AMENIA — The last time Depot Hill made a presentation to the Planning Board, they decided that the mitigation visuals they had could be improved, and decided to go back to the drawing board.
Depot Hill gave another visual presentation, this time with help from George Janes, an environmental consultant to the town, at the board’s Feb. 26 workshop meeting.
Three images of 10 different view points were presented: one showing the current development, one with the proposed homes digitally installed and the last with the proposed landscaping mitigation.
Board member Peter Clair explained that after the presentation, the board discussed the status of Depot Hill’s application. They are currently in the preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) process.
Depot Hill is looking to expand its horse stud farm by adding approximately 140 residential units, a dairy barn, community garden and wastewater treatment plant. Additionally, an equestrian center complete with paddocks is proposed. These additions will be spread out over the project’s total area of 480 acres.
Clair reported that Jeffrey Stark, co-owner of Depot Hill, Michael Hayes, who is the attorney to the town, and Planning Board member George Fenn agreed the project is very close to being approved for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which would enable the applicant to enter the public comment process.
Planning Board Chairman Bill Flood could not attend the meeting, and so the Planning Board is waiting until the next workshop meeting on March 26 to review everything that was presented.
“Stark referenced that he had spoken to both the Dutchess Land Conservancy and [town consultant] Michael Klemens about the best way, environmentally, to lay out the plans on his property,� Clair said. “The majority of people felt this was the best way to do this.�
The board also speculated on questions that might be raised by public concern once the project entered into the DEIS phase.
“Instantly we know [from the Silo Ridge DEIS process] that the visuals are going to be a big hot button,� Clair said. “These are all things that [Depot Hill] will have to address more after the DEIS process has begun.
“There was a lot of good conversation,� he concluded. “I think Stark is committed to doing it right, and you can’t ask for more than that.�
The next Planning Board meeting will be held tonight, Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
