Jeffrey Barker, a resident who gave his address on the record, used the public-comment period at the July 16 Clinton County Legislature meeting to urge county officials and the Clinton County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) to reconsider commercial redevelopment proposals for the former Clinton Community College campus.

Barker said he had reviewed three concepts circulated by the CCIDA and concluded they were “unsubstantiated and overly optimistic plans that are not practical to be financially feasible and successful.” He called for retaining a majority of the land as public park with wooded and grassland areas and walking paths and suggested converting the large former hotel on the site into condominiums or a privately owned assisted-living facility.

Why it matters: The former college site is a sizable property that county leaders and the CCIDA have discussed for redevelopment; decisions about its use affect land use, local tax base, tourism, and infrastructure demand.

What Barker said and suggested: Barker told the legislature he had emailed detailed feedback to the CCIDA on July 25 and warned that poorly planned redevelopment could compete with local museums, farmers markets and other enterprises. He also raised separate local development concerns in the Town of Plattsburgh, describing a 139-acre rezoning that he said would permit a 773,000-square-foot warehouse and generate about 50 truck trips per day; he said a proposed structure height of 100 feet would exceed a 60-foot standard and require a use variance.

Context and constraints in the record: Barker urged “cool heads” and further evaluation before moving to action, and he asked legislators to protect taxpayers from “another foolish build up.” The transcript records his recommendations and criticisms but does not record a formal referral to staff, nor does it include a response from the CCIDA or planning staff during the provided segment.

Ending: Barker concluded by thanking the legislature and noting he intended his remarks to be entered into the record; the meeting then proceeded to committee reports and scheduled resolutions.