Silo Ridge gets support for sewer plant and special use permit

AMENIA — A larger than usual group of representatives from the Silo Ridge Resort Community project attended the Planning Board meeting on May 28 to discuss the applicant’s Special Use Permit (SUP).

At the SUP public hearing, held April 30, residents raised concern about the applicant’s decision to rearrange some of the construction phasing plans. In particular there were worries that the village green section of the project wouldn’t be completely built until the second phase or later.

Silo Ridge has responded to public concern by proposing to advance five residential/retail buildings in the village green from phase two to phase one. However, the applicant told the board at the most recent meeting that the concession is putting financial strain on the project.

They have therefore requested a further adjustment by phasing construction of the hotel in two parts. Silo Ridge has proposed building the first 40 to 100 rooms of the hotel, including  an “appropriately sized spa, conference facility and clubhouse,â€� first, according to the initial letter written by Daniel Leary of Cuddy & Fedder LLP to the Planning Board. Construction of the remaining 200 to 260 rooms and facilities would defer to later phases.

Economic woes

The applicant cited current economic restraints relating to financing as the reason for the changes. However, the applicant was quick to point out that while the timetable may be altered, the entire project will still be built.

“The totality of the project doesn’t change,� explained Jim Fitzgerald, who is on the project’s financial team. “This just makes it economically feasible in a distressed market.�

Most members of the board said they understood the applicant’s need to scale back initial construction. However, board member Nina Peek said she felt that the initial number of jobs created and the commercial tax revenue of the project proposed, which she argued was a large reason why many local residents were in support of the resort community, would be lost, at least in the short term. She estimated about a third of the jobs projected in the Environmental Impact Statement would at least be delayed, and she called the phasing changes “disappointing.�

“Unless you start with a realistic plan, it’s never going to move forward,� argued Charles Reese, another member of the project’s financial team. “We’re not the only project in the U.S. that’s in this situation.�

He added that the projects that are currently being built are the ones that are flexible.

Sewer chosen over housing funds

The board also discussed the Memorandum of Understanding for the wastewater treatment plant the applicant has proposed in lieu of its affordable housing requirements. There are two main options; the board could choose either space in Silo Ridge’s wastewater treatment plant or a donation to an affordable housing trust fund.

The majority of the board members voiced their support of the wastewater treatment plant. Chairman Bill Flood confirmed after the meeting that the county, town and applicant are in agreement and have come to terms with the treatment plant space proposal, and that a Memorandum of Understanding is currently being worked on.

Conservation easement

The applicant is also in the process of selecting a land trust to handle its land conservation easements. The applicant has four groups it is considering. Two easements will be needed, one for the golf course and one for the rest of the property.

All systems go

It was a lengthy meeting, but Flood said that “the intent is to move forward, and I think we came a long way tonight.�

After the meeting Flood confirmed that all issues discussed have been resolved and the board should be ready to approve the applicant’s Special Use Permit.

According to Attorney to the Town Michael Hayes, along with the town’s consultants, a resolution will be drafted approving the SUP soon. At the applicant’s request to move the process along as quickly as possible, the Planning Board workshop meeting scheduled for June 25 will be amended so the board can take action at that time.

The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for June 4 at 7 p.m.

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