Carvel's response to NND comments

PINE PLAINS — After the town and planning boards reviewed the 18 criteria set forth for the Carvel Property Development’s NND pre-application at the March 16 joint meeting, Durst attorney Jennifer Van Tuyl thanked the boards for offering “constructive criticism.�

The Durst Organization, Inc., is the applicant behind the Carvel project.

Van Tuyl next handed the floor over to project engineer Dan Stone, who immediately wanted to define the difference between an application and pre-application.

“We saw the pre-application process for [non-binding] comments on density and layout and for broad comments,� he said, adding his team also has more work to do. He then delved into some details pertaining to open space, informing the boards of plans to provide trail connections north of Route 199, with access to Hamm Brook, as well as trail systems interconnecting neighborhoods on site.

Stone said the “grid-like neighborhoods� will be near the town of Milan, with topographic relief and strong boundaries of open space. He added that 50 percent of the housing units must be within the half-mile radius of the development’s core residential area.

“The discreet clusters are surrounded by open space,� he said. “We have talked about finding ways to make this project as environmentally friendly as possible. One way is by disturbing the ground less.�

To meet that mission there will be narrower roads without curbs, which will generate less storm water, according to Stone. There will also be a 100-foot buffer zone around wetlands.

As far as preserving architecture and buildings on site, Stone said those that were taken down were “deconstructed in a manner to see if they can be rebuilt.�

After those comments, Van Tuyl again took the mic. She asked for permission to meet with the town’s consultants while preparing the NND application. Town councilwoman Sandra David raised objections to the request; approval was given at the Town Board meeting two nights later. A motion to allow the Planning Board’s consultants to meet with the Durst consultants was given at the March 16 meeting. It was also stated that the $15,000 escrow account will be replenished on a monthly basis.

Next Alexander Durst, vice-president of the Durst Organization, Inc. thanked the boards and consultants for their time and comments.

“Our goal is to have something the towns of Pine Plains, Milan and northern Dutchess can be proud of,� he said.

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