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Business as Usual
Dear Editor,
Monday, March 5th, at 7:30pm is the third Philipstown Z.B.A. hearing, regarding developer Alfredo DeVido's attempt to put four houses into a three house sub-division. In order to do this Mr. DeVido had to hire mercenaries, surveyor Glenn Watson to change the property lines, and attorney Bill Zutt to represent him, at the Z.B.A. hearings. If they don't get their way they have threatened to sue the Town.
Why has this dragged on so long? Because this is business as usual. Money is the object. Mr. DeVido wants to squeeze every cent out of his project and Watson and Zutt can say; hey folks, we are just doing our jobs. What they don't seem to understand or care about is, while they stand to profit, they cause hardship to others. It doesn't seem to bother them at all that the residents of Foundry Pond Road have spent in excess of $10,000 to protect their properties and quality of life.
If the sub-division's drainage system doesn't work and the neighbors' properties are damaged, the neighbors incur more legal and property damage expenses. If Foundry Pond Road is washed out and the Town has to repave it, the Town has to sue to recoup its' expenses. Who is the Town going to sue? Most likely, the new owners of the DeVido homes. DeVido, Watson, and Zutt will be well on their way to new projects. Who is going to pay for suing the new owners? We are; the taxpayers of Philipstown. It's not personal its just business!
Here is how some good can come from this fiasco; it is my understanding that the Town is reviewing the Zoning Laws so they will comply with the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. You remember the Comprehensive Plan? Here are some suggestions to the powers that be:
1- Remove the gray areas from the Zoning Laws. No redrawing property lines for subdivisions. No manipulating the Town or residents through the courts. Simple, clear, and enforceable Zoning Laws.
2- Increase the fines for breaking the Environmental laws to the extent that they are actual deterrents, not just a slap on the wrist. Since money is what developers understand, increase their understanding with fines so large they won't continue to violate the Wetlands, Steep Slopes, and Timber Harvesting Laws.
3- No special considerations for Philipstown favorite sons.
I am sure other residents have some suggestions to pass on to the Town Board about how the Zoning Laws can be re-written in away that protects all the residents of Philipstown, not just a developers right to do business as usual!
I hope residents will come to the Z.B.A. hearing, on March 5th, to support the residents of Foundry Pound Road because, if things don't change, the next inappropriate development could be next to you.
Philip Vartanian North Highlands
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