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"Facilitated Discussion" Stirs Strong Public Opinion on Comprehensive Master Plan
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | A map of Putnam Valley prepared by Chazen Company indicating some of their planning recommendations. |
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Karen Greenfield-Sanders, Chairwoman of the Putnam Valley Comprehensive Master Plan Committee, introduced her committee members and Chazin Company's Mike Welty and Jon Johanneson to the audience of approximately sixty residents who showed up for the public information meeting held January 31, 2007 at the Putnam Valley High School.
Mr. Welty first presented a slide show overview of the Master Plan document's vision, goals, and recommendations that Chazin and the Comprehensive Master Plan Committee have put together in a preliminary document representing the results of their research to date.
Chazin planner Welty had another objective besides updating the public on the committee's progress and that was to obtain, through a "Facilitated Discussion," public feedback confirming the committee is still addressing the issues of most concern to the residents and also to discover additional items still needed.
Mr. Welty's overview talked about the Comprehensive Plan in general and how it is a part of Section 272 of Municipal Town Law, and he spoke about Putnam Valley' history in trying to develop an acceptable Master Plan. The effort started back in 1965 with the adoption of the first Town Master Plan. In 1990 the Plan was modified, and though now seventeen years old, it is still the plan in effect today. Modifications and changes were attempted in 2002, 2003, and 2005 but were never adopted by the Town Board. What did result was a series of zoning code changes and an effort to bring the various Putnam Valley Town laws into sync with each other. Mr. Welty pointed out that their planning efforts and the committee's efforts incorporated all of this past body of work into their Comprehensive Master Plan preliminary document.
The slide show overview touched upon their objectives regarding commercial areas, high density residential areas, rural residential areas, parks - trails - open space - conservation programs, and additional town-wide recommendations.
When Welty finished his overview and opened up the meeting, he prefaced it with a remark that he would like to hear substantive comments and not criticisms of the recommendations. He pointed to the map and highlighted that some of the suggestions show trails going across water, the key point being that connecting trails is the objective. He explained that an implementation plan has not yet been developed, what he wants to do is first focus on what needs doing before getting into the how.
Almost every audience member who spoke prefaced their remarks with a congratulatory comment on the excellent job done so far on this preliminary document. Putnam valley resident John Cohen said, "I think your comprehensive plan is very comprehensive. In general I think it is a very excellent document. I only have some side issues: we should hire a head hunter to seek out small non-polluting industries like publishing, administration, insurance. Another thing is to have a build-out report of just how much undeveloped land are we talking about? Where are the battlegrounds we need to fight over, how much land are we talking about. I like the idea of the historic corners. You talk about natural water to be protected but Bryant Pond is not on the list and it is a pretty good size lake."
Mr. Cohen went on to talk about how the Town should deal with the concept of steep slopes - what constitutes a steep slope and how should they be protected. He cited for an example the slope that was removed so the "big blue" building at Oregon Corners could be built.
One comment was that the plan does not go far enough in describing how the idea would be implemented. To this Mr. Welty replied that the implementation part of the plan is the next phase of the project and that it still needs to be developed.
"The ideas are good but we need to take a closer look at how it all would work," said another resident.
Legislator Sam Oliverio said, "The plan itself is outstanding. I like the bulk of the ideas, my one major concern is lot restrictions of one home per three acres. I really do not believe that is enough. If I had my druthers I would urge the committee to look at that and move it to four or five acres. We need that protection of the up-zone. And conservation to protect against large tracts of land, 100 acres, being sold for development."
Alex Kaspar commented on the concept of connecting the many trails that exist in Putnam Valley. He said that to date, there has not been any attempt to connect trails at Oregon corners, school, CYO, Town Park, and so on.
A comment was made regarding how to control "All Terrain Vehicles," complaining that they tear up the trails and turn them to mud and so far the Town has not been successful in solving the problem.
The accuracy of the Town's Wetlands maps was questioned, saying that they are incomplete. Chazin agreed and said, "the Town only regulates Wetlands that are a half acre or greater."
Billy Crowder remarked that what was missing from the plan is a discussion on agriculture and the right for residents to develop agriculture and the right to farm.
A gentlemen from the Town of Cortlandt liked the idea of developing a master plan for Oregon corners and for Putnam Valley to work with Cortlandt in developing such a plan.
A suggestion was made to set up a committee to specifically address how to offset the tax burden on property owners, finding other means of making money besides increasing the tax burden. One idea is to license a mass transit system where the Town collects a fee and buses could hook up commuters to the rail systems and remove some of the cars from the road. Another idea is to do something innovative. "We have a potential for low volume hydro electric power in this town with all of our fast-running streams like the one running in front of the Library."
Exactly two hours after the meeting started, Mike Welty wrapped up the meeting with his closing comments and displaying their future schedule: next Comprehensive Plan meeting, Thursday, February 8, 2007 at Town Hall starting at 5:30pm.; final draft public hearing March - April 2007; Town Board review and adoption May - June 2007.
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