Town studies planning revision Plan to make officials accountable on large projects will politicize process, critics say By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Friday, October 20, 2006
ROTTERDAM -- Developers of major building projects would have to appear before Town Board members to obtain another local permit under a controversial planning measure the Rotterdam Planning Commission recently voted to send to the governing body for its consideration.
Town Board member John Mertz, the architect of the proposal, contends that at a time when the town is wooing economic development, elected officials should be more directly accountable to residents on large-scale projects. Skeptics counter that the measure would further politicize the planning process.
In fact, Planning Commission members Tuesday voted along party lines, 4-3, to send the idea to the Town Board, which can decide to change or amend the proposal or make it law.
The commission's Republicans, chairman Lawrence DiLallo, Frank Renna, David Savini and Richard Karp, voted in favor of the proposal, while its Democrats, Robert Godlewski, Lynn Flansburg and Thomas Yuille, cast dissenting votes.
Applicants of huge commercial and industrial projects that meet certain criteria spelled out in the proposal would have to make their usual case to the planning officials while also simultaneously appearing in front of the board to get a critical impact use permit.
For example, any developer whose site plans exceed 100,000-square-feet of floor space, who wants to erect a structure that is more than 60 feet high, or who calls for more than 500 off-street parking spaces would be forced to get the critical impact use permit.
Rotterdam Supervisor Steven Tommasone said another public hearing is planned on the matter.
Godlewski, who is vying against Renna for a seat on the Town Board, said while he doesn't disagree with the overall concept of the proposed legislation, he voted against it because of a clause at the end of the document that he believes strips him and his colleagues of all of their power.
Godlewski said mixing politics with planning hurts developers and future development. "At least with the Planning Commission, (developers) had a 50-50 chance, but what's going to happen now?" he asked. "Good planning doesn't involve political decisions, because that hurts everybody. It dilutes our ability to run the planning commission."
Renna said the measure will "protect the community from these big projects."
Mertz, who made a presentation to the commission Tuesday night, views the joint planning effort as more of the two panels working for the good of people in Rotterdam.
"We don't want to put up any roadblocks but want to work hand-in-hand with the Planning Commission to benefit the quality-of-life of our residents and not have a negative impact on their quality-of-life," he said, noting the members of the commission are appointed and not elected.
At least two local developers offered mixed reviews of the plan, but said they had no choice but to abide by any new laws on the books. Mark Pigliavento, a construction manager with Pigliavento Builders in Rotterdam, said he's personally seen instances where political pressure has roiled the building application process. "Sometimes it's best to take politics out of the issue so the evolution of the process can unfold," he said. "That's why the Planning Board is there to insulate (politicians) from that process." Developer Bobby Iovinella said if the new law is put on the books, it will just make the process that much longer.
"If there's another layer, I'm going to deal with it, even though I don't like it," he said.
The planning commission does not have a good track record for development in Rotterdam. I applaud the town board for instituting this new critical impact permit. The planning commission is NOT held responsible to the residents of Rotterdam. The town board is...by law! So I see this as a good move for future developments.
Although without sewers, there won't be too many new businesses heading to Rotterdam. But we do have a new thrift store coming in by Wal-Mart...so that is exciting, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Yeah, Patton Drive is getting paved,,,,,now the fence behind walmart will look like Marotta's junk yard in comparison,,,will it not??? Maybe Ms.Dagostino or Mr.Suhrada,,,or Mr.Godlewski or Mr.Signore would like to address that also.....let's see who gets there first....my tally sheet is empty...
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
How about every time a new development is built, the builders having to put up a couple million dollar bond when they build in a known wetland to allow the town to fix any problems with water that may arise after the development is complete and the builders are gone.
Who gets to 'keep track' of that mother load.....??? would it end up being like the lottery $$....??or will it be run like the Republican club fiasco that folks are forever talking about(I'm too young to know, and frankly scarlet ....) ...let's see who shall 'oversee' that......the Clinton white water types?...the Enron types??.....we just need to collect the $$ now and do it now.....add it all up...will it be an Alaskan Pipeline???....probably---union work or not......we can take the man away from the animal but we have a hard time taking the animal out of the man.......or maybe it's the animal trainers who are at fault.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Well Shadow, it will depend on what party is in office and who the developers are. We have seen first hand in the past that it is the dems that sleep with the developers and business owners. If the dems are in control, you can bet that they will find the loopholes for these developers/business owners. And if the reps are in they will have to do studies first!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
In the construction trade b4 you can bid on some jobs you must put up a bond to assure job completion and that whatever is built is built correctly. It's requested by the insurance company of the general contractor or in this case the towns insurance company. It's just put up in case things go really wrong and the builder will have to pay thru his insurance. The town would have to file a claim just like with a car accident.
I would bet you that if an insurance company was involved, no one would be able to develop in Rotterdam since so much of Rotterdam is wet lands. However, I do think that it is a great idea. If I recall correctly, the reps passed this critical impact law, and the dems boo-hoo'd it! See what I mean? We better make sure the reps are still in the majority while talk of all this new developement is buzzing around. At least the reps would do tons of studies and think it through...keep in mind, that perhaps not making some wise decisions. But the dem's just open their arms and say 'YES...COME ON IN'! We've done that for too many decades which has gotten this town in the mess it is in today!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The problem as I see it is that we have a critical impact law on the books but will it ever be enforced. An insurance company would do some investigating and find out what can happen when you try to develop a wetland and wouldn't issue the builder a bond. The towns coordinator says that the problems in Rotterdam are due to a couple of wet years, he had better go to some training and learn about ground water and storm water management b4 he opens his mouth to the paper and his lack of knowledge on the subject shows again.
Who is the towns insurer?...and yes when the weather is in a 'dry cycle' it's better....but who lives in their house for only 2-5years???....we need more info out there to all the residents.....not just "it's going to cost you X amount of dollars, I will prevent that from happening to you if you vote for me...."
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The problem as I see it is that we have a critical impact law on the books but will it ever be enforced. An insurance company would do some investigating and find out what can happen when you try to develop a wetland and wouldn't issue the builder a bond. The towns coordinator says that the problems in Rotterdam are due to a couple of wet years, he had better go to some training and learn about ground water and storm water management b4 he opens his mouth to the paper and his lack of knowledge on the subject shows again.
Look we're having this same conversation......at the same time of year......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Logged
....) ...let's see who shall 'oversee' that......the Clinton white water types?...the Enron types??.....we just need to collect the $$ now and do it now.....add it all up...will it be an Alaskan Pipeline???....probably---union work or not......we can take the man away from the animal but we have a hard time taking the animal out of the man.......or maybe it's the animal trainers who are at fault.....
