Pine Plains keeps things open in the name of good government

Pine Plains knows how to build a strong community — through openness, communication and hard work. That’s the type of approach that was taken with its newly released zoning laws, on which the town has just held two public hearings. The hearings were indicative of the whole process, which has been years in the making.

The process began with an updated comprehensive plan in 2003, the creation of a Zoning Commission in 2005 and the release of its final report in 2007, and the review and revision of that report and conversion into zoning laws this March.

Throughout the zoning laws’ development, the town has chosen to be open and frank about not only the ordinance itself, but about the process and procedures behind the laws. This is much to the credit of the Pine Plains administration, which time and again proves itself to be a supporter of open government and a well-informed constituency. What better way to ensure a healthy and content population?

The two latest public hearings have raised some concerns with the recent introduction of the NND — New Neighborhood Development floating zone — where large developers are not required to apply for special use permits but instead have to go through a rigorous rezoning process. According to Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky, who was involved in reviewing and finalizing the zoning laws, the NND “was created to allow the town to add residential growth,� by giving the Town Board more control over a project.

Some residents spoke up at the public hearings expressing concern that the NND allowed for too much density, was at odds with the comprehensive plan and had holes and ambiguity. There was a general call for more time to study the floating zone and its potential impacts on the town.

Those concerns, along with others voiced at the public hearings, will all be reviewed by the Town Board. Changes to the proposed zoning may come as a result, according to Replansky, who also said consequently, there may be another public hearing. These are good things, things that should and do happen in healthy, lawful towns that listen to their residents and business people. Towns like Pine Plains.

So too will the positive comments about the NND zone, by those in the town looking for more growth in town, be considered by the board. The point is, those in the public have had a chance to speak out about both their reservations and their likings regarding the matter in an open and honest way, and they know they’ve been listened to.

Thus far the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process has been going smoothly regarding the zoning law proposal. The public hearings were just another step in that process, allowing for the community to have its say. Those who couldn’t make an appearance but would still like to weigh in may do so until May 4 by sending written comments to the town supervisor at Town Hall at PO Box 955, Pine Plains, NY 12567 or they may be dropped off at the Town Hall at 3284 Route 199.

And here’s to a community that continues to grow stronger in the face of growing larger, namely because it always keeps open communication as a priority on its list of how to govern itself in today’s world.