Glad I’m not here today
Downtown Albany, NY
Sign and Send a Environmental Impact Comment for Rapp�Road/Costco DEIS to the Guilderland Town�Planner | Guilderland Coalition for Responsible�Growth
Below is a suggested email that you can "Sign and Send" to the Guilderland Town Planner, Ken Kovalchik, to make a comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding the impact on the Albany Pine Bush and the environment in general from the proposed development by Pyramid (Crossgates) on Rapp Road, the Mall Road and Western Avenue.
There are 2 options to "Sign and Send" and with either option you can make any edits you want before sending your email.
Top of Wolf Hill
John Pruyn Library Petition
For about the past six months, I’ve been going to over to Albany Historian and activist John Wolcott’s house a few hours a week to go through his papers.
This 1965 letter/petition in opposition to the tearing down to John Pryun Library is fascinating — there were a dozen pages of signatures that go along with it.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
6:00 p.m. – test the technology, 7:00 p.m – the program
Grace Nichols, Steve Wickham and Lynne Jackson
will speak about
Pyramid Clear Cut and the Proposed Development in the Pine Bush
Pyramid/Crossgates clear cut about 14 acres of land on the site of the proposed Costco in Guilderland in March. Join us for a description of the actions Steve and Grace took to attempt to stop the clear cut, and the actions that did stop the clear cut. Grace, Steve and Lynne will also discuss the scope of the proposed development and the actions that Save the Pine Bush is taking to oppose the project.
People can join using their computers or phones. Join the call to test connection between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. The program begins at 7:00.
Dial-in number (US): (712) 770-4104; use the access code: 878906#.
The online meeting ID: lynnejackson9. Join the online meeting: https://join.
If you have difficulties with the technology, please email pinebush@mac.com and Lynne Jackson will try to help you. This is our first time trying this, so, please be patient!
Full EIS are becoming rare.
One thing I learned about over the weekend talking to people at Lupine Festival, is how few major development projects in recent years have been subject to a full Environmental Impact Statement.
This is quite concerning, as environmental reviews can help mitigate potential environmental and community concerns, and it limits public participation. While EIS may require scaling down or abandoning some projects, it’s usually done for good reason. Protecting our natural resources and community character is important, keeping our children healthy, protecting our air and water is important.
Westmere Residents Challenge Pyramid and Guilderland’s Violations of Law in Federal Court 🌲🌲🌲🌲
Westmere Residents Challenge Pyramid and Guilderland’s Violations of Law in Federal Court 🌲🌲🌲🌲
For Immediate Release: April 26, 2020
For Further Information, please call: James Bacon, Esq. (845) 419-2338
For Further Information, please call: James Bacon, Esq. (845) 419-2338
Westmere residents announce the filing of a lawsuit yesterday in the Northern District of New York to prevent Pyramid’s further construction of Costco. Pyramid cut down more than two acres of woodlands that could have provided habitat in the coming months for endangered and threatened species. The clear cutting violated significant provisions of federal and state law, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and
especially, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
especially, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
Kevin McDonald, resident of Westmere Terrace adjacent to the development states: “[i]n doing this the town has clearly shown that it will grant permits to the project as proposed despite the fact that the review process has yet to be completed. One major element missing from the review process is a review of alternative, less impactful designs, the sort of thing that could comply with the TOD overlay district which was supposed bring neighborhood scaled
mixed use development to our area. The TOD is the zoning that was commissioned
and accepted by the town to promote responsible development around Western Avenue. Rather than demanding alternative proposals as required by law, the town allowed Pyramid to clear cut thus unleashing a “bureaucratic steamroller” that predetermines the outcome of the permitting process.”
mixed use development to our area. The TOD is the zoning that was commissioned
and accepted by the town to promote responsible development around Western Avenue. Rather than demanding alternative proposals as required by law, the town allowed Pyramid to clear cut thus unleashing a “bureaucratic steamroller” that predetermines the outcome of the permitting process.”
Steve Wickham, volunteer with Save the Pine Bush and chair of the Guilderland Coalition for Responsible Growth steering committee attempted to stop the clear cutting by sitting on the blade of the tree-cutting equipment during a spontaneous act of civil disobedience on
March 26th. Wickham says, “The residents of Westmere are fed up with broken promises and Pyramid’s acquisition of property over the years with secret plans to destroy the Lawton Terrace neighborhood, urbanize the area surrounding Westmere Terrace and negatively impact the lives of everyone in Guilderland forever.”
March 26th. Wickham says, “The residents of Westmere are fed up with broken promises and Pyramid’s acquisition of property over the years with secret plans to destroy the Lawton Terrace neighborhood, urbanize the area surrounding Westmere Terrace and negatively impact the lives of everyone in Guilderland forever.”
Lynne Jackson, volunteer with Save the Pine Bush, observed “[t]he Town of Guilderland must protect the environment. With the world-wide decline in species, it is even more important that Town protect its own endangered and threatened species and its own very unique Pine Bush ecosystem.”
James Bacon, attorney for the plaintiffs states: “In more than 30 years of involvement in SEQRA proceedings, I have never heard of an agency allowing the clear-cutting of woodlands during the SEQRA process. Clear cutting part of the Costco site improperly predetermines
critical aspects of the SEQRA review such as alternative site layouts and
designs which is significant for a project potentially resulting in more than 300 residential units, 275,000 sq. ft of commercial/retail use and 50,000 sq. ft. of offices while also depending upon the alienation of portions of five Town Roads. The scope of federal and state violations coupled with the scope of the project requires re-establishment of lead
agency allowing another involved agency to adhere to SEQRA’s procedures and act as
“stewards of the… land, and living resources” with “an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations” as required by the
New York State Environmental Conservation Law. ECL 8-§0103(8).
critical aspects of the SEQRA review such as alternative site layouts and
designs which is significant for a project potentially resulting in more than 300 residential units, 275,000 sq. ft of commercial/retail use and 50,000 sq. ft. of offices while also depending upon the alienation of portions of five Town Roads. The scope of federal and state violations coupled with the scope of the project requires re-establishment of lead
agency allowing another involved agency to adhere to SEQRA’s procedures and act as
“stewards of the… land, and living resources” with “an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations” as required by the
New York State Environmental Conservation Law. ECL 8-§0103(8).