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YORKTOWN, N.Y. – Yorktown Town Board members continued to express frustration with Navajo Fields representatives Tuesday night over what they say are unapproved changes being carried out on the site.
One change was the relocation of its greenhouses, which were not being built on the site approved in the original wetlands permit.
“If you have a wetland permit, you’ve got to be compliant with the wetland permit,” said John Tegeder, the town’s director of planning. “It’s that simple.”
Board members said they did not have an issue with the changes but asked that they not be made without the town’s approval. The project is a “moving target” that is “driving my staff nuts,” Supervisor Michael Grace said.
“We really don’t want to approve something and then you change it on the fly,” he said. “We’re not here to create issue for you, but we don’t want you to create issues for us.”
The Planning Board was concerned about establishing standards that could be applied to the review of the new site plan application to construct domes over the two existing fields, Tegeder said.
Town officials need to know the site's master plan, Tegeder and Grace said. In the absence of such a plan, there is a risk of segmentation, which is typically not allowed under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, they said.
“I asked you to come in with your master plan,” Grace said. “If you’re idea is to put up two domes, come in with two domes. Don’t come in with one dome and ask for another dome later.”
Footbridges on the site are also not safe, council member Dave Paganelli said. They will be taped off and signs will be posted that they were not to be used, Navajo Fields representatives said.
The board may vote on amending the existing wetlands permit at next Tuesday’s board hearing, pending a site inspection by the town’s environmental consultant. The proposed domes would not be part of this amended wetlands permit.
Comments (5)
I think that we have plenty of fields for kids to play on. This is a shame that we are destroying beautiful land in order to allow someone to make money on charging kids to play sports. What ever happened to Recreational clubs that used to run programs for the town, we need to stop companies like this from popping up creating a daddy ball scenario. There are plenty of Domes in the tristate area or facilities for sports, why can't they just use a gym to do drills like we used to instead of killing away our wetlands. COME ON WESTCHESTER SPEAK OUT!
As someone going thru renovations and construction at my house, it is made quite clear up-font that any and all changes need to be approved BEFORE being done. As for weekly inspections by the town, that is not the responsibility of the town. Their job is to inspect at certain phases of completion to give the go ahead for the next phase. Once again, this is the responsibility of the applicant to schedule. I could not imagine how high our taxes would be if we had to employ people in the building department to not only inspect at each phase, but to make sure the contractor/applicant is doing the right thing during the process. If they want it to go smooth, they just need to do what they have been approved for and to follow the town codes. I agree with milisnate that it is a great thing to have the fields, but the plan that Mr. Grace has asked for should be followed if they are dealing in good faith.
Same old story no weekly inspections by the Town Building Department, or
the Wetland Inspector The Next addition most likely will a bar with wine.
And a temperary Certificate of Occupancy. That will get renewed for ever.
There's a little know local law in Yorktown that may shed some light on this issue. Excerpt:
"If anyone, at anytime, should become frustrated with the planning approval process--they shall be permitted to make any changes they deem necessary and commence construction immediately without a permit, especially if there is money to be made. Upon completion of construction, all changes must be presented to the appropriate board. The applicant is required to grovel and beg for forgiveness. Should the applicant not appear sufficiently remorseful, they may be required to reappear before the board on multiple occasions."
Open communication is always helpful. We are grateful for them to open these fields to our kids. Both parties need to be flexible. I hope this does not become political. Lets put our kids first. We all have to abide by rules and let yes show our kids how its done.