Last week, the Otsego town board voted to grant the village’s Gateway Project “limited zoning immunity.” The decision nullified a stop work order issued to the project earlier by Otsego Town Code Enforcement Officer Hank Schecher.
The stop work order was the result of a dispute between the town’s planning board and the village.
Village Attorney Martin Tillapaugh, who told the village to ignore the order and keep working, said he believed the planning board wanted the village to re-apply for its permit and start the review process over. Representatives of the village went before the planning board at least 18 times in the effort get a special permit for the project. All other agencies with oversight roles in the project had approved it. “We believe we were approved,” Tillapaugh said. “The town believes there needs to be a reapplication.”
Tillapaugh said that from what he gleaned from the order, it seems the town of Otsego Planning Board believes the final plans differ from those that were approved.
He said he believed the main contention is around how the stormwater will be handled. The village’s plans were reviewed and approved by three different engineers and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
By granting the project immunity from zoning, the town board removed the town planning board’s ability to overseethe project. The town board also said it would “not commit taxpayer monies to initiate a lawsuit against a sister municipality.” Town board member Lang Keith, a retired Virginian judge,said the project which expands parking areas and is intended to improve traffic and pedestrian safety has been thoroughly vetted.
“This definitely passes the red face test as far as I’m concerned,” Keith said.
We would agree with Keith. The project received a thorough review by the town’s planning board during a process that took years. We are also happy the matter could be resolved without both the town and village having to waste taxpayer money on legal expenses for a court battle.
Opinion
Our Opinion: Town board made right decision
- Our Opinion
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Congratulations Cooperstown softball
It is hard to believe that Cooperstown's softball team had never won a division or playoff title until this week.
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Happy CYB has found a home
Cooperstown Youth Baseball has finally found a home. However, it is a bit sad it could not be in the village that is often referred to as the "home of baseball."
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Change is never taken lightly
We are glad the Cooperstown Central School Board finally chose a nickname, but were surprised by the plummeting attendance rate at meetings pertaining to the matter. What seemed to be a hot-button issue attracting nearly 100 people for and against a name change at initial meetings seemed to simmer to complete no shows toward the end.
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Tax cap is deceiving
As if figuring out one's tax bill isn't mind boggling enough. In its second year of implantation, the 2 percent limit on property tax increases makes things all that more complicated. One cannot just assume his or her individual taxes will not increase more than the cap threshold.
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Earth Festival is a good start to spring
We hope Mother Nature brings us some sunshine and spring weather this weekend. But if not, there is a predominantly inside event coming up that should help get visitors thinking about spring.
Continued ... - Thursday, April 4, 2013
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Education heading in wrong direction
It is good to see that with teachers changing their curriculums to teach for the Common Core State Standards that there is still some hands-on learning going on locally.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 28, 2013
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Good luck, Tommy
Perhaps the third time will be the "charm" for Cooperstown Central School seventh-grader Tommy Knight.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 21, 2013
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Eliminate the gap elimination adjustment
Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's promise in his budget address to increase funding for education, local school officials are saying they are not receiving enough state aid to fund even basic services.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 14, 2013
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Groff is off to good start
Former Cooperstown Central School student and athlete Sarah Groff visited Cooperstown in November to share her dream of making it to the Olympics. She had just missed the podium at the London Games.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 7, 2013
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Blindsided by CV-S vote
As we all know, school districts are facing financial insolvency and are being forced to reconsider the ways they do business. That includes mergers when fielding athletic teams.
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Congratulations Cooperstown softball
- Your Opinion
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- In our readers' opinion
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Our readers' opinion
I received this statement from Christine Drew Martin, a former resident of Oaksville, who is the daughter of the late Ruth Yule, beloved English teacher at CCS.
Continued ... - In our readers' opinion
- Our Readers' Opinions: Nov. 21, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Nov. 15, 2012
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In Our Readers' Opinion
Kudos to Mayor Jeff Katz and the board of trustees for revisiting the possibility of using paid parking to raise the funds necessary to keep our village streets in good condition.
Continued ... - In your opinion: Oct. 25, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Oct. 18, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Oct. 11. 2012
- Our readers' opinions: Sept. 20
