GARDINER -- With a controversial Shawangunk Ridge housing development in
limbo, a town councilman will draft a law that would put a hold on large
subdivisions in the Town of Gardiner.
The action will follow up on a petition signed by 1,100 residents, but Bill
Richards' moratorium proposal is likely to face skepticism from Supervisor
Jack Hayes and other town board members.
The board Tuesday discussed written public comments it received about the
petition-proposed temporary moratorium. Of about 100 comments, those in
favor of the moratorium outweighed opponents roughly 3 to 1, Hayes said.
The population of Gardiner rose 22 percent be-tween 1990 and 2000, to 5,238
people, according to the U.S. Census, but only one building permit is active
this month.
Most of the population influx has filled existing housing stock, officials
and residents suggested Tuesday.
The town is drafting a new master plan, and the moratorium petition called
for a moratorium until new zoning laws to support the master plan are
enacted
.
''You drive through New Paltz and Newburgh these days -- is that what we
want?'' Richards said.
Legal warning sounded
But Hayes said he saw no compelling reason for a moratorium among the
comments, and the town must be careful to avoid costly discrimination
lawsuits from developers. Legally, he said, the town needs to identify a
task to accomplish during the moratorium period.
''I'll move when I feel it is just and right, and I'll move what is just and
right for the town,'' Hayes said during a tense exchange with resident Amy
Little, who led the petition drive.
Little suggested Hayes wanted to stall a public hearing and board vote on a
moratorium law because he faces re-election in November.
''There are only four more town board meetings before the election,'' Little
said.
Resident Lee Rosenthall said he appreciates Hayes' concern about legality,
but wants the board to vote.
''You are also elected officials, elected by the people of Gardiner,''
Rosenthall said. ''You should be listening to the town for their will. ...
Their will is a moratorium.''
Proponents expressed a variety of reasons for a moratorium, but commonly
cited was the controversial proposed Awosting Reserve, Richards said.
That plan would create a 300-plus-lot gated community and golf course on
2,660 acres at the base of the Shawangunk Ridge, primarily in Gardiner.
''I believe the only justification some see for a moratorium is to halt
consideration of development on Awosting Reserve property,'' said Roger
Beck, president of Awosting Reserve. ''If that's the case, then the town
board and planning board are appropriately pointing out that is not
justification for a moratorium.''
Tuesday, the board voted to table consideration of the project's proposed
cluster subdivision until it resolved sewage treatment questions with the
planning board.
WHAT'S NEXT
MORATORIUM
Councilman Bill Richards plans to formally propose a moratorium law at the
Gardiner town board's next meeting, Tuesday at town hall on Route 44/55.
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/friday/localnews/stories/lo080803s7.shtml
