SPACE and neighbors oppose developer
land clearing for shopping center as judge reviews law
(STONY POINT, NY- 2/17/2009 )SPACE and neighbors have voiced strong opposition to Stony Point Building Inspector, William Sheehan's statement that "it's legal" for the Crossroads-ShopRite property on Kay Fries Drive in Stony Point to proceed with clearing trees and moving soil without a signed site plan map and no building permit issued, all while the court is still reviewing legal issues. Last week and, as recently as today, neighbors on Hoke Drive called Stony Point Town Hall, Stony Point Police and the County Sheriff's Department when they were awaked by developer, Patrick Magee, who had heavy equipment operators and contractors on site, clearing trees and doing work in the roads, prior to 7am, which is in violation of town law.
The Hoke Drive families want the legal issues and questions resolved in court first and have objected to the construction work proceeding while NY Supreme Court Justice Nelson reviews the legal arguments, charging that the Town of Stony Point had violated New York State and Stony Point town law when it issued a special permit for the shopping center and never addressed:
1.) Town board changed the original list of legal uses by Special Permit approved for the Light Industrial Zone
2.) Traffic problems and requirements raised by the NYS Department of Transportation and the County of Rockland - 650 parking spaces with only one entrance/exit on Kay Fries Drive
3.) Questionable soil contamination tests conducted; Drainage problems and water quality permit issues not resolved;
4.) Stony Point Building Inspector "interpretation" is a violations and misrepresentation of the Stony Point Town Code for buildings and stores that far exceed town law;
"While SPACE and the neighbors had originally voiced support for the town's economic development and new uses for the Stony Point business and light industrial corridor, the fact is that the town has ignored the legitimate concerns raised by the residents during public hearings and that it is this lack of attention, which prompted the only other option -- an Article 78 lawsuit." says SPACE president, George Potanovic. "Instead of using legal maneuvers to delay the court's decision while the developer proceeds with land clearing and construction, the Town of Stony Point should first be required to answer the legal and environmental questions raised in court by SPACE, the neighbors, as well as the County of Rockland Planning Board when it rejected the Crossroads-ShopRite project as incomplete and excessive of the town's own law."
For further information:
Inside Rockland (2/11/09)
http://insiderockland.lohudblogs.com/
George Potanovic, Jr.
President, SPACE
845-429-2020
georgep123@optonline.net