SUFFERN: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL SESSION & FAIR HOUSING TRANSPARENCY

RE: Proposed Development at 158–160 Wayne Avenue

We, the residents, taxpayers, and stakeholders of the Village of Suffern signing this petition, respectfully request that the Village Planning Board hold a dedicated Public Informational Session prior to any approvals for the proposed 158–160 Wayne Avenue development.

We also request consideration of a Village Code requirement mandating such sessions for all large-scale development projects in Suffern.

Why This Matters

Projects of this scale may directly affect our daily lives, including traffic, safety, and infrastructure.

For public input to be meaningful, residents must be able to clearly understand what is being proposed. At present, key information is largely technical and dispersed across lengthy documents, engineering reports, agendas, and multiple meeting recordings, making it difficult for many residents to fully follow or participate in the process in an informed and constructive way.

While Planning Board meetings are an important part of the legal review process, they are not the same as a dedicated Public Informational Session focused on community understanding and direct communication. Board meetings are often procedural in nature, spread across many dates, and involve technical discussions where information is presented in pieces over time. Residents may have limited opportunity for direct back-and-forth discussion, follow-up questions, or clear explanations in plain language.

A dedicated Public Informational Session would provide an opportunity for residents to hear a clear overview of the project in one setting, ask direct questions, receive direct responses, and better understand potential impacts, proposed plans, and ongoing procedures before major decisions are made.

Part 2 – Fair Housing Transparency & Ongoing Compliance

We respectfully request that fair housing practices be not only outlined, but clearly defined, documented, and enforceable as part of this project in alignment with the Fair Housing Act.

These principles should apply regardless of whether units are offered for rent or for sale, and should include:

- A publicly available online affirmative marketing plan

- Advertising across multiple platforms, (including multiply online websites)and, where appropriate, multiple languages

- A clearly defined public application period prior to occupancy or sale, during which all interested applicants have equal access to information and the opportunity to apply

- Open to public online information about pricing ranges, unit availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedures (including online application options)

- Clear publicly available online information regarding how applicants will be reviewed, prioritized, selected, or notified during the application process

- A neutral and transparent process (such as a lottery, structured timeline, or other consistent method) designed to provide equal opportunity during the application process

- No applications accepted or occupancy/sales decisions finalized prior to the beginning of the public listing and application period

- Documentation demonstrating that housing opportunities were publicly marketed in accordance with the affirmative marketing plan prior to occupancy or sale

We further request that:

- Compliance be demonstrated prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, with appropriate documentation

- Where legally permissible, appropriate compliance review or fair housing monitoring mechanisms be considered

- To the extent legally permissible, these conditions remain applicable to future ownership or management of the property, supporting long-term consistency and transparency

Clear and accessible communication strengthens public trust, improves community participation, and helps ensure that future growth reflects both planning goals and informed public understanding.

Enforceable standards related to transparency and fair housing practices for this and  future large-scale developments can help support a stronger, more informed, and more transparent community.

Informed communities create stronger outcomes.

NO money is needed for this petition. I'm ONLY COLLECTING SIGNATURES from Suffern residents.