Residents of New Scotland are again weighing in on development issues as a renewed effort gets underway to shape the town’s future.
At a public meeting held Thursday, Dec. 1, about 60 people involved themselves in the process of developing a New Scotland Hamlet Master Plan.
Using a $50,000 grant from the Capital District Transportation Committee, a study was completed of existing conditions in the designated hamlet area, roughly centered around the intersection of Routes 85 and 85A. Those findings, including population trends, zoning capacity and more, were presented at the meeting. Attendees then broke into small groups for a 45-minute brainstorming session.
Town Board member Daniel Mackay was encouraged to see many people he didn’t recognize at the meeting.
“I don’t think there’s any hidden agenda here,” said Mackay. “There’s no intended result that the committee has at this point.”
Committees were previously formed in 2005 and 2008 to examine the issue of development within the hamlet area. As part of the latest effort, many residents expressed that they don’t want large chain retailers incorporated into the town’s plans – an issue that has proved controversial in the past.
“Right now, I think everyone still has the past two years in mind,” said resident Bridget McManus, “about retail having to mean whatever big box store it may be, where as retail could be someone selling pottery, or someone selling bike pumps.”
A developer’s desire to build a Target store played a huge role in the 2009 town elections, and a proposal to impose a size cap on commercial buildings was narrowly defeated shortly after that race. The size cap issue has periodically rumbled to the surface since then.
The ideas suggested by residents at Thursday’s meeting varied greatly. Some residents expressed interest in creating more pedestrian and bicycle access, specifically for those trying to get to shops along Route 85. Others expressed a desire to see more moderate-priced housing for young families, and there was even a proposal for the establishment of a brewery within the town.
Town planners said one major hurdle for the town to overcome is a lack of sewer and water infrastructure, which is a hurdle for more significant projects.
Resident Dan Byrnes was positive about the two-hour meeting and said moving forward at a slow pace could have benefits.
“I think we’ll see small things, and if it can develop more into a plan that will lead to something successful down the road initially, but they are small, then bigger things will come down in four or five years that will be really successful and fit into the plan,” said Byrnes.
Representatives from Behan Planning, which conducted the hamlet area study, presented a variety of designs for residential and commercial properties that could be considered down the road.
Long-time resident Steven Schreiber was interested in keeping the character of the study area, which includes a number of parcels of land used for agriculture.
“A solid majority still want to have a neighborhood-focused commercial or retail type of operation here, not something that’s going to be drawing people from throughout the region,” said Schreiber. “If people believe that, then that imposes some very serious limitations on some of these plans being thrown around, like eateries and breweries.”
The meeting served primarily as a fact-finding mission for those working with planners to come up with detailed plans moving forward.
“I think this is a critical and appropriate part of the process,” said Mackay. “What the study committee will be challenged to do is to incorporate the feedback and the suggestions and the ideas that come out of this.”
Most in attendance were pleased to see a solid turnout for the meeting, but wanted to see more people involved in the process.
“I thought there would be more people here tonight,” said McManus. “I’m happy to see the turnout that we have, but I want the rest of the community to have a voice.”
A second public meeting will likely be held in late winter or early spring. More information about the study can be found at newscotlandhamletstudy.wordpress.com.
