendations and concerns.
What the Town Board will do with the submission, largely from the town planner, and the comments from SPACE is unknown, and while we have regard for the town planner, he is aware who butters his bread. Decisions will likely be steered by political considerations as are most decisions in Stony Point. This is our town - and our responsibility to watch. We ask that you review all these documents and make your ideas and concerns known at this upcoming Public Hearing on May 10.
What is really needed now is a real Comprehensive Plan Committee composed of residents rather than politicians who likely have other ideas about the planning of the future of Stony Point. Lets let them know this is what we all want!