Smart move
When it comes to developing property in New York state – whether it be for residential or commercial purposes – the one word that strikes terror into the hearts of developers, builders and construction consultants is SEQRA.
It is an acronym for hell.
Untold ventures have been buried by its misuse. And yes, some proposals that deserved to be buried were in fact interred by the law.
The State Environmental Quality Review Act appears innocuous when spelled out. But left in the hands of NIMBYists and other anti-development groups, SEQRA becomes the sole law of the land.
In addressing attendees at a conference in which SEQRA was put under the microscope, state DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis acknowledged “Environmental quality and economic progress are inextricably linked.” With that in mind, he said the law would be reviewed by a group to be headed by Pattern for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin and DEC’s Region 3 Director Willie Janeway. Grannis’ hope was not to change it, but to improve it. The group won’t have much time for study, as Grannis said the recommendations are due to him by the end of the year – less than 90 days.
At the conference held at SUNY New Paltz, Drapkin, whose own group espouses “balanced growth,” said SEQRA has caused delays “measured in years.”
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