(rshsdepot) Woodbury, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Metro-North, Woodbury closer to environmental review

   By Judy Rife
   Times Herald-Record
   jrife_@_th-record.com

   The Town of Woodbury and Metro-North Railroad still have not signed the
memorandum of understanding that will guide the environmental review of the
railroad's proposal to build a new $7 million train station at Woodbury
Common Premium Outlets.
   The town Planning Board voted 3-2 to authorize its chairman, Mike
Queenan, to sign the agreement at its Feb. 6 meeting. The action, however,
was dependent on the town resolving two issues with the railroad - payment
of legal and consulting fees and participation in a local traffic management
plan.
   Woodbury Supervisor Sheila Conroy said Metro-North now has agreed to
reimburse the town for its expenses in reviewing the environmental study, a
common practice spelled out in the state legislation that governs this
process. Metro-North had balked at this request originally because of
concerns that the reimbursement could violate some provisions of its
charter.
   Now, Conroy said, the two sides are tackling Metro-North's potential
traffic management responsibilities. She voiced optimism that a resolution
would be forthcoming shortly and the environmental review process would
formally begin.
   "Our position is that they have to abide by the agreement between the
town and Woodbury Common,'' Conroy said. "So if they build a station there,
then they are going to be part of the traffic problem, and they have to be
part of the problem-solving."
   Margie Anders, a Metro-North spokeswoman, echoed Conroy's positive
comments: "We're still negotiating. The negotiations are very cordial, and
we're very close to an agreement."
   Woodbury Common's special use permit from the town includes participation
in an elaborate traffic management plan that is overseen by a committee of
local and state emergency services personnel. Similar requirements have also
been imposed on other commercial developments.
   The committee meets regularly to review and approve the outlet center's
plan to manage traffic on key shopping holidays such as Memorial Day and
Labor Day. The plan is in the process of being overhauled as a result of
gridlock conditions on Black Friday, as the day after Thanksgiving is known.
   "Signing the memorandum might be the best protection for the town,'' said
Queenan. "That's why the language in it dealing with the environment and
traffic issues is extremely important. The traffic impact . could literally
shut down Route 32 and the town. It would also have a dramatic effect on
emergency services' ability to access certain portions of the town."
   Since it first proposed the new station last year, Metro-North has
insisted on acting as lead agency for the environmental review, basing its
position on state and federal law.
   The Town of Woodbury, however, only dropped its demand to serve as lead
agency when Metro-North agreed to give the town a larger-than-usual role in
the process as well as conduct a full-scale review and hold a public scoping
session. The details are contained in the memorandum.
   Normally, the railroad operates on its own property independent of any
local review or oversight. However, this proposal to use 1,800 of Woodbury
Common's 5,700 parking spaces for the new station requires an amendment to
the outlet center's special use permit, which only the town can approve. The
new station would augment the existing one at Harriman rather than replace
it.
   Many local people oppose the plan, saying the railroad should expand the
parking lot on the 20 acres it owns in Harriman and not add to the traffic
congestion and pollution at the routes 32, 6, 17 and Thruway interchanges
near Woodbury Common.

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

------------------------------