To the Editor:

Last week’s Enterprise contained an article on the Feb. 14 meeting of the New Scotland Town Board in which the proposed zoning law changes that would create a New Scotland Hamlet District were discussed.

The proposed law represents a reasonable compromise among different views about the future development of New Scotland. Importantly, the proposed law adheres to the principle, overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of New Scotland, that development should be consistent with the small-town/rural character of the town. The board is to be commended for its efforts in this regard.

Your article also noted that some of the landowners at the meeting complained about insufficient notice being given to them regarding the proposed changes in the zoning law. Such a complaint is ridiculous.

Over the past 10 years, there have been numerous public meetings, news articles, letters to the editor, and published planning documents on the town website that have kept us fully informed regarding the planning process. As a resident of the New Scotland (Voorheesville) for 40 years, I can say that the level of public interest and participation in defining the future of New Scotland’s development was higher than any other issue that I have seen come before the town board.

It would be helpful if the landowners opposed to the proposed zoning changes would stop using buzz words like “elitist,” “erosion of freedom,” and “property rights” and tell us what, specifically, they mean when they say they want more retail and commercial development.

Most importantly, tell us how that development will support the Statement of Purpose in the proposed Hamlet Zoning Law: “… to provide standards that will preserve the physical beauty of the Town of New Scotland and promote its small-town character while supporting mixed-use growth in a thriving, walkable community.”

Steven Schreiber

Voorheesville