The Daily Mail Online

CATSKILL — Village President Vincent Seeley has a big vision of what he’d like to see the village of Catskill become — and now he says that vision has taken a few more steps to being realized.

When asked what his long-term vision for the village is, he said, “To have a walkable community where we can maintain our diversity while still providing a future for our kids and have sustainable businesses.

“I want to find our own niche and learn from other communities,” Seeley said, “not copy them.”

Recently, products of circumstance have led him to believe that this vision is becoming a reality — with the popularity of “Cat’n Around Catskill,” the limelight of the national media after being bestowed the honor of being among the “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns” in America, and the restoration renaissance occurring throughout the village.

Believe it or not, Catskill has even made it on the maps of Sasquatch enthusiasts the world over.

Looking toward the future

The Catskill Village Planning Board has also had a little shaking up, shifting from a “reactive” stance to a more “proactive” one, according to Seeley.

“We do not want to have a review board,” he said. “We want to have a planning board.”

Seeley hopes that the board will become more strategic and proactive in its planning process, and help the village grow in an intelligent, well designed manner.

With the passing of Planning Board Chairman Barbara Margolius in September, a re-organization of the board was necessary. Though her presence and impact on the board may never be replaced, Seeley has taken on the difficult task of appointing a new planning board member.

In addition, a new planning board chairman is needed to take the helm and steer the board toward a new path of thoughtful development. Current planning board member Bill Zwoboda has been chosen as the new chairman, and already he is considering some reform and a new prospective on planning.

“I think it’s an absolute necessity for the planning board to look over our set of zoning rules and regulations,” Zwoboda said, “and really get up to speed.”

A recent meeting on Oct. 6 brought board members, Seeley, and Trustee Joseph Kozloski together in a workshop setting to discuss this new direction for the planning board.

Zwoboda said the meeting was nice setting to be able to talk and dream about what the community may become. He also added everyone was in agreement that they needed to have a solid idea of what they wanted the village to be. The potential for sign law reform is also on the table, said Zwoboda.

All the members at the meeting were in agreement that some things needed to change in the village’s best interest, and that it would need to be a cohesive process between members of the planning board and other village officials.

Seeley also presented the potential for a new major development in the town in the near future.

“Prior to the meeting, myself and trustee Kozloski met with developers Simon Conover and John Nigro,” Seeley said, “to discuss several potential projects in the village of Catskill, including expansion of Catskill Commons, and the addition of a hotel with extended stay suites.”

The undeveloped property behind Catskill Hoebowl Bowling Lanes, abutting Route 9W, is a potential site for a new commercial development that would be an extension of Catskill Commons. Seeley said the project may include a chain bookstore such as Borders or Barnes & Noble, and a high-end women’s clothing boutique.

A hotel project has also been conceptualized for the village, perhaps on undeveloped property along Catskill Creek. Seeley said it wouldn’t be like a Marriot or Hampton Inn, but instead a higher-end, sophisticated hotel that would welcome visitors to stay for a week or longer.

These projects, however, are still in speculative stages and merely initial discussions regarding what kind of development is suitable for the village, Seeley explained.

He was also stern in his response when asked if he thought Route 9W in Catskill would start to look like the Route 9W corridor in Kingston.

“No,” he said, “I do not want Catskill to become miles and miles of retail stores that we’re just putting up for the sake of generating money. ... We’re going to handpick businesses that fit the character of our community.”

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of TheDailyMail.net .

eversince911 wrote on Oct 13, 2008 1:12 PM:

" I have traveled every corner of this country several times over. One thing I know for sure, Greene County N.Y. holds some other honors. 1). United States White Trash Capitol. 2) Land of Stupid People Capitol. 3). Highest Lowlife Scumbag popoulation per capita. 4). MOST corrupt law enforcement, Corrupt political officals and Corrupt news media in the Nation. 5). More people that couldn't graduate High School, have been voted into elected positions, then any place in America. There are many, many more. "

hammockbrain wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:32 PM:

" Hey, eversince, I might not have lived in Catskill since 1977, but I'm sure there's a reason it's on Budget Travel's top 10 list. And there are a lot of smart people there. Number one is Frank McDonald (worked for his wife through high school). Get over yourself. "

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