"Lodged in the City's Regulatory Machinery"
I hope you had a chance to read the article in the Sunday, April 24th edition of the Valley News: “Big Project: Reviewing River Park”. If not, please take a moment to read it online as it offers an interesting commentary on where we stand in the approval process, and how we have “become lodged in the city’s regulatory machinery.”
11th Hour Changes to the Water & Sewer Projections Imposed by City
Here is the latest chapter in our continuing saga in trying to get the permits for River Park. The City Engineer has finally prepared her recommendations to the City Council, which will be heard tonight at City Hall. Apart from the fact that this report was supposed to have been completed weeks ago, we were absolutely stunned to learn that the City Engineer and DPW altered the assumptions given to the outside consultant regarding water and sewer volumes without our knowledge.
Letter to Lebanon City Council and Planning Board from Our River Park Neighbor, Lauren "Duff" Cummings
The following letter was sent to the members of the Lebanon City Council and Planning Board by Lauren "Duff" Cummings, whose home abuts the River Park West Lebanon site. Duff is a member of the "Friends of River Park" and his letter has been republished here with his permission.
Urgent Alert: October 5th Lebanon Planning Board Meeting
Lyme Properties filed our subdivision and site plan applications for River Park on June 14th, 2010. Subsequently there have been three separate public meetings with the Lebanon Planning Board– on July 12th, July 21st, and August 17th– regarding the preliminary subdivision approval, the initial step in Lebanon's site plan approval process. The next meeting on October 5th will be a watershed moment for the River Park project, and we ask the Friends of River Park to come show their support.
The Truth About Traffic
I think I can speak for a number of people who attended the Planning Board meeting when I say I'm frustrated by the confusion surrounding the traffic studies completed as part of our application. Traffic has always been an important consideration throughout the River Park planning process, and we have made significant decisions along the way to minimize its impact on the surrounding community as much as possible. Please click to read more about our response to the Planning Board's concerns.
River Park Planning Board Hearing, Please Comment
The River Park Subdivision and Site Plan applications have been submitted to the City of Lebanon. Due to the Planning Board’s full agenda, the River Park hearing has been extended to Tuesday, July 20th and will be the only item on the agenda. The hearing starts at 6:00 PM at City Hall in the Council Chambers. You are welcome to attend this hearing, but please consider emailing David Brooks at the Planning Department to voice your support prior to the hearing. Click 'Read More' for more information.
River Park Progress Update
A lot has been happening at River Park West Lebanon since the March 9th vote, and it is past time for us to give everyone an update on the progress! Following the March vote and subsequent meetings with the City Council, we initiated the process of completing our Subdivision and Site Plan applications for submission to the City of Lebanon.
Status Report
We continue to make progress in the approval process for River Park. Recently Lyme Properties met with the City’s Planning Staff and had a helpful discussion of how to cooperatively bring the River Park Master Plan through the approval process. A significant amount of work must be done in a short period of time to prepare the appropriate applications, but we believe we can make it. Throughout the approval process a number of public meetings will be held to allow public comment and input. We will keep you informed of these opportunities via email and our web site.
Voters Prevail
Once again the voters prevailed. Last night the Lebanon City Council voted unanimously to delay advertising their new zoning change that would effectively nullify Amendment #1 until July 7, 2010. I am satisfied with this outcome. Lyme Properties will work diligently to complete and file the site plan application that protects the River Park Plan. I expect the City Council to honor their pledge and I trust the planning staff will work cooperatively with Lyme to achieve the outcome we all want.
River Park Zoning Alert!
Apparently, the overwhelming support of the citizens of Lebanon is not enough to deter some members of the City Council from their opposition to the River Park Master Plan. We discovered this morning that next Wednesday, March 17th, the City Council will vote on a new zoning change that will nullify the results of Amendment # 1.