Who's Planning Department Is It?

During the December 17 meeting and others previous, numerous complaints were lodged against the town planning department. Perhaps the name of the department should be changed to the "Department of No." No matter how residents attempt to comply with often arbitrary and capricious rules, it seems that there is always another hurdle to overcome. One resident expressed disbelief that a mere garage addition had taken over two years and more than $10,000 to obtain an approval. Other residents stated that they wouldn't even attempt to a project because they dreaded the planning process.

Some developers have claimed that it is easier and faster to get a multi-million dollar project approved by the City of White Plains, than it is get a simple home renovation plan approved in North Castle. The town supervisor, Reese Berman, has studied this problem since she was elevated to her current position. Recently she announced a streamlined process for routine approvals. But this is obviously too little, too late. Many residents who were unable to obtain approvals have given up their projects in light of the current economic climate. Others, and we will never know how many, just never bothered. And we still have yet to see this "streamlined process" actually work in real life. In the end, it all boils down to less town assessables and less tax collections and higher tax rates. No doubt, this will be the legacy of the Berman regime.

And while we're on the topic of planning, our town is "fortunate" to have a full time planner, Adam Kaufman. Kaufman will not be happy until he has regulated every activity on every piece of property within the town. About a year ago, he was agitating to regulate all home businesses. Seems that no place in North Castle is zoned for home businesses. Luckily in one of Berman's few fits of common sense, she shot this proposal down. But Kaufman has declared open season on pet grooming establishments, day spas, limo companies and any other business attempting to thrive in North Castle. Perhaps if he spent a little more time trying to get approvals completeld quickly and less time trying to regulate businesses out of existence, our town would be in a better financial state.