‘A different agenda'

To the editor, I recently read two interesting letters-to-the-editor that addressed the issue of open space planning in the Town Of Warwick (April 13th, 2007). I was pleased to see that there are others that have realized the erroneous nature of our open space-cluster development plan. Below is one of several letters I sent to the planning board regarding one of those developments that is abusing the existing cluster development plan. The letter was sent two years ago for a development that proposed 39 homes on a parcel of land broken up by federal wetlands, bog turtle habitat, swamps, bad soils and poor traffic accessibility. At the time, the developer was showing a potential of 39 homes using conventional development. Two previous developers had backed out of their deals on this parcel prior to the adoption of cluster development. They wouldn’t be able to build more than 18 homes on the parcel under the previous two acre zoning. Now this developer was making claims that 39 homes could be squeezed in on top of aquifer regeneration zones, wetlands and other “off limits” areas. My letter was pleading with the planning board to adopt an environmental impact declaration that would put this development under high levels of scrutiny. It would severely limit the “overstatement” of the number of possible homes that could be built there. Unfortunately, the planning board chose to adopt a “short form” environmental declaration and as of now, this development is now showing 41 possible homes. I can’t say what exactly is going on but the people in charge of the future of Warwick have a different agenda than that of the residents. Bob Linguanti Warwick Jan. 18, 2005 Town Of Warwick Planning Board 132 Kings Highway Warwick, NY 10990 Attn: Planning Board Members RE: Proposed BCM Development Public Hearing, SEQRA Review Dear Board Members, I have prior obligations that prevent me from attending the public hearing. Therefore, I request that you read this letter aloud at the public hearing scheduled for 1/19/05. The proposed BCM Development is on an aquifer regeneration zone. Putting 39 homes on top of that zone has the potential to contaminate water supplies for hundreds or even thousands of Warwick residents. It also has the potential of causing neighboring wells to run dry by lowering the water table at the source. The proposed BCM development is in an area where there are endangered species of wildlife as well as other significant wildlife that will be displaced and/or disrupted by the presence of 39 new homes. Habitats will be contaminated and destroyed by community wastes and activities, causing the natural flora and fauna in that tract of land to be altered and lost forever. The access point to the proposed BCM Development is along an already dangerous section of State RT 17A. Every year there are numerous collisions within a short distance of the proposed entrance road. Furthermore, at that proposed entrance point there are existing, unchangeable road conditions which limit the sight of drivers, exasperating an already dangerous situation. As I have stated before at the last public hearing and as I will state again here before the board; there is NO WAY that anyone being of reasonable judgment can say that the proposed development will NOT have an adverse effect on the above conditions. The BCM Development, with 39 homes, will adversely affect the quality and quantity of water, the wildlife and the traffic safety in our Town Of Warwick. The planning board members, being of reasonable judgment, must NOT adopt a negative declaration decision for SEQRA. I ask you to take great care in your decisions in this matter and stay true to your responsibility to protect the quality of life for your fellow residents of this town. Bob Linguanti