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| ABOUT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT | THE IMPACT | SOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES |
| TAKE ACTION | SUPPORT THE CAUSE | PRESS AND OPINION | CONTACT US |
| Save the Lakes is now a member of the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition. |
| CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION URGING THE TOWN BOARD TO VOTE NOW ON CANOPY/HRVR's PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE AMENDMENT. |
| JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST - to keep abreast of news on the subject, to join us in working to preserve the wildlife, open space and character of our town and region, or for more information. |
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SAVE THE LAKES MISSION STATEMENT To protect the natural resources of all the land included in the Williams Lake property and preserve it in perpetuity for the region. We work to insure that the future of Rosendale is planned in concert with community needs and values. We research information and provide data to the public and to area decision-makers. |
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CANOPY/HRVR HAS PROPOSED A ZONING AMENDMENT THAT WOULD NOT ONLY ALLOW THEIR PROJECT TO PROCEED, BUT WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA FOR THE TOWN AS A WHOLE. IMPORTANT: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ANALYSIS AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CANOPY/HRVR's SUBMISSION LETTER CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE CANOPY/HRVR's ZONING PETITION CLICK TO DOWNLOAD AMENDMENT EXHIBIT D CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT SCOPING DOC |
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CANOPY/HRVR's PROJECT AND PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT MUST BE CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY, AND THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN UNANSWERED: TAXES: There is NO reason to assume that property taxes would go down over the long term. In fact, the opposite has proven true over time for towns in the American West subjected to similar resort/real estate development projects that rely upon real-estate sales for the bulk of their profit. Nearly always, the locals are priced out of the market, and forced to relocate. EUREKA, MONEY IN THE TOWN COFFERS: The hidden costs - economically, socially and environmentally - to the Town of Rosendale are unknown and will remain so for years to come. Looking ahead to a windfall in property tax revenue based on the promises of an unproven developer (during a recession) is wishful thinking, not sound fiscal planning. WHO WILL PAY, AND HOW MUCH? The tax relationship of the development community to the town is unspecified, but indications are that tax revenue would funnel to the town through a single corporate entity or resort management company (not individual home owners) - a situation that creates power and leverage for the "special permit community", especially one who's revenues dwarf that of the Town. Rosendale's annual fight with the Iron Mountain Corporation over property assessments should serve as a warning: wouldn't the corporate management of this proposed development work to keep their tax burden to the town at a minimum? Isn't that just good business? WILDLIFE AND HABITAT: The proposed development would dramatically disturb and alter the habitat of many species, some of which are endangered. FACT: Plans include a luxury destination resort spa and hotel, as well as 160 luxury homes and townhouses. FACT: By definition, the development will be a gated community. FACT: The proposed development would use 160,000 gallons of water per day, a 900% increase of water use from the Binnewater aquifer. JOBS? 450 "on-site" workers are mentioned. It is common practice in the global resort business for resort workers to be contracted in from elsewhere, for jobs as diverse as housekeeping to management. GROWTH? Rosendale's population could increase by 10 percent. POLITICS? A corporate enclave of the super-rich could become the new political bosses of Rosendale. FACT: Open space will be developed and all affordable public access will be denied. The area will be restricted and off limits: no swimming, no hiking, no fishing, no canoeing, no cross-country skiing, no caving, no mountain biking... LOOKING AHEAD: There are proven alternative solutions that if pursued could preserve this property as both a viable tax-paying business and as an asset to the community as a whole. The project as currently proposed creates an exclusive, restricted enclave for the wealthy. COMMUNICATE: WITH OUR TOWN OFFICIALS - LET THEM KNOW YOUR CONCERN! |
| ROSENDALE AND THE PEOPLE OF ULSTER COUNTY HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE |
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| ABOUT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT | THE IMPACT | SOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES |
| TAKE ACTION | SUPPORT THE CAUSE | PRESS AND OPINION | CONTACT US |
| Save the Lakes is now a member of the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition. |