Swan Lake

To the editor:

My name is Marilyn Wood and my husband and I moved to Swan Lake 23 years ago. We came up from Long Island looking to escape the stresses of urban life. The early days were challenging as newcomers, but the warmth and hospitality of Swan Lake’s residents made us feel right at home. Over the years, we’ve built a life and a business for ourselves.

However, our future prosperity and that of our neighbors is threatened by over-development that will destroy the very reason we came here in the first place—to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of this area. The proposed “Planned Unit Development (PUD)” of Lake Hills Estates in Swan Lake will surely have a negative impact on our little hamlet.

At the Liberty Town Board meeting on November 20th, representatives of this development misled residents by asserting that the PUD would have minimal visual impact. This is completely untrue, since it occupies a hillside overlooking the largest section of Swan Lake and will be an obvious blot on our landscape.

They also said that this development will not affect our taxes because its residents won’t use public schools, but this is also untrue. We as a town are still responsible for books, transportation and services for special needs students, as well as road maintenance under increased traffic pressures, public safety and many other things.

I’m not against developments that lawfully abide by the current zoning regulations, but approving this PUD will set a terrible precedent for the whole town of Liberty. I implore the Town Board not to approve it.