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Foundation Nears Final Approval


PINE PLAINS — Mike and Tammy George will have to tie up a few loose ends before the Paige George Literacy Foundation building is granted final approval by the Planning Board.

The Georges met with the board last Wednesday night.

A week earlier, the Pine Plains Town Board granted the couple permission to go before the Planning Board. The variance was needed because there is currently a building moratorium in the town of Pine Plains.

The first floor of the building, which is located on Church Street, will be dedicated to the literacy foundation, which tutors children of all ages. There will be four apartments on the second floor.

"Now we’ll officially begin the site plan review," board Chairman Don Bartles Jr. said at the start of the Dec. 13 meeting.

Mike George told the board there will be 14 parking spaces on site.

Some board members wondered if that will be enough.

Tammy George said that since the foundation has only two employees, and children will be dropped off in the morning and picked up at night, there will be plenty of spaces to go around.

"The parking is in the back. That’s really good," said Brian Coons, board member.

Board member Vikki Soracco said she was concerned that some parents might park their car on the shoulder of Church Street in order to drop their children off at the foundation.

"That street’s terrible," she said. "But you’re saying they’re going to pull in and drop them off?"

"That’s correct," Tammy George responded.

Bartles had questions about the building’s septic system.

Mike George informed the chairman that a septic tank was installed on the property in 1998, so instead of installing a new tank, the existing one will be put into use.

Mike George said he’s had a hard time finding out about requirements for lighting.

"I haven’t been able to get a straight answer," he said.

"We don’t want it blaring into the next-door neighbor’s window," Tammy George added.

Bartles suggested that the Georges could use lights with both motion sensors and timers to combat this problem.

Bartles filled out a short-form Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) a document required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

After reading through the whole document, the board unanimously agreed that the literacy foundation will not negatively impact the environment.

The board also agreed the Georges should pay $4,000 in town recreation fees if the project is approved.

Before its next meeting, the board wants the Georges to address lighting and landscaping issues and get input from the Department of Health and the Department of Transportation on the project.

The Georges asked if they could receive a building permit that would hinge on the issues listed above.

"No [Certificate of Occupancy] will be issued until the site is approved. That means you can work on the building but can’t move in," Bartles answered.

The board meets next on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

 

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