The Dutchess County Legislature approved a ground lease this week between the county and the Dutchess Community College Association (DCCA), for the purpose of building dormitories on county-owned property.
More than 40 people attended the March 25 meeting, with most speaking out against the resolution, which passed by 13-12 split vote.
“The Town Board of the Town of Poughkeepsie remains adamant in its objection to the construction of dorms by Dutchess Community College,” said Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Patricia Myers. “The town firmly believes that there are many outstanding issues that have not been addressed by the college and need to be resolved before this project can be allowed to move forward.”
Among Myers’s concerns were sewage boundaries, increased traffic on Creek and Cottage roads, the Town of Poughkeepsie’s recently adopted new master plan and zoning regulations, and the Dutchess Community College Association’s status as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
“The Town of Poughkeepsie respectfully requests that this issue be tabled until such time as Dutchess Community College agrees to appear before the town,” she said.
Traffic also a concern
Karin Hanson, a DCC student who lives across street from the college, agreed.
“I was pretty angry that the college never thought to ask their neighbors about the dorm proposal. Many houses in the neighborhood have basements which flood during heavy rainfall – which has gotten worse since the parking lot was created,” said Hanson.
She also complained about the noise that increased traffic and dorm life would generate, as well as her increasing fire taxes.
“The Fairview Fire Department is understaffed, and fire tax went up 15 percent. I can’t afford another increase,” said Hanson.
“I’m not against DCC. I’m not against the concept of what they’re trying to do, but no more property should be taken off of the tax rolls,” said John Anspach, chairman of the board of fire commissioners of the district. According to Anspach, 80 percent of Fairview Fire District’s coverage area is tax-free. “I’d like you to tell me where there is another area in Dutchess County where there are only four men on duty and only a handful of volunteers at any given time.”
In an effort to offset the burden to the Fairview fire District, DCCA agreed to pay the district $75,000 in 2009, with the amount increasing by three percent each year, for three years. Afterward, the payment would be subject to renegotiation.
“We did make an offer; it wasn’t intended to put a gun to their heads,” said DCC President David Conklin. “We have made a commitment to address the issues openly and honestly. We take our obligation very seriously.”
The college wants to lease a county-owned 25-acre parcel off of Cottage Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie to build a residence hall for approximately 450 students. According to the resolution, the term of the ground lease will be a minimum of 40 years, and at its expense, the DCCA will design and construct the student housing facility.
“The college has done a number of surveys among the students. The students are interested in having these dorms,” said Majority Leader Sandra Goldberg (D-Wappinger). “I have not gotten any negative input from the people I represent. I think it’s a start, it’s a start in the right direction, and it’s an appropriate start.”
“While nothing is perfect, I think the positive side wins out. I see more favorable aspects to building dormitories,” said William McCabe (D-LaGrange/Union Vale/Wappinger). “We can’t hold the dorms hostage because of an unrelated problem – the Fairview Fire District issue.”
“In closing, let me say that passing the resolution tonight begins the process of addressing the issues that are going to be raised,” said Conklin. “We want to be good neighbors.”
The college has said the project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2009, with construction costs expected to be $30 million.