VOORHEESVILLE — The second public hearing on the proposed updates to Voorheesville’s zoning code, again, brought out representatives from Stewart’s, who offered a preview of what the company was prepared to do if changes to the zoning code were approved.

At the April 9 public hearing, Voorheesville Avenue residents whose land abuts 11 Drywall Lane voiced their concern that the potential rezone of the parcel would, in their view, have an adverse effect on all adjacent properties.

Two of the six IDA members voted to grant real-estate relief to local businessman Jonathan Phillips to help with his construction project of building a new, bigger hardware store and adding a convenience store with gas pumps, at the corner of Routes 146 and 158.

In the future, the lot just behind the proposed Stewart’s may be occupied by a bank or some kind of office or shop, according to a Stewart’s representative.

ALTAMONT — A small group of Altamont residents is suing the village’s board of trustees as well as Stewart’s Shops, seeking to overturn a zoning change approved by the village board, in a split vote, las

As open space becomes scarce, municipalities are looking to their zoning code to help stem the tide of development.

Wayne Crounse of 2071 Western Ave. remembers a grassroots effort by housewives from Western Avenue in the 1950s who wanted a traffic light at the corner of Route 20 and State Farm Road. New Karner Road had not yet been built.

Stewart’s Shops continues to move forward in its attempt to build a new store at 1001 Altamont Blvd. Last week, the company presented to the Altamont Zoning Board of Appeals its proposal for five area variances; the board in turn set a public hearing for May 14.

People want to move to Guilderland, said developer Francis McCloskey, and he wants to be involved only in responsible development projects. Current town residents should avoid putting up “imaginary walls” to keep new residents out, he said.