The economy and development are vital community issues, Steyer says

Warwick — The one thing Penny Steyer says she wants to see in the Town of Warwick is change. What brought her, in large part, to her decision to challenge Michael Sweeton for the job of supervisor, was development and all it brings with it. For nearly four years, Steyer sat alone on the town’s Architectural Review Board. It wasn’t until earlier this year six other people who she describes as “wonderful, qualified and professional” were appointed to serve with her. In the years Steyer served alone, she said she had become aware of how new developments in the town went through the planning process and she saw flaws. “Clustering is good economically because there is less infrastructure,” said Steyer, a former executive with Hunter Douglas, a Fortune 500 company. “But we are giving a bonus to developers to build cluster developments. That is counterintuitive to what we are trying to do.” Cluster zoning groups all of the houses in a development closer together on smaller lots, leaving a part of the property as open space. The benefit is that clustering houses requires the building of fewer roads (infrastructure), and thus disturbs less land. In addition to taking away the bonus for clustering houses, Steyer also wants to examine the soils. “Let’s look at the capacity of the soils,” she said. “If we can’t get a perk, we shouldn’t be [allowing] building.” Instead, Steyer suggests the planning board require developers to study the soil before submitting a site plan, and to set aside land that can’t be built upon because it drains poorly or lacks an adequate water supply. The results of the study would govern the number of homes the town would allow the developer to build on any given site. “Let’s look at the quality of soils, the ability to maximize the soils for open space, and look at how much water we can produce to support the development,” said Steyer. “If we have an insufficient supply of water, you can’t do it. Period.” Doing this kind of analysis, she believes, would start cutting back on development. She would also like to require the planning board to submit an impact report that considers each application in light of the impact of other local development. “We should have a running impact tally,” she said. “The planning board has to be accountable to the residents. List the number of roads, driveways, rooftops, all impermeable surfaces and the number of children being added to the schools. And that’s not just for each application; it is in conjunction with those surrounding it”. Steyer views economic development as another top issue facing the town. “The Economic Development Group was long overdue,” said Steyer, referring to the newly formed group working to bring clean businesses to Warwick. “We have agriculture, an $87 million industry for the town. But every time we ask farmers to diversify, it all falls to them. Farmers are extremely diverse — they are on the one hand scientists and on the other hand managers. If we take local produce and brand it, we could capitalize on the 19 million people in the metropolitan area. People love local food.” Steyer would like to focus on the arts as well. Instead of a Warwick makeup artist, photographer, and model heading down to a Chelsea studio for a photo shoot, why not just keep them here, she said. Film, commercials, even journalism, all fit well in Warwick, according to Steyer. Finally, Steyer wants to bring more people into the process. “I want to get people to move from the complaint stage to participation,” she said. “We will have to look at every corner of the town. Shape up, take pride, and constantly keep residents excited about where they live.” Steyer, a Democrat, was the owner of Penra Liquors in the Village of Warwick for 19 years before recently selling her business. She has been an active participant in the governmental process for many years, as part of various committees and task forces in both the Town and Village of Warwick She is a founding member of the Warwick Independent Business Alliance, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Village of Warwick Downtown Strategy Steering Committee, Village of Warwick Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Smart Growth Alliance, and the Local Organizing Committee of the Town of Warwick Countryside Exchange.