Pelton mansion, a landmark on the property
POUGHKEEPSIE – The only thing on the table at Wednesday night’s Poughkeepsie Common Council meeting was a resolution that in effect would declare the council as “lead agency” in the lengthy State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) on a possible sale of 36 North Clover Street, also known as Wheaton Park, to private developers.
Several residents spoke during public comment complaining among other things that the lengthy resolution, well over 100 pages, was new to the council. That was a point some council members confirmed. One citizen who spoke called it a “wag the dog” move by the city.
Corporation Counsel Paul Ackerman said there is a lot of misunderstanding over what is and is not happening at this point.
“Before you is a resolution that simply, one, commencing the process that will ultimately be toward the sale of the property,” Ackerman said. “The council is not voting on selling the property today. They’re not approving the contract. They’re introducing the proposed sale.”
Ackerman said a lengthy process involving review and approval by several agencies would need to happen before any actual sale to Pelton Partners LLC, which plans a mixed use of residential units along with preservation of open space, and the Pelton Mansion, which once housed the Poughkeepsie Day Nursery.
The lone Republican, Lee Klein, said it was time for the process to begin.
“There is no money tree out back; there is no Fort Knox in the basement,” Klein said. “We need people to come into the city. This project is valuable; it is a work in progress. This is an early stage. It is time to move it forward.”
Democrat Randall Johnson agreed with the protestors who said the city is moving too fast.
“I have never had an issue with the proposed project or the developer, but what I have an issue with is the disregard for public involvement and community concern and the way this is being handled,” Johnson said.
Johnson, Ann Perry and Tracey Hermann voted ‘no’ but the resolution declaring the council “lead agency” in the SEQRA process passed five to three.
