Updated plan is unveiled
Town studies development

By Michael Valkys Poughkeepsie Journal February 2, 2006

The Town of Poughkeepsie on Wednesday night received an updated master plan to chart the town's course and officials hope to approve the planning blueprint in the coming months.
Planning board Chairman John Weisman, head of the town's master plan committee, and consultant Arthur Brod updated the town board during a special meeting at town hall.
"We've had some stops and starts and took some time," Weisman said of the long effort to update the document for the first time in 15 years. He said the master plan hopefully will "keep us a viable community for people to come to and visit."
The document has drawn interest from residents and developers anxious to learn what impact the master plan and accompanying zoning changes will have on the town and several large pending projects.
The town board must approve the update and zoning changes. Public hearings are expected to be held before the board makes any final decisions.
One resident who lives near a portion of Route 9 that has been developed in recent years said he would like to see the plan have developers provide green space and buffers when they do build.
"You need something in the guidelines to preserve the nature in the town," Jim Kitcher said. "The developer seems to have pretty much the ability to do what they want to."
Brod, of Planners East Inc., came on board about a year ago and has sat in on master plan committee meetings. His primary job will be to recommend zoning changes to go along with the update.
"My task is simply to translate ... the policies that are implemented," Brod said of pending zoning recommendations. He predicted they could be ready for the board to review by March 31. An environmental impact statement must also be created.
Much of the master plan offers recommendations on town centers, including Arlington along Raymond Avenue. That's where state transportation officials plan to add three traffic roundabouts which they claim will improve safety. The town board last month opposed the project, even though the master plan calls for a pedestrian-friendly approach to that area.
A group of Arlington residents attended Wednesday's session to urge the board to reconsider its opposition to the state plan. Board members are set to meet with state officials Friday to discuss the project, slated to begin in June.
Movement on the master plan comes during a ban on residential construction of 11 lots or more that was recently extended into June. The moratorium approved last year allowed developers to proceed with environmental reviews for pending projects at their own risk.
The board is debating whether to continue that policy during the extended moratorium. Public hearings on that issue are set for Feb. 15.
The master plan also comes as town officials are facing proposals for two major developments along the Route 9 corridor. One calls for a mixed use of housing and commercial space at the former Hudson River Psychiatric Center property.
The other proposal from Hawthorne-based Ginsburg Development calls for 468 homes at the Casperkill Golf Club site. The developer wants to build town homes and single-family homes, but plans to preserve the site’s 18-hole golf course.

Michael Valkys can be reached at mvalkys@poughkeepsiejournal.com

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