Keep Fishkill Beautiful
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
On March 21, the Village of Fishkill Planning Board approved Jackson & Main, LLC‘s application for a special use permit to build a 56-unit apartment complex at Jackson and Main. Village of Fishkill Planning Board members Theresa Cucchelo, Ezra Holly and Anthony Melella as well as Chairperson Hans Klingzahn were present, and approved the permit unanimously. Board member Danielle Hughes was not able to be present for this meeting.
Current Village of Fishkill Trustees Nick Forlano (Deputy Mayor), Trudi Newhard, Anthony Ruggiero and Dean Scofield as well as Mayor Kathy Martin had amended the zoning code in November 2021 which enabled the consideration of this large-scale project specifically in this location. At the Village Planning Board's September 2023 hearing, more than 60 people attended – more than could be accommodated – and many of them spoke out against this project.
It's clear the Trustees' and Planning Board members' actions - and inactions - show willful disregard for the wishes of most constituents. We believe this disregard can motivate Village and Town residents both:
~ Village of Fishkill voters can evaluate trustee candidates – or even consider becoming candidates themselves – to elevate professionalism and rebuild integrity and trust in government. Two trustees' seats will be up for reelection in June 2024. Candidates may announce as early as April 2.
~ Town of Fishkill stakeholders may feel they're at the mercy of Village officials' poor decisions in this matter. Our position, however, remains that Town residents can rally behind Village neighbors, publish their opinions in print and online, recruit allies and speak up at both Town and Village meetings.
Our regular meetings are on hold for now as we consider next steps, but this story is not over. The future of the Town and Village of Fishkill – and the quality of life here – remain very much at stake. Fishkill will continue to need residents' attention and involvement to remain a beautiful, vibrant and livable community.
If you are looking for ways to help manage out-of-control growth and development in the Town and Village of Fishkill, join us! Please feel free to message us directly.
Signed,
The volunteers of Keep Fishkill Beautiful!
JACKSON & MAIN DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE BUSIEST INTERSECTION IN THE VILLAGE?
TIMELINE
February 15, 2024 - Planning Board Meeting for the Village of Fishkill (Thursday 2/15) - the developer has been asked to respond to the letters that the public sent in at the end of December 2023
December 31, 2023- Over 20 letters were sent to the VOF elected officials asking that they reconsider these apartments based on the out of scale proposal currently in front of the village.
October 19, 2023- A letter was written by the Village Trustees to the Planning Board requesting that the buffer be increased (it was increased from 10' to 20')
October 3, 2023- KFB volunteers met with Mayor Martin, Trustee Ruggerrio, VOF Building inspector and at this meeting we were advised that the plan is now 100% residential
PREVIOUS HISTORY BELOW
Site Plan for Jackson/Main
That empty lot is prime real estate. We appeal to the developer, Jackson Crossing LLC, to take the opportunity to develop something reasonable we can all live with.
Visual Perspective
Top image: perspective of Main and Jackson Streets intersection.
Bottom image: perspective from Jackson Street.
Whose Voice Matters Here?
If you live within the Village of Fishkill your voice matters. We are one community. We share schools, roads, businesses, and backyards.
If you live in the Town your voice matters. We are one community. We share schools, roads, businesses, and backyards.
If you work within the Village, your voice matters because you are the lifeblood of our businesses and our commerce.
If you live near the Village - whether you are from Beacon, Wappingers, Hopewell or from the Town - your voice matters because overdevelopment will impact your neighbors, who you care about, and your commute when you drive through the Village.
Don't be intimidated by arguments that presume to minimize your concern because you live in one area or another. This is a community issue, and our community does not stop at one particular street.
Timeline, continued
September 25, 2023: Town Councilmembers Wrye, Istvan, Forman send letter of support of residents fighting Jackson & Main development.
September 21, 2023: Town Council Member Danielle reads an email in support of residents fighting Jackson & Main at VOF public hearing; this letter was signed by Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra.
July 2023- Keep Fishkill Beautiful volunteers noticed that there was a public hearing for a site plan application for Jackson/Main and alerted the community
November 15, 2021- Bill C-2021 was passed into Law 4-2021
September 27, 2021- according to minutes from 9/7, the public hearing was to be continued on the 27th, however the minutes don't show any comments, only that it was closed.
September 7, 2021- VOF Board met to discuss proposed Local Law Bill C-2021
July 15, 2021 - VOF Planning Board meeting discusses zoning changes.
February 3, 2021 - Mayor Miccio announces VOF Comprehensive Planning Committee (current Mayor Kathy Martin was chair of this team)
ONLY ONE MEETING MINUTES OF THIS COMMITTEE IS ON RECORD after this date
January 19, 2021 - VOF Trustees meeting - passed the moratorium (local law 1-2021)
December 21 2020- Mayor Miccio set a public hearing for January 19 2021 to set a building moratorium for six months
December 7 2020 - VOF Trustees meeting, the FCON project died on the floor when the project was not advanced to the planning board.