PLNYS Comments to Town of Colonie Planning Board Re: West Family Shaker Site Development
The following letter was sent to the Town of Colonie Planning Board in response to proposed development adjacent to the nationally-significant Watervliet Shaker National Register Historic District.
Concept review for Capital BOCES, 925 Watervliet Shaker Road, Colonie
June 5, 2020
Mr. Peter Stuto
Chair, Town of Colonie Planning Board
Public Operations Center
347 Old Niskayuna Road
Latham, NY 12110
Dear Chair Stuto,
I write on behalf of the Preservation League of New York State to comment on the concept proposal for the Capital BOCES at 925 Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie. This project is immediately adjacent to the West Family structures and on the remaining agricultural land associated with the West Family site. The Preservation League is New York’s statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization. We advocate for the protection of historic buildings and landscapes throughout New York State, assisting in advancing historic preservation and community development efforts.
The project proposed at 925 Watervliet Shaker Road is part of the nationally-significant Watervliet Shaker National Register Historic District. In 2018, the Preservation League listed this historic district as among the state’s most endangered, part of our 2018-19 Seven to Save list. At the time of designation, the League noted that the district was “exceptionally susceptible to insensitive development,” a threat that has only grown over the last two years.
Full build-out on this parcel, as proposed by the developer, would devastate the integrity of the West Family site. Other municipalities cherish, celebrate, and promote their unique Shaker heritage. It is sad indeed how much inappropriate development has been allowed within this important historic district. Not to mention the loss of agricultural land, wetlands, and open space within a heavily trafficked corridor.
We believe that the required permitting for this project will lead to a State Historic Preservation Office review under Section 14.09 of the 1980 NYS Historic Preservation Act. We also believe that given the size and National Register designation, this project would have a positive declaration as a Type 1 under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, requiring a full Environmental Impact Statement that includes the cumulative impact of all project phases.
The Preservation League has met with the developer of the neighboring parcel and Shaker Heritage, offering assistance in promoting the incredibly intact collection of West Family buildings. Allowing the maximum development at 925 Watervliet Shaker Road would also destroy the buildings’ viewshed, which the Afrim’s Sportsplex on the opposite side worked hard to preserve.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Thank you and the other members of the Colonie Planning Board for your consideration.
Best regards,
Erin
Erin M. Tobin (she/her)
Vice President for Policy and Preservation
Preservation League of New York State