To the Editor:

I write this in an effort to clear up some questions and comments I’ve had in various conversations about the Stewart’s store and the vote I cast at the last meeting of the zoning board of appeals.

To begin with, I am not against a new Stewart’s store being constructed in the village of Altamont.

My concern comes from the size of the store and the location of the store with regard to Carol Rothenberg’s property at 111 Helderberg Ave.

Stewart’s has been operating for nearly 40 years in the village of Altamont with a small store located 43 feet from the property line of 109 Helderberg Ave. Stewart’s purchased 109 Helderberg Ave., giving Stewart’s 50 additional feet for a total of 93 feet to work with.

The one and only plan submitted by Stewart’s has a 30-foot variance, putting the new Stewart’s store (similar to the size of the store at routes 20 and 146) just 20 feet from Carol Rothenberrg’s property line, 73 feet closer than the current store.

This I found unacceptable and this is what I voted against.

In a day and age when people rally against million-dollar corporations for fairness in work environments and pay scales apparently not enough of us thought about Carol Rothenberg at 111 Helderberg Ave. to tell a billion-dollar corporation with approximately 330 stores and 70 new ones to be built to go back to the drawing board, because we, the Altamont residents, care more about the village character and its residents.

As you read this, look out your window and picture a new Stewart’s store 20 feet from your property line.

This is what Carol Rothenberg will see every day. So, if you see Carol or know her, thank her because she, along with the residents of Severson Avenue, is paying the price for your big new Stewart’s.

Everyone has an opinion but these are the facts.

Maurice McCormick

Altamont

Editor’s note: Maurice McCormick notes he has lived in Altamont since 1985. He had served on the village’s zoning board from 1998 until March 31, 2020, and had been its chairman.