Town of Kent Review of Patterson Crossing - Alert

Good morning all - here is one for your first of the New Year calendar.

I have been informed that the Town of Kent will review Patterson Crossing application on January 10th, with the workshop on the third, first on the agenda, at 7:30.

Please check website or call town to make certain that the meeting has not been cancelled.  Town Hall address: 25 Sybil, (off Rte 52)

Sincerely,
Ann

Kent must stand firm against plan

Kent residents endured stormy weather to attend the Oct. 11 Kent Planning Board meeting for a Patterson Crossing pre-submission conference. Developer Paul Camarda's engineer claimed a reduction of the retail square footage. However, as some of this project would now be converted from one to two stories, the word reduction may be the developer's version of Three Card Monte. Unfortunately, taxpayers can expect the same impacts of traffic, construction, blasting, plus Lake Carmel pollution.

The Kent Planning Board requested an initial review fee deposit of $20,000 to recover the costs of the many experts needed to adequately review a project of this scope. Patterson Pavilion, the previous developer for the same parcel, stuck Kent taxpayers for $7,900. Although Camarda's lawyer has known for some time of the required escrow deposit of $20,000, he offered a check for only $5,000. Is Mr. Camarda telling us that he doesn't want a thorough review? In a spirit of cooperation, the Kent Planning Board reduced the deposit to $12,500.

Camarda and the Town of Patterson are geographically removed and have everything to gain from this project, while the adjacent densely populated Town of Kent will absorb all negative impacts. I applaud our Planning Board's attempt to take the necessary steps to protect its taxpayers and not bullied into a less than adequate review. However, our Planning Board must remain steadfast, lest their decision be misconstrued as an opportunity for further bargaining. Money talks and thorough reviews are costly.

Joan Castiner
Lake Carmel

Good morning all - please see attached my letter to Supervisor Nordstrom re: the meeting with the DOT that has yet to be scheduled.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

VIA FAX AND MAIL

September 10, 2007


Hon. Arne Nordstrom, Supervisor Town of Kent and
Hon. Members of the Kent Town Board
Town Hall
25 Sybil's Way
Carmel, Nw York 10512

Dear Supervisor Nordstrom:

On August 6th at a Town of Kent Workshop meeting, Joan Castiner, Ray Mainiero and myself presented documentation of serious inquiries between representative of the applicant for Patterson Crossing (Joseph Garofalo - Tim Miller Associates) and the New York State Department of Transportation concerning proposed changes to Route 311 and Terry Hill Road and other infrastructure changes to residential roads.  Additionally, you confirmed that there also occurred discussions between yourself and Town of Patterson Supervisor, Griffin. Members of the Town Board appeared unaware of these discussions as were also the majority of residents of the Town.

Since these matters were of grave concern to the residents and since they had been excluded from the decision-making process, we urged that you contact the New York State Department of Transportation to schedule a meeting between their officials and residents, an action with which you agreed.

As of this date, over a month from the initial meeting, we have not had any communication from you that you had indeed contacted officials of the DOT as you said  and that a meeting had been scheduled.

We are most disappointed that residents have not had an opportunity to lend their voice but that the applicant has had unfettered access to officials on matters that will transform the town and deeply affect the quality of life of its residents.. According to the applicant, he will be ready to present his responses to the DEIS to the Patterson Planning Board in the near future.  Without a doubt they will include the proposed changes as they are integral to the realization of his project.   

We again urge that you schedule a meeting, without delay.  We hope to hear from you within the week so that residents can be fully apprised of the measures proposed.

Sincerely,

Ann Fanizzi, Chair
Putnam County Coalition to Preserve Open Space
www.putopenspaces.com

CC: Jim Bacon, Attorney
Fay Muir, President, CWCWC

Letter to Editor - Patterson Crossing

Scary precursor to Patterson Crossing

For those of you who have not viewed The Retreat construction site for senior housing by Pulte Homes in Carmel, you might be very enlightened by doing so. To see this construction, or I should say destruction, puts a face to many of the legitimate concerns of opponents of the proposed Patterson Crossing. Although the entrance to this site is on Stoneleigh Avenue, before Friendly's restaurant at the intersection of Route 6, I suggest a ride up Seminary Hill Road, turning left onto and following Mechanic until the old graveyard is on your left and note the old house on Mechanic where this project is so close. It is hard to imagine this owner enduring daily blasting and construction, let alone the structure of this house withstanding the blasting.

The developer for this project is the same developer who proposes Patterson Crossing. I realize seeing this project at this late date with all the orderly mountains of dirt may lessen the impact of what it must have been like getting to this stage. The Retreat is 96 acres and Patterson Crossing will be 90 1/2 acres abutting the backyards of many more residents. When I think that this could happen to residents of the Lake Carmel Park District, not to mention the overlooked Patterson residents on Concord Road, I shudder and hope that seeing this site will strengthen the resolve of every caring citizens of this county, elected officials included, to prevent this nightmare from happening to us.

Joan Castiner
Lake Carmel

Patterson Crossing Revelations

Dear Friends:

For over three months, we have persued information concerning possible secret discussions between Kent, Patterson  and DOT officials concerning Camarda's application to reconfigure I84 and several intersections in the Lake Carmel community in order to realize Patterson Crossing.  We brought them to light at the August 6th Town of Kent workshop meeting, submitting a packet of comments made by Tim Miller representative, Garofalo at a May Department of Transportation (DOT) Westchester meeting and a draft transcript of comments made by Camarda before a scarcely publicized Patterson Town Board meeting.  Who knew?  Nobody except for the chosen few. 

Additionally, we have discovered that towns lack ordinances that would protect residents and their property from the effects of blasting, vibration, jackhammers and bulldozers as construction crews wreck hillsides and slopes of bedrock.  The shameful response by Carmel officials and the studied indifference by Camarda motivated us to take this step.  We have sent a letter to Patterson Supervisor, Griffin, informating him of this significant omission and urging that the town implement a strict blasting code including one that would give the town legal grounds to issue an immediate stop work order upon the receipt of a resident complaint.  Presently, as you may have read, town of Carmel residents have been left to their own devices to attempt to gain justice in this matter.  Disgraceful.  We are determined not to let it happen in Lake Carmel.  Therefore, I am also including my letter to Supervisor Griffin. 

Resident action is needed on all fronts. There is nothing like vocal opposition and holding officials accountable.  We need you:  1. Call/write Supervisor Nordstrom and urge that he contact the DOT for a meeting with residents - 225-3943.  2. Call/write Supervisor Griffin and urge that he and the Patterson Town Board fulfil their obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents by framing a stringent blasting ordinance - Town of Patterson, Rte 311 - Patterson, NT 12563 or call - 878-6500.

Remember - alone a voice, together a force.

Sincerely,
Ann 
Please feel free to share letters with neighbors and distribute to e-mail list.

PUTNAM COUNTY COALITION TO PRESERVE OPEN  SPACE
(Protecting land, water and communities)
P.O. BOX 122
CARMEL, NY. 10512
www.putopenspaces.com

RESIDENT ALERT - CABLE VIEWING TIMES

TOWN OF KENT WORKSHOP -CHANNEL 8 - Tuesday  8PM and Wednesday 9AM


August 13, 2007

Dear Kent Resident:

On August 6th, we presented information to Town of Kent officials that would significantly impact the nature of the Lake Carmel community.  We learned that Patterson Crossing applicant representative, Mr. Garofalo, of Tim Miller & Associates, had attended a Westchester meeting of the Department of Transportation in May of 2007 and raised issues of major infrastructure changes to Rte 311 and Terry Hill Road in order to facilitate the construction of Patterson Crossing

Subsequently, Joan Castiner wrote a letter to the DOT requesting further information and received a rather sketchy summary of the various projects suggested by the applicant.  However, these projects were further confirmed by applicant, Paul Camarda, at a meeting of the Patterson Town Board in June of 2007 wherein he enumerated 13 separate infrastrature changes - 6 in Patterson; 6 in Kent, including reconfiguration and signalization that given the additional traffic, he would be willing to fund as a public service to remedy road "deficiencies" that the towns, given their financial resources, would be unable to fund. 

Together with Ray Mainiero who detailed the additional pressure of proposed, unsustainable developments on the town roads, we submitted two pieces of documentation to the Town Board:

1. The remarks of Mr. Garfalo at the DOT meeting in Westchester
2. The DRAFT  of the Town of Patterson June meeting.

We asked a simple question: Did they know of such discussions and when did they know it and why weren't residents of Kent, especially those of the Lake Carmel community informed?   Aside from Supervisor Nordstrom, none of the Town Board officials seemed to be aware of these discussions which according to the Supervisor took place during meetings with supervsiors of towns.  The DOT is acting as an "invisible government" accountable not to the residents of the town but to an out- of- town applicant who has not the town's interests but his own profit self-interest as the motivator for action.

We demanded that Town officials immediately notify the DOT and request that a meeting be convened with residents to provide input from the community and not simply rely on the applicant's desires.   Supervisor Nordstrom together with Town Board members agreed to invite officials of the DOT to a forthcoming workshop meeting.  It is essential that this happen.

If you agree with us that residents should have the final say on all projects and that the elected representatives of the town should make the final determination as to infrastructure needs, please urge the Town Board officials to follow through with their plans by telephoning the Supervisor's office at 225- 3943 as soon as possible.

Attached you will find my letter to Supervisor Nordstrom and Town officials in addition to a letter that I submitted to Town of Patterson Supervsior Griffin with a CC to Mr. Nordstrom concerning deficiencies in the town's blasting code.   Due to the topographical nature of the area off Rte 311 to be cleared for the proposed Patterson Crossing, blasting will probably have to occur.  We do not want a repeat of what has been the Town of Carmel public officials' shameful and callous responses that have left residents to deal with property damage from blasting, vibration, jack hammers and backhoes incurred from the Camarda/Pulte 381 senior housing project without any recourse to legal remedy, sympathy from insurance companies or intervention by the Town through Stop-Work orders.

Just to recap: Cable Viewing on Channel 8 Tuesday at 8PM and Wednesday morning at 9. However, please check since times and dates often change.

Phone Supervisor Nordstrom's office - 225-3943 - and support his efforts to get DOT officials to meet with residents immediately.

KEEP THE FAITH.

Sincerely,
Ann Fanizzi, Chair
Putnam County Coalition to Preserve Open Space
 

From: tconnors <tconnors@townofkentny.gov>
To: Mailing@townofkentny.gov.List
Subject: F.O.I.L Presentation
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:02:59 -0400

Dear Kent Residents,

Mr. Bob Freeman, Chairperson of the NYS Committee on Open Government, will make
a presentation on the Freedom of Information Law on July 30th, 7:00 PM at the
Town Hall.

Please attend this important session and encourage your friends and neighbors to
attend.

Thanks and best regards,

Tess

Good morning all

Please keep official notification for your files. This is another death of a thousand cuts inflicted by the DEP on the Croton Watershed and the residents of the county and the taxpayers of the Town of Kent.

Sincerely,
Ann
 

Notice Of Acceptance Of Final Supplemental EIS

Putnam County - The NYC Department of Environmental Protection, as lead 
agency, has accepted a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the 
proposed Kent Manor. The action involves construction of a 273-unit condominium 
development, and various amenities, as well as a wastewater treatment plant 
(WWTP) to service the residential development (together, the “Project”) in the 
Town of Kent, Putnam County, New York.

A public meeting was held to afford the interested public the opportunity to 
provide oral comments on the Draft SEIS on February 6, 2007 in Carmel, New 
York. Notification of the time and location of the public hearing appeared in The 
Journal News and The Putnam County Courier, the NYS Environmental Notice 
Bulletin, and NYCDEP’s website (www.nyc.gov/html/dep/). The Draft SEIS was also 
available for inspection by the public at two repositories located within the 
Town of Kent in Putnam County. The period for submitting written comments 
remained open until February 24, 2007. 

The proposed project would be located off Nichols Street in the Town of Kent 
and includes the construction of a new section of Nichols Street in order to 
provide access to Route 52.

The Final SEIS is available for inspection by the public at the Kent Public 
Library and the Kent Town Clerk’s office, both located at Sybil's Crossing in 
Kent Lakes, and at NYCDEP’s offices in Valhalla, as well as on NYCDEP’s 
website (www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/kentmanor.html). 

Contact: Diane M. McCarthy, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, 59-17 
Junction Boulevard, 11th floor, Flushing, NY 11373, phone: (718) 595-4363, 
fax: (718) 595-4479, e-mail: dmccarthy@dep.nyc.gov.

Visit www.newyorkwater.org

Hi all -  So much for depending on the paper tiger DEP to serve as guardian of the watershed.

It seems that Kent Manor will be in the third DEP-approved phosphorous offset program - some 275 townhouses can be built off congested and dangerous Rte 52 and that Camarda must now rely on an inadequate sewage plan for Patterson Crossing, a plan that has been roundly criticized by residents, the Watershed Inspector General and CWCWC.  However,  both of these developments are ruinous to the environment, residents and to lake communities (Palmer Lake and Lake Carmel).  Camarda with his sackful of empty promises and flush with $20 million from the Carmel senior housing land deal,  must be vigorously and uncompromisingly opposed. Only a determined and united citizenry can do it.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

 

Proposed Kent Manor moving ahead
By MICHAEL RISINIT
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: December 4, 2006)

KENT - The 113 acres off Nichols Road is still mostly open land, but plans to build hundreds of townhomes there are quietly moving along.

A burst of activity around Thanksgiving - including preliminary approval to build a sewage treatment plant - has put the controversial project back on the minds of the Kent Town Board. Some neighbors are reserving judgment until the latest details are publicly released. Others, though, still adamantly oppose the project, which has essentially been tied up in litigation since it was approved in 1988. It was revived last year.

"As long as I live in this neighborhood, I will fight that," said Amy Magee, a seven-year resident of the Hill and Dale neighborhood, which is across Route 52 and downstream from the project's site.

Hill and Dale is situated around Palmer Lake, into which the runoff from the development's roads and its sewage treatment plant would drain. Residents are worried the 279 townhomes would pollute the lake, put more traffic on the roads and bring additional students into the already packed schools.

Plans originally called for 303 homes. Charles Martabano, a Mount Kisco lawyer, contacted the town in March 2005 on behalf of a group of investors called RFB, LLC that wanted to purchase the property and build the development as it was first approved.

Martabano initially maintained that Kent Manor's 1987 environmental study was adequate. But the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which took over the lead role from the Kent Planning Board in reviewing the proposal, told RFB in January to update the decades-old report. The site sits in the city's watershed and the DEP received the update's second draft Nov. 17.

"Obviously, we've been working very, very closely with the DEP," Martabano said last week.

The DEP also conceptually approved Kent Manor's participation last week in a special sewage-treatment plant program - an objective that has eluded the project up until now. The program calls for the stringent removal of phosphorous from sewage effluent. Phosphorous, a byproduct of sewage treatment, spurs algae growth, which discolors water and gives it a bad taste and smell.

The special program expires in May and has room for one more plant, the DEP said. One serves the Brewster Highlands shopping center, and another is planned for the Campus at Fields Corner, a proposed residential and commercial project that would be built off Route 312, both in Southeast.

A DEP spokesman said the conceptual approval was based upon the amount of phosphorous naturally present on the site and how RFB plans to remove the element from its sewage effluent and storm water running off the land. In addition, RFB will install high-tech filters in storm drains at the Kmart shopping center in Mahopac to remove phosphorous there.

The Kmart shopping center is miles away, but the special program deals with the overall amount of phosphorous in the watershed and requires those building a sewage treatment plant to remove three times the amount they are discharging. Credit is given for removing the material from another site as long as it drains into the same reservoir. For the proposed townhomes and the shopping center, that is ultimately the Croton Falls Reservoir.

Martabano said he expected the 635-page supplemental study to be ready for public review this month and, eventually, a public hearing. Maureen Fleming, who also lives in the Hill and Dale section, was among those who called for the updated study.

"We're waiting for (it) to come out," Fleming said. "We need to look at what they've done and what's contained in the (study)."

Reach Michael Risinit at mrisinit@lohud.com or 845-228-2274.

Good morning all

Have cut and pasted a letter sent to Kent Supervisor Nordstrom last Friday which I think explains itself.  My question revolves around who determined and when was it determined that the applicant (Camarda - Patterson Crossing) had adequately responded to the conditions raised by Patterson Town Planner, Rich Williams and Engineer, Ron Gainer on June 29th in order that the DEIS be deemed complete - a SEQRA requirement.  

As you can read in the letter, I requested a legal opinion on the subject and am willing to abide by it.  Mr. Nordstrom failed to reply.

Sincerely,
Ann
 

August 11, 2006

Hon. Arne Nordstrom, Supervisor, Town of Kent and
Hon. Members of the Town Board
Town Hall
25 Sybill's Way
Carmel, New York 10512

Dear Supervisor Nordstrom:

On Monday, August 7th at a Town Board and Work Session Meeting, I raised the issue of the time frame for the public announcement by the Town of Patterson Planning Board of the completeness of the Patterson Crossing Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

I raised the issue pursuant to the comments contained in letters dated June 29th by Rich Williams, Patterson Town Planner and Ron Gainer, Patterson Engineer which called into question serious unresolved issues of traffic and stormwater and the adequacy of the applicant's submissions and by implication, whether the DEIS document was indeed complete. 

From the June 29th issuance of letters to the Patterson Planning Board's cancellation of their July 27th meeting, no further public meetings were held to definitively and definitely make a determination as to the completeness of the applicant's DEIS submission. 

If at the outset of this process, there arise serious questions, what might we expect as the process continues. Therefore, at the Kent meeting, I requested that the Town Board obtain a legal opinion and you assured me that you would contact the Board's attorney, Ron. Blass, Van DeWater & Van DeWater of Poughkeepsie, New York and relay that information to me the following day.  As of this date, Friday, August 11th, I have not been contacted by you.

The matter of the Patterson Planning Board fulfilling its obligations under SEQRA is not only a grave matter for residents but for the Kent Town Board.  The inadequacy of time stipulated by the Patterson Town Board  for the Kent Board to adequately address the complex issues surrounding the largest retail project to date in Putnam County and the lack of experts by Kent to evaluate the validity of applicant's submission, places this Board and its residents at a serious disadvantage and in an untenable position. 

As you are aware, as the chief elected representative of the people of Kent, you and the Board bear the utmost responsibility in impartially assessing all projects that impact on the residents of the Town.  The disproportionate, harmful impact on Lake Carmel residents of Kent alone, would seem to me, a powerful motivator to obtain the information that I requested as quickly as possible. 

I look forward to an early response to my letter so that the question of public announcement of the completeness of the applicant's DEIS, is satisfactorily resolved.

Please accept my appreciation for your consideration of my comments.


Sincerely,


Ann Fanizzi, Chair
Putnam County Coalition to Preserve Open Space
 

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

Kent developer's motives questioned
By MICHAEL RISINIT
mrisinit@lohud.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: March 8, 2006)

KENT — Letters from developer Paul Camarda to the Kent Town Board — two warning of a lawsuit, another criticizing residents for speaking out about one of his projects — have left some wondering if he is seeking leverage for what is expected to be a contentious review of a shopping center he has proposed.

Camarda, who is trying to build a 439,500-square-foot shopping center on the Kent-Patterson border, said he plans to take the town to court unless it fixes a drainage issue on land across the street from the shopping-center site. He also had written to board members to complain about "misconceptions" being put forth by their "constituents" concerning the shopping center, known as Patterson Crossing.

"It's ironic," said Bill Ullman, a nearby resident and a member of the Stop Patterson Crossing Committee who has seen all the letters. "He has taken a simmering nonlegal debate (the drainage issue) and escalated it into a potential legal conflict. All of this comes as he wants to move ahead with Patterson Crossing."

Patterson Crossing is planned for 90 acres on the south side of Route 311 near Interstate 84.

In a Jan. 31 letter to the town and again in a Feb. 13 letter, Camarda said he would have to sue Kent if it failed to reroute storm water that pours off Longfellow Drive and onto 84 acres on the north side of Route 311. The runoff, Camarda said, is eroding the second parcel and carrying sediment and other contaminants into Lake Carmel and the Middle Branch Reservoir.

In 2000, Camarda began considering the 84 acres for another retail center, but he said yesterday that he had no immediate plans for that land. He has been alerting the town of the drainage issue for that long, he wrote in his letters.

"Obviously (we) would prefer to work cooperatively towards a resolution of this issue rather than be compelled to institute litigation," Camarda wrote last month.

The Carmel developer unveiled his Patterson Crossing proposal almost two years ago. Last month, the Patterson Planning Board told Camarda he had to rework the project's draft environmental study — leaving residents and shoppers still waiting for details.

Leaders of the Patterson Chamber of Commerce have expressed their support for the undertaking. Camarda is thought to face a more uphill battle in Kent. The project there backs up to Lake Carmel, where a majority of the town's 14,000 residents live. Some Kent Town Board members have spoken out against the project, repeating residents' concerns about traffic and water pollution.

Camarda said his recent letters were "not in any way done to pressure the town."

But Ann Fanizzi, chairwoman of the Putnam County Coalition to Preserve Open Space, disagreed.

"Oh, I am positive," Fanizzi said. "Always do developers through either inducement or intimidation try to get a town to do what they want."

Kent Supervisor Arne Nordstrom dismissed any contentions that Camarda's letters about one property were meant to influence decisions about another property.

As for the letter about the misconceptions, Camarda said he was just trying to counter the inaccurate arguments being made by Patterson Crossing's opponents. He said most of the water flowing off the Patterson Crossing site would not head to Lake Carmel and traffic worries are misplaced because most of the impact will be felt on the weekends.

Positive Declaration

Putnam County - The NYC Department of Environmental Protection, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Kent Manor may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement must be prepared. The action involves construction of a 303-unit condominium development and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to service the residential development in the Town of Kent, Putnam County, New York.

The proposed development site consists of 113 acres, 89 percent of which will ultimately drain into New York City’s Croton Falls Reservoir through, among other watercourses, Michael’s Brook and Palmer Lake. Construction of the project began in 1989 or 1990, but was halted a few years later and to date has not recommenced. As a result, unfinished portions of the WWTP, sewage collection system, other infrastructure, and the foundations of several condominium units are currently located on the project site.

NYCDEP has determined that the proposed Kent Manor development may have significant adverse impacts on the environment that either were not addressed or were inadequately addressed, and that arise from new information and/or changes in circumstances since the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was filed in 1987. The deficiencies include, but are not limited to, the analyses of potential adverse impacts to wetlands, stormwater quantity and quality, water quality during construction, downstream receiving waters from phosphorus loading, groundwater, wildlife, and traffic.

Therefore, as that the proposed Kent Manor development may have significant adverse impacts on the environment, NYCDEP has determined that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) providing full disclosure of all such impacts must be prepared.

The project is located off Nichols Street in the Town of Kent and includes the construction of a new section of Nichols Street in order to provide access to Route 52.

Contact: Diane M. McCarthy, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 11th floor, Flushing, NY 11373, phone: (718) 595-4409, fax: (718) 595-4479, Email: dmccarthy@dep.nyc.gov.

Good morning all

And so it has begun, the unsettling bickering between the Lake District and the Town over a "settled matter." In reading the article, I'm surprised that Bill Huestis wasn't interviewed - head of Putnam County Office of the Aging and Town of Kent Recreation Director. What does Mr. Huestis have to say? I hope he is not playing the "artful" dodger.

Building Senior Nutrition Centers is the "in thing" - Putnam Valley just opened one; The William Kohler Center in Mahopac is a state of the art center; Carmel has several; Patterson has their center and then there are tentative plans in the Town of Southeast to build a spanking new one and remove the seniors from the cold and drafty Lakeview Manor. So Kent has to jump on the bandwagon?

Should I quote the Biblical injunction - that man shall not live by bread alone?
.
Sincerely,
Ann

Old firehouse's future sparks heated debate at Kent meeting
By MICHAEL RISINIT
mrisinit@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: January 29, 2006)

KENT ­ A prayer urging cooperation kicked off a recent Kent Town Board meeting. But as the time approached 9 p.m., a heated debate over the future of the old Lake Carmel firehouse seemed rooted more in the schoolyard than in good government.

"I'm not interested right now," Supervisor Arne Nordstrom told resident Michael Tierney, who raised his hand to speak.

"I waited patiently," Tierney replied. "I'm a taxpayer. I deserve to speak."

"We're not going to make this into a circus," Nordstrom said.

"I'm not making it into a circus. You are," Tierney responded as he strode to the podium at the room's front.

And so went the board's meeting, where whether having an arts center or a senior nutrition center in the former firehouse consumed approximately half of the almost two-hour gathering. That just added to the building's long history of rhetoric, which includes a two-year debate about its next use.

The matter seem settled in October when the board, under then-Supervisor William Tulipane, unanimously gave the go-ahead for the Lake Carmel Park District to establish an arts center there. But Nordstrom wants to investigate whether the building is adequate for a county-run senior nutrition center. At the Tuesday meeting, he received permission from the board to contact the county about the matter.

The structure sits on Route 52 near Barrett Hill Road. Park district Chairwoman Wanda Schweitzer at the meeting expressed her dismay with the decision and reiterated her position on Friday. A residents' survey, she pointed out, backed the arts center.

"Again, it doesn't seem anyone is listening to what the residents want," Schweitzer said.

Kent's meetings over the years have been known for their theatrical value ­ something Nordstrom and other board members said they want to change. Meetings chaired by Republican Supervisor Annmarie Baisley several years ago had a Wild West reputation. Her successor, Tulipane, a Democrat, had moments of discord. Nordstrom was chided Tuesday for more of the same.

"I hope we don't have another two years of this bickering back and forth," Charlie Sisto, 66, told the Republican supervisor. "But remember, this is park district property. It belongs to the park district."

A former county legislator, Nordstrom on Friday said he had talked to County Executive Robert Bondi about having the site evaluated for seniors. He said an engineering inspection would be one of the next steps.

Senior nutrition centers provide a hot lunch, nutrition information, medical counseling and social opportunities. Facilities currently exist in Carmel, Mahopac, Putnam Valley and Cold Spring. Joyce Mitchell, 74, of Kent said she wasn't interested in another.

"I think a town without art is really poverty-stricken," she said.

Supporters of the arts center foresee a gallery, theater and instruction space in the 4,000-square-foot structure. Even without an arts center, it seems residents can look to Town Board meetings for a dose of drama. That was highlighted by County Legislator Mary Ellen Odell, who was in the audience and addressed residents and the board at the meeting's end.

"It's better live than on TV," Odell said, referring to the meeting's broadcast on local cable television.
--

Good morning all

Am relaying the official ENB Notice from the DEP re: Kent Manor (303 Townhouse units off Rte 52) courtesy of CWCWC's Dr. Marian Rose. What the implications are of the DEP now becoming personally involved in this development as Lead Agency and mandating a Supplementary Impact Statement, is open to wide speculation but it certainly is an interesting development in light of two factors:

1. Patterson Crossing
2. Hillcrest Commons

At issue: the phosophorous offset program sweepstakes.

Both CWCWC and the Coalition are watching this development closely for clues as to the effects on the above-mentioned proposals.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

Attached Message
From: MarianR451
Subject: DEP demands DEIS for Kent Manor in light of new information
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 5:38:22 PM Eastern Standard Time

Positive Declaration

Putnam County - The NYC Department of Environmental Protection, as lead
agency, has determined that the proposed Kent Manor may have a significant adverse
impact on the environment and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement must be
prepared. The action involves construction of a 303-unit condominium
development and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to service the residential
development in the Town of Kent, Putnam County, New York.

The proposed development site consists of 113 acres, 89 percent of which will
ultimately drain into New York City’s Croton Falls Reservoir through, among
other watercourses, Michael’s Brook and Palmer Lake. Construction of the
project began in 1989 or 1990, but was halted a few years later and to date has not
recommenced. As a result, unfinished portions of the WWTP, sewage collection
system, other infrastructure, and the foundations of several condominium units
are currently located on the project site.

NYCDEP has determined that the proposed Kent Manor development may have
significant adverse impacts on the environment that either were not addressed or
were inadequately addressed, and that arise from new information and/or changes
in circumstances since the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was
filed in 1987. The deficiencies include, but are not limited to, the analyses of
potential adverse impacts to wetlands, stormwater quantity and quality, water
quality during construction, downstream receiving waters from phosphorus
loading, groundwater, wildlife, and traffic.

Therefore, as that the proposed Kent Manor development may have significant
adverse impacts on the environment, NYCDEP has determined that a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) providing full disclosure of all such
impacts must be prepared.

The project is located off Nichols Street in the Town of Kent and includes
the construction of a new section of Nichols Street in order to provide access
to Route 52.

Contact: Diane M. McCarthy, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, 59-17
Junction Boulevard, 11th floor, Flushing, NY 11373, phone: (718) 595-4409,
fax: (718) 595-4479, Email: dmccarthy@dep.nyc.gov.

Visit www.newyorkwater.org

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

7:30 pm

Lake Carmel Community Center

 

 Citizens of Patterson / Kent Lakes

 

Help preserve the special quality

of our lives in our rural community.

 

Please attend an open forum to explore an alliance between the Stop Patterson Crossing Committee and local citizens who want to keep Route 311 rural.

 

Bring your suggestions and ideas to:

 

Lake Carmel Community Center

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

7:30 pm

 

Directions from Patterson:  Take Route 311, pass Lake Carmel General Store then take left onto Terry Hill Road.

Take first right onto Lakeshore Drive, drive one mile.

Community Center is on left between Yorktown Road and Huguenot Road

 

Bring a friend, take home a sign!

Kent, Patterson residents protest shopping center - New York Journal News Article

Residents Stand United Against Patterson Crossing
Ann Fanizzi

Good morning all- wonder what Mr. Singer, Kent Planning Board Chair, has in mind exactly when he suggests "increasing nonresidential development to relieve the tax strain" Any contemplated changes should not only protect water quality but the quality of life of Kent and especially Lake Carmel residents.

If Kent Manor, the largest of residential developments at 303 townhouses, does not come under the umbrella of the residential moratorium then the moratorium is in vain. We need to definitely find out at Monday's meeting.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

PS - Even tho the Judge ordered the Town to approve the phosphorous offset for Kent Manor, it must still get DEP approval. So it ain't over.

Kent plans 8-month ban on development
By MICHAEL RISINIT
mrisinit@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: October 22, 2005)

KENT — Residents, builders and others on Monday can weigh in on the town's proposed eight-month moratorium on residential development.

The moratorium would allow the Planning Board to update Kent's comprehensive plan, which would help guide development throughout the town in the years to come. The changes would protect the quality of residents' drinking water, Planning Board Chairman Arthur Singer said, and let the town designate some areas for commercial development.

"Increasing the amount and type of taxable, nonresidential development would reduce the tax strain experienced by property owners," Singer said.

Officials said the moratorium is needed to avoid a last-minute rush of applications while new zoning regulations are developed. The eight-month ban could be extended and would not apply to previously approved subdivisions, lot line amendments, subdivisions of three lots or less, or any nonresidential project.

The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the matter at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, 25 Sybil's Crossing.

Hi all - The latest from the Kent candidates. Lots of wiggle room and ambiguity in the statements - "It's too big." Would smaller "big boxes" do? But actions speak louder than words. Let's see what they do after they are elected when the DEIS comes in.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com
Remember to VOTE "YES" on November 8th for the $20 million Open Space Bond Fund

Kent Candidates Shelve Big Boxes
By MICHAEL RISINIT
mrisinit@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: October 21, 2005)

KENT — When it comes to the shopping center proposed for the town's border, most of the candidates running for office say they are not interested in the king-size model."It's too big for our area," said Vincent Fiorentino, 45, a Democrat making his second bid for a Town Board seat.He was referring to Patterson Crossing, a 439,500-square-foot shopping center planned for 90 acres off Route 311. It would straddle the Kent-Patterson line near Interstate 84.

Fiorentino made his comments earlier this week at a candidates' forum in Lake Carmel. Those running for town supervisor and two Town Board seats weighed in on the retail center then and again yesterday during an interview with the editorial board of The Journal News.

The six candidates also cited the need to keep taxes down and attract commercial growth."I'm not against development, but Patterson Crossing is a cross on the town of Kent. We're not going to get anything out of it," said Jim Monopoli, 63, a Conservative seeking a Town Board seat.

"We need a clean type of industry, such as corporate parks," said Arne Nordstrom, a Republican county legislator challenging Democratic Supervisor William Tulipane, 58, for the town's top post. Nordstrom was the only candidate not to denounce Patterson Crossing outright.

Seeking his second, two-year term, Tulipane said he must find a way to overcome Kent's anti-development image and bring reasonable, environmentally friendly proposals to town. That, he said, would provide tax relief and careers — not just jobs — for residents. He also wants to persuade the state to finance schools through an income-tax surcharge."Until the (state) Legislature finds a way to get schools funded other than on the backs of property owners, the small town is going to be endangered," Tulipane said.The supervisor earns $52,327 a year for a two-year term.

Both slates feature two major-party candidates and a Conservative Party member. Karl Rohde, who is active in veterans affairs, was endorsed by the Republicans, whose slate includes Nordstrom and Councilwoman Kathy Doherty. Monopoli, who works for the town Highway Department, was endorsed by the Democrats, whose slate includes Tulipane and Fiorentino.

Town Board members are paid $14,515 a year for the four-year term.Nordstrom, 63, and Rohde, 57, both endorsed the idea of having one countywide school district instead of the five.That, they said, would cut down on costs because the district would have just one supervisory staff and would have the ability to buy supplies in bulk.

Voters next month also have to choose from among three men to fill the two town justice spots. Democrat A. Robert Fagnani, 59, is looking to unseat one of the Republican incumbents: Joseph Esposito, 70, a retired Kent police officer who runs a plumbing supply business, and J. Peter Collins, 61, a Carmel lawyer. Kent town justices serve four-year terms and are paid $23,087 a year.

Those running for Town Board, however, agreed Kent has to attract more commercial undertakings."We need business in our town," Rohde said. "But it needs to fit with our town's infrastructure."The main disagreement was between Tulipane and the opposing candidates, who criticized the supervisor's management style. Doherty, 50, said many of the board's votes now are based on sentiment, popularity and crisis management."Let's have a plan," said Doherty, who advocated a five-year-plan approach to taxes and spending. "Let's look at it every quarter and say 'Have we gotten up to this point?' "

September 26, 2005

Sybil Ludington movie may be near - New York Journal News Article

September 18, 2005

Bondi's remarks on Patterson Crossing irk some residents - New York Journal News Article

Good morning all - this decision will have serious ramifications for Patterson Crossing since at stake is no other than the last entry into the DEP's phosphorous offset program. As you are aware, Camarda wants it for PC; however, an interesting wrinkle was introduced by Legislator Tamagna at the Economic Development Committee before whom I spoke. In response to discussions on development, he said the following: this is our last entry and we should use it for something really important, really big. I don't know exactly what he, as a legislator, could do about it but it was nevertheless noteworthy that he even mentioned it.

Let's see what the judge says. The Communications Committee usually meets on a Monday and the 26th is on a Monday, I think tho we should attend the Kent Town Board meeting since a public hearing is going to be held on the Kent Manor proposal.

Sincerely,
Ann
www.putopenspaces.com

Future of Kent Manor houses goes to judge
By MICHAEL RISINIT
mrisinit@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS

The Kent Town Board will hold a public hearing on the Kent Manor project on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Kent Town Hall, 25 Sybil's Crossing.

(Original publication: September 12, 2005)
KENT — A meeting with state Supreme Court Justice Andrew O'Rourke late this week could mean the beginning of the end for a long-simmering debate about building 303 townhomes.

Known as Kent Manor, the development's construction began shortly after its approval in 1988, but stopped because of financial difficulties and lawsuits.

The project gained new life this year, when a lawyer for a new developer stepped forward and started talking with all sides about settling the matter. Those discussions have largely been through letters exchanged between lawyers and in closed-door Town Board sessions. That leaves some neighbors of the site wondering what will happen as matters move back into court.

Jane Zaibek, a six-year resident of the Hill and Dale community around Palmer Lake, said she wasn't sure what would come up now with the sides returning to court. The lake sits downstream and on the opposite side of Route 52 from the project's 113 acres on Nichols Street.

"It will be interesting to see what progress will be made," she said.

The project was subjected to several lawsuits while still on the drawing board. In 1999, the venture became tangled in the latest lawsuit, which accused Kent and New York City of extortion.

The suit claimed Kent and the city hindered construction of what would be the town's largest residential project by not approving its participation in a special sewage-treatment plant program. The town said it wouldn't give the needed recommendation. Like much of Kent, the site is in the New York City watershed.

The renewed interest has put the matter on two separate tracks toward approval. One track is judicial, where O'Rourke could give the go-ahead to build. That would render moot any negotiations between the town and the unidentified group of investors — known as RFB, LLC — who want to resurrect the project, such as an offer of $750,000 to help remediate any affects from construction.

Any judicial decision in the days after Friday's meeting would also nullify the Town Board's public hearing on Kent Manor scheduled for later this month, when residents would be able to ask questions and voice concerns. Residents have expressed worries about Kent Manor adding traffic to already-congested roads, putting more children in the schools and contributing pollution to local waterways and wells. A writing campaign has sent at least 60 letters to the Town Clerk's Office asking that the project not go forward.

Kathy Fleming, president of the Hill and Dale board, said the public hearing was the obvious outlet for residents' opinions. Neighbors, she said, are talking about what to say at the meeting.

"This is still very much on people's minds. People are very worried about it," Fleming said.

Both Kent Supervisor William Tulipane and Charles Martabano, RFB's lawyer from Mount Kisco, seem to want O'Rourke to make a decision, although for different reasons.

For Martabano, it's an opportunity to bring some lengthy litigation to an end and allow his clients to start building while they can still participate in the city's sewage treatment plant program.

"What I'm hopeful of is, this matter will finally be brought to a conclusion," Martabano said.

The city is supposed to review the sewage treatment plant program in 2007. Any participants need to have an operational plant by then, so the city's Department of Environmental Protection can examine its data. That essentially gives RFB about a year to accomplish the following: settle the lawsuit, finalize any outstanding approvals, build the homes and plant, and have them occupied.

For Tulipane, it's about having a tough decision lifted from his hands.

Agreeing to have the homes built will most likely incur the wrath of many residents. On the other hand, saying no, he has said, makes the town vulnerable to a $90 million legal decision.

"I'm going to ask him to rule, to take this cup from my lips," Tulipane said. "The court has been dealing with this issue a lot longer than I have. They can render an impartial decision."

August 15, 2005

Wonder Lake stays untouched - New York Journal News Article

August 5, 2005

Riverkeeper /Kent town hall/Mon. Aug. 8th: 7:30

From: Edie Keasbey <edie.keasbey@verizon.net>
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Riverkeeper /Kent town hall/Mon. Aug. 8th: 7:30
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 13:10:05 -0400

Below is the Riverkeeper email on their presentations..we need to get as many as possible out to Kent on Monday Perhaps to all list serves, web sites as well..what do you think..? Edie Patterson Crossing is in both Patterson, the majority and Kent, much less..

Hi folks,

Once again, thank you so much for signing on to support the Pave It...Or
Save It?" report! Your work on the sprawl issue is amazing!

We've been spending the summer preparing follow-up on the report. In
addition to publishing some op-eds and other pieces, we have developed a
45-minute presentation for Town/Village board meetings. The presentation
highlights the key issues in the report. We're now starting to get out to
some town meetings to make presentations. I'm listing the dates and
locations below. If you have constituents in one of the communities, please
let them know about it. Or feel free to drop out and go on tour; you'll get
a free tour t-shirt with the Southeast Home Depot on the front and tour
dates on the back! :)

Also, we're hoping to have some workshops in October to brainstorm local,
state, and federal solutions. I will be out of the office for most of
August, so I look forward to catching up with everyone in September. Have a
great rest of summer and try to stay cool!
Best,
Marc

To date, we have the following
presentations scheduled:

July 26: North Salem, Court House, 266 Titicus Road
August 3: Pawling, Town Hall, 160 Charles Colman Blvd.
August 8: Kent, Town Hall, 25 Sybil's Crossing
August 17: North Castle, Town Hall, 15 Bedford Road
September 1: Somers, Town Hall, Elephant Hotel, Routes 202 & 100
September 12: Lewisboro, South Salem Library, 15 Main Street,
South Salem
September 21: Brewster, Brewster Village Court, 208 East Main Street

I'm not sure of the meeting times or where we are on the agenda. Most of
them tend to start at 7 or 7:30.


August 8: Kent, Town Hall, 25 Sybil's Crossing

July 30, 2005

Kent residents enjoying water - New York Journal News Article

And Camarda said that he would clean up the lake.
Ann Fanizzi

July 29, 2005

Stop Patterson Crossing Ad

To: Don Hall

Re: Patterson Crossing

From: Ann Fanizzi