During the October 13 Village Board Meeting, the Village Trustees voted unanimously to sue the Town of Ghent for failure to issue a positive declaration (conduct a detailed environmental review called an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS), and for segmenting their environmental review of the Price Chopper project.
By segmenting, I mean that there is a parcel OUTSIDE of the project’s 7 acres that will be used for storm water abatement that brings the scope of the project close to ten acres, the threshold for a Type 1 SEQRA (environmental) review. Type 1 projects typically require preparation of an EIS. There are also at least two environmental concerns that the Village Planning Board felt were not fully evaluated by the Ghent Planning Board: drainage issues and community character impacts. The community character impacts to the Village brought up by our residents and drainage issues raised by Sterling Environmental, an engineering firm hired by the Chatham Plaza’s current owners were seemingly not considered, hence the Village will sue to be heard.
A General Legal Defense Account has been established for anyone wishing to contribute money for the Village legal fees. As you know, the Village is working with a very tight budget, and any contributions would be greatly appreciated. If you decide to contribute, please make your checks out to: Carol Simmons, Village Clerk, subject line ‘General Legal Defense Fund’. You may deliver contributions in person to Carol or Barb at the Tracy Memorial window, or mail to:
Carol Simmons
Village Clerk
Tracy Memorial Hall
77 Main St.
Chatham, NY 12037
