Utility Poles, Adams, Brewery, Ropes and Dog Day Care

The September 6 Planning Board meeting was filled with an eclectic mix of projects. First up were the Adjourned Public Hearings for Verizon's projects. A 124 foot monopole proposed for Diddell Road was the first on the agenda. The Verizon Representative corrected himself from a previous meeting, saying that they were going ahead with the assumption that the FAA would require a light on the monopole because of the proximity to the airport. They have made an application to the FAA to get their decision, but expect that it will take some time to get the determination - and that Verizon may have to go to the Zoning Board to get a variance for the light ( which they explained would have shields and look like a 30 watt bulb from the ground) The Town did hire an RF Analyst, who suggested that another site, further away from residents would also be suitable. The Town's RF Analyst was not in attendance - which led to some interesting speculation and interpretation of his report. Owners of two neighboring properties suggested that the site currently proposed would create a imposition on them, with lights too close to their property and that Verizon's photographs didn't accurately represent the impact on their property. The public hearing was adjourned so that Verizon engineers can work with the Town's RF Analyst to determine if another site would be more appropriate and less impactful on the residents. Since the RF analyst wasn't there to hear the concerns of the neighbors -- one wonders how well he will represent the residents' interests.

Verizon's plan for a 50 foot wooden utility pole on Kent Road and Baldwin Drive - drew no public comments and the board authorized the Town planner to draft a resolution approving Verizon's plan. The public hearing was closed.

Verizon's plan for another 50 foot wooden utility pole on Spook Hill Road and Nancy Aleen Drive - (which is in front of an historic house) was challenged by residents whose property would affected - concerns include line of site obstructions when leaving their driveway and the appropriateness of the placement. Again, the RF analyst hired by the town wasn't at the meeting to hear their concerns or to comment on the effect of signaling if alternative sites were chosen. This public hearing was adjourned until October 16.

The engineer for the Kimmel Subdivision on Pine Ridge Drive asked the board/staff for clarification on the conditions that were mentioned in the approval letter ( the building department couldn't have provided that information to him and the applicant?)

Adams of Wappinger on Old Post Road would like to amend their site plan - which would provide additional parking , relocation of a fire hydrant and extending a sidewalk with interior modifications to enhance customer traffic. The town engineer and planner asked that the plan documents be modified to reflect their comments and the board agreed to have the town planner draft an approval letter. The board also agreed to waive a public hearing, since they felt no neighbors will be impacted.

Obercreek Farm Brewery & Tasting Room Site Plan on 81 New Hamburg Road was reviewed by the engineer working on the project - updating the board on changes made to the site plan, that information has been submitted to the DEC and SHPO, the Department of Health. The Fire Chief has recommend additional hydrants - and it was determined that no traffic study is required. You will be glad to know that the boulders initially suggested for the parking area to define the parking lot are no longer required because the parking lot is near farm fields and the property is in an agricultural district. The Public Hearing for this project is scheduled for October 2.

The applicant for a renovation of DC Sports at 1630 Route 9 provided a conceptual overview of his plan to replace the pool of bumper boats with a 3-story outdoor ropes course. This piqued the interest of the planning board members in attendance -- (Perhaps they should be the first users?) -- and there was a long discussion about how the zoning code doesn't address the height requirements for such a facility, because it isn't a building. The board encouraged the applicant to submit an amended site plan.

Central Bark Hudson Valley - Wappinger - for a Dog Day Care & Veterinary Clinic on Route 9D - was removed from the agenda at the request of the applicant.