The Fallout
A continuation of Part I from this post. You can view Part 1 by clicking here.
What Now?
"Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 1948
(paraphrased)
In a recent article in the Observer,
So what could happen? Well, look at the EGO District now. Our Town Planner conveyed ... that broadening the uses to allow more development such as medical offices and industrial uses, along with developing a series of design standards, will make Smithfield more competitive for business growth.
Phillips said it was a collaborative effort with landowners, local boards, planning consultants, and market and commercial real estate professionals over a year to develop what will become of the EGO district.
It took about six years to build this "solution"?
And we have heard this before ... “We have to prepare for the fact that we’re going to see a lot of these commercial buildings and have to make it compatible with the growth overlay,” Phillips said.
Does this sound like the Crossings at Smithfield? Sand Trace? Multiple buildings without a plan? Spot development. And now the "rush" to sell the Salt Box land to a developer which will build a professional services building? And to fund our new athletic complex?
So, let us take a look at today. In the picture below of one EGO parcel (wonder why?), notice the number of "cuts" on Route 7 and 116 signified by the Xs. Count them ... 28; 13 and 15 on Route 7 and 116 respectively.
Instead of a full scale infrastructure and development plan for all five parcels in the EGO ... no, let's work real hard to create another Mineral Spring Avenue ... Route 44, Crossings at Smithfield, etc. Our track record is quite clear.
Maybe, just maybe, there would be a better traffic plan in another EGO parcel that could be designed to actually reduce traffic in the Route 7/116 corridor? Hmm, how many times was that discussed and dismissed?
Instead of having an objective and data-based plan to offer prospective developers compiled by an apolitical and objective firm (which could have been completed by a non-political group of people) ... no, let's create the same situation we have already done. It's successful.
I conveyed my sentiments about the current mindset a few months ago. Build and develop.
As in the quick meeting schedule for the Sand Trace approvals this fall. The only things that was quicker was the clearing of the Sand Trace property quickly after its approval. Wonder if all those plans were completed prior to the meetings?
Then, we approve the zoning changes, planning "strategies" ... build and develop. Why" As I said at the meeting ... because once they are built and occupied (opened), what can we do? A mulligan? No, cannot do that. Then it is the "Oh my, we have a problem that we have to fix."
Watch the requirements for infrastructure needed at some point (that Town officials signed off based on the "plan"). Water, sewer, road improvements. Increases in maintenance, snow removal and trash pickup. So the gain for money goes away.
Interesting that the Town has "analyzed" that we would only lose 5% of the trees in the neighborhood needed to build the Sand Trace development. My question was ... "So if this is true, who in the Town is watching every building permit that requires trees to be cleared? When does the additional new permits for new housing 'cross a threshold'"? No answers.
When challenging questions like this are ask, the general answer is to deflect to another entity, board or person for that responsibility.
It's ok ... these blog articles will remain. And the problem marches on.
