Welcome.
To all of you who ask "Where do my tax dollars go?"
Whether you are from Carmel, NY, or not, READ ON.
You will see the similarities in your hometown, & hopefully will want to SPEAK OUT!
On November 17, 2010, the Carmel residents spoke out against:
The destruction of precious land! The demolition of historical buildings! The end to dreams of creating a site that will “welcome” all to Putnam County.
Citizens voiced their concerns in regards to the Mahopac “Union Place” project and there was an overwhelming amount of residents against this plan. Unfortunately, that evening was just the beginning. Just as Sybil Ludington’s ride was just the beginning to our country’s freedom, our battle to protect the laws of the town has just begun. The Town Planning Board members may have been listening but DID THEY HEAR US?????
We must continue to speak out and prove to the elected officials of Carmel, that we expect all zoning laws to be adhered to and not revised to be financially beneficial for developers. We want a designed plan that will enhance our county and bring a substantial business tax base for the residents. We do not want, nor need, more housing, more traffic, more roads and more pollution.
We cannot allow a project as “The Retreat” to happen again. “We the people” must speak out! We must continue to write letters demanding that the Carmel Town Board and the Carmel Zoning Board of Appeals adhere to the laws. But now we must take our actions one step further --- WE NEED YOU TO SIGN THIS PETITION NOW!
Last Wednesday, November 17, at the Carmel Town Planning Board Public Hearing, the people spoke out. Citizens voiced their concerns in regards to the “Union Place” project and there was an overwhelming amount of residents against going forward with this plan. Due to the meeting ending late many were unable to stay and voice their comments. It is for those I ask “please mail in your concerns, comments and/or questions on this endeavor”, you have until January 1, 2011 to write into the Planning Board with your concerns.
It is vital that all concerned realize that our battle has just begun. In the past, projects completed by this developer had the zoning laws revised and once again he is requesting to amend the zoning at this site. Previously, the Carmel Town Board has customized zoning to be financially beneficial for this developer but detrimental to our environment, home values and town tax base. A perfect example is sitting on top of a hill in Carmel and it is called “The Retreat”.
“The Retreat” a condominium development was built on land originally zoned as industrial. If the zoning had stayed as that; homes would not have been built and all the land would not have been destroyed. The residents living next to the property would not have had to deal with numerous blasting and destruction of the nearby land. The entire ridgeline would not have been destroyed, leaving long time residents with barren land and a hideous view of monopoly style homes. If the Town Board had adhered to the zoning law; a business park would have been built giving businesses an opportunity to move into the area, creating high paying jobs for the many unemployed and at the same time creating a strong business tax base. Instead “The Retreat” created numerous condos at a tax rate of 55% less than residential homeowners pay. In addition the developer profited by millions more than if an industrial park was constructed.
We cannot allow another project as “The Retreat” to happen. “We the people” must speak out! Write your letters demanding that the Carmel Planning Board and the Carmel Town Board adhere to the zoning laws. These laws were made to protect our land and protect the people. Our elected officials were voted in by the people, not by special interest groups or out of state developers. Our elected officials were voted in to abide by the laws of the people. It is time to contact friends, neighbors and relatives asking them to speak out and DEMAND TO BE HEARD!
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Carmel Town Crier comes before you today to proclaim an injustice that we all will be forced to endure, if we do not speak out NOW. This time I do not speak of high taxes and wasteful spending, but to warn you of overdevelopment and destruction of precious land. This time I the Carmel Crier need YOU to speak out, to gain back our rights, that we have the right to speak out and that “We the people” will be heard.
What is “Union Place”? It is a developer’s dream and Carmel Residents’ nightmare. This site development will include “1,043,600 square feet” of floor space in 17 buildings; comprising of big box retail, grocery store, pharmacy, hotel, restaurants, professional offices’ with 180 rental units on the second floor and other additional housing not yet defined. Union Place will destroy 300 acres of Carmel’s open space land and one of Mahopac’s last remaining historic landmarks. This new type of “Place” will increase congestion and eliminate country scenery. The developer will leave with millions of dollars profit and leave us with overdeveloped land.
Where is “Union Place” going to be built? Its location will be at the border of Westchester and Putnam Counties along Route 6 and Baldwin Place Road. The developer describes this area as “great access”. Actually, these are heavily traveled roads & extremely congested during rush hour. In addition, this location is miles from any major highway and shoppers who need to travel here can easily shop in towns with less traffic and lower sales tax.
When is Union Place going to be built? It is projected that the development will take at least ten years to complete and construction will begin once the approvals have been given by the regulatory agencies and planning board. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), mandated by NYS, has been given to the Carmel Planning for approval. It is presently available on the town of Carmel website for public review. The Carmel Planning Board along with the developer is working diligently to get the approvals completed, to start on the destruction. A public hearing is scheduled on November 17, 2010 at 7:00 PM in Carmel Town Hall. “We the people” need to speak out to stop our beautiful scenic area from being destroyed.
Why is Union Place going to be built? The Connecticut builder will gain millions of dollars in profit. The Town & Planning Board of Carmel are in favor of this project and moving swiftly to complete the approvals. “We the people” can now voice our opposition on this mammoth project. They expect no resistance from the people! “We the people” must speak out against big government & even bigger business.
“We the people” need all to attend: Carmel Planning Board “Public Hearing” November 17, 2010 7:00PM Carmel Town Hall 60 McAlpin Avenue Mahopac
