Residents spoke out against a proposed subdivision on Browdy Mountain Monday night during a public hearing conducted by the Town of Otsego planning board.
Developer Bill Miller wants to subdivide an eleven-acre hillside parcel on the west side of Otsego Lake into three parcels ranging from 3.31 to 4.2 acres _ enough to meet the town’s three-acre minimum. Miller is the developer who built the large log condominiums along the lake in the town of Springfield.
Some neighboring property owners questioned Miller’s ability to subdivide the property because of deed restrictions placed on other parcels that, like his, were part of the same original property. The board and Miller’s attorney believe Miller’s piece did not have the same restriction that was placed on the other parcels when they were subdivided from the original.
Beth Westfall, an attorney representing some of the neighbors questioned the determination of no restrictions on the deed.
The idea there is no restriction is ``a very dangerous leap of faith,’’ she said.
She also urged the planning board to consider that as a Type I project it is more likely to have an adverse impact and asked the board to give it special attention.
Veronica Seaver, who owns property nearby said she remembers when there were no homes there.
``I don’t like the idea of any houses,’’ she commented.
Marilyn Bradshaw told the board the decision they make is extremely important.
More homes on Browdy Mountain will change the character of the lake and could potentially increase the amount of run-off.
She also spoke of tree cutting that has already been done and that it will destroy the scenic beauty of the lake and increase run-off.
If the board approves the subdivision, it will encourage more and more development, she said.
Carol Akin, another nearby neighbor, said the lake is at a critical point and approving the subdivision could do more damage to the lake.
``The best protection would be a decision not build anymore on hillsides around the lake,’’ she said.
``There is too much land developed already. Development will not slow unless you slow it. Your decision will impact all residents around the lake.’’
Following the public hearing, the planning board began the State Environmental Quality Review of the subdivision proposal, but did not complete it. The board is still waiting to receive an opinion from the State Office of Historic Preservation before finishing the review.
The property is in the GlimmerglassHistoric District.
Local News
Residents unhappy with subdivision plan
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To Our Readers
In last week’s edition, two front-page stories were printed that did not come up to the high standards you have come to expect from The Cooperstown Crier. The stories concerned the Cherry Valley-Springfield school district and its leadership.
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CV-S: Positive influences abound
Last week, the Crier published an article with several criticisms of the Cherry Valley-Springfield School District, many from anonymous sources.
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Mayor will not seek second term
Barring a challenge from an independent candidate, it appears Village Trustee Jeff Katz will become the next mayor of Cooperstown.
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CCS geo bee winner may get second chance at state competition
The pressure was on. Cooperstown sixth-grader Tom Knight had won his school district’s fifth-and-sixth-grade geography bee last year and said he felt that many were expecting him to pull a repeat. “I was going into the competition confident, but I was feeling much more pressure this time around,” Tom said Friday afternoon after winning in seven rounds.
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Entrepreneurship program receives funding to go green
Cooperstown’s after-school educational program TREP$ has been given an incentive to go green this year. The program, in which students develop their own products or services and then sell them at a “flea market” style marketplace, has been awarded $700 through The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New York Energy $mart Students Program.
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Sex offender to test Otsego child safety law
When Dennis and Aarona Rockwell rented a home on a side road off Chestnut Street in Cooperstown on Jan. 9, they contacted the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department to let the agency know Dennis had a new address.
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Bliss to retire from Otsego County post
A mainstay of Otsego County government, planner Terry Bliss, has informed the Board of Representatives that he will be retiring in late March.
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Democrats had decided not to challenge Republican caucus
Despite a recommendation to the contrary from the Otsego County Democratic Committee, the Cooperstown Democratic Committee decided it would not file a challenge to the Republican caucus that had been scheduled for Tuesday. The fact no caucus occurred makes the issue a moot point.
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Cooperstown harassment case moved to Hartwick
The case involving five Cooperstown High School football players charged with harassing a teammate after practice in September has been transferred to Hartwick Town Court, officials said Monday.
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CCS students to hit the runway
Models will hit the runway this Friday at the Cooperstown middle/high school auditorium. According to organizers, eight designers will be showing off their designs during the fifth annual student-run fashion show, which will kick off at 7:30 p.m. The event has always been student-run, but this year the group has become an official club at the school, said co-director Abby Wilcox.
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Plenty of entertainment planned at Winter Carnival
Downtown Cooperstown will come alive with live music during the Frevo Festival on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the 2012 Winter Carnival. Beginning at 9 p.m. and lasting until close, area businesses will host some great bands free of charge for adults over 21, according to a media release from the carnival committee.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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Mayor will not seek second term
Barring a challenge from an independent candidate, it appears Village Trustee Jeff Katz will become the next mayor of Cooperstown.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Two file suit against Cherry Valley-Springfield School
Cherry Valley-Springfield Superintendent Robert Miller is not denying that the school district is facing legal action, but will not comment on it. At least two past employees have come forward saying that they have taken legal action. Both said they are no longer afraid of him because they have anything to lose.
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Buying locally appears to be making a comeback
They may be the most commonly used and despised three words in the English language: Made in China.Try this game. Go through your house looking at clothing lables. Or go to a department store and look at boxed appliances. Or try looking at your children’s toys. Chances are you won’t be able to do it without finding that many, if not most, of your possessions are not made in America.
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Proposed zoning law changes to go to planning board
The Cooperstown board of trustees approved sending a series of proposed zoning changes to the planning board for its review during its meeting Monday night.
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Dems say Republican caucus notice was late
The Republican and Democratic parties will each hold a caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, but the chairman of the village Democratic Committee is questioning the legality of the Republican caucus.
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Woman celebrates 100th birthday
It is not every day that a person lives to be 100 years old. Mildred Wedderspoon, who has lived in Pierstown near Cooperstown for more than 60 years, has reached that milestone. She celebrated her birthday on Monday. After 10 rings of the telephone a voice answers, “Hello.”
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It is a long drawn out hello spoken with a friendly and delightful voice. -
More residents ask for two-hour parking limit
The Cooperstown Crier The expanding two-hour parking limit in residential areas of the village, aimed primarily at Bassett Medical Center employees, is poised to grow again.
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Richfield board reaches agreement with energy firm
A six-turbine wind farm proposed for the town of Richfield got a boost when the town board entered into a host agreement with the developers − although opponents are vowing to stop the project in court.
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NYSHA acquires 1754 deed
In December, Robert Scramlin donated a deed to land in the Lindsay Patent in Cherry Valley that has been in the possession of his family since 1754. Scramlin of Cherry Valley and Johnstown, presented the deed to the New York State Historical Association with Joe Homburger, a member of the board of Otsego Land Trust, with which he recently partnered to conserve the bicentennial farm, according to a media release from NYSHA.
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