From Dan Hoffman:
Common Council is moving ahead with the proposed rezoning of the entire SW area. If approved, the rezoning will change the designation of the original SW Park from "public" (ie., park use) to heavy commercial. Likewise, the old City dump, now zoned for mobile homes, would be changed to the same heavy commercial designation. These changes will add over 100 acres of land to the "pool" of developable land in the SW.
The proposed rezoning provides no protection whatsoever for any existing natural areas, except for the already-designated substitute parkland. Also, it provides no protection whatsoever for the view from Buttermilk Park. Recently, I have become aware of another reason for opposing it.
The Generic Environmental Impact Statement concluded that allowing MORE than 1,000,000 square feet of new commercial development in the Southwest would have "significant, unmitigatable impacts." Common Council's official "findings" (based on the GEIS) acknowledged this and declared that adopting the SW Plan would "limit" new development to 1,000,000 square feet.
I have calculated how much development could occur - "as of right" - under the proposed rezoning. For 135 acres (the total amount of undeveloped land that could then be developed), that figure is at least 2,300,000 square feet of new buildings (assuming one-third of the land is devoted to infrastructure and 60% of the remainder is covered by buildings - as the new zoning would allow) . This is more than twice the amount the GEIS and Council's findings said would be acceptable (and it does not include any re-development of parcels along Route 13, or any second-story development). I believe that adopting rezoning which is so inconsistent with the GEIS and the findings is legally improper.
The Planning Board is having a special meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning this Monday, April 30th, at 6:00 pm, at City Hall. When I presented this argument to the Board, some members seemed interested. I encourage others to attend the Planning Board meeting if you can.
Also, it appears that Council may be intending to conduct a public hearing and then vote on the proposed rezoning at its meeting this Wednesday, May 2nd (7:00 pm at City Hall). Unless you hear that that plan has changed, please try to come to the Council meeting and speak -- and urge others who are concerned about TWICE AS MUCH development (and traffic, etc) in the SW as even the City's own Plan calls for, to attend as well (and/or contact Council members before the meeting).
Regards, Dan H
