The critical impact legislation is MAJOR for all municipalities. The buck(responsibility) has to stop somewhere and it should rest solely on the elected officials. The ones 'voted in'....not appointed!!! It should be the job of the planning commission to gather all pertinent information and relay their suggestions to the 'elected officials' for the final decision!!! THAT is smart growth and planning. It is holding elected officials responsible.

As far as walmart..............almost 100% of all rotterdam small businesses did NOT want a walmart supercenter to land in rotterdam. They projected that they would be out of business in less than 5 years!!

As a side note.........in 2010 Sams clubs were closing. That would have left Altamont Ave's Hannaford Plaza with a big empty building.

Quoted Text

Critical Impact off the books
Rotterdam Town Board repeals contested law
By John Purcell
As of Friday, September 9, 2011

#Rotterdam — Businesses will no longer have to worry if the Rotterdam Town Board will pull out its red card and reject a project after lengthy approval process.

#Board members followed through on its intentions to remove Article XXVIII of the town’s Zoning Code Sections 270-220, known as the “Critical Impact Code.” The law, passed in 2006, gives the Town Board final say over proposed development projects that include buildings of at least 100,000 square feet and residential developments of at least 75 buildings, among other stipulations. The proposed 248-unit apartment complex off North Thompson Street in the town spurred the effort to remove the law after representing attorney Andrew Brick said it impeded the process of larger projects and created another layer of paperwork.

#Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski, whom opposed the law when it passed as a Planning Commission member, didn’t appear ready to immediately toss the code aside.

#“Mr. Brick … said it was a slap in the face to the Planning Commission and I agree with him,” said Godlewski. “I’m wondering if the board has looked at this and said maybe it should be revised and the burden put on the Planning Commission instead of repealing it.”

#Godlewski said there are some things in the code holding merit. If a future board wanted to put the code on the books again it would be harder to do than if the current board just revised the code, he said.

#To not hold up the apartment complex project, he suggested the board pass a resolution stating the code wouldn’t be used against the project.

#“The board could amend this to say we would not be requesting a critical impact permit for the little league fields and sports complex over there or the housing,” Godlewski said. “Then review the law that is before you and see if there is some things that we can take out and put onus on the Planning Commission.”

#Supervisor Frank Del Gallo said he spoke to Planning Commission Chairman Thomas Yuille about revising the code, but Yuille didn’t think there was much that could be done with the code.

#“[Yuille] said about the only thing you can do with it is throw it out,” said Del Gallo. “I think I agree with him.”..........................................>>>>.............................................>>>>............................................http://www.spotlightnews.com/news/2011/sep/09/critical-impact-books/

I am glad that the critical impact legislation is now off the books -- hopefully we will see some BIG commercial and industrial projects proposed for the town in the very near future.

My wish list includes a Bass Pro Shop.

Lotsa luck.

And how big would a Bass Pro Shop be?  That appears to me that would be something rather small, but I could be wrong.  Would they be selling boats?  If so, where would they locate one?  

This was a law that was passed years ago to stop one business from coming in, and since a couple people didn't like it, it's gone.  Interesting, this is a position where the Town Board had a way that they could help to protect the citizens of Rotterdam, and now they have decided that the residents don't need such protection.  

When Mr. Brick stated that this was a slap in the face of the Planning Board, was he speaking as a representative of the Town Board?  or was it as the attorney for someone who didn't want to conform to what the Town Board wanted under the Critical Impact legislation?  It appears to me that he has gone back and forth as far as who he is looking out for the best interest of, always jumping to the ones that will line his pockets the thickest.  

Does this mean we can expect a Walmart Super Center in Rotterdam in the near future?   They don't have many stores that AREN'T super centers any more.  I can't see this area supporting a BassPro shop - not in this economy.  

I don't see how Wal-Mart could bring the Supercenter in now, since the area is going to immediately be turned into a large MFRH area.  That is the area that they wanted to come into.  We get MFRH instead of a Wally World.  Which will (or would) bring less issues?

MFRH?

(Multiple Family Residential Housing, aka apartments.)  (May also have some other meanings if murmured under someone's breath.)

There are a number of other places that Wal-Mart could build a Super Center in Rotterdam ---- obviously the original site is no longer an option.


Personally -- I'd like to see a Bass Pro Shop, a Cavender's Western Shop, Gander Mountain  and similar types of business locate in town.

There are a number of other places that Wal-Mart could build a Super Center in Rotterdam ---- obviously the original site is no longer an option.


Personally -- I'd like to see a Bass Pro Shop, a Cavender's Western Shop, Gander Mountain  and similar types of business locate in town.

It doesn't matter how many times you post it, none of those are coming here any time soon.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

There are a number of other places that Wal-Mart could build a Super Center in Rotterdam ---- obviously the original site is no longer an option.


Personally -- I'd like to see a Bass Pro Shop, a Cavender's Western Shop, Gander Mountain  and similar types of business locate in town.

Oh by all means.....bring 'em in on the taxpayer's dime, promise the taxpayers lower taxes!!! Oh that's right...the plex tried that 10 years ago = FAILED!!

However......the businesses that dvr mentioned are not locally owned....so he won't bash, trash and burn them!!