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Bluefield Extension gets go-ahead despite judge’s ruling

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Michael Specht Ramapo Supervisor

Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht Photo: Carucha L. Meuse/The Journal News

RAMAPO–January 31, 2020

“The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved the hotly contested 15-unit Bluefield Extension project despite opponents’ claims that a state judge’s ruling blocked the construction.

Supervisor Michael Specht and ZBA attorney Alyssa Slater said the judge’s decision annulling the variances allowed the builder to reapply to the land-use board.

Specht, a former ZBA attorney, said the board voted Thursday night on an application updated in 2019, though opponents took issue that the update cured the violations cited by the judge.

The board’s 5-0 decision would allow the owner to build multiple-family housing on approximately one acre off Union Road, just across from the massive Bluefield complex of multiple family townhouses. [Read more…]

POSTPONED: Bluefield Extension Project on the Ramapo Zoning Board Agenda Postponed until August 15

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We have been advised that the Bluefield Extension Project on the Ramapo Zoning Board agenda for Wednesday July 24 has been postponed to Thursday, August 15, 2019. CUPON had submitted all of its documents in writing by July 17, and the Applicants now want time to respond, so the Town is rescheduling the meeting. We know that this is in the dead of summer, but CUPON asks if you are in Town on August 15, please attend the meeting.

Garage or Synagogue? Religious group takes Chestnut Ridge to court for voiding use permit

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3-car Garage at 3 Spring Hill Terrace

“The saga over whether a religious group built a three-car garage or warehouse-type building for a synagogue has moved to state Supreme Court.

The Brooklyn-based Kedishas Aharon D’Hadas claims in court papers the village violated its property rights by voiding a certificate of occupancy to use the building attached to 3 Spring Hill Terrace. [Read more…]

Ramapo’s building crisis

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The following is from Robert Rhodes, Chairman of Preserve Ramapo.

The Hillcrest chapter of CUPON (Citizens United to Protect Our Neighborhoods) met last Tuesday evening. Thanks to Micheal Miller’s presentation it was a most educational and shocking evening.

Micheal presented a long list of building projects in Ramapo. He estimated that when approved, a total of about 3,000 new apartment units will be built. With an average of eight family members per unit, we can anticipate a total increase in our population of about 24,000 residents. In other words, the proposed projects will increase our town population by almost 20%! [Read more…]

Ramapo Councilman Samuel Tress Arrested

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Samuel Tress when he was a member of the Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals

Samuel Tress when he was a member of the Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals

“Councilman Samuel Tress was arrested Thursday afternoon for voting to back a zoning change on a housing development he held a financial stake in — even though he had signed an affidavit stating he wouldn’t profit from his decisions as a Zoning Board of Appeals member.  Tress, 71, who has a previous felony conviction, faces a felony charge of first-degree offering a false instrument and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct, according to the Rockland District Attorney’s Office.Tress faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the top count. [Read more…]

Monsey still Calling the Shots on Development and Zoning in Ramapo

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Patrick Farm Meeting

Want to know why Monsey and Spring Valley are so rapidly becoming urbanized with all the congestion and problems that follow compacting density in village-size spaces? Just go to a board meeting at Town Hall where all the shoe-horning gets approved. There you will get the answer to another question, as well: Why are the members of the Ramapo Planning and Zoning Boards not listed on the Town’s website? Clarkstown, Orangetown, and Stony Point list all those serving on their boards, and Haverstraw lists the chairpersons and secretaries.  [Read more…]