In Yorktown Heights the proposed Costco development project is still in play. About a third of the Final EIS has been submitted to the Planning Board, but it is not available for public view as of yet. The SEQR process “ requires the sponsoring or approving governmental body to identify and mitigate the significant environmental impacts of the activity it is proposing or permitting.” Over 180 comments were made during the public hearing process and the developers are required to answer all of these comments within the Final EIS. Included in the comments are independent storm water engineer reports, wetland expert reports, comments from the Watershed Inspector General, independent traffic engineer reports, and hydrology reports. These reports show that there are significant deficiencies in the plan. Many residents spoke about how the additional 650 cars per hour will add to the congestion on Routes 35/202 and how traffic within neighborhoods will increase as drivers cut across residential roads to avoid the traffic on Route 35/202 and the Taconic. Others are concerned with the increase in air pollution especially from the twelve fuel stations that will not only add traffic but air pollution as cars wait their turn to buy cheap gas. The impact on our local infrastructure will be significant as tractor-trailers and fuel trucks roll across Route 35/202 from Rte. 684 in the east and Rte. 9 in the west. Stormwater runoff will add flooding and pollutants into the Croton Reservoir watershed. With Costco easily accessed by the Taconic Parkway, shoppers will spend their money and drive back home without needing to patronize the small businesses that are the backbone of Yorktown. For the Costco development to move forward, the Planning Board must accept the final EIS. After this, the developer will apply to the Town Board for a special permit allowing the twelve fueling stations and will apply to the County for additional sewer districts that will discharge into the Peekskill sewage plant. As of now, we can only wait and hope that all of our elected officials and our Planning and Zoning volunteers do their due diligence and take a hard look at the impact a Costco will bring to their town. This issue in Yorktown is a clear example of how important local government is and how it directly impacts our day-to-day lives. This year is a local election year with not only town elections but also County elections. Please inform yourself and be determined to bring pro environmental people into our local governments. Your air and water depend on it.
