Health food store approved; Silo Ridge discussed at meeting

AMENIA — The Planning Board held a meeting at Town Hall, Wednesday, July 22.

The board opened a public hearing for a health food store proposed by the owners of Monte’s Local Kitchen & Tap Room.  

There were no public comments during the hearing; the board unanimously approved the applicant’s site plan

Accordingly, the store — tentatively titled Monte’s Health Hut Nut — was approved for the proposed location of 51 Mechanic St. 

Silo Ridge

The board discussed the ongoing Silo Ridge Field Club application with town consultants and the applicants.

Planning Board Attorney Dave Everett informed the board that an amended State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) findings statement was ready for their consideration.

“What you were presented with was a very detailed and thorough findings statement that has been worked on by the town’s consultants in consultation and cooperation with Silo’s consultants,” Everett said.

The attorney explained that the board needs to accept the findings statement before it can proceed to approvals. 

The board agreed to  review the document and return to the topic at its next meeting.

A special meeting scheduled Wednesday, July 29, fell after this issue’s press time. A second special meeting is scheduled tonight, Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, if determined necessary after July 29. Town Hall can be reached at 845-373-8118.

Everett advised the board on July 22 that approval resolutions would be drafted for the special meetings. 

Everett said the board would see “a resolution to approve the special use permit in the [office/commercial district], which deals with the wastewater treatment plant and deals with golf course improvements there.

“You’re also going to have a preliminary subdivision plan approval. You’re going to have site plan approval. And you’re going to have [master development plan] special permit approval for the overall project,” he said.