Highly-Debated Ramapo Rezoning Vote Rescheduled

by M. C. Millman

Ramapo Town Hall will hold a meeting in two week’s time to vote on the controversial Ramapo rezoning. The Town's proposed rezoning in the northeast section will eliminate development along Route 45, excluding the Town's highest density zones. According to officials, this will allow for residential and business development along New Hempstead Road and Route 202, as well as a large development at the former Minisceongo Golf Club.

What's more, developers for projects with a minimum of 20 acres in the Town would be able to petition the Town Board under the local law titled "Flex-Overlay Planned Unit Development". This law allows for the implementation of a Planned Unit Development floating zone to provide for new residential, commercial, and mixed uses.  

The Town's development concept is controversial. Most Monsey residents and some of the residents in more central communities seem to be in favor of the rezoning, as it would create more housing and allow for expansion of some of the more congested sections of the Town. However, many northeast property owners do not want the higher-density housing and businesses to sacrifice their quiet, open land filled with woods and streams. They are also worried about the environmental impact and further straining water resources, roads, and infrastructure.

Main areas under debate include the 140-acre Minisceongo Golf Course along Pomona Road, the northern stretch of Route 45 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway near Skyview Acres, the town-owned Striker property behind the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockland, and land owned by the Gracepoint Gospel Church on New Hempstead Road. 

In addition, New Hempstead has adopted zoning that could potentially add hundreds of homes, including 150 units in a multi-family complex on the 34-acre former Matterhorn Nursery. Legal action is challenging the zoning.

Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said officials and planners acted in the Town's best interests and considered residents' environmental and quality of life concerns during public comments. 

"We did hear from the public on various points, such as water, traffic, and density," Specht said. "We and our professional planners felt what was beneficial for the Town was to keep what was there." 

Specht also said the Town has followed environmental regulations, and the planning process meets all requirements. He said the Town is doing a comprehensive plan update, starting with the northeast Ramapo corridor. 

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