To the Editor:

I hope Altamonters will attend the Tuesday, Sept. 3, public hearing at the Altamont Village Board meeting at 7 p.m. about the revised application of Stewart’s Shops for a zoning change that will allow expansion into the Helderberg and Severson avenue residential neighborhood.

Due to the village’s errors in December 2018, here is another chance to stop the demolition of the two-family home at 107-109 Helderberg Ave. and destruction of the row of tall trees that shield the neighborhood from the bright lights and noise of the gas station.

Granting a zoning change and variances from the village zoning laws developed from the community’s comprehensive plan are really favors granted to a specific business. Other village food businesses will be impacted by Stewart’s addition of prepared food/meals and the village will not benefit from the larger Stewart’s. Stewart’s testified it does not anticipate an increase in parking spots, employment, or tax payments.

How can taxpayers justify the attorney expenses and damage to the value of the Helderberg and Severson avenue neighborhood homes? People supportive of maintaining the historic character of the heart of Altamont should urge the village to deny the zoning change so Stewart’s can move on to develop a new design on its current footprint. 

Kirby Wilson

Concerned Severson Neighbors

Altamont

Editor’s note: The Concerned Severson Neighbors filed an Article 78 lawsuit to challenge the Altamont Village Board’s December 2018 decision to rezone 107-109 Helderberg Ave. from residential to commercial.