2016 ROSA KICKOFF

NOTICE: TONIGHT’S PLANNING BOARD MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING IS RESCHEDULED!

First, we would like to say Happy New Year! Thank you for supporting us throughout 2015.

Second, please know there was a tentative planning board meeting schedule for tonight but it has been rescheduled. So please come out on January 26th at 7:30 pm to the Town of Ramapo Planning Board Public Hearing regarding the revised plans for the Patrick Farm Development. The developer is seeking a new final approval on revised plans after the last approvals were suspended by the court.

Finally, we want to give you a quick update on what ROSA has been doing in Q4 as we continue our advocacy to protect the Patrick Farm:

• Sept 1. DEC turns down our wetland petition but fails to provide any explanation forcing us to file an Article 78 against the decision. (see below for more)
• Sept 11. Scenic Development submits a request to the Town Board to update its environmental findings for the project.
• Sept 11. On the same day, town planner turns around a no comment letter okaying the request to the Town Board.
• Sept 17. Town board slips it on to the agenda with no notice and no public hearing. They refuse to let ROSA speak.
• ROSA hires wetland and aquifer experts and sues the Town of Ramapo for their lack of review.
• Oct 1. NY DEC new commissioner appointed by Cuomo. ROSA sends letter with expert exhibits requesting he reconsider the Sept. 1 DEC decision.
• End of Oct. ROSA files its final brief along with the (very expensive) printed record required by the court. This was filed for our 3rd appellate case regarding the 2013 final subdivision / site plans approvals.
• Applicant submits new plans in early December for review before planning board hearing.
  The Town’s Community Design Review Committee (CDRC) confirms that the developer never reopened their permit process with DEC or started an application process with ACOE.
• ROSA hires law firm Zarin & Steinmetz to help prepare for the January public hearing.
• Dec 23. ROSA files updated Article 78 on the Sept.17th findings addendum which included the fire department as plaintiffs in our case.
• Dec 29. ROSA files an Article 78 against DEC decision.
• Dec 31. Deb Munitz attends the special Town Board meeting where four ersolutions were passed in favor of the developer with no public comment allowed. One of these decisions will necessitate a court challenge this month.
• Jan 6. ROSA attends a second CDRC meeting at the Town where it is confirmed that the Planning Board Public Hearing will be held on January 26th.

In summary, while many believe this is a done deal based on the constant ongoing Town approvals and Town law changes in favor of this developer, we know that it is NOT a done deal. Even the Town and County engineers continue to point out the lack of details and the lack of review by the Army Corp of Engineers and the DEC on the latest set of plans.