Crossroads 312: Love It? Hate It? Need It?

"Will the new slogan for Putnam County be 'Where the country began before Mr. Lepler messed with it'?" -- resident Arthur Singer referring to developer Harold Lepler

"The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation has stated our goals, which include bringing new employees and quality economic development projects to our county. Development of the Crossroads project is consistent with that goal." -- Ray Ruyack, vice chair Putnam County Chambers of Commerce 

"I want to urge our town board to maintain the rural commercial zone." -- resident Laura Catalano

Those are some of the many opinions of the Crossroads 312 proposal—which calls for 186,000 square feet of retail development, including a restaurant and office space, plus the possibility of a hotel—expressed at a recent public hearing in Southeast.

The project would be built on about 52 acres of land on Route 312, near exit 19 of Interstate 84. 

The initial application called for a seven-story hotel and a change in zoning, from rural commercial to HC-1A, a new highway commercial zone to be created. The applicant has since changed the proposal to call for a change from rural commercial to HC-1, an existing highway commercial zone in the town.

More than 200 people turned out for last week's hearing, where there was standing room only.

Folks expressed concern over everything from air and light pollution to increased traffic to a hike in calls for emergency services and the burden on first-responders. Several people also talked about the changing landscape they'd see from their homes.

Supporters talked about the need for a hotel in the area. Take a look at this video for local reaction.

More information about the project is available here at crossroads312.com and here from Patch blogger Samantha Jacobs. 

Are you in favor of the proposal or against it? Undecided? Tell us here.

Editor's note: This post originally misstated zoning specifics. The error has been corrected.