Into what? Granting zoning to property that has always been a place of residence to someone? Granting zoning to a property that the last administration would only grant if they gave up 60' x 500' so they could have an access road?
Bumble you are nuts...
It's a scam and in time you'll see!
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
How so? You just keep saying 'you'll see' but what will we all see? How nuts you are?
Oh I don't want to ruin the surprise!
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
ok, ok, ok....I'll shut up! I 'honestly' can't go into detail. Really! I honestly thought that people could have connected the dots.....guess not! So I apologize and promise to just 'shut up'....k?
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
ROTTERDAM Town inspects housing complex BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.
Sync Realty will have to make some modifi - cations to bring the newly rezoned Rotterdam Housing Area up to code, but nothing too substantial. As promised, Rotterdam’s team of building inspectors visited the former military housing complex off Duanesburg Road last month and forwarded a three-page report of their fi ndings to the Town Board last week. Speaking generally, Town Attorney Michael Godlewski said, the violations found in the buildings are considered “minor infractions” that can be corrected fairly easily. “There is no gross negligence,” he said Wednesday. The report found that 18 smoke alarms were either defective or missing throughout the complex, which includes five multi-family buildings, one two-family structure and a single-family residence. The inspectors also found 13 defective or missing carbon monoxide detectors. Other critical findings include electrical work in one building that was not properly inspected and three missing “vent dampers.” The entry to another building was not compliant with town code, and the fire alarms in all fi ve multi-family buildings were painted yellow instead of red, as specified in town law. The report lists the complex as “80 percent occupied.” All of the units were inspected visually, except for one that was damaged during a fi re in September. Building Inspector Mickey Maher ordered the repairs completed by May 14. The complex is scheduled to be reinspected May 17, according to the report. Sync closed on a $1.92 million deal to purchase the light-industrial zoned property from the federal government in May 2008. The company began leasing units in the complex in July, despite warnings that the land was improperly zoned for residential use and that a private sewer connection with the adjacent Rotterdam Industrial Park would be terminated. Sync ultimately sued the town over the zoning issue, but was unsuccessful. The company also lost a lawsuit compelling the Galesi Group to continue sewer service to the complex. However that sewer service is continuing under an agreement that expires next month, and Sync meanwhile is working to secure a hookup with the town system. But with a complete turnover on the Rotterdam Town Board this year, Sync took another stab at legitimizing the residential use of the complex. Last month, board members approved the zone change despite the Schenectady County Planning Board, the Rotterdam Planning Commission and the town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee all recommending against the change. ................................>>>>.................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01001&AppName=1
This Press release was just sent to me. Not sure how old it is though, pretty interesting stuff....
REFORM TO ROTTERDAM REZONE PROCESS NEEDED
Councilman proposes “Rotterdam Rezone Reform Act of 2010” Will Require Disclosure and Transparency in Rezone Process.
Too often influence and/or certain close relationships between town officials and rezone applicants (or their attorneys and other professional representatives) have an improper affect upon the outcome of change of zone applications. These influences and relationships must be fully disclosed to the public at the time an application for a rezone is submitted according to current Councilman Gerard Parisi. Parisi, in referencing certain provisos in the Rotterdam ethics law, has proposed a new law to be known as the “Rotterdam Rezone Reform Act of 2010”. The new proposed law would incorporate, and now require, similar ethical disclosures with regard to the rezoning process.
Although these disclosures could reasonably be required on any business presented for Town Board action, Parisi notes that, in connection with rezones in particular, there is an undisputed perception, if not fact, that zoning requests in Rotterdam are decided not by the merit of the application but by the strength of the individuals personal, political or business relationship with town officials.
“While the degree of relationship does not necessarily create a conflict of interest on the part of the deciding official, it is sometimes a factor and can be an inappropriate influence. Frequently, these relationships are not fully known or disclosed to the affected public at large, and they need to be.”, said Parisi.
Parisi asserts that requiring full transparency and disclosure in the rezone process will serve to inform the residents and voters of all the relationships involved. Former Supervisor Steven Tommasone, who supports Parisi’s initiative, says that there is a culture of the use of influence in rezone applications which is particularly engrained in Rotterdam. “The town of Rotterdam has a long and frustrating history of what appears to be spot zoning. A review of past Rotterdam zoning decisions reveals a hodge-podge of different zoning classifications and uses of property. This haphazard approach to zoning not only created disorganization but also impairs the quality of life of the individuals affected by the consequences of spot zoning.”, said Tommasone.
The pressure to grant rezones to well-connected individual’s was evident when developer and Assemblyman George Amedore publicly stated this February that he refused to support Tommasone and the other republicans running for election in 2009 because they “didn’t give me my zone change and it cost me a lot of money”. Tommasone said it’s these types of statements, by well-connected and influential individuals, that create a perception, and sometimes an unfortunate reality, that zoning decisions are based on who you know rather than what serves the best interests of the town.
Parisi believes that the new law must require full consideration and disclosure of any and all relationships involved. Any familial, political, business or social relationships between the applicant and any town employee or official (as well as those of the hired professionals representing either side) will need to be disclosed. For example, current and past business relationships, political contributions, campaign participation or support, and political positions such as committeeman will now need to be disclosed up front.
The new law, if moved forward by the current Town Board majority, would require the creation of a zoning application disclosure form to be submitted with all rezone applications. Failure to fully complete and submit the form would prohibit the application from being considered. Parisi states, “The passage of this Zoning Reform Act will the help combat the perception of influence in our town, alert the public of potential conflicts and possibly curb the practice and negative impacts of spot zoning.”
Parisi says that these new disclosure requirements will not of itself demand a recusal on any particular vote but will serve to inform the public of the significant relationships that may exist between rezone applicants and town officials.
Wasn't it the last town administration that tried to cut a deal with sync to benefit GALESI?
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
Logged
