The Chester Town Board has announced they will review and revise their 2003 Town Comprehensive Plan. This means they will be re-evaluating the goals and objectives that will guide future growth and development.

They will be asking residents to describe what they feel are assets in the Town and what they feel are challenges facing the Town (including Sugar Loaf Hamlet) now and in the future. We believe the topics will be on Housing and Community Character, Natural Resources, Cultural and Recreation Resources, Infrastructure, Business Development, Tourism, Farmland, Open Spaces and Environment.

The Town will gather input for changes in regulations; what do you want protected? and what do you want developed? Please take them up on this important opportunity to be involved by attending the public meeting scheduled next month.

Mark your calendar!!!!!

Date: Next Month - Monday, April 8, 2013

Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Place: Chester Town Hall

Subject: Public Input on Town Planning

You can review the current Plan on the Town's website here. This advance notice is meant to help residents with gathering thoughts and ideas. The new Town Planner is ready for an interactive discussion but that means you have to show up to the meeting. Please don't stay home thinking someone else will go and address the same concerns.

This is YOUR chance to help shape the priorities of YOUR Town!

The current Plan, adopted in 2003, estimated an additional 3,000-3,500 potential new dwellings until the town is build out and it didn't include the recent Camp LaGuardia re-development plans. While the economy has slowed growth for the time being, there are many subdivisions proposed over the last several years that could proceed with getting approvals like Camp LaGuardia, Chester Golf, Camp Monroe, BT Holdings. There are also other projects already approved like Coach USA and Greens of Chester, which are not built yet. The way the Town handles this new development, whether industrial or residential, will impact all Chester residents directly and/or indirectly.

Everyone's input and feedback on how to address quality of life concerns will help make a difference on the revised plan. The Preservation Collective has been following planning and development for years. We hope the new Comprehensive Plan Committee will discuss several issues we have raised over that time frame to the Town Board and Planning Board, which were not addressed.

We think it's important that residents speak up with their ideas and concerns. Please pass on the word to your neighbors. If you can not attend the upcoming public meetings, please send in letters to the Town's Comp. Committee at:
Town of Chester
1786 Kings Highway
Chester, NY 10918