To the Editor:

At the last Altamont Village Board meeting, the village board (lead agency) initiated the process of completing the State Environmental Quality Review for the Stewart’s rezone. The board has the choice of using a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) or a Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) in its SEQR analysis. The board chose to complete the SEAF (short form).

I am requesting that the village board use the (full form) FEAF, not the SEAF. Our village appears to be divided about Stewart’s expansion and given that, it would be prudent for the board to do the full form to ensure that the best interests of the village as a whole are undertaken and proper due diligence is completed.

Nan Stolzenburg, certified planner and  certified environmental planner, was asked to review the residential zoning to Central Business District zoning change and the Stewart’s site plan/special permit application for a new Stewart’s store.

A packet was made available at the board meeting. Ms. Stolzenburg recommended using the FEAF for SEQR, after detailing her analysis. Being that a Certified Planner has outlined concern in her thorough review of the potential zoning change, it is imperative that the board members trust her professional judgement and expertise.

My hope, is that the village board members take this process very seriously and have educated themselves on the process. When attempting to gain more understanding of the SEQR process, I accessed the website for the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, finding many resources directed at and for the lead agencies going through form completion.

DEC offers the following to assist in this process: (this is taken directly from “The SEQR Handbook” posted on DEC website):

“The SEQR Handbook provides agencies, project sponsors, and the public with a practical reference guide to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) — Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law … .

“The SEQR Handbook is one of five key documents that every SEQR practitioner should be familiar with. The other four key documents are as follows: 

— 1. the statute, Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law; 

— 2. the regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 617; 

— 3. the environmental assessment form workbooks; and 

— 4. the SEQR Cookbook.”

With all of these resources available to assist lead agencies, it is upsetting to reflect on the discussion of the board trying to figure out what form to use (full vs. short), how to fill out the form, questioning each other on the intent or the meaning of questions, when DEC  resources are readily available to make informed decisions.

Again, I ask the board, to take the time, to use the  DEC resources, and to use the recommendation of a professional planner to use the Full Environmental Assessment Form as the village moves forward to making a decision that will forever change the landscape of Altamont.

Jennifer Betancourt

Altamont