Community Downzoning In Clarkstown

Dear Editor:

Clarkstown residents are about to face a new deception by our elected and appointed officials, by way of their new master plan to change the character of our town, at the next town board meeting on Oct. 2nd. Most everyone who lives here, moved or remains in this community because this area was built on the concept of predominantly single family homes.

The insidious pronouncement by elected representatives to change most of the zoning in our town, to have us comply with a new mandate on accessory housing will only diminish our property rights and values. Their marketing plan was first touted as a means to provide affordable housing for volunteer emergency first responders, claiming the demand and need was so great, they took title to a condo in Nanuet and put taxpayers on the hook for  $650.00 a month Yet it took them a year, paying for an empty apt. to place a tenant.

They have now shifted their deception on the backs of our senior citizens, enticing them to become landlords to raise additional income to pay for the ever increasing taxes levied by them. Naturally, none of them want to explain to these seniors all the negative aspects of this endeavor.

Making seniors spend tens of thousands of dollars to convert their homes with possibly complying with HUD inspections and all their requirements. Begs the question Why?

Putting seniors in a dilemma of being at the mercy of living with tenants who could be sex or drug offenders, illegal immigrants or simply tenants who won’t pay their rent, is appalling.  Leaving these seniors at peril to spend additional money to evict the individuals and costing them even more in lost rent and or property damage. Wow even if they do increase their income ,it could put them in jeopardy of losing their enhanced Star Rebate because they breached the income threshold limit 

All of this is of no concern to the town, after all this will give them only more tax revenue when anyone improves their property  To add additional insult to our residents, part of implementing this new master plan of zoning changes is to create Neighborhood Shopping Zones, to provide developers additional revenue to create more accessory housing above commercial buildings up to three floors.

This will only create a flood of HUD housing to permeate our community, thereby mimicking what our neighbors look like as in Spring Valley, Haverstraw or what the landscape of the town of Ramapo is becoming. I guess our town leaders, who on more than one occasion have said, well you elected me so I believe “I know what’s best for you “and you’re going to like it no matter what.

So this town will justify the spending tens of millions of dollars, to make us a walkable community, but needs bodies to sit in the dozens of $1,000 purchased park benches, spreading thru-out the town. Limited accessory housing already exists in town. We don’t need any blanket downzoning to change the face of Clarkstown forever.

Now is your only last chance to stand up and defeat this treacherous behavior at town hall on October 2nd.  Their shrewd attempt at a third public hearing is disguised as a feeble attempt to address your concerns, while they will have already in hand, this repulsive law which they intend to pass.

Only all of you can prevent this forest fire from spreading. Don’t let them politically spin this ,so you swallow this spoon fed derelict agenda, you’ll only regret the upset stomach later. Tell them “YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID “or maybe you should just sit home and watch the coming reality of your inaction and whine later.

Sincerely, 
Frank Grandel
New City