WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE STANDclick on each of the issues
and find our position Residential Development
We will advocate for stricter limitations on residential development to bring about reasonable and responsible growth. We will work to establish more restrictive zoning laws to achieve this goal.Land Use
We favor the concentration of future development in areas that have existing resources to support each kind of development contemplated, whether residential or commercial or other. We will work to establish new zoning districts that are consistent with existing water and sewer resourcesEnvironmental Protection
We believe there is nothing of greater importance to the well-being of all people and creatures than the protection of the water, air and natural environment that supports them. We will always act in the interest of that well-being and we will partner with all other organizations that share this objective. Municipal Services
It is imperative to maintain proper standards and sufficient capacity to provide basic water and sewer systems for the benefit of all. We believe that a larger percentage of the costs to expand services for new developments should be paid for by developers, either by direct fees or by requiring such expansions be included as part of those projects.Street, roads andtraffic
Any community growing as rapidly as ours requires more and better streets and roads. We believe that increased traffic from new developments requires improvements, expansion and re-engineering of the existing street and road network, and that when appropriate, the work or the cost of the work to accomplish this become part of the responsibility of developers.recreation & parks
The Town of Fallsburg has many recreational features and we believe there is great opportunity for more. We support pursuing and promoting all recreational opportunities, especially those relating to eco-tourism. We support the development of the Rail Trails and will work to encourage the creation of new hamlet neighborhood parks and improvements to all existing parks.Aesthetic Appearance of
public Spaces Business areas and public spaces represent the pride and integrity of a community. We will work to promote aesthetic improvements in these districts and to ensure that architectural and maintenance codes are properly enforcedEconomic Development
We believe the residents of Fallsburg wish to see a more active, viable and YEAR-ROUND business environment. We support small, local businesses that want to operate year-round in our hamlets and village. And we support the initiation of a tax incentive program to promote and stimulate such businesses.Affordable Housing
We are aware of the lack of affordable housing in our town and urge the adherence to federal Fair Housing Act laws in the marketing and sales of all residential housing development. |
OUR VISIONWe envision an attractive, well-planned town that is a thriving network of hamlets where residents and visitors alike are welcome to enjoy its natural beauty.
OUR MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Fallsburg’s Future is to guide the urban development of the town’s hamlets, promote its sustainable economic development, protect the fragile beauty of its natural habitats and enhance the opportunities and quality of life for all its residents and visitors. |
Fallsburg’s Future – A new community organization
Guardian Article written for Bashakill
Dear Neighbors,
We at Fallsburg’s Future send you warmest greetings for the holidays. We also want to give you a little year-end update and peer into 2017.
As we mark our first year, we are struck at the impact our small group of concerned citizens has had on the difficult issues concerning Fallsburg’s future. Perhaps our biggest accomplishment is rallying neighbors to attend Town Board meetings during the year.
For sure, the Town Board has taken notice of residents’ renewed interest in its work and, we suspect, is appreciative of the demonstration of support for doing the right thing around the town’s development. The good news is that we think Board members do indeed want to do the right thing.
On a more mundane level, we feel we have established Fallsburg’s Future as a presence in the complex landscape of debates, specifically as they relate to residential development, the environment, and the process of updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan designed to guide Fallsburg’s development.
Our participation in public events (e.g. Kite Day in June and the What the Hill Day in August) and petitions that we circulated to our growing (200+) mailing list gave the Town Board support for its decision to establish a one-year Moratorium on authorization of big residential developments.
We have made it clear that we feel these developments are overwhelming the infrastructure, environment, rural character and diversity of our town.
With the Moratorium in place, we rallied against waivers that virtually all the developers requested. The Board recognized the validity of just four of 22 “variances”.
And we are actively participating in the new Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC). One of our members, Rebecca Pratt, is a representative on the CPC. Together we are formulating recommendations that the Town Board can take forward by the middle of 2017. We will advise you of all the CPC meetings in advance so you can attend as they are open to the public (the next CPC meeting is January 5).
We have created a website (fallsburgsfuture.org) where you can find more information about us as well as links to public information that is crucial to making informed decisions about Fallsburg’s future. We aim to have information in Spanish and Yiddish as well. We have reached out to the media and other community organizations that have been very supportive in spreading the word. We want the website to become a center for discussion and information.
We are plugging into various networks at the town and county levels. Our members are attending workshops that educate citizens about the complex issues around the Town’s development, including environmental concerns, especially water, and zoning, accountability and code enforcement.
While we are confident that we can have an even greater impact (especially around the recommendations and eventual implementation of the Comprehensive Plan), we remind you all that you are Fallsburg’s Future.
Please participate in this educational process and attend Town Board and CP meetings. We also welcome you to join FF’s committees where you can bring your particular expertise, whether it be on environmental issues, legal and legislative initiatives, media and community outreach. And pass this message along to interested residents.
We are sure that there are enough concerned citizens to build a powerful movement to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for our town. Please join us and be sure your voice is heard!
Gerald Faucher, Evadne Giannini, Steve Gordon, Tina Hazarian, Paul Hoeffel, Karen Luse, Brian Manown, Regina Moné, Rebecca Pratt
