We have been engaging, we have been communicating and we have been ignored

The controversy over the application for a giant bar in the heart of quiet neighborhoods continues to rage.
Ever more evident this time of year is the appalling lack of parking for residents, merchants and tourists.
Parking is the lifeblood of our restaurant, bar, boutique strip mall village.
All our local businesses and merchants are essential, loved and welcome in the appropriate settings.
Allowing a 5,600-square-foot facility into our quiet neighborhood would be grossly inappropriate and directly violates the Village Code that identifies as a “prohibited use” any use “that is of such a nature as to be detrimental to neighboring properties by reason of emission of odor …, noise or any other factor that is dangerous to the comfort, peace, enjoyment, health or safety of the area or community.”
All the detrimental features of a poorly chosen, poorly sited location would be present if this application were approved.
Our neighborhoods and village residents are being bullied by a Planning Board that has stated the presence of the proposed application will have no impact on the surrounding community.
In the same breathe they indicate that any impact can be mitigated after construction.
Mitigation is not compliance.
The code expresses the intent of engaging the citizenry and communicating with the residents in making decisions.
We have been engaging, we have been communicating and we have been ignored.
The citizens have had one opportunity to publicly comment for the record on this matter after which the public input to the planning board was closed.
Lawyers for the applicant are still trying to overcome the powerful public objections raised in October.
They will have spent 10 or 11 weeks (almost three months) trying to twist the Village of Warwick codes intent by the time they finally respond in January.
Our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods will be saved by simple compliance with the code.
The entire community will prosper and benefit from parking fees and reduced congestion in our village.
Eminent domain is the process by which this property can be purchased by the village.
Its highest and best use, most beneficial to local residents and the broader community is as community parking.
The village trustees can no longer ignore the voice of the people who trust them to act in our interests.
Leadership can employ eminent domain right now and stabilize the property and our neighborhoods.
More than 200 petitioners have demanded a voice. An ever growing base of concerned residents expect the boards to take right action and let us show our renewed faith in you in the March Village elections.
Patrick Gallagher
Warwick