I want to thank my fellow residents who appeared last tonight to voice their opinions, concerns, support, and dissent of Radtke project.
I encourage all involved to think about the myriad of effects that will be created by rezoning this land. It will impact our aging infrastructure, tax our emergency services, add to the strain on the environment, and move us away from our town’s suburban identity.
I recognize that the practice of compromise leaves many disappointed. A senior assisted living facility would be an asset to our community. Our elder residents deserve a safe place to live while remaining close to their family. However, I don’t support the plan to build a three-story, 158-unit apartment building, and connector road.
I encourage the members of the Planning Board to consider the negative impact on the quality of life for the residents of the 24th Legislative District. Your approval to rezone this area from single-family use to a planned development district will add hundreds of new cars to Sand Creek Road, Albany Shaker Road, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
I grew up riding my bike as transportation. I crisscrossed every inch of this town, taking care to keep my promise to my mother that I would not cross Central Avenue or Wolf Road. The list of heavy traffic areas is much longer now. My three children were only able to experience a diminished sense of that quintessential adolescent freedom a bicycle provides.
I urge the members of the Planning Board to remember that the Colonie taxpayers are also your neighbors, members of your congregation, and your friends. When you cast your vote, in our best interest, please remember that it is our families carpooling to soccer and baseball practice, and our children riding their bikes to and from the Crossings, the Ciccotti Center, and the library. I humbly ask you to vote against this proposal.
Respectfully,
Jeff LaMountain
Candidate for Albany County Legislature
District 24
