Akiko Matsuda

amatsuda@lohud.com

Clarkstown officials are expressing anger about housing proposals they fear would allow more than 2,000 people to move in just across the border in Ramapo.

The site, called Pascack Ridge, sits between Spring Valley and the Nanuet border along North Pascack Road. It's currently zoned medium-density residential allowing about three homes per acre. Two of the site's property owners are seeking to change the zone to multifamily residential, allowing 12 units per acre.

Alex Goldberger, vice president of Monsey Lumber, wants to build about 190 apartments on his 18.5 acres. Charles Collishaw, owner of 171 N. Pascack Road, is hoping to build 27 apartments on 3 acres, according to the Ramapo town attorney's office. The site contains roughly 5 additional acres but there is no current plan to develop those.

Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack said he only found out about his potential new neighbors less than three weeks ago. Based on Clarkstown's analysis, the zone change could allow for 210 units, each containing four to six bedrooms and possibly more than 2,000 residents.

"We felt very strongly that we have to send a loud and clear message to the town of Ramapo that what they do in their town, on our border, has an impact. And they have to be good neighbors," Gromack said. "We've always prided ourselves on the actions that we take within our town to make sure they don't negatively impact a town next to our border. We're not getting that same respect."

Town Board member Shirley Lasker, a liaison to the Clarkstown Planning Board, said the proposals would have a severe impact on the area's environment.

"We've been so careful in Clarkstown with our drainage and with our environmental issues," Lasker said. "We have a comprehensive plan that's a model for the state."

Clarkstown's Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution expressing its opposition on Nov. 5.

Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence did not return a message seeking comments Friday.

The Ramapo Town Board will be holding a public hearing to discuss Pascack Ridge at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ramapo Town Hall at 237 Route 59.

Ryan Karben, an attorney representing Monsey Lumber, said that multifamily-home developments have already been built near the site in Clarkstown, noting that the developer proposes about 10.6 units per acre, less than the maximum under the proposed zone, allocating more than the required areas for playgrounds.

"We look forward to presenting our zone change to the public based on the facts and the evidence and the comprehensive review of the drainage, traffic, and parking," Karben said.

Twitter: @LohudAkiko