January 10, 2012

Letters to the Schodack SCENE

Please Note: All letters to the Schodack SCENE are subject to editing for length, taste and accuracy. Only letters submitted exclusively to the Schodack SCENE will be used, and only if the writer's name can also be published. To be considered for publication, letters must include the writer's name, address and daytime phone number. Letters published on the Schodack SCENE be posted as a new post.  Letters to the Schodack SCENE do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor.
~Below is a letter from resident Leonard Bates to the Planning Board and Town Board Members

He has questions  ~ 

I am writing to you as part of the open public comment period and wish to express some views that you may have already heard, but also things that you may not have. My name is Leonard Bates and I am a resident and taxpaying voter at 1684 Julianne Dr., Castleton, NY. I bought my home in July 2001 with my wife and 5 month old son. Since then, we have added a daughter to our family. I have been a life long resident of Schodack which spans 37 years. I attended Schodack Central Schools and worked my first few jobs in various Schodack businesses. Growing up in this town, I always knew I would most likely end up raising my own family here. What kept me in this town was the community and the semi rural nature of town. You are secluded and away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but yet still close enough to all the things you need (stores, shopping centers, gas stations, etc). When my wife and I set out to buy our first home, we wanted to find a home and neighborhood we could settle into and live a life like you would see in a TV Land sitcom from the 50's. Kids running around and riding their bikes with their friends. Adults walking up and down the road, stopping to chat with their neighbors. Multi-family BBQ's in someone's backyard. The list can go on and on. Well, Julianne Dr. and the Richwood Dr area, for us, was that neighborhood! It wasn't soon after we moved in that we hosted our first house party with some neighbors. We just knew we made the right choice. We never regretted our decision...until now.


In late November, I was contacted by one of my best friends and neighbor, and was told that the property behind our homes was a possible site for a Dollar Tree Distribution Center. I was told that Schodack was one of 3 possible locations...Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT being the other two. I read the article and immediately, the vision and foundation of my happy family neighborhood started to crack. All kinds of questions started rushing to my head and confusion started to grow into outrage. HOW...HOW could this town do this to us?! WHY...WHY would this town do this to us?! Are we not law abiding, tax paying, voting residents of this town?! Do we not contribute enough to the town? Have we suddenly been deemed disposable?!

I turned that anger into productive research and started finding out things that I found odd, at best. For instance, why would the town officials not be concerned that the proposed project will sit directly over our towns most vital natural asset...the underground aquifer? This is a water supply that feeds most of the homes in Schodack, East Greenbush, Nassau and Valatie. The project will also be placed directly next to a DEC protected waterway...Moordener Kill. I have sat through 3 presentations by Bergman and Associates and they have said repeatedly that they are installing retention ponds on the southwest side and north side of the property. These ponds can only hold a certain amount of water runoff (approx. 1 million gallons as stated by the engineer). In a 1 inch rainstorm, that amount of rain will completely fill that pond. Anything over 1", and now you have overflow and that overflow will be directed into the PROTECTED Moordener Kill...carrying with it all the water soluble contaminants. If the pond is able to filter the runoff effectively, the contaminants will then be draining and recharging our aquifer. Too many possible risks are at stake here and this alone should be enough to not pass the project.

But, if you need more, let's take the traffic issue. I am not sure how often you drive the roads in that immediate location where this proposed building will be, but, take it from us...those that drive it all the time...it can be VERY dangerous. There are already accidents, almost weekly, at the Route 150 and Routes 9 & 20 intersection. Couple that with the always risky Routes 9 & 20 split and you are asking for even more accidents once you introduce 300-400 additional vehicles...200-300 of them tractor trailers and possible tandems. These roads are traveled by cars, small trucks, buses, motor homes, and sometimes the occasional farm equipment. Introducing 100-200 more vehicles and 200-300 tractor trailers with them all and you are begging for a serious traffic situation! Will it take 1, 2, 3 or more deaths before you realize that this was a bad idea?

In terms of noise and pollution levels, I cannot believe that you would even consider the engineers studies. They are completely inaccurate and highly biased, in favor of Dollar Tree. I have worked near warehouses and trucks terminals and I know first hand that these yards are NOISY! Dollar Tree can say all they want about how "minimal" the truck traffic will be...but they gloss things over because it will be a 24/7 operation! That means we will hear this noise ALL THE TIME!!! Recently, my cousin slept over at our house and said she had a hard time sleeping because of the I-90 noise coming through the woods and into our house. That noise was coming from 3/4's of a mile away!! This building and it's trucks are going to be 100-200 FEET from mine and my neighbors homes! A sound wall and foliage will NOT keep the noise levels down. At best, a few decibels. That is not good enough!
Also...pollution is a huge concern for many of us in this neighborhood. My wife suffers from asthma, as do many of my neighbors. My kids suffer from environmental allergies, as do many of my neighbors and their children. Dollar Tree would be adding to the pollution levels in the form of diesel fumes and exhaust, which will only exacerbate their already fragile breathing conditions. There is a 50% higher risk of cancers caused from diesel fumes and exhaust when living less than 1/2 mile from a distribution center and trucking center. Is THIS the risk you want to put us through?

Our homes are something we take pride in. Our families are people we cherish. Our town is somewhere we chose to live, on purpose. We didn't settle to live here....we chose to. For many of us, like myself and my family, these homes we purchased here, were our first homes. We have worked hard to increase the values of our homes. We spent countless hours maintaining our yards, painting rooms, doing things that make our homes OURS. With the swipe and swing of a pen, you could be taking all that away from us. You may think we are out for ourselves...well, ya know what...in a way, we are. We have a lot to lose here. But, our concerns go beyond Julianne Dr, Richwood Dr. and Star Terrace. We have seen and heard residents from all over town hoping and praying that this project does not go through. You heard many residents, not living in our neighborhood, that have expressed major concerns over the items listed above. You have heard even more about topics I did not touch on. These are VALID points to consider.

Your decisions will affect, not only the residents of today, but future generations as well. I sincerely hope you do not put the greed of a dollar ahead of people, families and community. We all have a job to protect, preserve and promote growth in our town...but we have to be smart about it, as to not destroy the core fabric that makes this a GREAT town to live in.

Thank you for your time and I hope you take our concerns very seriously.

Sincerely,
Leonard Bates

30 comments:

  1. Mr. Bates, you state

    "When my wife and I set out to buy our first home, we wanted to find a home and neighborhood we could settle into and live a life like you would see in a TV Land sitcom from the 50's. Kids running around and riding their bikes with their friends. Adults walking up and down the road, stopping to chat with their neighbors. Multi-family BBQ's in someone's backyard. The list can go on and on. Well, Julianne Dr. and the Richwood Dr area, for us, was that neighborhood! "

    I agree with you but there's no reason why the distribution center would prevent you from being able to still enjoy those things. Please don't rush to judgment about unsubstantiated negative consequences. As a Schodack property owner, I think I speak for the majority who actually wants this type of development and believes it's long overdue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous...I am in support of business development in Schodack, but as I said in my letter, we have to be smart about it. The first key to any business is location, location, location. The proposed site for this building is in a highly risky area of our town. There are several commercial property sites available in the town that can easily support a project of this magnitude. Our goal is not so much to stop dollar tree or the town, completely...but, to get them to "think" about an alternative site. Now, having said that...personally, I would much rather have businesses developed in our town that will attract more lucrative businesses. For example, a hotel, movie theater or shopping center/mall. These kinds of businesses attract other businesses to develop around them. Movie theaters will attract restaurants and stores. Hotels attract restaurants, banks, coffee shops, etc. We could do much better with creating a sturdy tax base by following that business model. A warehouse only begets more warehouses. I understand your view, but I think we can all agree that this town once stood out as an ideal place to live and raise a family. If something like this is allowed to pass, it opens a wound that will infect the town and it will forever change the towns character for future generations of Schodack residents.

      Delete
  2. "Our families are people we cherish. Our town is somewhere we chose to live, on purpose. We didn't settle to live here....we chose to."
    -Len Bates

    I agree with you, and I hope people will share exactly those sentiments when the Ichabod/Schodack schools' merger is being forced down our throats.

    The reasons cited in Mr. Bates' letter ring very familiar to the opposition to Crown Truck Terminal proposed for Rt. 9 and Graw Rd.

    Very well organized and vocal opposition stalled and stymied the project long enough that it went away, though a similar project for that area is likely still simmering on someone's backburner.

    In the 12 years I've lived in Schodack, that was the first project I've seen that was defeated, however temporary that defeat may be.

    The Town and developer were so much in favor of the terminal,and supportive of each other, the fact it did not just go through is a real testament to the effort the opposition put forth.

    It seems that most things are decided, and plans well on their way to approval, well before it ever gets to the public comment phase, and even then, comments seem to fall on deaf ears.

    Good luck to you, actually, all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am very excited to see this project in Schodack. Residents must realize, Schodack will never be able to attract major retailers because there isnt the population or the traffic counts that would be required. Potentially in the future retailers will come with initial population generating development. What the residents of the adjacent development dont realize is they are being selfish to some extent. They moved into an area that is ripe for development with Distribution users such as Dollar Tree. The entire route 9 corridor is ideal for industrial development. If this project doesnt go through future development will struggle. Dollar Tree has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the engineering for the site. With a negative vote on this site large users similar to them will recognize the town of Schodack as not being "open for business". The tangible benefits from the taxes alone will help the town stimulate growth. We must also recognize that with this project there will be no students added to the district as compared to a residential project would definitely impact the schools.

    As for the residents that are adjacent, I agree with them, I would not want this in my backyard. When I bought my house I made sure that I did not have a vacant gravel bank in my back yard with a PD zoning that was actively being marketed for development.

    ReplyDelete
  4. To the anonymous listing from the 12th, you hit the nail on the head! That's exactly what I've been saying this whole time. I do sympathize with Len Bates to a degree but there's a bigger picture. Dowds realizes this and I hope others do too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, for you...as the days go by, there is less and less support for this project, by the residents. They are all seeing just what kind of mess this is going to create for the town and it's future. If you want to live in an industrial wasteland...then maybe you should all move to those areas. We like our town just the way it is!

      Delete
  5. I for one am deeply in favor of this going forward. I grew up in Castleton and bought a house in the village too and raised a family. If you didn't realize it that those that live in the village not only have to pay town taxes but, also village taxes too. I can't see how a statement can be made that this is a "Industrial Wasteland". Where is the industry because I sure as heck don't see it !!. This project would lower the tax base for all those in the area so, those that complain there taxes are high but, don't want something like this proposal can't complain anymore. This just cracks me up...wake up. I do feel for those folks that will have to indeer the noise...etc but, look at the rewards. (i.e Jobs, lower taxes...etc.) Give it a chance. Sometimes you need to look at the greater good. The days of the rural serenity is over folks....it's not the 1970's anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That, Mr. Anonymous, is where you are WRONG! There is no tax relief! The Renss. County IDA is funding this project and Dollar Tree will be part of the PILOT program. In case you are not aware of what that is, it stands for Pay In Lieu Of Taxes. That means that Dollar Tree will be "leasing" the building from Rensselaer County and paying THEM instead of making any payments to the Town of Schodack! The residents of Schodack will receive NOTHING in tax relief! Let me ask you...were you here when the Hannford warehouse was put in? If you were, did you see ANY relief in your taxes? Didn't think so. Were you here when the Pilot was built near exit 12? If you were, did you notice if your taxes went down? Before you go look, I will answer it for you...they didn't. This project and all the "glamour" that the town officials are coating it with does not outweigh the simple fact that this deal, if it is passed, will do NOTHING for the town or it's residents. Notice I said residents...I am not strictly speaking about the 60+ FAMILIES that will be living within 150 feet of the warehouse. If certain town officials were allowed to get away with it, they would turn the entire Route 9 corridor, from the Rt.150 all the wat to the Columbia County line, into warehouse and truck stops! Still don't believe me?! The zoning board changed the property all along that stretch from residential to commercial back in 1996. Since then, more than a dozen businesses were looked at to build there...all of them, warehouses and distribution centers. I will close in saying what I said on an earlier post...if you want to live near an industrial wasteland, then you should move to one. The residents in Schodack like the town the way it is and the way it was...whether it be 1970 or 2012...we have a right to keep our town a place of respect and dignity!

      Delete
  6. Does no one else recognize that Route 9 is a 4 Lane "highway" with a turning lane and built ideally for the distribution users? This area offers and excellent location for logistically sensitive users ie large distribution centers. One project is not going to make a significant difference but as the corridor develops the taxes rate will not have to be hiked up.

    In regards to the PILOT (PAYMENT in Lieu of Taxes) this means that NYS pays the local municipality for a portion of the tax bill to attract them to the area. In this situation i believe it is as follow: Year 1 Dollar Tree pays $750k (50% of total value) and each year after it increases by 5% and after ten years they are 100%.

    I really enjoy going to the public comment meetings because you get to see how confused the general public is about a project. Its easy for someone in Mr. Bates position to oppose this project, some people fear change. If you dont face the fact that Rt 9 will continue to be developed in this fashion then you will continually have this problem.

    Mr. Bates I encourage you to research when the Wal Mart went to East Greenbush. Residents came out and protested that as well. Today, Wal Mart is the single largest sales tax generator in the county. How can dispute this development?

    Be honest, you dont want your property value to decrease. Does this not seem selfish? There are more poeple in the broader Schodack area that will face little to no negatives impact from this project. As a previous person mentioned, you moved in next to a large tract of land that was being marketed for development. Did you not question what future development would occur there? If you have seen the changes in development since you lived there, why didnt you move? Or was it easier to just complain about your high taxes and every development project that comes in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For you to compare a 1.2 million sq.foot distribution center to the retail stores on Route 4 shows just how far from reality you are. THIS building is NOT a retail store. It is a WAREHOUSE! If you knew anything about that industry, it drives down the attractiveness and value of a town! No one wants to live in or around a truck stop. To be honest...we would WELCOME retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, etc....businesses that draw more businesses. Quite obviously you have done little to no research on the affects this will have on our town. If your argument is simply the benefit of non-existant tax relief and a few jobs that will most likely goto high school kids and people from outside of Schodack, then you have no leg to stand on. Jus'sayin...

      Delete
    2. I am glad you are telling me that I have no idea what I am doing when this in fact is my business (commercial real estate that is). I referred to the Rt 4 corridor because that was a situation in which the residents ademently opposed the project similar to this.

      What you fail to recognize is the fact that schodack doesnt have the demographics to support the industry that you suggested. Instead, its a perfect fit for distribution. I can say that i clearly understand the implications that this project will have on the community beyond Richwood estates. YOU bought a house next to a property slated for development, now your complaining????

      Delete
    3. I've been on the fence as to whether the construction of the Dollar Tree complex would be in the best interest of the Town of Schodack. Your post has enabled me to make up my mind.

      With all due respect, your background in commercial real estate suggests your ability to make a buck putting up a strip mall rather than speaking with with any authority in proposing your vision for the Town.

      The Capital region is seeing large investments in high tech. The proposed location of the DT complex is about a 15 minute drive to the UAlbany Nanotech complex (to the west) and 20 minutes to RPI (to the north). This belies your contention that Schodack is demographically constrained into becoming a mecca for warehouses and truck stops. There is no reason why Schodack cannot be a beneficiary of the growth of high tech in the region.

      It has been my observation that as regions grow, those towns that retain their rural/residential character evolve into more desirable residential communities. Short sighted towns that sell their souls by enticing commercial developments with significant negative externalities (i.e. noise, traffic, and polution) end up losing in the end. The course of development you suggest along Rt. 9 will entail hundreds of homeowners losing value in their homes. Depressed residential property values ultimately lead to declining neighborhoods, increased crime rates, greater demands for government services and a declining tax base. Frankly, your vision for Schodack leaves a lot to be desired.

      Delete
    4. Wow! I agree totally with your thoughts on Mr Anonymous (Commercial developer). I had not even thought of the points that you just brought up. I too have had an open mind and the more I find out, the more I am certain a Distribution Center/Warehouse is not a fit for Schodack. Schodack needs support to make sure this does not happen.

      Delete
    5. I agree that the Capital Region will likely see amazing growth over the next ten years and beyond related to the tech industry.

      From the Nanotech Campus in Albany to Schodack, I would estimate that there are Millions of square feet of approved building sites that would be preferred based on demographic benefits and accessibility to population centers.

      Again, this is why Schodack makes a lot of sense for warehouse/distribution. Im not talking about changing the integrity of the town. The Route 9 corridor is built and makes a lot of sense for this use though. I think the development at Exit 10 and the Tractor supply plaza has been encouraging. That is where I see the office and retail development. The office market is very extremely soft right now with vacancies at historical highs. Industrial space locally is at a historical low for vacancy as we have a relatively limited supply and an increase in demand.

      Delete
    6. A 1+million sq ft building 47 feet high does not belong behind a residential neighborhood. The distance between the nearest backyard in only 150 feet. I don't think ruining a development that was built over 30 years ago and zoned as residential should ever have been re-zoned to a PD3 site. How is this fair to the people that have built their lives there and have paid residential taxes for all these years. Where are their rights? I still don't think anyone has answered the question. If Schodack needs/wants this so bad then why can't it be on Rte 9, away from neighborhoods where the rest of these types of business' are located. I don't think anyone can compare a Tractor Supply or Exit 10 development to what is being proposed on Rte 150 directly butted to backyards.

      Delete
    7. They like the site because it is one of the only sites you can lay out there building on and have access to the infrastructure. Further South on Route 9 doesnt have these amenities.

      Delete
  7. Dear Anonymous:
    I don't think it seems selfish for residents especially in the immediate area to have an opportunity to take the necessary time to research all the inpacts of a one million sq ft distribution center literally placed 150 ft from residential backyards, over the aquifer, not to mention the increased traffic to Rte 150 that is not a 4 lane highway. I don't think you have taken the time to get the facts. Schodack schools will also not benefit even though they are in need to save their school from a merger. This is located in the EG school territory. Wouldn't it make more sense to your argument about the increase in revenue for the town to locate in Schodack in the Schodack school area and away from residences? I don't think anyone is against DT or jobs, it is against having this shoved down throats at an alarming high rate without the proper studies and and Environmental Impact Study performed. What is the rush? Shouldn't time and effort be taken for a building 4 x the size of Fedex to ensure quality of life is maintained. It will be too late once this approved. This is not a Walmart, this is a truck stop which will have 24/7 traffic and pollution. Did you know this is the only distribution center DT has located to neighborhoods? Do you know this is not a permitted use in the PD3 zone as this land is currently zoned? Something is wrong here. If you don't know the facts I encourage you to research.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't sound like people around the area are againt change. Good points have been made and more importantly this needs to be taken slowly, seriouly and considerately for all involved. From what I have read the PILOT is a total of 15 years not 10 and if prior circumstance hold true such as Hannaford, they will dispute the taxes after the fact and cost the town more money to fight and we will lose in the end anyway. Have you all gone to the town of Schodack website and viewed the site map? This project is too large for this piece of parcel. The comperhensive plan also on the website is a total contradictory report to this type of development in this area. Again another report and study that used tax payer $ and is not even being looked at our incorporated. I would think that the people in the neighborhood would never have imagined a project of this magnitude going into this location especially because of the zoning and the comprehensive plan. Residents are misled. Schodack is being misLEAD. Our leadership should be doing the proper studies to quell the fears of the nearby residents of contamination of water and depreciation of house values, etc. The town should be working on trying to mediate the situation and investigate every possibility before being so quick to move this forward. The town will take no liability for damage to the nearby residences or contamination of the water. The town also has not shown how this type of project will decrease taxes for residences or how they will be able to enforce pollution, noise, etc from this site. The town has alot of work to do before this should ever be approved. Why can't it be a smaller site? This is the 2nd largest "distribution site" DT has. As mentioned above, all other are located in industrial parks. Why can't the size be reduced and moved closer to 150 if this is the location they desperately want? From the plans on the site, they actually have increased the size. Can't imagine the lights, beeping of backup trucks, rats from garbage, generators and condensers 24 hrs that nearby residences will have to listen to. And guess what, there are no town laws to enforce any of this. The 120-170 jobs aren't even guaranteed to local residents. I thought a Sales Distribution Center as defined in the code was supposed to have sales? This does not. This is not a Sales DC like Walmart, etc, this is a warehouse. A truck stop. Something that should have never been entertained at this location. I urge all of you to ask questions and get responses. I can bet you won't get any satisfactory responses.

      Delete
    2. I dont understand how anyone can classify this project as a truck stop. Do they not store products in the building? This would then lead me to beleive this is a warehouse and distribution center. Walmart is not a DC in East Greenbush. There DC is just West of the Capital District.

      I do agree that this is a very large project in terms of SF but nothing this site can not support. In fact this project has an above mandated % of green space I would imagine.

      I also agree that the town should carefully analyze the plan for life and safety concerns such as pollution to the aquifer, other bodies of water, and air pollution. This however is out of their hands as DEC will make the final determination.

      Delete
    3. " I also agree that the town should carefully analyze the plan for life and safety concerns such as pollution to the aquifer, other bodies of water, and air pollution. This however is out of their hands as DEC will make the final determination." -Anonymous

      Not necessarily true. The Town may, and did in many cases, including the proposed Crown project, declare itself the "Lead Agency" when it comes to doing a required State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). The Lead Agency issues its findings based on the possibility of a project presenting a significant environmental impact. A "negative finding" means they have determined there will be no detrimental environmental impact, and the project/permitting may proceed.

      That was what the Town declared in the Crown Terminal case, there would be no negative impacts. Bear in mind, though, the terminal project also involved rezoning the parcel to allow the terminal, which is not the case with Dollar Tree.

      Those opposed to the project claimed that the Town did not adequately evaluate the SEQR requirements or properly identify the environmental impact, and filed an Article 78 to gain an injunction to stop the construction until a case challenging the Town's rezoning was decided.

      I encourage anyone interested in the SEQR process, and who gets to decide what, to check out the DEC site: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/357.html

      Interested in the tactics employed on both sides in the Crown project: http://saveyourtown.com/press/06/0106IND.html

      And simply Google the following for a wealth of info from various outlets: "Crown Trucking Terminal Schodack NY Article 78"

      Regardless of what side you find yourself leaning towards when it comes to project development, at the very least the material is very educational.

      Delete
    4. L. Mack. Esq. Castleton Resident in Support of DOLLAR TREEJanuary 18, 2012 at 12:38 PM

      As a Castleton resident, I completely support this project and believe the site in question is ideal and is completely in line with the Town's comprehensive plan. In response to those who claim this area is not zoned for a distribution center such as Dollar Tree's I can assure you as a long-time land use/zoning attorney with every degree of certainty that you are all mistaken. As for Leonard Bates and those living on Julianne/Richmond, your backyard is zoned for commercial development. Period. There is no arguing this fact. You can make all the noise you want and you may even scare Dollar Tree away, but believe me, in accordance with the Town's plans there will be another such project and sooner or later it will stick. You all have to face reality at some point. You can only delay the inevitable for so long.

      Delete
    5. Quite obviously, you have not read our previous posts or know anything about our stance on this topic. WE are in favor of businesses in Schodack...but SMART businesses. Businesses that attract, not repel, other businesses! You cite one example where a warehouse attracted ANYTHING but other warehouses. And I said a WAREHOUSE...not retail store, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. Those kinds of businesses attract. This project will turn Schodack into nothing more than a Railroad Ave. Is THAT what we want for our town? I don't...I know my neighbors do not. And I'm pretty sure the majority of Schodack doesn't either. We like our town and it's rural setting. And yes...you are right, our homes are in a commercial zoned area. 40 years ago when this development was built, it was zoned residential. It remained that way till the late 90's. Most of the people that reside in this development bought their homes when it was zoned residential. Your comment suggests, to me, that it's THEIR fault for owning a home that was zoned commercial AFTER they bought their homes? Please explain! Because if you think ANY of us are going to allow the town to push us out, you are sadly mistaken!

      Delete
  8. Your time to dispute the zone change was when it occured. Not now! Someone bought that property with the intention of developing that site so you are essentially denying him his rights!

    ReplyDelete
  9. L. Mack. Esq. Castleton Resident in Support of DOLLAR TREEJanuary 24, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    I did read all previous posts and fully understand your stance. Essentially you think the Town of Schodack should just wait around-indefinitely- for Regal Cinemas to come knocking on our door, wanting to build an IMAX theater on Columbia Turnpike. You and I both know that won't happen. Schodack is for obvious reasons an extremely risky prospect for retail investors, movie theaters, and similar businesses. This unwarranted backlash against ALL MAJOR investment that's been going on in our Town for decades and decades MUST END. The NYMBYs (not in my backyard) and BANANAs (build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything) in Schodack have repelled business investment for numerous decades and it's got to stop.

    No where in my comment do I suggest those living on Julianne/Richmond are at fault for buying a home before the zoning change. If you bought a home before the zoning change, I completely agree with the anonymous poster above and I can even sympathize with you but your time to dispute the change was when it occurred. It's a moot point. The Distribution Center is in line with the zoning in that area and with Schodack's Comprehensive Plan which is written in black and white.

    If you bought your home AFTER the change (which you say occurred in the late 90's) then you were put on notice of the adjacent commercial zoning before you bought your property and you decided to buy it anyway KNOWING FULL WELL THAT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS INEVITABLE. You state in your letter that you bought your home in the summer of 2001 (AFTER THE ZONING CHANGE). Clearly there is no excuse for your noise. With all due respect, when you purchased your home next to a commercial zone, what did you think was going to happen?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mr. Bates did you buy your property after the zoning change or not? I want to make sure I'm understanding this right. If so, why? All this time I thought you moved into that neighborhood before the change occurred.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's time all Dollar Tree supporters rallied together. Sick and tired of all the negativity from the other side!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would like to thank you, Mr.Bates for speaking up against the Dollar Tree project. Many of us, who live in Schodack, are not up to speed with what is going on, and your information is keeping us within the circle to formulate our own opinions. I agree with you on pretty much all accounts. Schodack does need businesses to help build a better tax base to relieve some of the burden from the residents, but our town needs to be smart about how we develop it. We cannot allow willy nilly businesses to build ginormous buildings in our town and get away with massive tax breaks for 15 years. Especially if it is going to be situated in a very environmentally risky location. We all drink the water from the aquifer and any risk to that resource must be avoided. I have to laugh when I read some of these posts from other people stating how "you should have known better to buy a home next to a commercially zoned area". I wonder how some of these people would react if the town did the same thing to THEIR property lines?! When the town decided to rezone that area by your home as commercial, I am willing to bet that many residents did fight the zoning. But, unfortuntely, in a situation like that, the residents don't have much of an impact on the final decision. So, can we truly blame the people for fighting against anything that gets proposed to be built next to their homes? I am sure the people who post their views will have no direct impact with this project, so they can say anything they want. I wonder if they stop to think, "what if this was going in my backyard?". I am sure their tone would change instantly. Again...thank you for keeping us abreast of all the details regarding this project and my family and I will be praying for a positive outcome for you, your neighbors and the town of Schodack!

    ReplyDelete
  13. As a Schodack resident and a Schodack business owner I can say i am in favor of added businesses in our town.However,not this one in this spot.I am also a commercial electrician who has personally worked on sites like these for decades.They are noisy and dirty, there is no question about it.The run off after a large storm is uncontrollable.The places run 24/7.I get the feeling from reading these posts and talking to people that the concept of having a large tax payer is taking peoples minds away from the rest of our costs.
    I have sat in many towm meetings and the one worst memory of all came from a "former" towm supervisor.As an old gentleman, in his 80's, was telling about living here all his life and then almost in tears told the town board he couldnt afford the taxes and didnt know how not to loose his house,(he was asking for help) our supervisor looked him in the eyes and told the old gentleman,"if you cant afford the taxes then you are going to have to move." We shouldnt let our thirst for the mighty dollar cloud our humanity.These people are our neighbors.
    Schodack is not business friendly.This goes for not only our local government,but for many of the residents.When is the last time one of you reading this went to a local business?.Did you do any of your Christmas shopping at any of the gift shops we have?Where did you go out to eat last weekend? Whats wrong with going to one of the dozens of places we have? How about that oil change,car repair, or carwash. I have sat at the I90 entrance at exit 11 and counted cars.15 to 1..15 cars zipping out of Schodack,,1 going up 9&20 towards businesses.Its hard to have businesses in a town that has interstate ramps at both ends and one in the middle.I90 has pretty much killed business in Schodack.But it sure made it convienent for people to get to other places to work and shop.Close exit/entrance 11 for a month and watch the businesses thrive. when it is seen in the business world that they are thriving and supported, then the others will come.Not till then.We are only attractive to businesses that dont have to worry about whether or not you will spend money at their site. Its not all the town boards fault that other businesses are not coming,,it is in a large part yours and mine for not shopping local As for our elected officials being business friendly.You will be happy to know they just increased the taxes on businesses all along exit 10.Oh excuse me they are not "taxes" they are water rates.For our "benefit" they ran a new water line from the old town hall well site area and tied into the existing system along exit 10.So we could have cheaper water.Then we all got the bill for that cheaper water on our county tax bill(500% increase)..Ours went up to over $3.00 per car in taxes. they made the charges "useage " based,,meaning the busier we get ,the bigger their cut. This is considered business friendly at our town hall..As of last week 2 businesses affected by the new rates are for sale.Any help from town hall or the county for the existing businesses? not a chance there is no money , nothing they can do,so sorry ,,etc. Funny how our county and town came up with TWO MILLION DOLLARS to run a new sewer line for the dollar tree building area up along i90..there is a meeting feb 8 at town hall I think 10 am..so most working people cant be there..to see the plans and hear the pitch.Why not get some of us existing businesses relieve funds or improvement monies so we can grow, instead of working just to pay the taxes?How can you say you are "friendly" with some one when you dont even know them or care in the least about their future.No, Schodack is not business friendly.
    We business owners here have a saying"the only problem with having a business in Schodack is , having a business in Schodack."Untill we get OUR act together,truck stops and ware houses are our future.Pick their locations wisely.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Patrick, I couldn't have said it better myself. This is certainly the type of dialogue we should be having. While I might not agree with L.Mack's support of the project, I absolutely agree with his and Patrick's notion that smaller business will not invest here if something doesn't change in terms of local support. I'm glad you pointed this out because this has been a systemic problem with Schodack that few people ever address. Local business owners have taken huge risks and some have invested their life's savings into local businesses that benefit our community with extremely limited support from local residents. This makes it impossible to attract worthwhile business investment!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I agree. The Schodack officials do not support small business growth in their town. They make it very difficult for a small business owner to survive and prosper here. Many of the towns residents go elsewhere because the prices are much cheaper outside of Schodack. If the towns politicians made it so the smaller businesses could be successful, I believe that other businesses would be attracted to this area. Unfortunately, this won't happen because the current "guard" we have running this town does NOT want that to happen. They would rather impose gaudy and outrageous warehouses in the heart of this quiet, peaceful town. They would rather ruin our landscape for a few cheap, low paying jobs that will be filled by people that do not even live in this town. They would rather see residents move out of the town to make Schodack into nothing more than a wasteland of warehouses. Anyone that supports an idea that destroys a town and its character and replace it with a few crap jobs, should consider having their head examined.

    ReplyDelete

Join the conversation.