RAMAPO, NY, February 15, 2011: ROSA (Ramapo Organized for Sustainability and a Safe Aquifer) is the driving force behind a lawsuit filed on February 7th, 2011 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (Rockland County). The lawsuit is an Article 78 proceeding against four (4) defendants, who include the Town of Ramapo, the Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo, the Town of Clarkstown, and Scenic Development, LLC (a Monsey-based developer). ROSA has provided the financial support for the lawsuit’s fifteen (15) litigants, all with the required standing and all supporters of ROSA’s mission. The Albany-based law firm of Tabner, Ryan, and Keniry, LLP represents all litigants.
This legal action arises from the January 6th, 2011 decision of the Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo granting the application for preliminary subdivision approval for a project entitled Patrick Farm Subdivision. The proposed Subdivision would significantly alter forever the character of the community and transform Patrick Farm, which is currently mostly undeveloped, environmentally sensitive land into a gigantic, sprawling, and super-densely-packed subdivision with nearly five hundred homes, over four hundred of which would be enormous, dormitory style multi-family buildings.
The suit alleges seven (7) distinct areas of violation. They are as follows:
- Failure to comply with SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act)
- Failure to consider impact on the Aquifer and Water Quality (The Farm has wetlands and water on the property and part of the development will sit atop a large, regional sole source aquifer)
- Deficient Wetlands Certifications
- Inadequate Tree Mapping and Survey
- Vague and Indefinite Conditions (specifically regarding the Columbia Natural Gas Line which will run under the development)
- Failure to Consider the Impact Upon the Viewshed
- Failure to Comply with Subdivision Laws and Regulations
The entire Article 78 proceeding can be found on this ROSA website page.
This is only one of four Article 78 filings against the Town of Ramapo in the matter of land use at Patrick Farm. ROSA’s lawsuit now, along with three others, is filed against the Town as a result of the January 6th, 2011 Planning Board decision; two others were filed by private citizens and the Village of Pomona (NY) filed another. In the recent past, these three (3) other parties filed lawsuits based on other similar issues against the Town of Ramapo.
ROSA has successfully organized the plaintiffs, along with hundreds of other concerned citizens, to raise awareness about the many dangers of overdeveloping the Patrick Farm, in particular, the threat to the area’s sole source aquifer. In just over three (3) short months, the group has galvanized neighbors in Ramapo and surrounding communities into a functioning organization that has raised the money to hire professionals with expertise to advocate on its behalf.
Suzanne Mitchell, ROSA’s director, says. “ROSA’s leadership and volunteer supporters are enlisting committed volunteer workers with special skills. We are also gathering momentum. We are raising money and using our resources to enlist experts like attorney William J. Keniry, and certified Planner, Alan Sorensen to ensure that everyone knows how ill conceived the proposed Patrick Farm project really is. We are forming an alliance within Ramapo and reaching out to neighboring communities. We must rely on one another through this ongoing proceeding through financial donations, advocacy and volunteerism.”
The effected aquifer service area includes a large area in Rockland County and parts of Bergen (NJ) and Orange (NY) counties, regardless of whether residents use private well or public utility water.
Adds Ms. Mitchell, “ROSA is united with one voice and our message is clear. We will fight to keep this disproportionate and inappropriate development from changing our community’s character and draining our natural resources. Patrick Farm is an environmentally sensitive area and we will not allow our Town government to make mistakes that will cause irreparable harm and a permanent transformation of our community. We will not accept the increased traffic congestion, higher taxes, lower home values and damage to our water supply that this project will assuredly bring without having voice in how this land is developed.”
ROSA continues to welcome new members and donations. According to Mitchell, “People realize we are all in this together. Our need for clean water is universal. The right to have our natural resources protected, and advocating to drive on safe, uncongested roads are worthy causes.” The water quantity and quality of well over 100,000 homes would be negatively impacted by the overdevelopment of Patrick Farm. If we each contribute as little as $250 or as much as $25,000 we will be successful in telling the Town of Ramapo, as our lawsuit points out, that it must evaluate and permit land use and development in a more comprehensive and sustainable way.”
WHO: ROSA (Ramapo Organized for Sustainability and a Safe Aquifer)
Contact: Suzanne Mitchell
WEBSITE: www.rosa4rockland.org
EMAIL: info@rosa4rockland.org
PHONE: 646-470-ROSA (7672)
LINKS: www.trklaw.com
ROSA: Informed and engaged citizens, who are professionally organized and legally represented, working to ensure that development is proportional and appropriate for the land on which it is built.
One response to “ROSA Files Article 78 to Oppose Planning Board Decision”
I live directly across 202 from the “Hasty Hill” gate to Patrick farm.(.3 mi.,not 3.1 mi.as your personalised mailer said.)I have walked every step of this tranquil haven many times and have had trouble even explaining to lifelong Rocklanders (and I am one) just where it is. The same was true of the Palisades Mall. Mall opponents,(and I was one)were saddened to see local politicians who had just weeks before been staunchly anti-mall suddenly change their opinion and say it would be good for the “community”.
Why this happens is anyone’s guess, but it happens in private. … These “schools” and “students” are protected by federal law and as such need not care about our zoning laws, Master Plans,or anything else. One doesn’t have to travel far on 306 or 45 to see a sample of the density confronting us.
It is sad that part of what is overlooked in all this is that the property was owned and improved by a Pulitzer Prize winning playwrite. I would urge everyone who is able to walk every step of his property. See the crumbling ’50s ultramodern party house. See the old farmhouse. See the kennels, horse barns, pig barns. See some of the props from his play, stashed in one of the buildings. Just enjoy his place and try to see it as he did.
Walk right in from the power lines on 306,near 202 You will be going West. Keep going. It is worth the walk, and if we don’t walk it now it will be too late. Gone forever. This place should have been designated greenspace 25 years ago. If you know someone who hasen’t been, take them. A magical place is in our midst and we need to experience it now, for all hope is lost to save it.