Urban Renewal Plan Approved in Brewster
Battling through criticism from some residents and property owners over the last several months, the Brewster Board of Trustees approved the village’s Urban Renewal Plan last week in hopes of rebooting lagging parts of the village.
According to a press release sent out by village clerk/treasurer Peter Hansen, the board voted 4-0, with one abstention for the plan to go forward. The vote comes after several meetings of public input and skepticism over how successful the plan would be and its impact on the village. Mayor James Schoenig, deputy Mayor Christine Piccini, trustees Mary Bryde and Tom Boissonnaul all supported the plan. Trustee Erin Meagher abstained. Agreements still need to be reached with developers and site plans would still be under review.
The full and final adopted plan is on the village website.
In the village issued press release, it stated the plan is a combination of efforts started in 2013 that included public engagement sessions and professional land planning services to figure out the building blocks needed to revitalize the downtown district. The Urban Renewal Plan hopes to create a more walkable village, outdoor recreation, a village square, cultural centers and more housing and retail.
“These admirable and achievable goals are coming to fruition because the four seasoned members of this governing Board have never wavered from their commitment to an economically vibrant downtown that invites neighbors from within the Village borders and the surrounding region to share the benefits of a revitalized community,” the glowing press release states. “A higher quality of life, increased population, and tourism will benefit the region and make Brewster a destination as it once was when it was known as the ‘Hub of the Harlem Valley.’”
Meagher, in an email, said she abstained from the vote because she currently lives in the zone planned for urban renewal.
“In the event of any legal challenge to the Urban Renewal Plan (of which I believe there will be one if not several) I did not want to put the Village in a position where a resident of the Urban Renewal Area doesn’t feel entitled to their voice,” Meagher stated. “In addition, there has not been an independent outside review done of the plan to ensure it is the best for the Village, it’s residents and its businesses. By avoiding even, the appearance of impropriety is essential to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of Village government.”
