As Kiryas Joel village officials and their consultant review written comments on the draft generic environmental impact statement concerning the proposed annexation of Monroe Town land into the village, they said the vast majority support the annexation.
So far, 4,110 written comments have been received with 4,054 in favor of annexation while only 56 oppose it, the village reported Friday.
The written comment period closed last Monday and village officials and their consultant, Tim Miller Associates of Cold Spring will respond to questions in the final generic EIS to be publicly released later this summer.
Following the village’s preparation of a DGEIS, Orange County hired its own consultant, which this week released its own comments, many of which were critical.
(Source: MidHudsonNews)
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5 Responses
There are many negative comments about the annexation, some 20+ pages in length, mostly about environmental concerns. All materials are available for viewing on the appropriate websites. Significantly, this is a regional issue–water/waste related to rezoning (the goal of the annexation, to accommodate denser housing than that permitted in Monroe) would need to be provided by other municipalities that are not party to the annexation. For that reason, a bill to provide additional oversight for this annexation was introduced in the NY legislature and passed by both houses. It waits Gov. Cuomo’s signature, and should be signed. This annexation is not supported by any of the municipalities outside of KJ, their citizens, and their representatives. At a recent hearing on annexation, NO legislators in the area spoke in favor of the annexation. Two representatives from Brooklyn did support it, however. The opposition stems from basic concerns: How will water/waste be handled? What about additional traffic? KJ is basically asking to double/triple its size within just a few years and this will be expensive, placing burdens on communities that have no stake or benefit in the annexation. For communities such as Cornwall and Woodbury, annexation will result in significant expenses with absolutely no benefits or compensation. The effects of annexation must be considered on a regional level, because it affects so many municipalities in the area. Two petitions were developed concerning the annexation bill: more than 9000 petitions asked the governor to pass legislation that provided more oversight; about half that number were against oversight and in favor of the current regulations. Annexation should not be approved. It will only add to divisiveness and will be tied up in legal action for many years to come. It would be better for KJ to withdraw this request, sit down at the table with representatives from across the region, and find an equitable solution that works for all. The annexation is not in the region’s best interest.
From where did the 4,054 favorable comments originate?
The paucity of comments against it points to why Kiryas Yoel is able to steamroll the opposition. The opposition is just unable to get people to actually do anything such as vote or write a letter.
Good to see KJ doubling in size. Much hatzlacha.
Double in size can not happen with disaster to residents already in the community. That is not “Derech hashem”.
BTW – large parcels of land in the Negev & upper Galilee waiting to be developed. Try the holy land for your expansion.
Isn’t this Hisgarus B’imos at the highest level? Interesting how KJ is out in Manhattan protesting against 7 million Jews living in Israel. Are these same hypocrites going to protest now as well?