To the Editor:

There has been a fair amount of recent media attention given to the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the former Holt-Harris property in McKownville by the University at Albany Foundation, and about the potential future use of the property. The headline in last week's "Enterprise" states that a biodiversity field research station is being considered for the site.

There are a couple of items that relate to the discussion about this property that are of interest to me. It should be noted that any future use of the property will most directly impact the 13 Guilderland residents whose properties directly adjoin the property that the foundation acquired (full disclosure requires me to indicate that I am one of these) but the media isn't talking to them about the situation.

Instead, it is being represented that the views of "the neighborhood" are being articulated through the McKownville Improvement Association. Interestingly, the association hasn't asked me, or any of my neighboring property owners what we think, either.

The only inquiries or information we have received have been from representatives of the University at Albany Foundation, who have been proactive in trying to keep their immediate neighbors advised of their plans relative to their activities on the site.

We were advised of the deteriorated condition of the structures on the property that resulted from the neglect of the prior owner. We were informed that the Guilderland town historian and Historic Albany Foundation had been invited to visit the structures, take photographs, and remove items of potential historical significance. We were informed when the structures were made available to the McKownville Fire Department for valuable training exercises.

Finally, we were notified when the buildings came down, an action that most adjoining property owners welcomed due to concerns about the structures being occupied by vagrants, used as a "party zone,” or being set on fire by arsonists. The foundation is also removing dead trees that were neglected by the previous owner that have caused damage to adjoining properties

Overall, I would consider their actions to date with respect to interaction with adjoining property owners to be those of a good neighbor.

This does not mean, however, that I am not concerned about the future use of the property. As long as it is owned by the UAlbany Foundation, it is subject to Guilderland zoning, which restricts use to single-family residences. If, however, the property is transferred to UAlbany, local zoning codes no longer apply. Supervisor Peter Barber has indicated that the town would use any means at its disposal to insure a benign future use even if ownership is transferred, but there is still reason for concern.

That said, there is no money available to UAlbany at this point in time to build on the site, so immediate speculation seems to me to be pointless. The reference in last week's paper [The Enterprise, May 5, 2016, “Foundation tears down Holt-Harris homes, considering a biodiversity field research site”] to a biodiversity field research station was made by a single university staffer not directly involved in decision-making on a matter like this, who, according to the article, had not even visited the site to assess its suitability for that use. Was this really worth a headline?

I believe that the general sense of folks most directly affected by future use of this property is that we are happy that the foundation is moving to act responsibly at this time with respect to building demolition and site work, and that we are watchfully waiting to see what steps may be proposed next.

There may come a point where we as neighbors need to be in "a fight" with the university over future property use, but that time isn't here yet. If that time comes, we will certainly be ready, but, meanwhile, I do believe it is better to interact reasonably and politely with the foundation, to encourage responsible stewardship until potential future uses are identified, and to actively and forcefully participate in future discussions over property use when it is appropriate. This may not make for newspaper headlines, but it is what I would call good citizenship.

Donald Csaposs

Guilderland