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Greene County Establishes Capital Project, Seeks ESD Funding for Cementon Redevelopment Study
Summary
The county authorized a capital project and permission to apply for Empire State Development (ESD) funding to create a master plan and environmental review for redevelopment of the Cementon area; officials said the master plan would produce a final GEIS to streamline future environmental review for prospective large users.
James, Greene County economic development staff, told the Economic Development, Tourism and Planning Committee on April 14 that the county would establish capital project number 1603 and seek ESD Fast New York funding to prepare a master plan for redevelopment of the Cementon area.
James said the master plan would be a neutral, comprehensive study that produces a final generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) covering multiple potential land uses. That GEIS, he said, could shorten and simplify future environmental reviews for specific projects whose impacts fall within the GEIS scope. “The ultimate output is gonna result in something called a final general environmental impact statement,” James said.
Committee members asked whether a county-level master plan would overstep town jurisdiction. James said the county is not proposing rezoning and that town planning officials and property owners will be involved as stakeholders. He said the Town of Catskill planning officials and property owners have expressed general support and that the county would include environmental groups, site owners and towns in stakeholder outreach.
The committee approved a resolution establishing the capital project (No. 1603) and authorizing grant application steps to ESD. The authorization allows the county to submit the grant application and begin the master-planning process; it does not itself rezone property or authorize specific development.
If funded, the master plan would be used to inform future site control, environmental mitigation and potential land-banking strategies, and planners said it could increase the competitiveness of large-site users by reducing permitting timelines.
Votes at the meeting: Committee approved establishing capital project 1603 (Cementon redevelopment) and authorized application to ESD for funding.
