Oh.... and another thing...

The Planning Board who works with the Director of Strategic Planning and Municipal Codes -- seems unable to anticipate beyond the very next step. The March 18 Planning Board meeting provided a case in point.

A local business person, who is working hard to bring an innovative, true destination business to the town -- that will provide interest to residents and visitors alike -- and is in the process of revitalize a business that had become a bit "weathered" over the years -- was told AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, that he now needs to go to the Zoning Board to get a variance on setbacks (funny how CarMax didn't have to run that gauntlet, but were given waivers). So here's the back story... DC Sports has an aging bumper boat pool on its property that would need a lot of refurbishment. Rather than replace that, he is proposing an innovative idea (get off those couches and move that body) a "Ropes Course". He has done a lot of research, understands all the safety issues and how to ensure safe use of a Ropes course (including operating only until dusk) and has clearly been investing in the planning and preparation with a hope of starting/finishing construction and opening soon to maximize the season.

He has presented this idea, site plans, hired a local architect and made numerous trips to the planning board. The Town Planner called out some issues with how the lighting was represented on the site plan (the Planning Board had agreed that the current lighting (by the way replacement bulbs installed by Central Hudson) could be used with shields and redirection -- and an agreement that the Ropes course would not be open when its dark, and that the lights (for security) would be on a timer.) Ok -- the site plan needs a few edits. And the site plan was updated, as was requested in a previous meeting, to indicate where the utility lines were positioned. And then some clarity was provided to the Town Planner regarding how the circulation route was going to work on the ropes course. And the county has weighed in, and the fire department etc. And the Planning Board had scheduled and sent out all the appropriate notices -- it is at THIS point, that the esteemed strategic thinkers decided that a set-back variance is required from the Zoning Board of Appeals. By the way, he's not changing the footprint of the business... the setback laws have changed. Look, detailed site plans and all safety considerations are vitally important -- that is the importance of codes and enforcement capabilities (here's looking at you Nature Preserve developer). But just as vital are processes and programs that help residents and local business people achieve those means in the most efficient way possible, not trickle out requirements in a serial fashion. A member of the public did comment and ask if individuals using the rope course would be able to peer into backyards/windows of the residents living in the apartment complex across the Route 9 . This was a very helpful observation and needs to be addressed. So the Planning Board has scheduled a field trip to see the site after their April 1 meeting - and an effort will be made to get this project on the March 26 Zoning Board Agenda ... with the Planning Board public hearing adjourned to April 5.

The resolution enabling Village Crest Apartments to build laundry gym facilities was approved.

Approval was given to the planner to prepare a resolution enabling a lot line realignment in Chelsea on Caroline Drive.

The efforts of U- Haul to shoehorn two large buildings, with large signs, into an awkwardly shaped lot (actually 4 lots that they would like to consolidate into one) on Stage Door

Road was met with a lot of resistance from the planning board, In no small part because of the disturbance to wetlands. It was refreshing to hear a new Planning Board member speak so forthrightly about the importance of not disturbing wetlands and his position on it. To be fair, U-Haul had hired a biologist/ecologist to evaluate the situation and provide a solution, but it would still require a substantial waiver to the wetland guidelines and the board wasn't having it.

The application to convert a site consisting of a residential building and retail building into 1 residential building and a combined residential /commercial building on Old State Road - generated a lot of questions - including one from a new member of the board pointing out that the proportion of residential to commercial doesn't fit the town code... seemingly a surprise to the professionals in the room (again... It would that have been been helpful information to provide an applicant at the beginning of the process... not after plans have been drawn up etc..... and then if they still want to move forward, at least they could prepare an explanation, anticipate a request for variance etc.). So the applicant and engineer are going back to the drawing board -- with a request from the town planner that they work to avoid having to remove mature trees.

Central Hudson arrived with a large crew to explain how they would like to move 1 of 2 pads of an HPFF Cable Terminal on Carnwath Farms Lane to a flatter area. They have already gained agreement from a neighbor to use the neighbor's property for access - there will be no tree removal (perhaps some trimming), no road building, and the old pad will be decommissioned and replanted (there may be some temporary disturbance to a small wetland area, but it will be restored.) What is very interesting is that the cables involved are part of a system that goes under the river, and the cables are filled with liquid. To work with the cables -- they have to be frozen, with liquid nitrogen - so there will be some areas/pits enabling that freezing to be done. CH will be back with more detailed site plans. The Town Board will also have to agree to a special use permit.

Iglesia Cristian El Sembrador - the church in Hughsonville which has done a magnificent job of refurbishing and maintaining the historic structure came before the board with their initial designs for a proposed addition to the church to include additional meeting spaces, 2 bathrooms and a clergy office at the rear of the church. The design will be very sympathetic to the historical structure. The congregation will be restoring the cemetery on the church property ... and the addition will not interfere with the cemetery. The board engaged in a lot of discussion about the use of the rooms (Bible study, Sunday school, youth group etc) - these activities currently take place in the church undercroft, but the congregation is outgrowing that space. There was some discussion about water (on their own well, septic size - the addition of bathrooms may affect that - and wether or not a sprinkler system will be required (will not work with a well)). The Planning Board also expressed their desire that the church remain painted white - and the pastor mentioned his wife agrees. The congregation and their architect will continue their work on the site plan.