EXERCISE VIGILANCE OVER THE IMMENSE KINGWOOD AND FORDHAM ESTATES SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS NOW BEFORE MAMKATING'S PLANNING BOARD

While subdivision propositions pursue their relentless activities before the Town Planning Board, emergence of the Kingwood and Fordham Estates developments introduces the disturbing element of greatly enhanced size and a higher likelihood of subsequent detrimental impacts. (See maps below.)

KINGWOOD PROJECT: The entire tract contains 1,848 acres and is sited in the Towns of Mamakating, Thompson, and Fallsburg. Mamakating's portion includes 1,116 acres, which will encompass 560 dwelling units, 31 potential business center lots, and no access road into Wurstboro Hills as originally intended, a plan vastly altered from that outlined in the latest Guardian.

FORDHAM ESTATES: This parcel located in Summitville embodies 563 acres divided into 234 single family lots.

These two subdivisions, then, yield over 750 dwelling units, a fact which should induce some apprehension, particularly after reading a recent editorial in the Towne Crier. Here is an excerpt from that article:

"The myth is this: Build and your taxes will go down. The reality is very often very different. Open space and farmland cost less per acre in government services and taxes than any other type of development. Sullivan County's own 2020 Plan backs this up. In general, this report by the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development shows that residential land usage costs about 2-3 times as much as commercial, agricultural, and open space usage."

STATUS OF THESE SUBDIVISIONS: They are in the formative stages of the planning process. Both will undergo reviews, which entail completing Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), preceded by scoping, where the EIS table of contents is determined. Normally, there are public hearings conducted during scoping and after the Impact Statement has been accepted by the Planning Board.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: First, familiarize yourself with the facts! Review project files at the Town's Building Department. Seek assistance from Linda Franck, Planning Board Secretary, at 888-3031. Attend pertinent Town Planning Board/Town Board meetings and voice you concerns or ask questions. The Planning Board convenes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7 P.M. at the Senior Center, while the Town Board gathers on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6 P.M. at the Senior Center. Write to Planning Board Chair John Piazza and Planning Board members as well as Supervisor Charles Penna and Town Board members at 2948 Route 209, Wurtsboro, NY 12790. Regularly check the BKAA's website and note Action Alerts.

Those of us residing in Mamakating must accept responsibility for determining quality of life in our own town. If we shirk this accountability, we enable others to grab control and transform our communities into what suits their interests, not ours. SO, PLAY A ROLE IN DETERMINING MAMAKATING'S FUTURE. BECOME INVOLVED!

Submitted by Paula Medley, President
January, 2007

Click for larger image Kingwood Subdivision

Click for larger image Kingwood Industrial Office District

Click for larger image Fordham Estates