The group New Scotlanders for Sound Economic Development, or NS4SED, held a community meeting on Sunday, April 27, to inform citizens about the meaning of a moratorium and to encourage people to voice their opinions.
The public meeting was at the Osterhout Community Center in New Salem. NS4SED had three guest speakers with varying backgrounds in development.
We are not an anti-development group, Dean Sommer, an attorney at the Young and Sommer law firm, and NS4SED’s master of ceremonies for the night, said. `Our focus has simply been to take a step back. Let’s look at the options to see what development we want and what we don’t want.`
New Scotland has heard a proposal by the Syracuse-based Sphere Development Group to build on the land that was once the Bender melon farm, off of routes 85 and 85A. Sphere’s goal is to construct a regional commercial shopping mall that would take up 750,000 square feet. The company has not closed on the property yet.
NS4SED is aiming for a 6-month` moratorium on `big-box development, while many New Scotlanders at the meeting were pulling for a full year. NS4SED is quick to mention, however, that after the 6 month period is over, the Town Board can renew the moratorium for an additional 6 months, if needed. According to NS4SED, during the moratorium, the Town Board will only review the town’s commercial zones, and will not redo all of its zoning laws. It would also appoint community members to serve on a committee that would have a budget, hire a consultant, hold public hearings and give their recommendations to the Town Board to determine what kind of development is right for New Scotland.
Jeff Baker was one of the speakers. An environmental lawyer from the Young and Sommer law firm, he spoke about what a moratorium will mean for the community.
`A moratorium preserves the status quo while the town considers changes to the zoning code,` he said. `A one-year moratorium would be better,` Baker said. `Six months will require people to work hard, but it’s fine.`
Baker said that he does not think that the Sphere Development Group has a lot of experience. `They seem to be locked into a model that they’re comfortable with, but that model doesn’t fit the needs of this town.`
Another speaker at the meeting was Nan Stolzenburg, a community planner with Community Planning and Environmental Associates in Berne. Although not a resident of New Scotland or a member of NS4SED, she was invited to speak based on her professional experience.
`The community needs to work together,` she said.
Stolzenburg said the criteria for New Scotland’s current zoning laws is that they be adequate, harmonious, appropriate and compatible.
Stolzenberg said the criteria are too vague. She also gave comprehensive planning tools for the Town Board and the town’s Planning Committee to follow, such as having sign regulations, such as design, height and size; and street standards such as the size of roads and the type of pavement.
`Whatever you want, put into your zoning laws,` she said.
Town Supervisor Thomas Dolin agrees. `The presentations convinced me even more that I am in favor of a moratorium,` he said. Dolin said that he went to the meeting because he was interested in hearing what the speakers had to say. `I thought it was very well done, informative and enlightening,` he said.
The other four members of the board were in attendance also, but did not respond to requests for comment before press time.
`We’re all in this together,` Sommer said. He said that he thinks the night was a success. `I think anytime you get an opportunity to share reliable information to your fellow community members, it’s very important. Public participation is vital.`
A public hearing regarding a possible moratorium is scheduled for May 7 at the Voorheesville High School. “