To the Editor:

In case you did not notice, the last two weeks have had multiple letters both for and against the Stewart’s expansion in Altamont (mostly against). Those against have made obvious sense as the store is currently the correct size for the village and there is no unserved demand for more gas pumps (which is the real reason they want this) especially with the new Cumberland Farms joining them at Route 20.

I do not see the pumps across the street at Altamont as well as the Lukoil in Guilderland Center so busy that I simply cannot get gas when I want it. Ignoring that, the most important thing here is their location.

The zoning today is set up correctly: a commercial property next to a two-family, which is then next to a one-family home. Removing the two-family home to incorrectly place a busy commercial property right next to a single-family home is the total opposite of what should be done, as that is exactly what zoning is there to prevent.

Look at other tight spaces we have, such as the post office or the Keybank: They close by 5 p.m. and the bank’s ATM [Automated Teller Machine] is not on after 7 p.m. for just this reason. I doubt Stewart’s would accept a 7 p.m. shutdown.

Now, let’s review those two letters that were for this rezone. One pointed out that the people inside are honestly nice and we all like Stewart’s products and I could not agree more. However, a larger store does not make the people nicer still or their stuff taste any better, nor are they planning to expand the store’s inventory. She also pointed out their slightly problematic parking; unfortunately, again, that would be little improved, but those new gas pumps sure get plenty of room for some reason.

And the other letter from one who believes all intentions are good, pointed out how he wished the corporate guys at Stewart’s would have done more for us in any number of ways (other than destroy our village center) and, yet, wants to give them another chance?  Hmm. Why would we do that? NO.

If Stewart’s does not want to be a landlord, it should sell the house, but the property should not be rezoned just so all logic goes out the window for Stewart’s to possibly make more money at gas, wipe out its competition, and leave Altamont looking ugly with more bright lights next to a home that was never compensated for loss of value.

It is bad enough that the relatively nice SEFCU [State Employees Federal Credit Union] pulled it off since it is in Guilderland; Stewart’s missed its chance with that site, where the rescue squad building serves as a buffer just like a two-family home. At Stewart’s central location, however, there is no place to go and it works fine anyway.  Stewart’s obviously makes enough money there and the workers are still happy, as noted.

In summary, as I expect all in-village residents to tell him personally on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Village Hall at 7 p.m.: Mr. [Chuck] Marshall, please leave us alone; go bother some other community which shares your company’s vision where all of upstate looks just like the corner of routes 20 and 146.

Also ask him why he keeps pushing and pushing at sites where the community has already said no, such as Middleburgh, Voorheesville, and so many others; frankly, that is my definition of rude, not what I am writing here.

Robert M. Rabbin

Altamont