October 25, 2006

Lee Molyneaux
Chair of the Planning Board
420 Broadway
Kingston, New York 12401

Dear Mr. Molyneax:

We are feeling development pressures throughout our communities in the Hudson River Valley and Catskills Region. We have always taken a firm stand in support of our existing environmental review procedures and requiring any would-be developers to meet the exacting requirements set forth under New York State and local law and rules. We believe our review processes work well.

The City of Kingston Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) serves as an excellent blueprint providing the City and residents alike the ability and resources to ensure that proposed developments fit within their vision for the future of their waterfront. It also provides greater protection for the ecologically and culturally significant resources that are integral to local and regional economic revitalization. However, the plan can be effective only to the extent to which the process is adhered.

Recent media reports regarding ongoing discussions with AVR Realty over their proposed Landing project have fueled speculation that the LWRP may be circumvented in an effort to meet AVR's demands. We urge you and the Planning Board to publicly affirm your collective commitment to continued compliance with the LWRP. We also encourage you to continue to build upon your exemplary record of making the process accessible to the public by promptly disclosing any new development related information, including any negotiated modifications to the Landing project.

As the process continues forward, it is critical that the City address several unresolved issues surrounding the proposed development. Among these are the ability of the existing wastewater infrastructure to handle the increased workload, the impact on local taxes, specifically with regard to the anticipated increase in enrollment in the public school system, siting of recreational facilities, public access to the waterfront, a determination of the appropriate level of commercial space to ensure a mixed-use development and a re-examining of the potential traffic and environmental impacts in the event of a revised plan.

As public officials, it is our duty to ensure that government works for the benefit of the people. The LWRP was created by a broad coalition of concerned citizens, business interests, property owners, planning experts and community organizations. The end result was a process that, if followed, will fulfill Kingston's collective vision for the waterfront. It is up to you and the Planning Board to assure that our collective vision is realized.

Sincerely,

Maurice Hinchey Member of Congress

Kevin A. Cahill Member of Assembly

cc: Hon. James Sottile, Mayor
Suzanne Cahill, City Planner
Wayne Platte, Vice Chairman
Bruce Mclean
Steve Johnson
Timothy Williams
Pat Pillswoth
Pat Garraghan
James Reffelt