The point I was trying to make was that if anyone thinks that the rt7 corridor is congested now, wait until the entire corridor is developed. McLanes will be minor in comparison. However, I also believe that when rt7 is developed, the plan is to widen the road.
And if I recall, and I could be wrong here, but didn't the proposed area for McLanes pass the environmental tests? I thought that it all came back with the provisions McLanes had to make in order to set up business and McLanes would follow through with those provisions.
And I agree with shadow that this will not effect the aquifer.
No, not really. You would think but its a bunch of smoke of mirrors. Some of the things in the plan and approved by Rotterdam are in violation of EPA standards. Crossing fingers that somebody does the right thing. And the tributary that runs through the property (they will be on septic not sewers) runs into the Waterveliet Reservoir.
I gotta respectfully disagree with that comment. Everytime a business tries to come into the area that MIGHT be controversial, a moratorium is the first thing everyone reaches for. That's irresponsible. The town should have come up with zoning and provisions BEFORE the proposals and applications came in, not once they have.
Walmart is another example. It wasn't unpredictable that some major big box store would want to buy up large parcels of land.
Imposing a moratorium only says "gee, we never thought of that, let's stop it till we get what we want (kickbacks/etc)". If enough palms are greased, it goes through - if not, it stalls out and they issue a permanent ban until a new developer comes along with a plan they like - even if it's essentially the same as the one they blocked the first time.
What if a supermarket wants to go on the land where the truckstop is proposed - it's not a new concept, will be welcomed (I imagine) by a LOT of residents out there (especially if it has a drug store (wink at Rene)) ... they're far more susceptible to crime, littering, traffic than a truck stop could be.
When the application is in, filing a moratorium isn't the first thing that should be reached for.
As you said Joann, a COMPREHENSIVE PLAN is what's needed - for ALL areas of the town. Don't hinder business development AFTER someone decides they want to move into the area. Make it clear what's acceptable before you stop a business from entering the town.
I 100% am against moratoriums and think, like Eminent Domain, they are way overused. They have a purpose, but should be used with caution and extreme consideration within the rules of the municipality.
I'll try to be brief because I think I've made my argument for a moratorium better in my December 4th blog post Moving Forward by Standing Still on my blog http://rotterdamny.blogspot.com/ (yes, that's right...shameless plug)
Anyway, you make my point. A moratorium allows the Town to get it's house in order (and it's currently not, by the way) to avoid exactly the type of knee-jerk responses you describe. Moratoria are an accepted land use tool dictated by law by the way, not some willy-nilly stop everything-for the sake of it measure. You can find links to all appropriate law governing such through my old website http://www.rotterdamwindmill.org under Educate Yourself. (shameless plug #2) I'd be happy to provide all you orf anyone could ever want to know about it if you contact me through my rotterdamwindmill@yahoo.com email but I'm confident in people's ability to find out for themselves if they really care.
If the Town had heeded my requests for a moratorium when I made them, the Comp Plan would be updated already and the moratorium lifted. Rememeber, moratoria are not intended to be permanent but rather as any other land use tool to ensure proper planning. Used wisely and appropriately, it is a powerful tool and I don't understand our hesitation to use one when it has worked well elsewhere.
The point I was trying to make was that if anyone thinks that the rt7 corridor is congested now, wait until the entire corridor is developed. McLanes will be minor in comparison. However, I also believe that when rt7 is developed, the plan is to widen the road.
And if I recall, and I could be wrong here, but didn't the proposed area for McLanes pass the environmental tests? I thought that it all came back with the provisions McLanes had to make in order to set up business and McLanes would follow through with those provisions.
And I agree with shadow that this will not effect the aquifer.
Backward logic. Make the infrastructure improvements to accomodate what you intend to bring there first. Not bring it in first with "plans" to widen roads or do this and thatAFTER the fact. We've proven we don't follow through well to do what is needed. Oh yeah...we don't have an updated Comp Plan to guide us properly....
One more thing...there's been a lot of comment about supposed environmental problems, environmental tests, etc from both quarters here. Anybody actually investigate what took place and the findings before speculating? Here's a link to the Draft EIS found on our own town website.
Quoted from tripleblessings: ... And the tributary that runs through the property (they will be on septic not sewers) runs into the Waterveliet Reservoir.
This is the reason that the trailer park that is located in the Town of Duanesburg is allegedly being closed by the state DEC. The septic system(s) is said to be leaching into the tributary that ultimately empties into the Watervliet Reservoir. I suspect that the discharge to the septic system at the truck stop will greatly exceed that from a few dozen mobile homes.
I agree with Michael, that the installation of infrastructure (power, water supply, sewers, roads, rail lines, etc.) should precede the establishment of structures/businesses that will utilize it when possible. Let us hope that our elected officials have a project plan that includes a critical path that places infrastructure development/enhancements before the location of businesses that demand them.
I have been opining for some time that, rather than providing financial grants and no-interest loans to bars, restaurants, and non-profits, the mission and objectives of the Metroplex Authority should be revised to focus on the creation of shovel ready sites by financing the installation of infrastructure. The Metroplex could provide the "seed" money to initiate the project. State and federal funds (grants) could then be secured to supplement the cost of implementation. The Route 7 corrider and the former ALCO plant on Erie Boulevard are two opportunities for Metroplex to invest public revenues on public projects that would support business development and create employment.
The septic systems over in Masullo Estates area, Colonial Manor, Horizon Estates, and Caroline Manor all drain leachate into the ground water which dumps into Becker's Brook then into Normanskill Creek and then on to Watervliet Reservoir and the town or DEC could care less about it. They have been told about it years ago, water tests have proved it but yet nothing is done. With the dense population here in Rotterdam there shouldn't be any new large developments using a septic system. The sewers should be put in first b4 any large development is built.
From what I recall, rt7 would be widened at the same time as the installation of the sewers, BEFORE any new development on rt7 would start. But you are right Michael, without a comp plan, anything goes.
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
Schenectady Job Salaries According to government data, the average salary for jobs in Schenectady, New York is $28,080, and the median income of households in Schenectady was $29,378.
The info you provided is accurate. City of Schenectady median incomes are comparable to other New York State cities. The McLane project is not a bad project, IT IS IMPROPERLY SITED. It belongs in an industrial park not a residential area. The trucking activity is at night, and the sound of refrigeration units and tractors eminating all night is unappealing. The relocation from Guilderland Center will bring its workforce with them. Few jobs will be available, and the competition for them will be fierce. If you want the City to benefit, put the facility on some of GE's brownfields, right off I 890. Tax base is a joke. Ror example, $362,000 dollars to go to Schalmont Central School District is 1.3% of the $27,000,000 dollars raised via tax levy for last year's budget. That equates to a $13 dollar rebate per thousand dollars of someone's school tax. So if your school tax was $4,000 dollars, you would benefit 4x $13 dollars/thousand, or $52 dollars a year. That's a tank of gas a year, don't think that helps folks! If you had attended any of the meetings and public hearings, you would recognize the people directly affected by this proposal have some excellent, valid concerns and issues! No alternate universe living for me, and total support to the neighbors for the guts to stand up for their rights. Those neighborhoods have hard working families that spent a lot of money on homes and pay high taxes. They stand to suffer substantial depreciation in property value, oh yeah so we can employ some people from the City, now there's alternate universe thinking!
Those neighborhoods have hard working families that spent a lot of money on homes and pay high taxes. They stand to suffer substantial depreciation in property value, oh yeah so we can employ some people from the City, now there's alternate universe thinking!
Welcome to Rotterdam!!
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 McLane project is not a bad project, IT IS IMPROPERLY SITED. It belongs in an industrial park not a residential area. The trucking activity is at night, and the sound of refrigeration units and tractors eminating all night is unappealing.
AVON, I'm presuming that you're a resident in that area, so these comments are based on that.
When you purchased your home, was the Citgo truck stop in place? If so, did that devalue your property - or did you even consider the proximity of it when purchasing? Do you hear the truck activity in your home? If so, did you evaluate and consider that noise/activity before you purchased?
When you purchased your home - or evaluated the "neighborhood" - did you inquire with the towns on the current and forecasted "use" of the other properties in the area? Did you not expect vacant land to be developed at some point?
Schenectady Job Salaries According to government data, the average salary for jobs in Schenectady, New York is $28,080, and the median income of households in Schenectady was $29,378.
The info you provided is accurate. City of Schenectady median incomes are comparable to other New York State cities. The McLane project is not a bad project, IT IS IMPROPERLY SITED. It belongs in an industrial park not a residential area. The trucking activity is at night, and the sound of refrigeration units and tractors eminating all night is unappealing. The relocation from Guilderland Center will bring its workforce with them. Few jobs will be available, and the competition for them will be fierce. If you want the City to benefit, put the facility on some of GE's brownfields, right off I 890. Tax base is a joke. Ror example, $362,000 dollars to go to Schalmont Central School District is 1.3% of the $27,000,000 dollars raised via tax levy for last year's budget. That equates to a $13 dollar rebate per thousand dollars of someone's school tax. So if your school tax was $4,000 dollars, you would benefit 4x $13 dollars/thousand, or $52 dollars a year. That's a tank of gas a year, don't think that helps folks! If you had attended any of the meetings and public hearings, you would recognize the people directly affected by this proposal have some excellent, valid concerns and issues! No alternate universe living for me, and total support to the neighbors for the guts to stand up for their rights. Those neighborhoods have hard working families that spent a lot of money on homes and pay high taxes. They stand to suffer substantial depreciation in property value, oh yeah so we can employ some people from the City, now there's alternate universe thinking!
Let's take your $362,000 figure being added to the tax base per year. Say a $250K home in Schalmont school district pays approximately $3000 a year in school tax. You would need 120 new homes built in Rotterdam worth $250K to equal one McLanes. How can you scoff at a 1.7% contribution to the school tax base. That's a $362,000 contribution with no increase in students. That 120 house development would increase the district by 223 students if you multiply each house by the New York State average of 1.86 kids under 18 per household. If the average classroom seats 30 children, that could translate into 7 more teachers you would have to hire. We know teacher don't come cheap in New York. Especially at Schalmont. The district would possibly have to shell out $250K-300K per year in salaries and benefits to handle the increase in students.
Nobody in the Schalmont district ever seemed to complain about GE's noise, and pollution of the river and the aqua fir, and it's environmental impact. That is of course until they pulled the plug on the districts years over charging them on school tax. Now homeowners feel the effects of less corporate money paying for their school system.
Let's take your $362,000 figure being added to the tax base per year. Say a $250K home in Schalmont school district pays approximately $3000 a year in school tax. You would need 120 new homes built in Rotterdam worth $250K to equal one McLanes. How can you scoff at a 1.7% contribution to the school tax base. That's a $362,000 contribution with no increase in students. That 120 house development would increase the district by 223 students if you multiply each house by the New York State average of 1.86 kids under 18 per household. If the average classroom seats 30 children, that could translate into 7 more teachers you would have to hire. We know teacher don't come cheap in New York. Especially at Schalmont. The district would possibly have to shell out $250K-300K per year in salaries and benefits to handle the increase in students.
Nobody in the Schalmont district ever seemed to complain about GE's noise, and pollution of the river and the aqua fir, and it's environmental impact. That is of course until they pulled the plug on the districts years over charging them on school tax. Now homeowners feel the effects of less corporate money paying for their school system.
Again, analysis right on the money. Only problem the logic is based on the false premises of 1) The McLane project can go nowhere else. 2) That the McLane project not going forward is replaced by a residential neighborhood. And 3) That there is never going to be a viable business that might be more compatible with the area interested in going in there. Like I said early on, wrong project at the wrong site.
Interestingly, the common theme of all these threads continues to be Rotterdam's failed, outdated Comprehensive Plan. By the way, do you have any idea how much money is off the tax rolls in Rotterdam due to IDA projects. Last time I looked on the assessor website, it was about $80,000,000 dollars of assessed value on a PILOT program (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes). So the homeowners make up the difference for Town, County and School Taxes. There also was a $600 million dollar shift in assessed values from commercial to residential as a result of the reassessment. Supervisor Tommasone indicated "He was going to look into that!" last May. And his findings are ???????
I agree with the tax issue that comes with these PILOT programs. But isn't that what a municipality is supposed to offer to lure businesses into their community for jobs and security? I am not agreeing or disagreeing with the PILOT programs because I do believe they have their place. But with NYS taxing everyone to death and with businesses (residents)fleeing the state at a record rate, what DO WE DO to attract new businesses and keep existing ones? This state cannot continue to afford all public sector jobs. We really need to encourage, keep and attract private businesses.
Ya know the old saying, 'If I only knew now what I knew then, I would have done things differently'? Well, I wonder what it would be like today, if Schenectady did continue to give GE tax breaks just to guarantee 30 to 40,000 jobs in the area. Would things have been different today?
And as far as an updated comp plan, I would love to see a town board meeting with residents from the ENTIRE town of Rotterdam to demand an updated comp plan NOW!!
Like I said before Avon....'welcome to Rotterdam'!
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
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