With negative comments from the community citing safety concerns for children and residents, the plans for a re-entry center on Christler Avenue in Rotterdam were voted down.
The town board of Rotterdam unanimously voted against a resolution to rezone 1921 Chrisler Avenue for use as a re-entry center for the Federal Bureau of Prisons at their Wednesday, April 28 meeting.
The resolution, which would rezone the property from light industrial to multi-family industrial, would be used as a re-entry house for federal offenders being released into Albany, Schenectady and Rennselaer counties. Community members spoke out against the proposed plan, citing safety concerns for children at nearby schools and recreation centers and the loss of an industrial base in the town, if the plan were to be approved.
Jason Colwell, a local business owner on Chrisler Avenue, pointed out many issues with the change of zone and the proposed housing including the lack of bus routes, nearby schools and residential neighborhoods as reasons to vote against the zoning.
I don’t believe this is an appropriate place for this project or zone change, said Colwell. `I’m just looking at my life and all of my work flashing before my eyes.`
District Executive of the Schenectady District of the Boy Scouts of America Twin Rivers Council, Damien DeDonatis said he is relieved that the zoning did not pass.
`The main point here is child safety. Something like this is a red flag for me,` said DeDonatis.
The town agreed with the residents concerns, citing the loss of a tax base in the industrial property. Before the meeting, Town Supervisor Frank Del Gallo had said he was against the rezoning of the property and said he does not see the benefit of the property in the town where he would like to see an increased tax base.
Firetree, Ltd., a not for profit that would build and coordinate the re-entry home in Rotterdam if the resolution had passed, were also present at the meeting to speak to the use of the property. Killeen Cirilla, an attorney representing Firetree said that in other communities the program has helped federal offenders move toward productive lives while impacting the communities in positive ways. Cirilla cited a re-entry facility in Syracuse, which has given back to the community and received letters of commendation from the city and Syracuse University for their work, among others.
Ed Cox, a consultant for Firetree, was disappointed with the outcome of the resolution, but understands where communities stand on issues such as the re-entry facility but also understands the need for such facilities.
`I’ve been dealing with community corrections facilities since I retired from the prison system and I know the importance of these programs,` said Cox.
Before the vote, Cox also said that having a place to go, such as the proposed re-entry facility, after spending time in federal prison is a part of changing lives and is a main goal within Firetree.
`Having a place to go and change is our main goal in our company,` he said.
The town of Rotterdam town board will meet again on Wednesday, May 12 at the Rotterdam Junction Fire Department.
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