WELCOME TO CUPON CHESTNUT RIDGE NEW YORK
This update: November 25, 2021
CITIZENS UNITED TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
Our Mission
C.U.P.O.N. of Chestnut Ridge is an inclusive group of concerned residents allied in our shared commitment to keep our community safe and preserve the character of our neighborhood by stopping overdevelopment and illegal building activity in the Village of Chestnut Ridge.
Key Objectives:
1) Hold Chestnut Ridge elected officials and Village Administrators accountable for the consistent enforcement of all building codes, zoning laws and permit approval processes
2) Inform and educate Village Residents about issues that affect our neighborhood.
3) Keep Residents engaged and mobilized for positive change and action when decisions are made
4) Ensure all Residents have a seat at the table and that our voices are heard before the Village.
CUPON COMMENTARY
by Anthony Shaut
Hi all, Welcome to November.
Election Day is now in the rear view mirror, although it was a mostly uneventful one for Chestnut Ridge residents. With our village election taking place in March and the majority of Ramapo candidates running uncontested, the County Executive race took center stage. Although absentee ballots have yet to be counted as of this morning, it looks like Ed Day has won re-election with somewhere between 70% and 75% of the votes.
On the home front, I wanted to share with you the Village meeting schedule for November. With the exception of the Planning Board meeting, no other agendas have been posted as of today. We will continue to update the links here when they become available (generally a few days prior to the meeting and posted on this website page https://chestnutridgevillage.org/this-monthly-schedule/
Thursday Nov. 4th @ 8pm: Planning Board meeting and here is the agenda: AGENDA. Of note, the first new Neighborhood House of Worship under the new HOW law (Weiss Terrace/Roxbury Ct.) has a public hearing for final site plan and subdivision approval. This will likely be the last opportunity for the public to provide constructive comments before the hearing is closed. Here is the link to all documents/commentary related to this project thus far: CONGREGATION TORAH UTFILLAH DOCS Additionally, the large Equestrian Estates development is making a presentation of the project to the Planning Board. This is the planned development along Schoolhouse Road for which CUPON’s planners Dresdner Robin submitted a lengthy commentary on last week here: DRESDNER ROBIN COMMENTS RE: EQUESTRIAN ESTATES. This development includes a mix of multi-family and senior housing as well as retail that, if planned properly, could be a welcome addition and tax boost to the village. However, as Dresdner has noted, there are a number of issues that need to be rectified before approval. I urge you all to remain engaged on this development.
Wednesday Nov. 10th @ 8pm: Village Board workshop
Monday Nov.15th @ 7:30pm: Zoning Board workshop with meeting to immediately follow workshop
Thursday Nov.18th @ 8pm: Village Board meeting
Finally, Trustee Rich Miller recently put his house up for sale in September and Zillow says there is a pending offer. If Trustee Miller is moving out of the village, he will likely resign from his position that he won re-election for in March. I have notified the Mayor that I am interested in filling that seat, although.
Anthony Shaut has been a resident of Chestnut Ridge since 2016. He became an active member of CUPON in 2018 and narrowly lost an election for Village Trustee with running mate Jeff Wasserman in 2019. Anthony continues to stay heavily involved in the goings-on of the village and remains an outspoken voice on behalf of all residents at village meetings
Anthony Shaut
LEGAL UPDATE
Updated November 22
At the last Board meeting, Dresdner Robins made a presentation to the Board on the shortcomings of the Village Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing was supposed to close that night, but because of the Dresdner comments and other comments from the public, Trustee Rose made a motion to keep the public hearing open until the December 8th meeting.
With respect to the Equestrian Estates project (large development planned for Schoolhouse Road), the following comments were submitted by land use consulting firm Dresdner Robin on behalf of CUPON at last weeks Village Board meeting. These documents are related the Village’s intention to adopt a zone text and map amendment to create a Floating Zone for a Planned Unit Development (“PUD” zoning ordinance) and the proposed Equestrian Estates Overall Site Layout Plan (“Equestrian Estates development”).
These are our donations to CUPON being put to work and this would not be possible without them.
Messages from our chair person
Message to all Chestnut Ridge Residents November 25
Hello CUPON of Chestnut Ridge members I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving!!
I know it has been a long time since my last posting but truth be told there has not been that much happening other than the fact that the construction industry is booming in Chestnut Ridge. There are certainly many projects that seem to be taken thru the normal and legal channels and then there are the usual side jobs that are being done without benefit of a permit- nothing new!!
The real issue here is that up until several months ago the Village actually had a staff that we might rely upon to at least entertain complaints and there was hope that something might be done. Now the Village has "farmed out" our code enforcement and the question is: are complaints being addressed at all? From my perspective it seems the answer is no. I have tried to identify any issue I see as a potential Consumer Affairs matter and then I call Rockland County Consumer Affairs and report the matter , if appropriate, call them at 845-634-3910 . This number is good Monday thru Friday from 9-5. Weekends and after hours, the Rockland County Sheriff's Office responds at 845-638-5401. The issues reported can only pertain to illegal contractors doing work- whether it be construction or landscapers or plumbers or the like!! I encourage you all to file these reports.
Many of you are wondering what has occurred, if anything, with either of the 2 lawsuits that CUPON of Chestnut Ridge filed shortly after that House of Worship law was passed in 2019. There has been no legal action , no movement on our Article 78 filing which occurred in March, 2019 and is focusing the the Village's failure to consider the issues relating to the environmental impact the law and the its creation of different types of worship sites would have on the Village. Thus far Supreme Court Justice Marx has received a number of submissions by attorneys representing the Orthodox Jewish Coalition and others attempting to slow the process. The motions are answered and the the action continues to sit!! Clearly , if the Judge ruled in favor of CUPON, the law would be null and then the Village would be back at square one in the development of the law on a fair and legal basis. We continue remain in contact with our attorney, Steve Mogel , in hopes that we might be able to find some way to move the process forward, but thus far, we have and no success.
With regard to our Federal Action where we have suggested to the US District Court, that the Establishment Clause was violated as the Village barreled forward and wrote and passed the HOW law, again the same is true. No decision has been rendered by US District Court Judge Karas. The same is true of the Federal suit-many motions have been filed and letters have been exchanged with the Court by both the Village and the OPJC. No real movement has occurred and we continue with the attorneys who represent CUPON of CR in this action, Cozen, O'Connor, et al.
Yes, this is frustrating but we are not going to give up!!!
I offer this summary before I introduce some new business to remind all that soon elections for Village board members and the Mayor's position will be upon us!!! I ask you , our supporters and readers to consdier running for any of these positions!!! Think how far we could get with members of the Board who voted for what was right and proper for this Village, not simply for what the Mayor wants or our new neighbors who are oftentimes too impatient or selfish to do things the proper way!!
Now to the ewer material:
1- The Village offered a draft Comprehensive Plan at the the last meeting. There were several issues that are of concern to CUPON and we are asking you, CUPOPers of Chestnut Ridge to review the draft and write letters to the Village about the plan its shortcomings and problems!!! We have posted both the plan and a letter submitted to the Board by Dresdner Robins, the Planners who have been retained by CUPON of CR, about the deficiencies in this plan, for your review!!
Your comments and involvement are Key!!! Help us to insure the Village government and its Boards continue to be aware of the fact that their actions and decisions are being watched.
2- The other item of interest is the outrageous trailers that have been moved on to the property identified as 312N Highland Avenue. (click on the link to see pictures) .These ridiculous trailers are allegedly for storage!!! They seem vaguely reminiscent of the trailers placed in Monsey which magically became an illegal yeshiva!!
We intend to watch the activity here and the moment the trailers begin to store children we will advise the proper authorities!
3- I want to thank Anthony Shaut for his very comprehensive and enlightening comments each month on this site!! GREAT to have someone step up and get involved!!! We welcome all who want to help.
Lastly, I want to remind all that the legal support we receive is not free - we have retained Attorney Steven Mogel for our needs as CUPON of CR and we ask that you please donate to our legal fund. Any donation is welcome and , of course, you can donate through our website on PayPal or by mailing a check made out to CUPON of CR , PO BOX 394, Nanuet, NY 10954.
I hope that in the New Year we can have as meeting, live and in person, so that we can continue to share issues of concern.
Thanks to all . I will be back in touch in December. I hope you all stay well and safe!!
Hilda Kogut
general information
Upcoming Meetings
DUE TO COVID19 NEXT CUPON MEETING
TBD
William P. Faist Volunteer Ambulance,
Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY
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Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs......
Help Our Cause
We urgently ask for your monetary contribution to continue our mission. Due to rising expenses together with several legal challenges your generous donation is needed.
You can now use our PayPal account or mail your contribution check to P.O.Box 394 Nanuet NY 10954 attention CUPON Chestnut Ridge.
Disclaimer: until we obtain our 501c3 tax status your contributions are not tax deductible.
Thank you for your understanding.
