To the Editor:

A pause in development in Guilderland is a rational response to explosive unplanned growth.

On Dec. 18, the Guilderland town planner presented an update to the town board on proposed/approved/under construction residential development projects in the town of Guilderland.  There are presently 27 separate projects, totaling 1,854 residential units in flight with 47 percent (876!) of these units dedicated to senior housing.

This is a staggering amount of growth for a small town and prompts many questions among which:

— Senior Housing

Other towns are not experiencing this growth in senior housing. Current surveys show seniors want to age in their own homes. Seriously, has anyone heard, “I can’t wait to grow old and go to Guilderland to retire?” How and why did Guilderland become the senior citizen housing destination in the Capital District? This question needs to be addressed and answered before continuing.

Moreover, what happens when a developer fails to fill these senior apartments? What is the town’s policy for this eventuality? Does the town allow the developers to convert to regular apartments (which oft times would not have been permitted in the first place)? Is the town requiring these developers to post a bond for the added expenses incurred in such a conversion? Such a bond could support a fund for green space which the town currently doesn’t have.

— Traffic

It is surprising to observe that, with all the proposed development around the intersection of routes 155 and 20, no comprehensive study of the effects on this vital intersection has occurred. When Route 20 was expanded 20 years ago, that upgrade plan would have contained an estimate on the amount of traffic the road could support.

Have we hit that amount already? Those of us who wait at that light every day would likely say “yes.” The westbound left-turning lane on Route 20 at the intersection of Route 155 is already the subject of State Police traffic sweeps because the left-turning traffic lane is too short to contain the cars wishing to turn onto Route 155. Why not do a comprehensive review of this intersection before approving more development?

— Subsiding Development  

The town’s Industrial Development Agency is presently considering subsidizing the Pyramid Corporation’s plans for an apartment complex next to Crossgates Mall. Should the town’s IDA be in the business of giving tax breaks to developers for apartment complexes? Is this the type of economic growth we want our IDA to subsidize?

There are so many more unanswered questions and once we say “yes” to these projects we, as a community, can never go back. I feel this town lacks a vision of its future; is saying “yes” to development without any looking at the consequences; and is afraid to say “no” to developers.

It’s fair to say that, when you don’t know where you are going, it’s a good idea to pull over and take stock. I support a pause in development in Guilderland.

Brian Collins

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Brian Collins is a  member of Guilderland Citizens for Responsible Growth.