Issue : Working Group Recommendations and the Comprehensive Plan

Marcus Molinaro	Quick, yet thoughtful, implementation of the Land Use Working Group recommendations, especially those related to intermunicipal planning, will assist us in guiding growth and ensuring quality development. As a member of the Intermunicipal Planning Task Force, I am working with leaders from the Town and Villages of Red Hook and Tivoli to implement joint planning practices, shared zoning language and greater intermunicipal cooperation. Recent efforts by the Village of Red Hook to develop a coordinated streetscape plan, greater connectivity of projects and traditional neighborhood planning, matched by Tivoli’s adoption of a new comprehensive plan compliment the work and ideas of Red Hook’s Land Use Working Group. As a member of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Board and President of the Northern Dutchess Alliance I have seen firsthand the value of regional cooperation. Making use of cultural and other tax abatements for small-scale businesses, promoting a ‘buy local’ campaign, opening new markets to our farmers and investing in coordinated local business promotion we can improve our economic sustainability.
Vicky Perry	Red Hook is behind the curve is preventing sprawl simply because the town did not seize the opportunity years ago to get a firm grip on building houses. Here are the facts: We had the chance to champion a moratorium at the start of 2004. Instead, we got bogged down with the "Land Use Working Group" which has lead to discussions, inaction and no protection for Red Hook from continued residential development. Meanwhile  Hyde Park, Milan and Rhinebeck have a moratorium. Poughkeepsie (town), Poughquag,, Lagrange, East Fishkill (on mining), Beacon and Pine Plains are going forward on getting one.  In 2003, Red Hook built more new units than the town of Poughkeepsie (52-48)! In 2004 Red Hook built more new units than Wappingers Falls (48-47)!