Does ACR set a precedent in the Adirondack Park?

I forgot in that last link dump to mention this piece Phil Brown posted on Adirondack Almanack last Wednesday, the first day of the three-day APA meeting.

Phil asks what the impending approval of the ACR meant in terms of other resource management land in the Adirondack Park.

"The Adirondack Park has 1.5 million acres of Resource Management land. Some of these lands are protected by conservation easements, and others might be undevelopable. For the sake of argument, let’s say that leaves a million acres of RM lands where a house could be built. According to the APA’s building-density guidelines, landowners could construct up to 23,255 houses.

"In a 5.8-million-acre Park, each house would be a truly small blip, but if they all get built, these 23,255 homes, with their driveways, lawns, and lighting, would have a much bigger impact on habitat and wildlife than the Adirondack Club and Resort will."

Then he asks if the APA and the resource management land classification adequately protects the delicate lands of the park.

One of the big things he's addressing in this post is whether or not the ACR decision will set precedent. APA Commissioner Dick Booth said he absolutely believes that it will. He said approving the project is sending a message loud and clear to people who want to build in the park.

But Chairwoman Lani Ulrich, along with several others, argued that she doesn't believe this project will set a precedent. She believes the ACR property is unique in that it's close to the village and a ski area, and that most of the RM lands have been logged for a long time, and she doesn't think there are any other comparable properties anywhere in the Adirondack Park.

What do you think? Does the ACR set a precedent? If it does, is that precedent good or bad?

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