GARDINER - The town Planning Board's review of the proposed Awosting Reserve
housing development moved ahead this week, much to the chagrin of local
residents who oppose the project.
Amid grumblings and a few outbursts from the nearly 70 residents attending a
meeting Thursday at the Gardiner Firehouse, developers presented revised
sketch plans, which reduced the number of conventional lots requested from
326 to 321; included lots that conform to current setback requirements; and
contained no flag-shaped lots.
"This particular layout respects topography and wetlands, and there has been
consideration with regard to where the road frontage on the lot exists to
create driveways," said William Dodge, senior managing engineer for the
Chazen Cos. and a consultant for the developers.
As outlined, the development would include a 350-unit subdivision, a golf
course and a recreation center on nearly 2,660 acres along the eastern side
of the Shawangunk Ridge and around Tillson Lake. The proposed community
straddles the towns of Gardiner, Shawangunk and Wawarsing, with the majority
of the homes located in Gardiner.
Representing the developers, Syrette Dym, senior vice president of White
Plains-based Saccardi and Schiff, addressed town Planner James Freiband's
comments about the original conventional sketch plan.
"While we do agree there are some sharply sloped lots, we believe them to be
buildable," Dym said. "Additional documentation will be provided to the
board supporting the feasibility of the conventional plan once the revised
sketch plan has addressed provision of zoning regulations."
Freiband's memos also called for road improvements. But, he said, those
submitted on Thursday were insufficient and would need to be upgraded to
meet "suburban road" specifications based on the number of residents
expected to use the roads and the number of intersections.
Road grades and curves also need to be addressed and staked out before the
Planning Board can make the necessary site inspection, Freiband said.
The board hopes to visit the site between April 15 and May 1.
At the same time, the state Environmental Quality Review process, led by the
state Department of Environmental Conservation, will proceed separately.
The revised plans for the development also show a golf course at Tillson
Lake and a wastewater treatment facility, which Awosting Reserve President
Roger Beck said would discharge potable water into a nearby stream, which
then would empty into Tillson Lake.
Residents at Thursday's meeting burst into loud laughter, and several asked
if the developer would be willing to drink the water.
Kevin Young, an Albany attorney hired by the town to consult on the project,
said the town would have to contact the Ulster County Health Department to
settle the issue of whether Beck would be required to install a central
water and sewer system on the property.
Also of concern is the amount of outdoor recreation area that should be
protected on each lot. In the past, Young said, the board has said 2,400
square feet.
Philip Ehrensaft, a regional development specialist who owns property near
the development site, said he hoped the Planning Board would allow a
reasonable amount of time for public comment on the plan.
Others wanted to know why the board appeared to be so eager to move forward
with the project and why it couldn't wait until the state environmental
review was under way before proceeding.
Young said the Planning Board has a legal obligation to process an
application while the environmental review is being considered and it
behooves the town to do so.
İDaily Freeman 2003
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