I am a neighbor who lives adjacent to the proposed new Gardiner Library site. For some time, I have sought to discuss concerns with those in charge of the site design from the library -- outside the two public presentations that occurred over the last year and a half. These attempts were for naught. In fact, about three weeks ago, I received a call from a library trustee who sincerely wanted to meet with the neighbors to discuss issues related to the site plan filed at the town hall in early November. When I returned his call, however, I was disappointed to hear that a library officer had told him that he could not meet with the neighbors.

As my old boss Ralph Nader has always said, those with power move not when they see the light but when they feel the heat. Newspaper reports and other pressures apparently changed the board of trustees interest because about two weeks ago, we finally got our meeting with them.

Several neighbors met with the trustees. We discussed concerns (new road, parking, lighting, building orientation) with them. In addition, we had another request: that they support the then-existing zoning law that considered a library a "special use" in a hamlet residential lot and to stop its efforts to change the zoning to "use as of right." A special use requires town planning board review and approval and a public hearing on the site. A "use as of right" is, well, you have the right to use it pretty much as you want. There is no planning board review and approval and no public hearing.

All the Sand Hill Road neighbors want the library. Involvement and approval by the planning board, with public hearings, would give some assurance as to what the site would actually look like when it is completed and factor in the zoning law requirements and public opinions. As good intentioned as promises from a developer may be, we all know that things can change as construction goes forward. Planning board approval would protect the neighbors -- now and in the future.

On December 12, 2006, the Gardiner Town Board voted to change hamlet residential districts to include a "use as of right" for libraries. General town board support for this was to make the library construction plans easier on the library, though the library primarily spoke for the change so that they could meet an end-of-the-year grant deadline. Other than a setback variance, I know of no other town requirement before they can get their building permit. The neighbors expected to have a public review that addressed the overall use of the site and planning board site plan approval. The Zoning Board of Appeals may have some public input and approval authority, but it is unclear to me how wide that will be based on the application before them, which is only for a setback variance.

Apropos to this Christmas season, I believed there would be room for us at the inn, but the innkeepers said otherwise. It is a tough disappointment to live with.

Linda Geary

Gardiner