Rockland Throws Down the Gauntlet to Ramapo, other Rockland Developers

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County Executive Ed Day signed an executive order Tuesday that will prohibit county departments from issuing permits for developments that have not complied with General Municipal Law. He cited his desire to stop reckless development with no regard for Rockland's infrastructure and quality of life. And he aimed particularly at the town of Ramapo.

"When it comes to development, for far too long we see laws disregarded or broken - with no consequences," Day said during a press conference. "No more. Starting today there are going to be consequences. We are drawing the line."

The action took place just days after Christopher St. Lawrence was convicted of securities fraud, triggering automatic loss of his job as Ramapo's Town Supervisor. The press conference was at the Hillcrest Greg Sikorsky Fire Station, across from a controversial planned development in Ramapo.

Patrick Farm is a 197-acre parcel of land at the intersection of Routes 202 and 306. Contrary to the town's own Comprehensive Plan recommendations, Ramapo town officials in the past 15 years have downzoned the property, first from 2- to 1-acre zoning and then for multi-family MF-8 development. A proposal to develop the property for 87 single-family homes and 410 multi-family, 4-bedroom condominiums rapidly followed.

Then Ramapo officials gave Scenic Development, LLC a unique designation to put tax-free housing and religious educational institutions on the property, meaning that if the development is built the other residents of Ramapo would be stuck paying for services to it, including water, sewer, roads, fire and police.

"Sure, you can build a 479-home development over a crucial fresh water aquifer even though our Commissioner of Planning says no," Day said at the press conference, surrounded by community leaders including Michael Miller of CUPON, Deborah Munitz of ROSA, Robert Rhodes of Preserve Ramapo and other residents as well as firefighters and County and town officials. "But guess what? You will not be able to get water or sewer hook ups for those homes. You will not be able to get addresses. You cannot open your road, you cannot get curb cuts for a driveway. Good luck with that."

The new Executive Order applies to all of Rockland County. Day said one purpose was to provide "equal treatment for all, special treatment for none and that includes town and village governments."

"But all of us know that the problem with irresponsible, reckless development is for the most part contained to one town — Ramapo and its villages," Day said. "We are at a turning point for the town of Ramapo. Let's restore integrity to Ramapo. We want the county to be there for people of Ramapo who have been waiting years for a change."

Local officials also attended, including Pomona Mayor Brett L. Yagel, Airmont Mayor Philip Gigante and Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, who is chairman of the Rockland County Sewer District Number 1

George Hoehmann, chairman of Sewer District 1 (a position from which St. Lawrence resigned when he was first indicted), also spoke at the press conference.

"We all know the situation that has befallen the people of Ramapo where the law is oftentimes ignored," the Clarkstown Town Supervisor said, explaining that Sewer District officials will pass a resolution to reinforce the county's action, specifically on sewer permits.

Here's how it will work:

Certain circumstances trigger provisions under NY State General Municipal law that force a local municipality, a town or a village, to send plans to the county planning department. This includes plans for a proposed zone change, a special permit, certain subdivisions, certain site plans and even changes to local laws.

Reviews are also triggered when a proposed development is near an adjacent municipalities or close to a county road, stream, wetland, park, etc.

If the county review requires modifications or is a disapproval, a super majority of the Town Board, Planning Board, or Zoning Board is needed to override the General Municipal Law findings. That means that a town or village can still allow development that does not comply with the law. But the County will no longer go along with it unless the town or village states why it has reached a different conclusion.

Under the executive order, failure to file a reason why a decision has been made not to comply will result in the County not issuing permits for such uses as water and sewer connections, well permits, rooming house permits, drainage permits, road opening permits, issuance of new addresses and others.

The order was developed at Day's direction after a joint effort by many of County departments. County officials joined him for the announcement, including Deputy Commissioner of Health Catherine Johnson Southren, Commissioner of Planning Doug Schuetz, Director of the Office of Fire and Emergency Services Gordon Wren and County Attorney Tom Humbach, who was the author and architect of the order.

Photo: Rockland County Executive Ed Day gives a signed copy of his Executive Order to ROSA Volunteer Deborah Munitz.