Riverside-Flats village center effort - FAQs
NEXT MEETING -
Thursday, September 2 at 7:00pm in the Jericho Town Hall Planning and Zoning Office
Q: What is the Riverside-Flats Planning Effort?
A group of Jericho & Underhill community members are working toward a master plan for developing a village center in the Riverside-Flats area.
Q: Didn't this happen four years ago?
Yes, this same effort was begun almost 4 years ago. Since then, the Towns have been working on incorporating suggestions from community members into their town plans and regulations.
Q: What was the impetus for it four years ago?
A community member with a relatively large, undeveloped tract in the Riverside-Flats area made it known that he would like to work with the local community toward a mutually beneficial and desirable outcome for a village center in that area.
Q: Why revive the effort?
Since the effort began, the property owner has been exploring options for his property, and has been approached by businesses and developers interested in the property. This landowner is once again alerting the Jericho & Underhill communities that he would like to work with the local towns and community members to develop a vision for the property and surrounding areas. Working together can lead to a better final outcome, for the property owner, neighbors, and the entire community.
Q: What if there isn't an interest in working toward a master plan?
In the absence of local interest and commitment, the landowner will proceed with developing his land as his personal economy and interests direct.
Q: Can community members really have an influence?
Yes! For example, there is funding for communities to do planning studies and non-profit agencies that assist with planning efforts and attracting desirable businesses and investors. Community members in our town have worked successfully toward similar goals many times in the past - including when they formed the Jericho Underhill Land Trust and established the Mills Riverside Park. Most importantly, the property owner has asked for the public’s input!
Q: How can I get involved?
Everyone in Jericho & Underhill is welcome to attend meetings and give input. We are currently developing web pages on Two Towns Online for ease in announcing meetings and discussing issues.
Q: I've got a busy schedule and don't have time to get involved. What then?
Most importantly, stay informed. Get on the email distribution list. Check back on this web site for updates. As for tasks, there are many to accomplish - some small and some large and the goal is to break tasks down to a manageable size for volunteers who have very limited time.
To be placed on the email distribution list to receive updates, meeting announcements and meeting minutes: Send an email to Seth Jensen, the Jericho Town Planner, and ask him to put you on the Riverside-Flats Planning email list. Seth's email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Q: What were " Walk and Talk" meetings about?
The goals of the Walk and Talks were to identify concrete ideas that our two towns can pursue related to transportation and public infrastructure in the Riverside Flats area, and discuss how the community would like to see the area develop in the future. Over the summer, we walked Park Street, River Road from Rt. 15 to the Cemetery and Route 15 from the Riverside Park to Alexander brother's gas station.
Q: The next meeting?
Thursday, September 2 at 7:00pm in the Jericho Town Hall Planning and Zoning Office.
This will be primarily a organizational meeting to set a work plan for the fall. We will go over the results of our successful walk and talks, discuss progress and next steps on projects such as the Village Center Designation, Market Study, and Master Planning, and discuss activities to pursue this fall and winter. Also, it seems the group has matured to the point where it is time to select someone to chair/facilitate the group. If this is something you would be interested in, please let Seth Jensen know.
