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"We Want a Master Plan by Year End"
Putnam Valley Citizens speak up at Comprehensive Master Plan Public Hearing
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | Insert: Putnam Valley resident Larry Schriebman who passed away Thursday, September 19, 2007 at the age of 51. Putnam Valley Town Board at Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing: Keresey, Ricci, Whetsel, Tendy, Davis, Hughes- DiMarco. |
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Before the Comprehensive Master Plan Public Hearing on September 19, 2007 began Supervisor Sam Davis, Councilman Dan Ricci, and Councilwoman Priscilla Keresey on behalf of the Town Board each paid their respects to the late Larry Schriebman who suddenly passed away that morning. "It was a shock to all especially since we all spoke to Mr. Schriebman on Saturday at Town Day, and again Wednesday night at the Town Board meeting. He was a concerned citizen trying to make Putnam valley a better place to live in. He will be missed," said Supervisor Davis.
The Putnam Valley Town Board and a small but articulate crowd attending the Comprehensive Master Plan Public Hearing held at the PV High School expressed their concerns about the length of time it takes to get something done in government when they repeatedly said "We Want a Master Plan by Year End."
If they could have, both the audience and the Town Board would adopt the Comprehensive Master Plan that evening - that's how much they approved of the work and effort put into preparing the plan by The Chazen Companies planners Mike Welti (Project Manager) and Jan Johannessen, and the Comprehensive Master Plan Committee; Karin Greenfield-Sanders (Chair), Ross Keating, Irvine Flinn, David Spittal, Thomas Carano, Eugene T. Yetter Jr., Priscilla Keresey, and Samuel Davis, along with attorneys William Zutt and David Gordon.
Resident John Cohen said, "I have never seen so much work put into a document as this one."
Overall there was unanimous acceptance of the Master Plan, however, as Billy Crowder said, "The devil is in the details." His comments pertained to the Preservation District and privately held parcels of land such as the CYO property where there appears to be a loophole in the Master Plan allowing for the development of single family residences on such property. Crowder pointed out that the PD district allows for certain types of development, but not single family residences. Mike Welti will make the necessary corrections to the plan.
As each member of the audience came up to the podium they all prefaced their remarks with a comment of how much they liked the work done on the plan. Their comments ranged from concerns about how to determine the buildable area on a piece of property that is being subdivided for clustering type housing to what type of commercial development is best for Putnam Valley.
John Cohen suggested a publishing type business would go well in Town and would blend in with the residential and environmental personality of the town. "And that gets to the core of what people want to see in this town," said Cohen, "To live in harmony with nature."
Alex Kaspar suggested expanding the use of the Taconic Outdoor Education Center on Dennytown Road.
Other commercial suggestions were made before Supervisor Sam Davis said, "Commercial development is not the answer, it does not translate into lower taxes." Others shared this sentiment.
Councilman Dan Ricci perhaps said it best when he voiced his opinion regarding commercial development and the commercial businesses in town. He said that at best they are just breaking even and keeping their heads above water. "We don't have the population to support many businesses and we do not attract outsiders into town to do business here." He said the commercial businesses that survive here are the ones that provide needed services to the town.
A suggestion was made that "Event types of businesses are needed." The ones where outsiders come into to town for the event, spend time here and then leave. This would not have a negative affect on the town's school requirements.
Supervisor Davis read Legislator Sam Oliverio's letter which he sent in lieu of his presence because of county budget meetings. In his letter Mr. Oliverio recommended the immediate adoption of the Comprehensive Master Plan, saying it reflects the Town's wants and needs.
Town Attorney David Gordon once again enumerated the legal approval process that must take place in order to adopt the Master Plan. Under SEQRA the Master Plan is a Positive Declaration and as such the Planning Board must produce an Environmental Impact Statement that spells out their findings. This must be circulated to the proper agencies and the County for approval. Once the SEQRA process is complete the Comprehensive Master Plan can be adopted after public hearings are completed and both written and verbal comments addressed. Then the Zoning Code laws which implement the Plan can be adopted. Both David Gordon and Mike Welti agreed a mid-December date is possible if all goes smoothly.
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