Podcasts about planning board

In Episode 207, Scott Piehler's topics include: The City Council adopts a new plan. A shooting at Crown Beach. A Planning Board preview.  One of the world's top sailors is headed to Alameda. A changing of the guard on Coast Guard Island. Beer downtown, and birds and bites at Alameda Point. Activities for your weekend, including ways to say “Thanks, Dad.” Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook •  Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

Redevelopment of state prisons proves challenging Two years after New York State selected Conifer Realty to construct a mixed-use campus with up to 1,300 apartments at the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill, the company has yet to submit a proposal to the town's Planning Board. Two and a half miles away, redevelopment plans at another decommissioned state prison, the Beacon Correctional Facility, or Camp Beacon, have also stalled. An update from Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency, provides little clarity. A spokesperson for the agency said on June 5 that "ESD, Conifer and the Town of Fishkill continue to work collaboratively on the redevelopment of the Downstate Correctional Facility" — virtually the same statement it provided a year ago, when it said that "ESD continues to work with Conifer and the Town of Fishkill to finalize a site plan." The state announced in June 2024 that the Rochester-based Conifer would, over the course of a decade, convert the 80-acre former maximum-security prison into a campus with as many as 1,300 housing units. Construction of 375 units, at least 20 percent of them "permanently affordable" for households earning less than 80 percent of the area's annual median income, was expected to begin by January 2026. Fishkill Supervisor Ozzy Albra, who criticized the plans as a "bad deal for the taxpayers," said a year ago that he had negotiated ESD and Conifer down to 1,100 units. He said this week that, while he believes local schools, including Glenham Elementary, which is part of the Beacon City School District, will be able to absorb the students generated by the development, traffic will be a critical issue. That has guided continued negotiations, he said, with his goal to get the unit count "well below 700." Albra said he has made a number of additional requests, including a split between homes for sale and rental units and for the project to include more one-bedroom apartments. The state's announcement, framed as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to build 15,000 homes and apartments to address a statewide housing crisis, said the site would include two-story duplexes and triplexes, with at least 25 percent of units having three bedrooms. Albra has also asked New York State to commit to connecting the property to the Dutchess Park and Rombout sewer districts and to extend water infrastructure to the surrounding area. Last year, Conifer said it would limit construction to 2½-story buildings because the nearest fire department, in Glenham, does not have a ladder truck. A spokesperson said this week that the company continues to "work collaboratively" with stakeholders, but there are "no major updates to report." The representative did not respond when asked about a timeline for a submission to the Planning Board. Albra said he has no insight into timing, either, but suggested the project has slowed because "we did our homework to protect the residents of Fishkill." Meanwhile, the state has twice asked for proposals — and once awarded development rights — at Camp Beacon, yet the 39-acre property, with 22 buildings hidden beyond Beacon High School and the city's Highway Garage, has remained seemingly untouched since the women's prison closed in 2013. New York State asked for proposals in 2014 but received only one: from the New York City-based Doe Fund, which proposed creating a farming and job-training center to help homeless and low-income people seek employment and self-sufficiency. The nonprofit withdrew its proposal in 2017 after local officials — including Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, then a state senator — asked then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reject the plan because it was "inconsistent with the site's mixed-use, recreational and destination development potential." After seeking a second round of proposals, in 2019 Empire State Development selected Urban Green Food, also based in New York City. The organization said it planned to build a hotel ...

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In Episode 206, Scott Piehler's topics include: The Planning Board studies the next phase of development at Alameda Point. A preview of the next City Council meeting. The Corica Golf dispute is settled. EBMUD has an unexpected repair. Graduations in the news. A fish frenzy. APD looking to catch you in the act…of doing the right thing. The latest real estate sales, and events for your weekend. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook •  Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

In Episode 205, Scott Piehler's topics include: The City Council approves a parking plan for the Jean Sweeney aquatic center. The Planning Board prepares for one of their biggest challenges. The Primary may be over, but the tallying continues. Encinal Field gets a new name. Changes to schedules and fares at AC Transit. Alameda receives some welcome funding. And, with the end of the school year,  events to keep you occupied. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook •  Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Director of Media Services Mike Gillis fills in for Deputy City Manager Chris Parker to discuss the major items from Dover's May public meetings.The City Council held three meetings. A May 6 workshop covered housing—where the median home sale price topped $570,000 and a two-bedroom rental requires roughly $90,000 in annual income to be affordable—and the dredge cell sale at Maglaras Park. On May 13, the Council recognized the Shaw family for 40-plus years of Riverbend Pizza and Subs and the FIRST Robotics team, approved a $25,000 change order for the dredge cell closure tied to new state permitting, and selected Cochecho River Recreation as the NEBI Park pavilion operator. The May 27 meeting featured downtown pedestrian improvements, dump truck purchases, and Dover Middle School HVAC bonding.The Planning Board addressed a TD Bank ATM site plan amendment, a no-cut buffer compliance case on Sixth Street, a conditional use permit near Berry Brook, and a Back River Road cottage-style development. The Zoning Board reviewed four variance requests, including subdivisions and a fire-damaged two-family rebuild.The School Board advanced a revised geothermal HVAC proposal for Dover Middle School, related bonding, and a new business administrator appointment. Graduation is Thursday at 7 p.m.Finally, the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee toured the site ahead of a July ribbon cutting, with an updated virtual tour coming soon.

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This week Chris goes over the School Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board meetings and has special guest Community Development Director Kyle Finnell on to go a little more indepth and talk about upcoming projects.

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In Episode 202, Scott Piehler's topics include: Alameda Hotel Apartments hit the market. The Planning Board examines ADU to Condo conversion.  A look ahead to next week's City Council meeting. SF Bay Ferry set to increase rates. The Clement/Tilden project continues. Get to know the birds on the beach. A beloved Park Street retailer set to reopen. Plus, events for your weekend. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook •  Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

Plus, other construction updates The Beacon Planning Board held a public hearing on Tuesday (May 12) on a developer's proposal to open a karaoke bar called The Howl just off Main Street. The plan would convert the former art gallery space at 1154 North Ave. (Route 9D), near the west end of Main, to a venue for "immersive live-performance experiences." The site is across from the police station; the next street over, West Church, is residential, while two 4-story buildings with 64 apartments and nearly 14,000 square feet of commercial space have been approved nearby on Beekman Street. The parcel is owned by a group that, through several LLCs, holds more than two dozen properties in Beacon, most of them on and around the west end of Main Street, including the housing development under construction at 2 Cross/172 Main. The applicant, Eric Weitner, told the board on Tuesday that the two-story brick structure will have an 80-person lounge on the first floor. The second floor will have six private karaoke suites and, while designed for 80 people, its expected usage will be "more like 40" patrons, the project architect said. According to project materials, The Howl was conceived as a "value-add to the local community and aligns with Beacon's long-standing tradition of fostering arts, music and creative gathering spaces." Weitner said he is working with an acoustic engineer on noise control and will submit a report with plans for next month's meeting. The intention is to "not disturb any of the neighbors," he said. The venue would be closed Monday and Tuesday and open from 2 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, from noon to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday. A consultant said the venue will need 38 parking spaces at peak; it would use the public lot at City Hall, the same one that could be utilized by Prophecy Hall and a future hotel at 1064 Wolcott Ave. There should be about 10 spaces left in the lot after accounting for those uses, the consultant said. Several residents submitted emails to the Planning Board supporting or opposing the project, and others attended the Tuesday hearing. "This business is going to be located in my backyard," said Rob VanCott, who lives on West Church. "I'm not a fool; people are going to be hanging out in the back of the property" doing what "comes along with having a good time." Weitner said a rear door would be an emergency exit only and "there won't be an influx of people waiting outside to get in." There will be no outdoor seating, he said. Board members asked him to return with plans showing how customers would be evacuated in an emergency. The public hearing remains open. Planning Board members on Tuesday chastised the owner of 364 Main St., where a three-story building with commercial space and 20 apartments is nearly complete. The project was approved in 2022, but officials returned seeking approval for architectural changes that occurred during construction. The changes do not affect the building footprint but include material selections, facade changes, window detailing and the replacement of Juliet balconies and doors with double windows. There is also a reduction in rooftop area and, after discovering that the first-floor elevation is two feet higher than anticipated, a front patio was modified. Board members were unhappy. "Why these changes were made without communication is a hot potato," said Randall Williams, who acted as chair in John Gunn's absence. Len Warner said that, after dropping approved features, "what we're left with is a really drab building." Karen Quiana added: "The Main Street facade is completely unacceptable in my view. It is awful." In a comment responding to a Facebook post in March, architect Aryeh Siegel wrote: "This isn't the building I designed. It's embarrassing." On Tuesday, an architect from a different firm appeared with Eric Baxter, the owner. Williams asked Baxter to return next month with "substantial suggestions, n...

Changes inspired by Hudson Highlands Reserve Philipstown has amended its regulations for "conservation subdivisions" that sowed some confusion among Planning Board members last year when they reviewed a proposal for a 24-unit housing development called Hudson Highlands Reserve. The project was Philipstown's first conservation subdivision, a residential development in which houses are clustered to preserve more land as open space. Philipstown's zoning allows developers to build more units in exchange for maintaining features such as forests, scenic views and wetlands. The previous regulations required projects to be considered as potential conservation subdivisions but gave the Planning Board discretion to allow a conventional site plan, even if it determined that the plan would adversely affect the town's rural character. Based on recommendations from a Zoning Update Committee, the Town Board on Thursday (May 7) approved language specifying that the Planning Board "shall require" a conservation subdivision if it has fewer adverse effects on the rural landscape or natural resources than a conventional plan. In addition, the new regulations remove steep slopes and wetlands from the calculations for how much land must be preserved and eliminate a "density formula" as one of two methods (along with a "yield plan") for calculating the number of permitted units. (A yield plan requires a preliminary design, with minimum lot sizes ranging from 3 to 20 acres per unit, depending on the district. The density formula allowed 75 percent of slopes, wetlands and other "constrained" land to be subtracted from the buildable area used in determining the number of units.) In March, the Planning Board approved the revisions by a 6-to-1 vote. In reviewing Hudson Highlands Reserve, the board "tore itself up on yield plan versus density and didn't understand why both were there," said Neal Zuckerman, its chair. "We really struggled on why they were getting so much credit for conserving land that could never be built upon in the first place." The changes, which included removing convenience stores as an allowed use in a conservation subdivision, "add clarity, simplicity and directness," he said. Climate Smart Martha Upton plans to resign as coordinator of Philipstown's Climate Smart program. Upton, who became coordinator in 2022, will step down in September or sooner if the town names a replacement. "I reluctantly will have to accept this," said Supervisor John Van Tassell, adding that he knew residents who are interested in the position. "She has really provided us with a lot of equipment, a lot of resources," he said. "So, my appreciation to Martha for her years of service." Tubman Byway The board approved a resolution expressing its support for the state to designate the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, a 550-mile corridor between Manhattan and Niagara Falls. Phase One runs 173 miles between Niagara Falls and Auburn, home of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. Philipstown is along the Phase Two route, which covers 376 miles between Manhattan and Auburn. Public notices The board tabled a resolution supporting the proposed Local Government Notice Modernization and Transparency Act, which would allow municipalities to post public notices solely on their websites, rather than paying to have them printed in newspapers. Last month, Nelsonville's board approved a resolution supporting the legislation. But Philipstown's board members said they wanted to continue advertising in print newspapers. "I would add that a healthy community relies on a healthy press, and I think we should support our papers where we can," said Ned Rauch, a member of the Town Board and a former journalist. For decades, Philipstown, Cold Spring and Nelsonville used The Putnam County News & Recorder as their "official newspaper" for notices. But after the weekly closed last month, all three municipalities switched to The Poughkeepsie Journal, whi...

Fire companies to be honored for 2025 rescue Marathon site At the Wednesday (May 6) meeting of the Cold Spring Village Board, Mayor Kathleen Foley addressed questions she said had been raised about the 12-acre Marathon site on Kemble Avenue during public sessions hosted by the owner, The Kearney Group, and an urban planning firm, Speck-Dempsey. "They were not village events, and there is no application [before village boards] yet for the site," Foley said. "This board is not authorized to act on its own related to this parcel, and I certainly have no authority to authorize anything on my own." The Zoning Board, Planning Board and the Historic District Review Board are the reviewing bodies, the mayor said. She said the process will follow Chapter 134 of the Village Code, which regulates planned mixed-use projects. "There are a lot of thoughtful hoops that project will have to go to before it's ever approved," she said. "There are many process points at which there will be opportunity for public comment, and to shape the outcome." Mountain rescue The Cold Spring and North Highlands fire companies will be recognized at the Putnam County EMS banquet later this month for a mountain rescue they performed, along with the Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance Corp, on May 3, 2025. CSFC Chief Matt Steltz said the victim had been critically injured by a falling tree limb. First responders administered medical care and transported the victim off the mountain, he said. CSFC has conducted four mountain rescues since March. The department answered 14 calls in April, including seven activated fire alarms, three mutual aids to local fire companies and two injured or lost hikers. Police tasers The board approved a recommendation by Matt Jackson, the Police Department's officer-in-charge, to accept a $106,382 bid from Axon Enterprise for tasers and training, amortized over 10 years. Jackson said the units will replace models with outdated technology that are no longer supported by the supplier. CSPD responded to 137 calls in April, including 17 alarms, 16 assists to local EMS and 11 traffic stops. Officers also investigated four suspicious incidents and two calls each involving fraud and harassment. In other news… The Climate Smart Committee's food scrap recycling program will be expanded from weekly pickup to twice weekly. In addition, beginning June 1, any type of food scraps can be deposited in the bin at 46 Kemble Ave. on Tuesday mornings for pickup that evening or on Thursdays for Friday pickup. The board authorized RACE Coastal Engineering to conduct a three-phase structural evaluation of the Cold Spring dock at a cost of $30,125. The board approved in principle a request by the Cold Spring Boat Club to upgrade the club's entrance gate, but tabled a request to allow a food truck to operate on the site. The riverfront property is owned by the village and leased to the club. The board tentatively approved a request for a film crew to shoot in the village on June 3, pending information about traffic control and other details. The areas affected would include Depot Square, a small section of Main Street and the Our Lady of Loretto parking lot. The board accepted Ben Cheah's resignation from the Planning Board, effective June 30, and will seek applicants to fill the position. A youth baseball clinic will be held at Mayor's Park from June 29 through July 1. The park will remain open to the public.

Room rates at former Craig House start at $513 Local and county officials gathered in Beacon on Thursday afternoon (May 7) for the ribbon-cutting of the luxury Mirbeau Inn & Spa on Route 9D, which opens today for guests with rooms ranging from $513 to $693 per night. The Mirbeau Companies, which owns a day spa in Albany and three resorts (in Rhinebeck and Skaneateles, New York, and Plymouth, Massachusetts), purchased the 64-acre estate for $10 million in 2022. Its centerpiece is a 14,000-square-foot, neo-Gothic mansion built in 1859 for Civil War Gen. Joseph Howland and his wife, Eliza. It later became a private psychiatric hospital, Craig House, that closed in 1999 and had sat empty since. Mirbeau began construction in February 2024. As unveiled on Thursday, the mansion is a spiffed-up pink brick jewel surrounded by incipient plantings, newly sodded lawns and a pool and water feature with a bridge and winding paths. Mirbeau tore down a 1978 hospital wing and built a chateau with the spa and 63 rooms in its place. In his remarks, Ed Kellogg, the general manager, admitted that finishing the project went "right down to the wire." Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou confirmed this, saying he received a call from Kellogg at 11 that morning saying the city's Building Department had just issued the certificate of occupancy required for opening. Kellogg noted that Craig House, the treatment center of choice for the rich and famous such as Zelda Fitzgerald and Jackie Gleason, had a "long history of wellness and rehabilitation. We're excited about that." He praised the city and the Planning Board as "wonderful," hailing their professionalism. "It was a challenge," he said, but "it was a great experience." Kyriacou thanked Mirbeau founders Linda and Gary Dowers and "the entire Mirbeau team for bringing this gem of a historic asset back to life." He said that Dia art museum coming to Beacon in 2003 was a "first huge leap" for the city. "This is the second leap for us," he said. "I want to say how important I think this will be for Beacon to take that next step of becoming a destination for tourism, for the arts and for people to come here and help enjoy our Main Street and keep it alive, keep it going," Kyriacou said. "I will say that we will be adding more catalysts in short order: The Fjord Trail and the Beacon Rail Trail are coming soon and will be important additions and very natural fits" for the spa. Restoring a historic property comes with a plethora of rules and regulations. "This was the most challenging project we've ever undertaken," said Michael Dal Pos, the CEO of Mirbeau Hospitality Services. "But the results speak for themselves." Kellogg noted that Mirbeau was not able to add an elevator in the original home because it would have altered the roofline and jeopardized the company's historic preservation tax credits. Instead, guests reach the second-floor rooms by climbing a wooden staircase. Mirbeau installed a dumbwaiter to move luggage. The main suite was the Howlands' original bedroom. Its furnishings play up the antique look with a wooden vanity, plush upholstery and draperies. The bathroom in this primary suite is bigger than many New York City studio apartments and has a clawfoot tub and lavish-looking glass-enclosed shower. On the ground floor, there is a suitably dark lounge and library with an adjoining game room dominated by an ornate 1873 Johnson & Company 58-pipe organ. There is a bar and several pretty dining rooms, with a few blank spots on the walls (and signs begging pardon for work in progress). A large banquet room has views toward the river. There are several outside terraces furnished with tables, chairs and umbrellas that have views of the manicured grounds, but also look down on a wooded area and parking lots. Photos by Ross Corsair The chateau's lower floor houses the spa, which includes a gym, yoga room and solarium that are flooded with natural light. Doors lead out to a Monet Garden (the ...

Also, updates on parking, historic properties Beacon residents will be able to apply later this year to serve on a committee tasked with updating the city's comprehensive plan. New York State recommends that municipalities update their plans — the blueprint for how a city will grow — every 10 years; Beacon's was last revised in 2017. That document was drafted by a consulting firm with input from a committee of residents and city officials. Public workshops were held in the fall of 2016. There has been a general shift from doing "everything and the kitchen sink" rewrites of comprehensive plans to focusing on priorities, planning consultant Natalie Quinn told the City Council on Monday (May 4). The 2017 update focused on the waterfront and Metro-North train station area. Council members should begin thinking about important areas, because the 2027 plan will guide future councils as they enact zoning laws, said City Attorney Jennifer Gray. Topics mentioned Monday included non-vehicular transportation, smaller housing units as an affordability tool, climate adaptation and protected scenic views. Council Member Lastar Gorton disagreed with the approach, saying she would prefer a review of the entire plan. "Beacon is completely different now" than in 2017, she said. "Let the community have its say." Historic properties A public hearing on properties nominated for Beacon's historic district, scheduled to continue on May 18, will likely be adjourned to June 1. In the meantime, the city is creating an FAQ to explain the program. Many residents who spoke during the first part of the hearing last month seemed uncertain about the details. Properties added to the district will be required to obtain approval from the Planning Board before making alterations to certain historic features, but there are tax and assessment benefits that come with the designation, Mayor Lee Kyriacou said. Parking requirements It's too soon to say whether Beacon's new parking requirements for developments will affect the number of apartments being built in the city. In August 2024, the City Council eliminated minimum parking requirements for new developments and substantial reconstructions in "core" walkable areas, such as Main Street and parts of the waterfront. Instead, there is now a maximum number of spaces developers may provide. Studies have concluded that minimum parking requirements added to the cost of new housing and hindered the development of affordable units. A report by the Planning Board looked at 10 projects approved by the end of last year. In that time, four applicants provided the same parking as would have previously been required, three provided one to three fewer spaces, and two provided as many as 40 fewer spaces. In several cases, the report said, applicants voluntarily provided on-site parking because of design considerations and anticipated demand. But developments on Main Street provided fewer spaces. The Planning Board said it's too soon to know how reduced supply will impact demand for on-street spaces, because the developments have not been built. Moving forward, the board said it will monitor applications that provide no parking but rely on municipal lots, to avoid over-allocating or "double-counting." In addition, overuse of city lots could be an issue during snowstorms. As for the new parking regulations and the density of development, "unit counts" are affected by factors other than parking, Quinn told the council. Future data will provide more clarity, she said. Council Member Carolyn Bennett Glauda remarked: "If we want to encourage people to come here and not have cars, we need to talk about our bike comprehensive plan, and we need to talk about public transportation as viable options." Meeting schedule The City Council seems ready to continue meeting on the first and third Monday of each month, instead of weekly, as it had done for decades. The shift to every other week (except during months with five Mondays) has allowed ...

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Mike Gillis about the major actions taken by Dover's boards, committees, and commissions during April. The City Council kicked off the month on April 1 by adopting a $227.3 million budget following weeks of workshops and public hearings, with Parker praising the balance between veteran councilors and new members learning the process in public view. A week later, the Council awarded an energy savings performance contract for the McConnell Center and is exploring solar and efficiency projects at other city facilities. The Council also continued reprogramming surplus debt-financed funds toward projects like the Henry Law reconstruction, the McConnell Center roof, and Horne Street design, helping mitigate future borrowing costs.Parker and Gillis then turned to the Planning Board, which approved the Jefferson Drive transfer of development rights project 8-1, scaled back the Stark Avenue TDR, and reviewed proposed updates to site plan and subdivision regulations. The Waterfront Committee reelected its leadership and reviewed plans for a canoe and kayak vendor at the new Nebi Park pavilion. The School Board held two meetings focused largely on switching from SchoolCare to a new insurance provider, with the district filing suit for emergency relief ahead of a potential May 1 claims hold. Finally, the Parking Commission endorsed a swap of Orchard Street parking spaces with a private property owner to expand public parking downtown.

Public hearing on revised plan set for May 28 A company seeking approval to build offices and a warehouse at Route 9 and East Mountain Road North is proposing signage, an electronic speed indicator and the donation of land for a right-turn lane to assuage safety concerns. During its April 23 meeting, the Philipstown Planning Board scheduled a second public hearing for May 28 on Krasniqi Plaza LLC's scaled-down proposal for 9,500- and 5,300-square-foot buildings at 3626 Route 9 for its fencing and heating-oil businesses, and spaces for contractors. First introduced in October 2023, Krasniqi's project no longer includes three 29,000-gallon tanks for heating oil. They were removed in February 2024 after an outcry that led Philipstown to pass a moratorium on large petroleum storage containers. (The town eventually adopted a law banning big tanks outright and limiting smaller containers to south of Routes 9 and 301.) In May 2024, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the revised plan, which calls for a larger building with storage and warehouse space for Krasniqi's businesses, offices for contractors and an 8,800-square-foot outdoor equipment area in the rear. The smaller structure contains four units of up to 1,000 square feet that contractors could use for storage, and renters can request a 325-square-foot mezzanine in their unit for office space. Since that hearing, Krasniqi has shifted its driveway 5 feet to the north, away from a curve south of the property and a utility pole that had sparked concerns about sightlines and the ability of northbound drivers to stop in time for vehicles exiting the property's driveway. Adam Thyberg, a senior associate with Insite Engineering and one of the project's representatives, said the state Department of Transportation did not consider traffic heavy enough to warrant a traffic light at Route 9 and East Mountain North, but approved the driveway relocation and supports a sign warning northbound drivers of an impending driveway and an electronic sign displaying the speed of those driving above the 45-mph limit. In addition to those measures, Krasniqi would also be willing to donate land if the town wanted to request from the state the addition of a dedicated lane for northbound drivers turning right onto East Mountain Road North, said Anthony Russo, a regional manager for SLR Engineering, Landscape Architecture and Land Surveying, the Planning Board's consultant. A turn lane "would facilitate a movement that can be executed without having to turn from the northbound through lane on Route 9, where vehicle speeds can be high, and provide adequate space where vehicles can reduce their speed more safely to execute the near 90-degree turn" onto East Mountain, Russo wrote in a memo to Neal Zuckerman, the Planning Board chair. Traffic data compiled by SLR Engineering in September 2024 seemingly supported residents' concerns when the firm estimated higher traffic volumes than Krasniqi Plaza and waits of up to one minute and 22 seconds during the morning peak and up to two minutes and 44 seconds during the evening peak to turn south onto Route 9 from East Mountain Road. But the Department of Transportation later determined that SLR's counts were inflated because they were taken during the renovation of the Breakneck Tunnel, when drivers used Route 9 to avoid delays on Route 9D. One Planning Board member, Heidi Wendel, still had doubts about the accuracy of the state's crash data for Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023. Five accidents were reported at Route 9's intersection with East Mountain and Old Albany Post Road, but none involved vehicles turning left from East Mountain and none were in the area of Krasniqi's proposed driveway, according to the company. Krasniqi agreed to provide updated crash data for the hearing. "It doesn't seem likely that this is not a dangerous area for people turning south off of East Mountain," said Wendel. "I'm befuddled how it could be the case that this is no...

Putnam County races to spend federal funding An effort by Putnam legislators to preserve federal funds for a nonprofit whose mental-health crisis center has been rejected by Brewster and Carmel now centers on buying a home it rents in Philipstown for people needing respite. Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley on the Legislature, and its chair, Dan Birmingham, unveiled on Monday (April 27) a proposal to allow People USA to keep $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy 111 Philipse Brook Road, which is on the market for $1.3 million. After debating the idea for more than an hour, the Budget and Finance Committee, which includes every legislator, postponed a vote on whether to terminate a contract with People USA to open a 24-hour, drop-in "stabilization" center for people experiencing a mental-health or substance-abuse crisis. People USA initially planned to lease space above a childcare center in Brewster, but that sparked outrage from residents and led the Town of Southeast to impose a moratorium on permits for medical and mental-health clinics. The nonprofit then tried to open a stabilization center in an office building in Carmel. That provoked similar opposition, and the town's Planning Board rejected the application. The two rejections have made it impossible for People USA to spend the money by June 1, which is a provision of the contract, according to Bill Carlin, the county finance commissioner. Because of approaching federal deadlines, he asked the Legislature to divert the funds to paving projects. The county received $19 million in pandemic relief funding; under ARPA rules, money for paving projects must be spent by September and for anything else by Dec. 31. To replace People USA's funding, County Executive Kevin Byrne wants to take $2.1 million from Putnam's savings for mental-health initiatives. But Birmingham said he has "an uncomfortableness with trading human services dollars for blacktop." And Montgomery said that she has been told by the U.S. Treasury Department that ARPA contracts can be amended. Revising the People USA contract to specify "stabilization services" instead of a center is "much less risky," she said, and would preserve an existing service by allowing the nonprofit to buy the Philipstown home. "Once this money disappears from ARPA for public health for People USA, we're not going to get that money back for stabilization services," she said. The Philipstown property is part of People USA's network of Rose Houses, places of respite "operated by peers who have their own personal lived experiences" with a mental-health crisis. People can stay up to seven days and are free to come and go for jobs and other reasons. Rebecca Valk, a lawyer for People USA, said buying the house would "give us a stronger foot" in Putnam. "We have not found a community that does not seem to be scared of the individuals that we serve," she said. People USA said it has received state approval for renovation plans for Philipstown Brook Road. But Valk said that because the organization "would be flowing with the services that are already there" and not building a center like the ones proposed for Brewster and Carmel, no approvals would be needed from Philipstown. Supervisor John Van Tassel had a different view. He told legislators that he only found out about the proposal less than two hours before the 5:45 p.m. meeting and "was a little disappointed that I wasn't included in any of the communications." Under the town's zoning code, only single-family homes are permitted in that area, he said. "Whatever is operating there currently, I don't know if it's there illegally, but any adaptation to that building would require site plan approval," he said.

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In Episode 196, Scott Piehler's topics include: Busy times for the Planning Board, City Council, and AUSD. An embezzlement arrest involving Girls Inc. AC Transit makes changes. Local nurses raise a red flag. Another No Kings rally. Are you ready for a tsunami? Do you really need 10,000 steps? And, events for your weekend.  Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook •  Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

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This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 4, 2026.We focus on two questions:ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?We cover the following key topicsSnow and Ice total at $2.1M which doesn't include the $65K from last night's double coat of salt to counter the ice. This amount will eat into the operations budget as it has already wiped out the snow/Ice stabilization amountAd-hoc subcommittee with 3 Council members will report back with community input on potential charter changes was approved by 9-0 voteAppropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing a Fire Truck for the Fire Department was approved by 9-0 vote.$20,000 from special fund for paid parking fees was authorized to pay for the system (2 years worth) and some repairs to one of the kiosks by a 9-0 vote2 zoning bylaws (Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948 & Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949) were approved to refer to the Planning Board. They will conduct their public hearing and send them back as is, or with comments for adjustments. The Council will then hold their public hearing (possibly in April) before voting on the measures. The new Planning Director Morena Zelaya made the presentation for her first appearance before the CouncilThen they got to the goals discussion. After a lengthy discussion with some tweaks, some cuts, but mostly approval of the goals as presented the Council was able to move to accept the goals as revised at approx. 9:58, approved to waive the reading, voted to approved, and then with seconds to spare, voted to adjourn before 10:00 PMMax shared his goals tracking to provide details on the survey and feedback received vs. how that played into the set of goals agreed to by the full Council The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let's listen in--------------Add link to goals survey trackingThe Franklin TV video is available for replay https://youtu.be/3jkYtB5_Y3g?&t=136 The agenda (and released documents) can be found https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2166 The thread of my notes captured via Blusky can be found in PDF format - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ONzSiMKofgqw1riOlBPJyqB-Hopo3bcs/view?usp=drive_link--------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We'll share and show you what and how we do what we doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.I hope you enjoy!------------------You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

In Episode 194, Scott Piehler's topics include: The Planning Board addresses housing. A busy City Council agenda. Woodstock spreads its water wings. APD busts a mail thief. Some great sports news just across the Estuary. Warm weather brings lots to do, including Restaurant Week 2026. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

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In Episode 193, Scott Piehler's topics include: The latest from City Council. A look ahead to the next Planning Board. Layoffs paused at Alameda Health. Our new Postmaster makes history. The latest real estate sales. The Rotary Club plants for the future. Carrier Con is back. A golden celebration. Events for your weekend, and don't forget the time change on Sunday.  Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

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In Episode 192, Scott Piehler's topics include: City Council addresses police statistics and the homeless issue. A preview of next week's Planning Board meeting. AUSD averts a strike. Our Naval history in the present day. The latest real estate sales. And SF Beer Week tops the list of events. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

rWotD Episode 3207: Matthew Scannapieco Welcome to random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Friday, 13 February 2026, is Matthew Scannapieco.Matthew V. Scannapieco (born May 21, 1944) is an American politician who served as Mayor of Marlboro, New Jersey from 1992 to 2003. During the course of his career in public service, Scannapieco, a Republican, also served on the Township Council, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. During his tenure as mayor, he sat on the planning board and appointed all but one of the other members. During this time, Marlboro township experienced a 40 percent increase in housing units in Marlboro, or nearly 3,500 new units. In 2005, in the case of United States of America v. Matthew V. Scannapieco, he was charged with illegally accepting cash payments to influence planning processes and tax evasion.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:08 UTC on Friday, 13 February 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Matthew Scannapieco on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Joanna.

Last year, Hampton Coffee Company took over a roadside cafe in a quiet corner of Hampton Bays. Over decades, the building, a former farm stand, had been expanded and transformed into a small eatery with bathrooms, a kitchen and walk-in refrigerators. The neighbors love having the cafe nearby. The problem is, all those expansions were done sans permits. So in an effort to bring everything up to date, Hampton Coffee Company's owners Jason and Theresa Belkin filed a change of tenancy notice with Southampton Town Building Department to officially convert the certificate of occupancy from a farm stand to a take-out restaurant. Now the town is telling the Belkins they must go to the Planning Board for a proper assessment of what the building has become. This week, the editors discuss the conundrum the town faces as it considers legalizing a beloved business in a residential zone while also pondering what sort of precedents it might set down the road in other similar situations.

In Episode 183, Scott Piehler's topics include: The Planning Board approves the next step in the West Midway Housing Project. The Clipper system gets a major upgrade. A couple of local documentaries in the news. Wildlife on the shore and on the water. The latest real estate sales. And holiday events are in full swing. Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

In Episode 182, Scott Piehler's topics include: City Council tackles inclusionary housing, and lets Mylar balloon sales continue. The Planning Board returns to Alameda Point. The Food Bank and Christ Episcopal to unveil new services. A brazen robbery at a local 7-Eleven. Alameda Fire Department honors one of their own. A holiday gift guide devoted to Alameda.  Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • TikTok • YouTube • Apple News •

===== MDJ Script/ Top Stories for November 21st Publish Date:  November 21st    Commercial: From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.    Today is Friday, November 21st and Happy Birthday to Stan The Man Musial I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal Cobb targets millions in federal funds to counter drones, boost World Cup security Smyrna denies five-story apartment building Interrogation videos highlight third day of trial for man accused of killing Acworth neighbors Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on rice All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  BREAK: INGLES 10 STORY 1: Cobb targets millions in federal funds to counter drones, boost World Cup security  Next summer, Cobb County will play host to international soccer teams prepping for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the biggest sporting events ever. With Atlanta set to host eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Cobb will handle training, transportation, and fan events. But with that comes challenges—crowds, security, and logistics. To prepare, county officials are asking for Homeland Security grants to boost safety measures, including $7.5–$12 million for drone detection tech. Training sites? Atlanta United’s grounds in Marietta, KSU’s Fifth Third Stadium, and possibly Pace Academy. “The more popular the team, the bigger the crowds,” said Cobb EMA Director Cassie Mazloom. STORY 2: Smyrna denies five-story apartment building  The Smyrna City Council shot down a rezoning request for a 250-unit apartment complex this week, with a 5-2 vote against the proposal. Wood Partners South Acquisitions LLC had pitched a five-story mixed-use development on 6.7 acres along Highlands Parkway, near Technology Court. The plan included 250 apartments—mostly one- and two-bedroom units—plus retail space, a pool, and a courtyard. Councilwoman Latonia Hines acknowledged the project’s quality but questioned the location. “It’s a great development—just not here,” she said. The Planning Board and city staff had already recommended denial, citing conflicts with the area’s industrial zoning. STORY 3: Interrogation videos highlight third day of trial for man accused of killing Acworth neighbors On the third day of Matthew Lanz’s murder trial, the defense finally had its turn. Lanz, now 26, sat quietly in a green jumpsuit, his hair unkempt, his face hidden behind a scruffy beard. Prosecutors played interrogation videos from 2021, where Lanz, then 22, denied killing his neighbors, Justin and Amber Hicks. “I didn’t murder them,” he said. “Someone murdered them.” The Hicks, both 31, were found shot to death in their home, their two-year-old son unharmed nearby. Lanz is accused of breaking in through a back window and pulling the trigger. The trial, a bench trial at the defense’s request, will hinge on Judge Sonja Brown’s decision. Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday, leaving the defense to decide if Lanz will testify. In one chilling video, Lanz asked police if Amber Hicks had been pregnant. She wasn’t, but his comment left the courtroom uneasy. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  We’ll be right back. Break: STRAND THEATRE STORY 4: State Senate election appears headed toward runoff  It looks like Democrats Jaha Howard and Roger Bruce are headed for a runoff in the special election to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Jason Esteves. Unofficial results show Howard leading with 32.6% of the vote, followed by Bruce at 25.4%. The six-candidate race was a whirlwind, with just over a month to campaign. “We had to gear up in days,” Howard said, calling the campaign a “faith journey.” Bruce, a Capitol veteran with 22 years in the Georgia House, leaned on endorsements from big names like former Gov. Roy Barnes. The runoff is set for Dec. 16. STORY 5: Smyrna limits vape shop locations, approves Tolleson Aquatic Center contract This week, Smyrna’s City Council cracked down on vape shops, unanimously passing an ordinance to define and restrict them. “Right now, they’re just lumped in with general retail,” said Community Development Director Rusty Martin. “This lets us set some boundaries.” The new rules? Vape shops—defined as retailers primarily selling alternative nicotine or vapor products—can’t open within 1,000 feet of another vape shop, schools, or daycares. In other council news, Arrow Waste got the green light (6-1) for a temporary office on Riverview Road, despite concerns about a nearby fuel tank. Also approved: a $16.23M contract for the Tolleson Aquatic Center, set to open in 2027. And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on rice We’ll have closing comments after this. Break: Ingles Markets 10 Signoff-   Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at mdjonline.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com Strand Marietta – Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stamford's Planning Board is set to vote on a contentious “2035 Comprehensive Plan of Conservation and Development,” the city's master plan for the next ten years. Many are concerned about adding more residential density in neighborhoods already overwhelmed by massive growth. We asked Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons to give more details on the proposal and whether this is basically a local “8-30g plan” for the city. For more information on the 2035 plan: https://www.stamfordct.gov/government/operations/stamford-2035-comprehensive-plan Image Credit: Getty Images

Joe Cuccurullo, running for Holly Springs Town Council, shares his journey from New York to North Carolina and his vision for balancing growth while preserving the community charm that attracted him to the area.• Moved from New York City during the pandemic and opened Resource Room Learning Center in Holly Springs• Joined the Planning Board to understand development decisions after seeing projects like Main Street Vista approved• Advocates for "balanced development" to manage the high demand of people moving to Wake County• Prioritizes public safety, managing density, and expanding services like teen entertainment options• Supports the current town budget's focus on public safety while maintaining low municipal taxes• Wants to create a liaison position to help small businesses navigate the complex development process• Values community events like Springsfest and supports using Ting Park for more entertainment• Believes Holly Springs should remain a multi-generational town with expanded services for seniors• Emphasizes managing density as key to addressing infrastructure challenges• Endorsed by Wake County Republican Party & Holly Springs Committee for Responsible GrowthCuccurullo is one of six candidates running for Holly Springs Town Council, where voters may choose up to three. Early voting begins October 16th, and you'll need a valid ID to vote. Your vote on November 4th will help to shape Holly Springs for generations to come. Make sure you have a plan!JoeForHollySprings.cominfo@joeforhollysprings.comFacebook/Instagram/YouTubeCampaign Finance ReportCampaign Finance Reports for All Candidate CommitteesVoter Information (Register, Am I Registered?, Election Information) Voter Info (Designated Polling Places, Sample Ballots, Registration Status, Voting Jurisdiction, Verify Address and Party Affiliation) Election Information (Absentee by Mail Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting) Early Voting Locations October 16-November 1Wake County Board of Elections Office-1200 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh 27610October 25-November 1John M. Brown Community Center-53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502Avery Street Recreation Center-125 Avery Street, Garner, NC 27529Herbert C. Young Community Center-101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513ELECTION DAYTuesday, November 4 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PMSupport the showAs always, if you are interested in being on or sponsoring the podcast or if you have any particular issues, thoughts, or questions you'd like explored on the podcast, please email NCDeepDive@gmail.com. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated.Now, let's dive in!

PB92 - Planning Board 8/5/25

PB90 - Planning Board 6/26/25

PB91 - Planning Board 7/10/25

In Episode 165, Scott Piehler's topics include: A major discrepancy in political donations. The Planning Board approves an eight-story project. A mystery from 2008 is solved. Encouraging results from a chemical removal test. An Alameda rower breaks a dry spell for the USA. Plus arts and the outdoors.Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • YouTube • Apple News •

How can undergraduate research prepare students for civic engagement in a complex world? How should associations respond when the work of their members is under attack?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Lindsay Currie, Executive Officer of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). Lindsay discusses:CUR's mission to expand access to undergraduate research and its proven long-term impact on student success, graduation rates, and civic engagement.The current challenges facing CUR members, including political and funding pressures on research and higher education.The organization's new strategic plan, CUR 2030, which features three major goals and includes cross-cutting themes: broadening participation, organizational sustainability, and communication.The decision to shift from “DEI” language to “broadening participation” to maximize inclusivity and participation, while still preserving the core values.CUR's investment in a board coach to help shift from a “doing board” to a “strategic board” culture, and how that coach continues to foster executive and board collaboration.A rigorous and confidential nominations process that improves the quality and alignment of board candidates, avoiding the pitfalls of popularity contests.A layered onboarding process for new Board members, including coaching, board retreats, and annual reorientation to ensure all board members are aligned and equipped to lead strategically.CUR's emphasis on data, standards, and recognition to position itself as a leader in undergraduate research across higher education institutions.A comprehensive rollout strategy for the new plan, starting with CUR's 300 elected volunteers and culminating in a Fall 2025 campaign for the broader membership.References:CUR WebsiteLindsay Currie's Previous Episode on Associations Thrive from October 2022ASAE's ForesightWorks Framework

In Episode 164, Scott Piehler's topics include: A pipe bomb shuts down traffic. Alameda PD adds patrols and shares the latest crime statistics. The Planning Board to discuss an eight story structure. Local golf, boating, and baseball in the news. Great events for the younger set. Radio Day by the Bay is a success. And, if you think it's been cold lately, you're right.Support the show• AlamedaPost.com • Podcast • Events • Contact •• Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BlueSky • Reddit • Mastodon • NextDoor • YouTube • Apple News •