First, special thanks to the many SAVE Colonie members and friends who endured the long and laudatory Comprehensive Plan presentation and waited their turn to make such cogent and articulate comments. It was unfortunate that the administration felt the need to respond at length to nearly everyone who spoke, which was extremely inappropriate.
Thanks to everyone who came to show their interest and support. The crowd was overwhelming.
Thanks especially to SAVE members Lisa Barron and Mary Beth Buchner who stayed till the end at about 10:30 PM and commented about the need to address climate change at the local level and about addressing the now and future Colonie, rather than the situation in 2008. Thanks to Susan Laurilliard who did the “heavy lifting” on the Comprehensive Plan analysis for SAVE, putting together much of the content that informed our letter to town officials, and to Jessica Mahar who participated as a member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
It is clear that SAVE Colonie has had a major impact on the Comprehensive Planing process. Supervisor Mahan and others from her administration met with core members of SAVE Colonie after we sent them a letter that called attention to the serious deficiencies of the draft Plan. She acknowledged at the meeting that the Plan was not ready to move forward. No vote to approve the draft was taken. More hearings on the draft Plan will be held, as we requested. Changes are being made to address our concerns and those others raised.
You can view a copy of the very long presentation that was given at the beginning of the hearing by Chuck Voss of Barton & Loguidice, the Town’s consultant for the Comprehensive Planning Process here.
If you were unable to attend the March 21st meeting, you can watch the video on the Town Board website.
We will be following this and reporting to you as the progress continues. We can only hope future public hearings are conducted more professionally and focus entirely upon the Comprehensive Plan, rather than coming at the end of a lengthy but sadly pro-forma Town Board business meeting.
Again, thanks for all you do to make things better in the Town of Colonie.
Susan Weber for SAVE Colonie: A Partnership for Planning