Editor, The Spotlight;
People arriving this week (Sept. 18) at the Ciccotti Center on Aviation Road in Colonie were shocked to see a scene of ecological devastation. Nine acres of mature trees had been demolished into a horrific war zone in clearing land for the new Crisafulli Crossings Residences apartment complex. Another parcel on Shaker Road and Wolf Road was in similar condition.
I have lived in Colonie for 46 years and watched this policy worsen, despite the creation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, years ago, now plainly in need of reconsideration and updating.
Supervisor Paula Mahan and the Town of Colonie should not be proud of this type of “aggressive strategy of development,” as she states in a recent flyer about her accomplishments. Such a long term policy of indiscriminate destruction of mature trees for new construction deprives the community of the numerous benefits of such small pocket forests in densely developed areas, such as neutralizing traffic air pollution.
The Town seems to be unaware that these trees are beautiful and restful to contemplate. They are carbon sinks, cleaning the air and absorbing CO2, acting as a valuable buffer between people’s daily activities and the surrounding parking lots, the heavy traffic, and the malls, which produce radiated heat and pollutants which are building up in all our bodies.
Nor does the town consider the birds and wildlife of these green areas that are out of luck, destined to become homeless road kill.
Residents who object to these practices are always told the Town cannot deny owners’ rights to do as they wish with their property (within the very lenient zoning laws with variances readily offered to accommodate the developer). We are told of the new construction mandate of 35 percent green space (often just eye candy of some grass and flowers, rarely trees) that can in no way substitute for the natural ecosystems that were destroyed.
Colonie must embrace the new earth-conscious values and engage in the struggle to combat the dangers of rapid global warming by showing an understanding of the need to protect the trees, which, planted or wild, are humanity’s providers and guardians of a livable climate.
While the town has set aside useful areas for recreational “passive parks,” these planted areas cannot replace natural undisturbed ecosystems of small forests with their unique species and special features. These remnants of the larger natural areas we have “used” should not be trashed as inconvenient “underdeveloped sites.”
This kind of development, which cannot be called progress, is entirely unnecessary. Large old trees can be preserved within the plans. Communities such as Clifton Park and Bethlehem have recognized the problem and made successful efforts to protect open spaces, and involve land conservancies, who assist in preserving our natural heritage.
Colonie should join in responding to the new awareness of nature as the basis of our survival, recognizing its preservation as essential to the quality of life of our residents, rather than an obstacle to profits and economic expansion.
Lisa Barron
Loudonville
