Floating zone proposed in Stony Point

The Town of Stony Point is taking steps toward attracting industry to its waterfront. At the town board meeting on Tuesday Town Planner Max Stach spoke about plans to create a “floating zone” also known as reuse zoning.

 The zoning classification would allow new companies to begin operating on sites formerly occupied by Tappan Zee Constructors, Tilcon and US Gypsum. It would streamline the planning process and make it easier for new operations to begin.

Companies would have to deliver product to their site via water or rail.

 Supervisor Jim Monaghan said, “This is an excellent opportunity to use the resources that we have.”

 Councilman Todd Rose said, “If we can make this work it will certainly be in the best interests of the town” and reflected on all the jobs lost from waterfront industrial sites over the past decade or so.

 A public hearing will be held on the proposed law on August 9 at 7 p.m. at the next town board meeting.

 The town board also put forth a motion that the voters of the town would have to approve any sale of the town’s Letchworth Village property. Monaghan said if the town does sell the property it would retain only Kirkbride Hall, which would then be turned into a courthouse. A new recreation center would be discussed with developers of the property.

 In other news, a local law seeking to reduce grease from restaurants ending up in the town’s sewers was discussed briefly. Monaghan announced that this year’s North Rockland 5K run raised $18,000 for local ambulance corps in Stony Point and Haverstraw.

 He also said that in the wake of a terrible traffic accident, trees are being examined and unhealthy ones removed from the Palisades Interstate Parkway. A popular tree was removed from Clark Park in Stony Point because it was split down the middle.

 During public comments George Potanovic, Jr. and Michael Diederich, Jr., a former candidate for town council, both complained about the transparency of board meetings. Both residents want board meetings to be streamed online and then posted on the Internet.

 Diederich said the three-minute time limit for public speaking is not in line with the town’s historic norms and described it as “arbitrary and capricious.” He also said requiring speakers to sign-in before the meeting starts interferes with the rights of people who did not show up early.