Friday, March 17, 2006
Taghkanic Planning Board.
Public Hearing in question.
There seemed to be confusion over the legal announcements that were printed in the paper versus the notices that were sent to residents by Barbara Hermance, of Land Source Real Estate.
Hermance who is representing Ship-to-Shore LLC, has been working with the Planning Board using two maps for the same subdivision. One map shows a lot line change while the other shows a single lot subdivision, both on the same continuous parcel. Concerned residents at the public hearing had a barrage of question and testimony. The main concerns were proper notification for a public hearing, proper authorization, the potential loss of prime lot value if the purposed subdivision or lot-line change is approved, and who is the main principal of Ship-to Shore LLC.
Resident and adjoining property owner Scott Stackpole asked the Board who his neighbor is. The Board, who obviously didn't know who owns the LLC, set dumbfounded. Mr. Stackpole then pleaded with Barber Hermance for a name to go along with the corporation. After a futile plea to the towns attorney for help Hermance turned to Mr. Stackpole and said "Quite frankly, Mr. Stackpole its none of your business", which left some residents attending the meeting stymied.
Barbara Hermance is a public official chairing the Town Zoning Board and the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Mr. John Kanas is the President and CEO of the North Fork Bank on Long Island, New York. It is far beyond this writer way Barbara Hermance or Mr. Kanas would want to create a veil of secrecy.
Resident, and adjoining land owner, Mr. Richard Graham questioned whether or not Hermance had a notarized authorization from the Ship-to-Shore principal John Kanas or his attorney Patricia Blake on file with the Board. In a statement, delivered to the Board, Mr. Graham challenge the proceeding of the public hearing based on the way that the public notices were issued by both Hermance and the Board. He testified that he was misled by Ms. Hermance, who is representing John Kanas / Ship-to-Shore LLC, and the Planning Board as to the true nature of the time and purpose of the public hearing. Mr. Graham then went on to question the maps submitted to the Board, calling their attention to the definition of a 'lot' under local law # 1. Further attention was brought to Article VI under map specifications, sections 42 and 43 of town law. There was a concern of a waterway omitted from the map. Mr. Graham also explained that a line change, rather then a subdivision would allow John Kanas to place a second home on the vast property that would be assessed only as a secondary structure rather then a house on a separate lot, thereby losing prime lot value, and causing an unfair shift in the of taxes from Kanas's Ship-to-Shore LLC to the surrounding neighbors. Another point that was challenged was whether or not the line to be removed was the property line that separates the seven-acre zone from the three acre-zone. After fielding some questions relating to the subdivision law the public hearing was closed, although it should have been adjourned. After further discussion with Hermance the Board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters.
It would appear to this writer that a Town doing business with a corporation would want to know who's running the corporation. Do I really feel a lot safer now then I did prior to 9/11? I find it absolutely unconscionable, that public officials, would sit and allow an applicant to come before them and hide their true identity under the cloak of a corporate name. I find this practice to be inherently dangerous for times in which we now live. I am more then certain, that Mr. John Kanas, would agree with me given the gravity of his grief and experiences in such matters.
Way-to-go Planning Board!, Hermance made you look like you don't have a clue.
