Spring is upon us.... and the projects are lining up

The March 4, 2024 Planning Board Meeting agenda was packed with lots of projects in various states of planning/decision making.

First up was the DC Sports Renovation Project proposed for 1630 Route 9. The applicant is very anxious to get this project underway -- replacing the bumper pool area with a 3 story outdoor ropes course. Continued discussion from the board/staff about lighting (no changes... rope course not open after dusk), safety (padded area beneath the ropes), no outdoor PA system etc. -- A few details to be updated on the site plan which the architect promised to get resolved and back to the town tomorrow - so that a public hearing can be scheduled for March 18.

A subdivision of 3.1 acres into 2 residential lots at New Hackensack Road and Widmer Road was discussed... focusing on the wetlands, placement of the septic systems. The plans will need to be circulated to the other agencies -- and an April 1 public hearing was scheduled.

The Sikh Temple proposed for Old Hopewell Road & All Angels Hill Road was granted site plan approval in 2018 for a 20,000 sf temple. The world has changed significantly since then, and the new, amended proposal is for a 13,500 sf temple. Originally the plan showed 148 parking spaces, they are now requesting 72 parking spaces - some with EV charging. The applicant has paid for water and sewer connections to the site. The Board requested an updated traffic study and the fire safety engineer requested some kind of paved access around the building. A plan for a 6 foot fence with evergreen trees will border the residential property. After these site plan changes are provided to the board, a public hearing will be scheduled.

A review of a site plan for a 21.28 acre site on Route 376 to convert/legalize an accessory structure into a caretaker's cottage was held. Current town code allows for only 1 driveway/curb cut per property -- though the attorney representing the applicant pointed out that the two driveways on the property was in place in 1980. The Attorney will research with the county on how to designate this new dwelling to ensure that 911 records are property updated to indicate two dwelling units, in addition to other accessory units on the property.

A public hearing is scheduled for April 1.

The property on Cedar Hill Road - where the developer would like to build town houses in a cluster was presented in an "as of right plan... called Joey Estates" to the board for the purposes of determining the number of single family homes that could be built on the 139 acres. The applicant was proposing 77 parcels with 1 parcel for water treatment. The Board disagreed with the use of hypothetical bridge over wetlands to accommodate 11 new parcels, though the engineer pointed out .. that this was a theoretical exercise and nothing in the zoning code said that the bridge had to be maintained by the town. The Board pressed their point and said their number would be 66 parcels. A Letter stating that will be sent to the developer and the town board. The next step is that the town board will then have the discussion on whether a cluster development up to the maximum of 66 homes will be allowed on this property. Expect some fireworks when this is discussed.

Then, another volatile topic came up -- on the DEIS for Downey Energy Liquid Propane Storage project at 199 Old Route 9. Everyone in the room this evening was extra polite, stepping on eggshells, given the mangled legal situation that the town finds itself in. The Architect for the project promised updated plans, the Planner assured the architect that the traffic and stormwater reviews would be conducted and the Board/Architect decided that some kind of "workshop" would be appropriate for the "new Planning Board members". Of course, let's hope that some Propane SMEs provide an analysis to the Planning Board... and they don't rely only on the applicant's experts.

A Conceptual Review of a Ground Mounted Community Solar Farm was presented, with the purpose of getting feedback from the board. The location is 30 Duck Pond Road (off of Stonykill Road) -- and is located next to a current Solar Farm on Route 9D... in fact the suggested plans is that the new Solar Farm would be accessed from the Route 9D site. The 75.3 acres has wetlands and forest cover -- and the proposed placement of the panels is a bit convoluted (covering 26 acres of the 75 acres) to accommodate the wetlands. The applicant's representative will have an assessment of the maturity and quality of the trees in the area, especially important because the board registered their skepticism in having a large number of trees removed - and any potential impact on stormwater/wetlands. The engineers will work with some of the suggestions from the board and come back for another conceptual review.

Two site plan extensions were requested - 1 for a special use permit at 157 River Road North to build new structures replacing a 42,381 sf building on 6.5 acres in Chelsea - that was granted. and a sub-division at 325 Pine Ridge Drive to created 5 lots on 13.6 acres. - that extension was also granted.