CANOPY DEVELOPMENT HAS PROPOSED A ZONING AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEIR PROJECT TO PROCEED.
IMPORTANT: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ANALYSIS AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CANOPY'S SUBMISSION LETTER
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE CANOPY'S ZONING PETITION
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD AMENDMENT EXHIBIT D
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT SCOPING DOC
REPORT ON THE JANUARY 8 TOWN MEETING
The Rosendale Community Center was filled to near capacity by a crowd estimated in excess of 300 persons who had gathered for the presentations of David Porter and Paul Rubin. David explained the environment review (SEQRA) process in detail, and explored the impact of similar development schemes on local economies and taxes. He drew specific examples from case studies of western resorts to support his points: according to his research and experience, development pushes property taxes up over the long term, and local economies do not necessarily benefit with the introduction of a destination resort in their midst.
It was stressed again and again that the utmost vigilance is called for on the part of the public as this process moves forward. It is essential to officially bring individual concerns - personal accounts of well-water quality, habitat details etc. - to the DEC, the Town Board and the Planning Board. The public must attend the various meetings. On their part, the town most do a better job of posting their meeting schedules in a timely way, and then stick to the program. Individual concerns, questions and observations should be submitted in writing, and read into the record if that opportunity exists. Only in this way can the public good can be done - without diligent participation, the advantage goes to the developer.
Paul Rubin gave an in-depth presentation about the karst aquifer that the proposed development would threaten. With the aid of overhead visuals, he showed the wetland habitat of the endangered cricket frog that would serve as the first destination of treated water emitted in huge quantities by the project. Since plans call for Williams Lake to provide the water for the development, Paul illustrated how the water table could be radically altered in a very short period of time, given the voluminous usage proposed. He pointed out the delicate yet dynamic nature of a karst aquifer, in which water can move quite rapidly, surfacing or entering wells at great distances from its point of entry - perhaps miles away. He showed aerial views of the proposed development that show homes placed directly on sink holes and rugged terrain. The amount of land-moving involved would be striking, with an unknown effect on the aquifer below. In addition, leach fields from a hundred individual septic systems would interact directly with the aquifer.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW SAMPLES OF PAUL RUBIN'S HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS WORK
A lively question-and-answer period followed, and dozens of people stayed behind to ask further questions and to discuss matters when the meeting ended. We at Save The Lakes were gladdened and gratified by the turnout; We were proud to step aside and let the community engage this issue.
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REPORT ON THE DECEMBER 11 TOWN MEETING December 11th at 7PM at the ROSENDALE COMMUNITY CENTER
The rec center was filled to near capacity with people curious about Canopy's proposed development. It was inspiring to hear the concern that people feel, and to sense that the community is realizing that this may well be a defining time for the town - this could be the challenge that galvanizes the town to pull together to insure that development in Rosendale is development FOR Rosendale.
The film that was screened, RESORTING TO MADNESS, brought out four key points that clarify the extent of the impact this kind of "resort/destination/real-estate" development has brought to small communities:
1) The only real difference between Canopy's proposal and a major ski area/real-estate development is in the substitution of a spa for a ski station.
2) The experience of small communities in the west should serve as a caution to us. For example, it has happened that after the development takes root, the development company sets about transforming the town to meet the development's "destination" requirements. Small shop-owners are bought out, and are replaced by corporate-owned storefront shops. Main street is no longer held in local hands. The once authentic small town becomes an outpost of the corporation. This is not guesswork.
3) Despite the best efforts of local people, political appointees in Washington have often paid their political dues by agreeing to developers' demands. Through Steve Case and his partners, Canopy is indeed well-connected in Washington. Those connections would benefit the corporation, not Rosendale.
4) The experience of small towns in the west that have come under this kind of pressure proves, that if Rosendale and the region work together, starting now, we can influence the outcome, preserve the character of the town, and move toward a future built upon forms of development that are favorable to local people and local living. |
| ROSENDALE AND THE PEOPLE OF ULSTER COUNTY HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE |
What chance does the "common good" stand against corporate interests and the profit motive?
- Over the years residents of Ulster County have worked together on many occasions to assure that the natural, scenic treasures of the area are preserved for the community, rich and poor alike.
- In the 1980s local residents organized with the support of state and national environmental groups to stop the Marriott Corporation from building a luxury resort at what is now Minnewaska State Park.
- More recently, Save the Ridge did the same to save Tillson Lake and the surrounding area when a gated community was proposed along the Shawangunks in Gardiner. It too is now part of Minnewaska.
- Working together we can keep our lakes and our land from falling into the hands of corporate interests who will put their profit before our local needs.
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