tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post539006406975373258..comments2024-03-28T17:55:31.180-04:00Comments on The Gossips of Rivertown: The Solar Initiative and the CACCarole Osterinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-24638833023652769002021-09-24T12:13:21.255-04:002021-09-24T12:13:21.255-04:00Very positive sounding Hilary, but I think less th...Very positive sounding Hilary, but I think less than desirable. Thanks.<br />-Timothyunheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-65793228587691923622021-09-24T08:56:21.595-04:002021-09-24T08:56:21.595-04:00The actual terms show that those now pushing for a...The actual terms show that those now pushing for a solar array along North 2nd Street are violating the spirit of the 2014 agreement between the city and county.<br /><br />You can say, as President DePietro has said, that the proposal sets out "no firm dimensions of the project," but everyone knows that if the 2nd Street site is found to be preferable (read: cheaper, easier, and more lucrative), and learns this news from a developer no less, that will create an unstoppable momentum before the Columbia Land Conservancy is even consulted.<br /><br />The costly Starr Whitehouse plan which grew out of the conservancy's "Concept Master Plan" may not be unalterable, but the 2nd Street lot is already spoken for in that plan. To be told now that the conservancy will be "involved" once the developers have responded is an affront to the 2104 agreement between the city and county. <br /><br />Our current city officials are running roughshod over the 2014 agreement secured by their predecessors, wherein the city agreed to work WITH the "conservancy, the state, other involved agencies and organizations and the affected community in the city to complete preliminary assessment of the feasibility, desirability and practicability of implementing the Concept Master Plan or a variation thereof and to secure funding for that work" (citation below).<br /><br />Seeing as the city's typically bored and low-energy officials and representatives left the preliminary assessment to the conservancy, what was the city's official response to the later Starr Whitehouse plan? Did anyone in City government involve themselves during that planning process? How about at the plan's public presentation in the county building? What was the City's involvement in any of it per the 2014 agreement? <br /><br />So this new development - a solar array right where the conservancy's developed plan sites an entrance kiosk and parking for its trail system - is really due to our officials' lack of involvement (and lack of imagination) in the development of the Concept Master Plan. They suppose that, having taken no part in the expensive Starr Whitehouse planning, they can simply ignore their obligations in hopes of squeezing a few bucks out of some vacant riverside lot.<br /><br />To me, who followed the Starr Whitehouse design from start to finish, it's unconscionable to now pretend that this agreement and the subsequent planning never happened:<br /><br />"WHEREAS, in conformity with the LWRP and in consultation with the County and the City, the Columbia Land Conservancy developed a concept master plan entitled the 'Hudson North Bay Recreation and Natural Area Master Plan' ....<br /><br />"WHEREAS, the County Board of Supervisors and the City of Hudson Common Council and Mayor have expressed their support for the creation of a public recreation and conservation area in and around the North Bay to provide a significant amenity for the citizens of the City and County and protect the physical integrity of the Landfill ....<br /><br />"NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions herein contained, the parties agree as follows:<br /><br />"1. The City agrees to work with the Columbia Land Conservancy, the State, other involved agencies and organizations and the affected community in the City to complete preliminary assessment of the feasibility, desirability and practicability of implementing the Concept Master Plan or a variation thereof and to secure funding for that work."<br /><br />[From an Agreement between the City of Hudson and Columbia County, May 20, 2014]<br />unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-32152786997563575692021-09-24T07:47:33.739-04:002021-09-24T07:47:33.739-04:00This proposed parking area for the trailhead is wh...This proposed parking area for the trailhead is where a compromise could be considered.<br /><br />Imagine, for those that need to park cars, a canopy of solar arrays, semi-covered parking, maybe the arrays supply energy for some e-vehicle chargers. These could be surrounded by a rain garden of appropriate plantings that capture stormwater run-off and filter out car fluids from entering the natural habitat. People would enter the trail system with the reminder that technology has it's place in protecting the environment. <br /><br />A possible positive blend. HilaryHilary Hillmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923743123872532740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-42364213261341400492021-09-23T22:12:10.969-04:002021-09-23T22:12:10.969-04:00Good work by the CAC. But all should be aware that...Good work by the CAC. But all should be aware that the Starr Whitehouse design for the landfill's trail system (which extends into the land conservancy) sited a parking area and trail entrance in the same location west of North 2nd Street. <br /><br />Personally, I think it's totally nuts to waste real estate so near to the river on a solar array. There are better and unexplored ways to generate funds for the city (e.g., LafargeHolcim property tax), whereas this solar gimmick only seems ecologically enlightened to those with little knowledge of nature or awareness of what a jewel the North Bay is. These are the same individuals driving this project in the name of environmentalism, but from my perspective they're ignorant, unlearned people more apt to exploit nature. That's the real story here.unheimlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204285837938988668noreply@blogger.com