MAHOPAC – A decade ago, eight dilapidated bungalows overlooking Lake Mahopac were demolished. Carmel town officials envisioned a lakefront park and municipal parking lot in downtown Mahopac.
The Swan Cove project resulted from the town’s purchase of the three quarters of an acre of land for $1 million that former Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt predicted would result in the “renaissance of the downtown business area.”
Numerous setbacks have occurred over the years and as plans for the long-awaited recreational area were about to go out for bid, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) became an obstructionist by informing town officials the property had been declared as a wetland, requiring the municipality to conduct an environmental impact statement while obtaining special permits.
Carmel Town Engineer Richard Franzetti told the Town Board that a DEC inspector inspected the property and classified it as wetland after finding cattails, which are associated with wetland areas.
At the time, Carmel Supervisor Michael Cazzari blamed the state for changing the rules and requirements, saying, “They gave themselves the power to make anything they want a wetland,” he said.
Positive news for a change.
Cazzari has now reported, “After our engineers were unable to make progress on the wetlands issue with the DEC, I asked our attorney to reach out directly to the state. Following one conversation and the submission of our SEQRA determination the matter was resolved. This clears the way for the project to move forward into final design and preparation for bidding.”
The Carmel Town Board has now voted to advertise for bids for the initial phase of the project which calls for municipal parking and the creation of a waterfront park along Lake Mahopac.
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