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Comprehensive Planning Board: Work in Progress
To the Editor:
At this time of year we naturally look back and begin to consider the year just past. A year ago, at the suggestion of my very thoughtful husband, I attended an informational meeting for the Comprehensive Planning Board. I had some idea that this would be a lengthy process, which would ultimately result in a "Master Plan". I believe my thoughtful husband said that "it might be fun" and you "might meet some interesting people". It didn't occur to me at the time to ask why he wasn't walking down to the meeting to see what all the fun was about himself.
An innocent walk into an informational meeting a year ago has resulted in a year of work with some very exceptional people, dozens of meetings, public events, a public survey, presentations by State officials and specialists, and a keen understanding of firehouse economics. The learning curve has been short and swift, with no shortage of ready and able consultants to offer their particular perspective on the right way to handle a plethora of issues.
The logistics of the process is amazing. With 11 board members and nearly 100 volunteers in a community of 1,985 residents, this has truly been a process that the community has become involved in. Our volunteer base is fluid, with more individuals joining and others getting too busy to continue. We have a community that is interested in the product that this Special Board is producing. It is our chance to say what the village should look and feel like for the next twenty years. The prior effort to produce a Master Plan completed in 1987 was never officially adopted. Consequently, this effort will result in the first officially adopted Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Cold Spring.
As we move forward, new challenges will undoubtedly surface, there will be differences of opinion, and we will have forums where the various sides on each issue can voice their concerns. The Special Board in its capacity as an advisory body has the task of submitting a plan acceptable to the Village Board of Trustees, who have the final say on what is officially implemented. It is important to note that this means the Special Board does not have regulatory authority of any kind. It cannot enact a moratorium, change zoning, or promulgate the location of public buildings; all issues that have over the course of the past year been reported as actions that the Special Board was "contemplating". While issues are discussed and considered, it is always in the context of the overall process. The Village Board of Trustees is the only body with the authority to affect such actions.
So as we look back on the year just past, and carefully consider volunteer suggestions made by our spouses, I believe the Special Board has a great deal to be proud of in the progress made to date. And, although I hate to admit it, my husband was right about having fun and especially about meeting interesting people. Happy Holidays to all, with gratitude to everyone who has devoted time to this important undertaking.
Carol Casparian
Chair Cold Spring
Comprehensive Plan/LWRP
Special Board
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