Depot Hill finishes up public hearings

AMENIA — The third and final public hearing for the Depot Hill Farm Community’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was held last Thursday, June 4.

Keane Stud, LLC, the applicant, proposes to renovate its horse-stud farm through a resident cluster development on approximately 481 acres on Depot Hill Road. The proposal consists of 137 single-family dwellings, a community garden, equestrian facilities (including indoor and outdoor riding areas, associated barns and stables, a cross-country course, riding/hiking trails and tack shop), a refreshment cafe, a thoroughbred stud farm and hay fields.

As chairman of the town’s Water Committee, May Jones suggested that the applicant start its own water district, as there are several proposed developments in that area (the Amenia Hills subdivision and Jack’s Parcel at 108 Depot Hill were mentioned).

“It would be a lot easier to start their own district,� Jones said, additionally suggesting that every unit with running water have a water meter installed, including horse barns.

As a private resident, Jones said she was concerned about the beauty of the area diminishing because of the development. She argued that the Depot Hill community would bring a 12-percent increase in population to the town, and a significant amount of school children, which the Webutuck Central School District might not be able to handle after closing the Amenia Elementary building. She also pointed out that increased traffic would be a burden on the smaller country roads, especially if the vehicles were carrying horse trailers. Finally, the increased population could have adverse effects on the town’s fire department, EMTs and highway crew.

“I hope you do what’s right for Amenia as a whole,� she concluded. “[Depot Hill] will add to the tax base but what are we going to have to give up for that?�

Resident Bill Carroll said he was most concerned about protecting the viewshed, especially from DeLavergne Hill, from where 64 units will be visible.

“In my opinion, it would be an embarrassment if the homes were built there,� he said. “I’m sure the people of Amenia or visitors wouldn’t want to look at that. It’s the best view we have.�

The preservation of local agriculture is important, acknowledged resident Brad Rebillard, but he wondered if the benefits of the development outweighed the costs to the town and the community.

Moving forward

with the project

Written comments can still be submitted for 20 days after the close of the hearing. They will be accepted until June 24 at 3 p.m., and can be sent to Lana Anguin, Amenia Town Hall, PO Box 126, Amenia NY 12501.

A brief discussion followed the close of the public hearing. The applicant has acknowledged  in  the  DEIS  that significant visual impacts remain that need to be mitigated before the project can move forward.

The applicant has had meetings with George Janes, one of the town’s consultants, on possible ways to mitigate the viewshed problem. The applicant said, however, that it would best to wait until the end of the public comments before presenting the board with any alternative options.

Jeffrey Stark, co-owner of the property, explained that Janes only has expertise in the visual aspect, and there were many other issues to be considered. Chairman Bill Flood assured Stark that other consultants will be involved in the process and that their ideas will only be recommendations that the applicant can either accept, use partially or reject.

The next Planning Board meeting will be held Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.