Letter to the Editor: Wrong to Change Zoning for Crossroads 312

I would like to express my opinion on the proposed Crossroads project. I am not in support of the proposal for a number of reasons:

· The zoning should not be changed. The town has a comprehensive plan for a reason. If we are going to ignore it, why did the town just spend the time and money revising it? Moreover, changing the zoning to highway commercial is a drastic change, far outside what is desirable for our area.

· Changing the zoning sets a precedent. If the town does it for this developer, but not the next one we are setting ourselves up for a lawsuit. We will be faced with having to allow people to run roughshod over our zoning laws, or deal with the cost and time of defending a resulting lawsuit if we reject the next request for zoning change.

· There are a large number of people that move here to GET AWAY from the traffic, crowds and taxes of places like lower Westchester, the Bronx, Long Island and northern New Jersey.

· Lake Tonetta is a town and county gem. The lakefront homes are in demand. The beach is a family favorite, for us and many others, and it is a big selling point for families considering living in our community. This project puts the lake at risk – ruining views and ridgelines, light pollution, stormwater runoff, etc. This is a big risk, one that once realized may never be reversed.

· I am not against reasonable development. I recognize the need for a hotel in Putnam County, other than the current hotel stock we have now. I recognize residents need goods and services. But I would rather see our town/county create incentives to refurbish the MANY vacant structures we have now. Why not encourage B&B style accommodations?

· Our town (and County for that matter) need an “economic backbone” that is unique, not easily duplicated by neighboring municipalities, and experiential. Strip malls filled with chain stores is none of those things. What makes us unique is our proximity to NYC, our history, our natural features (yes, for those of you that know me, that includes the local mines.)

· I believe that the argument that says this kind of development will bring down taxes is false. If that were the case, NYC, Long Island and New Jersey would have the lowest taxes in the country. They do not.

· I do some shopping in Danbury, Fishkill, etc. In some ways, I understand people’s frustration with having to go there to shop. But you know what? I also dread going to those places and dealing with the traffic and congestion. And when I come back home, I thank goodness that I have the privilege of NOT having to deal with that everyday. I’d like to keep it that way. I’ll gladly pay a little more in property and school tax for that quality of life.

I express this opinion as a private citizen. In no way should it be construed as being related to any of the other roles I play in the community or at other organizations. But I feel strongly about this - let’s not sell our souls for a project that so many people are passionately against. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards,

Steven Mattson

Southeast Resident