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Town Looks To Purchase Philipstown Industrial Park, Develop Land
Deal would mark end of soil mining operation
by Dean Howell
The Philipstown Industrial Park (PIP), with its frequently criticized soil mining operation, could soon be the site of an upscale senior citizens’ complex and an affordable housing development, according to Town Supervisor William Mazzuca. The Supervisor announced a potential deal involving the sale of the land to the Town at a July 17 Town Board meeting.
"We have an excellent opportunity to make the mining project up there go away and have that land developed," Mazzuca told the Board, referring to the 30+ acre site across from Jade Systems on Route 9. Mazzuca told the Board that he has been involved in discussions over the past several months with the owners of PIP and Town Planner Tim Miller regarding the sale of the land.
The deal would entail the Town purchasing the property and forming a Local Development Corporation (LDC) to explore development possibilities. Supervisor Mazzuca indicated that there is an interested developer, Robert Jackson, who would use part of the land for a cluster development, most likely an upscale senior citizens’ home. The remaining 26-30 acres would go to the Town. The potential sale represents an abrupt turnaround from PIP’s request earlier this year to expand the soil mining operation, a move that was met with strong opposition from area residents who complained of the operations’ contaminants, noise level and general effect on the environment.
The Supervisor was clearly enthusiastic about the possibilities for the land, saying, "We have an opportunity to step up to the plate and remove a problem, and also to build affordable housing to keep some of the younger generation in town, particularly members of the Ambulance Corps, Fire Department and other volunteers," he said.
Mazzuca also indicated that the LDC, once formed, could be kept in place to explore development for other properties in the Town. He mentioned that the Town’s most recent LDC, formed for the Depot Theatre in Garrison, had been specifically geared toward the Theatre and did not have the leeway to look at other ventures. "I’d like to see this one used as a vehicle for possible future uses," Mazzuca told the Board.
The Supervisor also left no doubt that the Comprehensive Plan Special Board would be involved in whatever decisions are made regarding the land. Mazzuca said that developer Jackson is "chomping at the bit to sit down with them."
"What the Comprehensive Special Board is doing is the true statement of what Philipstown is going to be and what we want it to be, and this is part of it," said the Supervisor.
The Board approved a measure to retain the law firm of Jacobowitz and Gubits to represent the Town and assist in the formation of the LDC.
In other land-related actions, the Board enacted an amendment to the local Timber Harvesting Law that would add a restriction against tree cutting, harvesting or removal on slopes over 25%. The amendment, spearheaded by Councilman Richard Shea, had been the subject of spirited debate and a public hearing that extended into two nights. It passed unanimously after a brief discussion.
Supervisor Mazzuca also announced that a tour of the Capuchin property had been arranged for the Town Board and the School Boards from Haldane and Garrison on August 9 at 9:00 a.m. The Open Space Institute (OSI) has offered the property to the two school districts for an undetermined educational use. The tour had been requested at a recent meeting involving OSI, the Town Board and the School Boards to provide a chance to see and evaluate the property before establishing how best to use it. A "Community Day" is also tentatively planned for August 11 to open the property up to the public.
Following up on a recent workshop involving Cablevision, Councilman Anthony Merante said that he had met with Roger Connor, Cablevision’s liaison with Philipstown, to discuss the various issues relating to the renewal of the two franchise agreements currently held by the Town. Armed with input from the town’s schools and emergency services, Merante said that he gave Connor a "wish list" which included cable for the schools, the possibility of having Town Board meetings taped and broadcast to residents, and the completion of wiring in the southern service area of the Town to bring cable modem and other services that the north end currently enjoys to that area. Cablevision has indicated that this will happen within the next year.
In another follow-up, Supervisor Mazzuca said that he had received a letter and plumbing application from Putnam County Plumbing Board Chairman Peter Pryschlak, who had asked the Town at the monthly Board meeting in June to pass a resolution that would authorize the County to do the plumbing inspections in Philipstown. Holding a copy of the letter up to the rest of the Board, the Supervisor voiced some concern. "As I look at this, I just have more questions," he said, adding that the fee of $30.00 plus $5.00 per fixture seemed potentially high. Councilman Shea agreed, saying that a plumbing permit "could run as expensive as a building permit" for a home with an average number of fixtures. No decision was made on the application pending further inquiry.
In other matters, the Board approved two parade permits, for the Greenway Committee on August 5 and for the Walter Hoving Home on August 10, and voted to support a grant application that Manitoga is resubmitting to the New York State Parks and Recreation Department. The Board also passed a motion to pay the remaining balance on a road sign that had been requested by the Old Road Society for Old Albany Post Road.
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