Here is an update on the SEQRA review process regarding the mix-used development proposal known as Rivertowns Square:
The adoption of a Findings Statement will be considered by a motion at the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting on January 8th, 2013, at 7:30 PM at Village Hall. The Findings Statement to be considered will be available for the public to view on Monday, January 7th (after 12:00 PM) on the village website www.dobbsferry.com; hard copies will also be available at Village Hall, and the Dobbs Ferry Public Library.
The Findings Statement will represent the consensus of the board in regards to the proposed mitigation of the environmental issues presented in the State Environmental Quality Review Act (‘SEQRA’) process; including the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (‘DEIS’), the Final Environmental Impact Statement (‘FEIS’), analysis and reports from the village’s professional expert consultants, governmental agencies, and all the input received from residents, the public at large, and all interested parties along the way.
The issuance of a ‘negative’ Findings Statement would mean a majority of the board feels the proposal has not mitigated the potential environmental impacts, and thus would require further review, or study, or analysis, or change. In this case the environmental review process would continue. The issuance of a ‘positive’ Findings Statement would mean that a majority of the board feels the proposal has mitigated the potential environmental impact(s) to the greatest extent possible. With a positive Findings Statement, the application would then proceed into Site Plan review.
In review of this re-development proposal, the village has conducted a comprehensive SEQRA process over the past 2 years; during this time there have been numerous public hearings, special workshops, presentations and public comment periods. The village has communicated the process in a timely fashion, and which has been completely transparent. The public has been encouraged and given the opportunity to stay involved at every step of the process. It is time now for the members of the Board of Trustees to arrive at a consensus on a Findings Statement. This will be on the meeting agenda for Tuesday, January 8th, 2013.
Mayor Connett
