During the five year period, Mr. Sullivan said Scenic Hudson had met with village officials, Roseland (the developers), representatives of General Motors and many civic groups. He praised Sleepy Hollow Mayor Philip Zegarelli for being a very cooperative key player and added that he appreciated that Roseland had not presented a completed project and was willing to listen.

Mr. Sullivan said Scenic Hudson had spent approximately $70,000 working through six studies of the site.

Scenic Hudson's Senior Urban Planner Ray Curran said the first study was an inventory of natural resources and a review of the history of the site. It was established that the General Motors site was originally a harbor fed by the Pocantico River. After the Philipse family built a dam across the river, in the early 18th century, the harbor was filled with silt. Then, with the advent of the railroad in 1849, the fate of the area was sealed.

When the site began to be used to manufacture cars, at the beginning of the 20th century, even more of the harbor was filled, until it looked very much as it does today, after the Pocantico River was re-routed in 1929.

With the aid of a map, Mr. Curran showed the initial suggestions developed after meetings with all the partners. The northern part of the site appears as a "Green Crescent" (a name coined by Mayor Zegarelli) linking Philipsburg Manor, Devries Park, Kingsland Point Park and the Hudson River. It included an extension of Beekman Avenue and links with the village.

Mr. Curran said that many of the ideas had been incorporated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that had been received by the village earlier in the week.

However, Mr. Curran noted there are some remaining issues. The question of density and traffic impact concern Scenic Hudson, he said, because there could be a high impact on the economy and schools. Site contamination should also be seriously considered for the sake of public safety. The use and design of open space has still to be further addressed.

Most importantly for the central idea of the evening, was the flooding of the Pocantico River. Mr. Curran explained that there have been serious problems over the years,not just during the "50 year" and "100 year" events and "this is the time to address them."

After a study by a specialized engineering firm, it was decided the Pocantico River discharge should be doubled to reduce the flooding. They studied various ways re-re-routing the river could enhance wetlands, and more significantly, return as a natural river rather than something engineered.

Mr. Curran showed a suggested version superimposed over the Roseland plan, which showed the river flowing through the Green Crescent area of the site. He acknowledged it may cause 100 units to be eliminated from the development, but added Scenic Hudson considered the density too high.

Scenic Hudson's Director Environmental Quality Alix GerosaLisa Amato, who had grown up in Sleepy Hollow, was strongly in favor of the new Pocantico River route. "It would mitigate the flooding problems and reconnect the village with the Hudson and Pocantico Rivers," she said. It would also attract wildlife, enabling residents to enjoy the birds and fish. Plus the new route would increase educational and recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking and kayaking.

Lisa Amato, Scenic Hudson's Community Outreach Coordinator noted that the new route would re-establish the Pocantico as a functioning tributary. One of Scenic Hudson's partners, Hudsonia, agreed it would become tidal.

Mr. Sullivan asked residents to comment and ask further questions because of the importance of them contributing to the decisions of elected officials. A representative of Riverkeeper inquired about the cost of re-routing the Pocantico and was told by Mr. Curran that very preliminary analysis indicated around $10 million. "Compared to the cost benefits of no floods -- it is in the ball park," he added.

Other questions revealed that General Motors will remove the concrete slabs that still cover the site and there will be further studies about soil contamination.

The Village of Sleepy Hollow is the lead agency for the DEIS. There will be public hearings at the Village Hall on February 8, 15 and 19, and the public comment period will end on March 8. Scenic Hudson distributed sample letters for residents to mail to their elected officials outlining the subjects on the evening's agenda.