When I ran for a seat on the town board back in
2007, I took exception to the condition of commercial
property along Columbia Turnpike. As we know, it has not lived up to
its potential over the last fifteen years or so due, in no
small part, to the shift in developer-interest to the Troy Road commercial strip north of Couse Corners. I was and remain adamant about
the town board taking meaningful, proactive action that would
improve the appearance of commercial property in town. The
good news is that East Greenbush
still remains poised to realize its full potential. Indeed, all that is
necessary to put a new face on East Greenbush is a spark to create the initial
conditions that will lead to newly developed property as well as the
redevelopment of existing property.
Last fall, I proposed to my town-board
colleagues an opportunity that, if acted upon, would markedly improve the
aesthetic quality of existing and newly developed commercial property in East Greenbush:the establishment of design standards and
guidelines for commercial property as part of the town’s
zoning law. Such standards and guidelines would address the architecture and
configuration of buildings, their orientation on a site relative to street
frontage, as well as site-related features such as pedestrian access, parking, signage, and landscaping (keep the
“green” in Greenbush). Setting “standards” would ensure that the town would
realize a minimum level of visual uniformity to new or rehabilitated
development, while “guidelines” would provide appropriate
flexibility to developers so that commercial properties achieve varying degrees
of distinction and uniqueness.
We’ve all
driven around the capital region, and noticed the appeal of other commercial
corridors in contrast to those in our own town. A large
factor contributing to this contrast is that those communities have taken the
steps to establish design standards and guidelines for commercial-property development. Such standards and guidelines have
benefitted those communities, and they can benefit ours as well. It’s not that
developers aren’t concerned about creating quality development; it simply means that municipalities have to take
the lead in establishing a blue print for such development so that developers
have direction.
As a reward to owners of commercial property who would be subject to such standards and
guidelines, it may be possible to provide for a limited tax exemption to
partially offset their higher compliance costs. Doing so would create a win
-win condition for residents and commercial property owners
alike: residents enjoy enhanced storefronts in their town, while developers
realize a fair incentive to invest in the town. In addition, once such
standards take hold among properties in the town, the
cumulative effect becomes an asset within the town, drawing still other
developers to develop other property based upon the investment of prior
developers. Again, you can see this effect in other
commercial areas in the capital region; East Greenbush
can be among them as well.
Now, more than ever, is the time to set the
stage for a new face on East Greenbush. In the
near future, it is likely that many of the physically and functionally obsolete
commercial properties along Columbia Turnpike will be overhauled by their
owners. When it does occur, East Greenbush can
reap all the benefits by simply planning its direction. Let’s make it happen!
As always, feel free to contact me with comments and/or questions. I can be reached during the evening at 479-7186 or via e-mail at rkmjr@verizon.net.
