It's no
secret that when Mr Feiner wants a project to go through, he will do everything
possible to stack the deck for that project's developer. Such is the case with the Formation-Shelbourne's oversized assisted living facility project that would replace the
Sprainbrook Nursery. It's the first proposal for an assisted living facility
that clearly does not meet the Town Board's newly adopted (2-yr old) assisted
living zoning code. It was adopted specifically to allow the Brightview facility to
be built at Rt 119 and Benedict Avenue - another project Mr Feiner favored. In
fact, after adopting the code change that Thomas Madden, then the Planning
Commissioner, along with Mr Sheehan and others, insisted another assisted
living facility could not be built anywhere in Unincorporated Greenburgh
because there is no space that could accommodate it!
This
debacle, highlighting the public's outcry that the Town Board follow the process and
allow the project to proceed, or not, of its own volition, has routinely been
ignored by a deaf Town Board. But since Mr Feiner wants this project to go
through even though it violates the zoning, he insisted on pushing it through
against protests of the taxpayers. He's again violated the process he so often
refers to, claiming that the residents should have confidence in the process.
Actions such as these reinforce the residents’ lack of confidence in any
processes Mr Feiner and his Board may discuss. The only confidence they seem to
get is the confidence game he and his Board are running against
taxpayers!
At this
meeting, he had his Town Board vote to accept the negative declaration on the
State Environmental Quality Review Assessment (SEQR) before it was required to
be performed. The "neg dec SEQR" report means the project will not
have a negative environmental impact on the project. Perhaps this would be the
outcome anyway. But testing and reports are needed to make that determination.
Mr Feiner and his Board have performed none and by not following the real
process, are cheating everyone except the developer. Emboldened by the public's
inability to stop them has created this nightmare scenario.
During
the same Town Board meeting was a scheduled hearing for the 7-8 year old
Comprehensive Plan that has yet to be adopted. The Town Board cancelled it. Why
was the hearing cancelled? The Comprehensive Plan is the one official obstacle
that might restrict Mr Feiner and his spot-zoning ways if adopted. However,
changes to it seem to have watered down its effectiveness. It should provide a
map for the Town's zoning which would slow and possibly stop Mr Feiner's wanton
wholesaling of every piece of undeveloped land in Unincorporated Greenburgh.
It's no wonder he decided to postpone the hearing. Every delay, change or
review slows its adoption and keeps him in the driver's seat. He's spent the
last two years throwing more considerations for them to review knowing it slows
them down.
To add
dramatic flair to the proceedings, Councilman Ken Jones had said at an earlier
meeting that he had unanswered questions and wished to have a delay in the
vote. This night, he said his concerns had been answered and he would support
the project. No surprise there. ABG believes these theatrics were Mr Jones'
turn to appear to be the “concerned Board member”. We believe that Mr Feiner
instructs the Board members who can challenge and even vote "no" on
any given issue. It was his turn. Ironically, Mr Jones' questions were less
environmental and more traffic oriented. It was perceived and ultimately
believed by many to be nothing more than a ploy for appearance sake.
Many
residents have been concerned about increased traffic, accidents, emergency
vehicle responses, flooding, lack of blending into the neighborhood and more.
Others, including friends
of the Sprainbrook Nursery owners have championed the sale. While we appreciate they're trying to help their friends, this is about
adhering to the zoning code changes Mr Feiner and his Town Board adopted
against many residents objections with valid concerns. He and his Board ignored
that input and it was passed. Now, Foundation Shelbourne is asking for
variances for some of those same concerns. They should not be allowed and the
zoning code Mr Feiner and his Board passed should stand. Only then will we get
A Better Greenburgh.
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