To the Editor:

I am writing to remind people that if they would like to comment or give input to the Altamont Village Planning Board during the extended public hearing, they must do so by Monday, May 11. Your comments will be added to the public record, and the planning board will consider your remarks as it deliberates on Stewart’s proposed plans for its new, expanded building site.

At its Monday, May 18, meeting, the board will either ask Stewart’s to respond to the public input, or approve Stewart’s plans as presented on May 4.

For me, the issue from the beginning was that the proposed size and location simply did not fit with the surrounding community. Since then, the village and zoning boards have rezoned a residential lot, approved demolition of a house, and made major zoning exceptions to accommodate Stewart’s plans.

We have been assured by both members of the village board and public advocates that we should not be concerned because the planning board will make sure the new building and site will blend in with the historic character of the village.

With this in mind, many of us commented on various aspects of the Stewart’s plans at the video public hearing on April 27 and since, including comments on lighting, landscaping, signage, drainage, location of utility services and the Dumpster, and distance from 111 Heldeberg Ave. These are all important, and Stewart’s has responded to some of these on its revised plans of Monday, May 4.

But the overriding issue for me at this point in time, and possibly the last opportunity we will have to have an impact, is: Does the Stewart’s proposed design really reflect the historic appearance and character of the community? And, to be honest, the answer is flatly, no.

It reflects Stewart’s standard design, with a few cosmetic enhancements, which in no way attempts to “fit” with our existing period buildings. In fact, in my opinion, Stewart’s current design will definitely have an adverse impact on the character of the village.

Despite the 19th-Century architectural integrity of the neighborhood, Stewart’s has submitted a plan to construct their standard, modernized suburban-style commercial building that is similar in size and design to the other new facilities the chain has constructed in several high-traffic locations elsewhere in the Capital Region.

If our village leaders are to be true to their word, it is imperative that Stewart’s makes major design adjustments to clearly reflect our architectural heritage, and the planning board should deny site plan approval until those changes are made. SEFCU, Creekside on Park Avenue, Altamont Corners, and Veronica’s have also successfully achieved this objective — now it is Stewart’s turn.

Some may say it is too late — but that’s not fair. We have been told all along to wait until the project reaches the planning board; then you will have plenty of opportunity for input. The public hearing was April 27. Now is our time.

You can review the current plans online by contacting the village hall, and please send any comments you may have about the building and site design to the Altamont Planning Board, care of Ginger Hannah, no later than May 11.

Kristin Casey

Altamont

Editor’s note: See related story.