Orangetown Pushes Back Approval of Comprehensive Plan Update

The Orangetown Town Board tabled a vote on approving an update to the town's comprehensive plan that would cost $65,000 Tuesday night.

The plan seems likely to go through, but the board members asked John Saccardi of Saccardi & Schiff/VHB to provide a more detailed plan of the update he would be putting together.

"The contract seems vague," said Councilman Tom Diviny. "I want to do the plan, but I’d like to have more definition of what we’re getting for $65,000."

Saccardi's firm producted the town plan in 2003 and put together a proposal for an update that would focus on five areas -- underutilized land; the Rockland Psychiatric property; the hamlets of Pearl River, Tappan and Sparkil; the use of the Route 303 corridor and multi-family housing zoning. 

"I apologize for not being more specific," Saccardi said. "Maybe it was an error on my part. The reason I get repeat business is because my claients have been very pleased with my work. If I wasn’t specific enough, I can certainly be more specific."

Diviny, Councilman Mike Maturo and Councilwoman Nancy Low-Hogan all questioned leaving Orangeburg and Blauvelt out of the study of hamlets in the update. Saccardi said they were left out because Pearl River, Tappan and Sparkill have more defined downtown areas, but they could be included as well.

Councilman Denis Troy pointed out the importance of doing something to improve the use of land along Route 303. He has been a proponent of getting an updated report rather than putting together a new plan. Saccardi said that White Plains did a similar update of a comprehensive plan his firm put together.

"I don’t see need to go through whole comprehensive plan, with all that entails with time and money, especially I this economic climate," Troy said. "We can fine-tune the scope. I think these are the key ares. We need to protect the large, open areas in this town. The future of Orangetown depends on what we do with these areas."

NULTY ADDRESSES PLANS TO DEAL WITH LOCAL BUGLARIES

Orangetown residents continue to express concerns about a series of burglaries in town. The Orangetown Police have increased patrols in those areas, but the idea of using video surveillance has also been brought up.

Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty said his department is looking into the incidents in the Sickletown Road area, but he was concerned about discussing specifics such as the possible placement of video cameras in such a public forum.

"We would talk to the town board to make sure it within public policy and to address privacy issues and cost, but we wouldn't say where," Nulty said. "I'm sure if we did, everybody would just ride by and wave to it.

"We are looking at the issue and we will keep the board informed."

PEARL RIVER PARKING HEARING

The town board also voted to hold a public hearing 8 p.m. April 12 to discuss parking issues, specifically the possibility of overnight parking in Pearl River.

The idea up for discussion would be to allow residents of the Pearl River parking district to rent spots to use for overnight parking. Troy said that Orangetown Highway Department Superintendent James Dean has already done a study that shows that there is an excess of parking in the area. Diviny discussed the issue with the Pearl River Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a member

"The majority of members are for it," Diviny said. "The moneys generated through this parking measure will be put into the Pearl River parking authority. We are hopefull we can use that money for significant capital improvements, such as sidewalks or something else.

"These spots are not going to be cheap. I sugest $1,000 per spot per year. The feedback I’ve gotten so far has been positive."