Getting Ready for the January 13, 2016 Meeting at Town Hall

This coming Wednesday will begin the public process under New York State's Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) with respect to The Jefferson. The Town Board has determined that it is what is known as the "lead agency" for the project. The lead agency is responsible for making key SEQR determinations during the review process.

Technically Wednesday night is the start of what is known as "scoping the DEIS."

Scoping is a process that develops a written document ("scope") which outlines the topics and analyses of potential environmental impacts of an action that will be addressed in a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS, or draft EIS). The purpose of scoping is to narrow issues and ensure that the draft EIS will be a concise, accurate and complete document that is adequate for public review. The scoping process is intended to:

· ensure public participation in the EIS development process;

· allow open discussion of issues of public concern; and

· permit inclusion of relevant, substantive public issues in the final written scope.

If you look at the Town's website (under forms, and in the section for the Department of Community Development and Conservation), you will find the proposed scoping document prepared by JPI, the developer of The Jefferson.


In contrast to that rather standard list of items set forth in their scoping document, linked below is a comprehensive letter (the Letter") The Village of Ardsley sent to the Mayor of Dobbs Ferry when that village was preparing the scoping document for Rivertowns Square. While some of the issues are specific to Rivertowns Square, many of the issues and impacts are similar as the location is nearly the same.


http://www.ardsleyvillage.com/sites/ardsleyny/files/file/file/vn_rivertownssquarelettertomayorconnett.pdf


Please take the time to review the Letter to understand what should go into a detailed scoping document that will insure this project is properly and completely evaluated by the lead agency, The Town Board of Greenburgh consisting of Town Supervisor Paul Feiner and council members Diana Juettner, Kevin Morgan, Ken Jones and Francis Sheehan.


It is anticipated that The Village of Ardsley will submit a document such as this from its consultants. The Town Board itself has also hired top flight consultants to assist it in the SEQR process.

Understandably emotions will be running high, but the best course of action is to stick to the issues you want studied and take the high road. You are there to help the Town Board. They already know there is widespread opposition to The Jefferson.

And we want to thank JPI for bringing the Rivertowns and School District community together in a manner rarely seen.