Last night at the town council meeting John DiMaria mentioned that Christ Church delivered more documents at Monday nights planning board meeting. I called the Planning office today to check on them and I was advised that it was only architectural drawings from the changes they made in December. I arrived home to a message on my machine stating that in fact Christ Church has dropped off several boxes of new information.
Information must be submitted 10 days prior to a planning board meeting so that it can be copied and distributed to all planning board members. The information submitted will not be able to be discussed at Monday nights meeting thus leading yet again to the now ever famous responce from the applicant "oh we just sent you that". This leads to the boards in abilty to evaluate the information and ask questions in a timely manner.
What will happen next - the applicant will complain AGAIN that Rockaway Twp is slowing the process when we all know that it is their inability to provide accurate and timely information to the planning board that has caused delay after delay after delay.
Ladies and Gentleman you have all be part of a massive public relations stunt designed to distract all from the facts of the application and the very fact the applicant is not prepared. I am sorry you all had to endure this hardship but Mr. Whinestien's firm needs billable hours!
Have a nice evening,
Lisa
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The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
You do not understand, - - - CC is not just any applicant; CC is Christ Church and having the only guy that we will ever encounter in our lifetimes having "The GIFT"; specifically I am talking about the one and only Good Reverend Doctor Sir David Ireland, PHD, his Magnificience. (I genuflected, as is proper to do, folks). How come you, Lisa, have not taken that into account in your commentary?? You know better than that. Why have you not realized that he and his Corporation are very unique and special and should not be treated officially like the rest of us peons on this planet?? We all need to know our place. Please advise if I have it wrong. (The author bows again, which is the right and proper thing to do)
Now comes the whining..."we're treated unfairly!" God, I'm so sick of these games, I'm particularly offended by CC's manipulation of the clergy and members of other churches.
These are honest people who trust others--especially other religious people--to be honest, and they take them at their word.
What a shame to take advantage of that.
And all the public will hear is "we provided all the info they needed, but once again, we're delayed! What gives?"
It is not my intention to pass judgement on the applicant. It is my intention to inform you and others of the status of the application. I remain focused on the facts related to application. In this case the records have come in so late that they are useless to the Monday night meeting, thus we, as a town, as residents and as the formal opposition have no chance to get a meaningful look at these records.
I am clear in my role in this process and it is to ensure all residents know what is happening every step of the way and not to allow this applicant to spread myths about our good town. I will not lower myself to some of the tactics utitlized by the applicant and its supporters. I know who I am, I know my own ethics and hold myself to them on a daily basis in ALL I do.
Sincerely,
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Isn't there a record such as a receipt or log entry that shows when the applicant delivered items to the Board? If so, what purpose does it serve the applicant to intentionally deliver documents too late for their discussion at a planning board meeting? Doesn't the town have the right to raise issues concerning those documents at the following meeting? I'm sure the planning board can see what's happening and wouldn't a judge also see the pattern? If CC then blames the Board for procrastinating isn't there a rebuttal based on the record of when documents were received?
If the information contained in the packages is germane to the discussions at Monday’s meeting, and that information was not submitted in time for adequate distribution and review, then (IMHO) the board should have the right to postpone the meeting.
Planning Board members are just regular folks like you and me. They work full time jobs and have family obligations. Is it acceptable to waste their time?
Yes there are rules about such things. These rules are also not well know to lay people. It makes for great PR to say that you are being stalled, however to admit the delays are you own fault has little value in the "court of public opinion".
Interestingly it appears that the applicant thinks this matter will be based on public opinion - that is a complete miscalculation on their part. This is a matter of local zoning law, impact to a community, the environment and fiscal responsibility. The fact that the mass majority of the community clearly sees these issues and opposes the plans is just fact not PR.
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Good suggestion, BR. By the way, isn't there an agenda planned for the meeting in advance? If so, and if the applicant is not prepared to address the topics on the agenda or does not provide information required to have a meaningful discussion in sufficient time, why not postpone or cancel the meeting and make sure that all concerned parties and the press know exactly why the meeting was postponed? Let the truth come out and let the facts speak for themselves. That would probably end the game playing. Any thoughts?
I didn't mean to ignore your response to posting. I guess we were both typing at the same time. What do you think of the idea of postponing the meeting and calling attention to the reason (assuming the applicants material constitutes a significant portion of the meeting agenda?). Assuming it is documented when material is received, it would at least bring that fact out in the open.
I do not think that will happen. The process is to continue with the meeting and refer to the documents that were submitted in general not specifics.
I am VERY well aware that this board is monitored by the press and would like to suggest to them that THEY encourage the applicant to stop wasting OUR time with these late filings. They are the cause of the delays and I for one would like to end this matter in a timely manner.
Best wishes,
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Why are we not changing our zoning laws? It has already been proven that our existing zoning laws are substantially out of date and not in keeping with present day Megatrends. Are we going to wait for another CC disaster to strike this township before we consider reviewing this body of law? I just do not get it.
My last post was in responce to Res23 not to JohnQ.
Rational,
Do I think that the zoning will change - NO. Do I think there may be an ordinance revision - I can not say for sure but I do know that the ordinance committee has been working on something for months. Once they were advised by the town planner, the applicants planner and Voice of Rockaway Twp. planner that the current ordinance was lacking they began work on a better one.
Time will tell what will happen. I am sure of one thing. Rockaway Twp is blessed with a council that cares deeply about our town and will work very hard to protect it.
Best wishes to all,
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Of course the concern is for the future potentialities; we need to avoid or minimize the probability of another Megadisaster from happening. My understanding is that we have not reviewed or updated our zoning laws in about 11 years now, so I am hoping that they will be re-visited.
It has been statd by the members of the board and Burgess that the zones can be changed, even with an application before the board.
Why the heck have they just not changed them...a little fearful of a lawsuit??? Were gonna have one anyway...
Unless this drags on and HP gets sick and tired of waiting for the deal to close.
Ya know with all the talk of NY selling some highways and bridges, perhap Ireland could buy a bridge, and then put his church in a small office on top ... Then he charge admission to his church and for going through his property, then write it all off as non-profitable.
