Letter to the Editor: Timing of Rye Brook Board Actions Needs Explanation

Greetings Members of the Rye Brook Board of Trustees:

I am a somewhat dumbfounded about the timing of the next Public Hearing  on the SL Green-Reckson Special Permit application (May 28, 2013) and the first workshop for the Public Workshop for the Village of Rye Brook Comprehensive Plan (June 10, 2013).

If the goal of the Public Workshop is truly to “build on significant prior planning efforts and establish a policy guide for future land-use decisions within the Village.” shouldn’t the Public Hearing on the Megarinks be postponed until the Village’s Comprehensive Plan is completed or at the very least begun?

The flyer for the Public Workshop states, “This group (Village staff and a 12-member, broad-based advisory committee, together with a consultant team) will collaborate with the people living and working in Rye Brook to produce a vision-centered Comprehensive Plan that fully represents their aspirations for the community.”

Considering the outpouring of community opposition to the Special Permit Application and that such a large commercial facility will no doubt change the character of the Village, along with setting potentially undesirable zoning precedents that could make managing future development difficult, it seems to me that having the Public Hearing, with a possible vote, before the Village’s Comprehensive Plan’s Workshops are completed is putting the cart before the horse.

I do not understand how you can plan such an event or send out an email and ask your constituents and fellow residents to “share your thoughts and ideas about some of the issues and opportunities in Rye Brook today” while one of the most electrifying issues is currently scheduled to (possibly) be decided before such time. Approval of the Special Permit to allow 4 NHL sized hockey rinks, sandwiched between two residential developments and an assisted living facility,  will change the neighborhood and environment for those of us who chose to reside in Doral Greens, Atria Rye Brook and Bellefair. There are many developments in which to live and assisted living facilities nearby. We chose to live here because of the quality of life we thought we would have in Rye Brook, NY.

I respectfully request that you consider postponing the SL Green-Reckson Special Permit Application until after the Village completes its Comprehensive Plan with the input of the residents from Rye Brook.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Tracy Lane

Rye Brook NY