Town works to update subdivision regulations

PINE PLAINS — As a companion piece to the town’s comprehensive plan, recent work on subdivision regulations will bring it up to speed and in compliance with the town’s newly adopted zoning laws.

“Basically it’s a completing of the circle with the comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision regulations,� explained Planning Board Chairman Rick Butler in an interview after the board’s Jan. 13 meeting. “It’s an enabling document for conservation and cluster requirements in the zoning that could apply to any major subdivision.�

Consultants Warren Replansky (who is also attorney to the town), Bonnie Franson and Town Engineer Ray Jurkowski attended the board meeting to go over, in detailed fashion, the draft subdivision regulations, which Franson had written based on a previous draft by Town Planner Nan Stolzenburg.

Replansky said he hoped the board would be in a position to review the document during the current meeting and suggest any revisions or changes before the next meeting, at which time the Planning Board could potentially endorse the regulations. They could then be sent to the Town Board for the adoption process.

The town’s current subdivision regulations were developed in 1986, with minor revisions in 1993, making substantial change necessary to eliminate any discrepancies between the document and the new zoning laws.

Most recently the document was reviewed line by line with the board for nearly two hours, with  changes like how the board will be working with Zoning Enforcement Officer Drew Weaver in the future. Weaver will become an integral part of the town’s planning process and will often have a first informal look at an applicant’s project before it is taken before the Planning Board.

Presentations scheduled for Carvel project

As reported by Butler, The Durst Organization will be making a presentation to the Town Board concerning the applicant’s New Neighborhood Development  (NND) pre-application, with a similar presentation repeated for the Feb. 10 Planning Board meeting. The applicant is requesting an informal joint meeting between the Town Board, Planning Board and applicant, scheduled tentatively for March 3.

Stolzenburg remains as Planning Board consultant

In the board’s final piece of business for the evening, it was agreed that Nan Stolzenburg would remain the board’s consultant.

“We’ve used Nan for some period of time,� Butler said during discussion, “and I think it’s important to keep her in.�

The chair cited the importance of continuity and her background and expertise dealing with The Durst Organization’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) application as reason to keep her on board.

“The amount of work she’s done as well as her understanding of the project is invaluable,� added board member Sarah Jones.

Replansky reminded the board near the end of the meeting that “we’re embarking on a fairly ambitious time for the town,� with the new zoning enacted and the Durst application gearing up again. “We hope we really get input and involvement from the Planning Board. We need to get feedback from you throughout this process.�

Latest News

Nuvance hospital system to merge with Northwell Health

Sharon Hospital would become part of a larger regional health systems with 28 hospitals.

Yehyun Kim/CTMirror.org

Nuvance Health, which owns four hospitals in Connecticut and three in New York, will merge with Northwell Health to form a larger regional health system across two states.

Together, the companies will own 28 hospitals and more than 1,000 sites of care and employ 14,500 providers.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Creators: An interview with filmmaker Keith Boynton

Keith Boynton, left, with Aitor Mendilibar, right, the cinematographer who shot “The Haunted Forest” as well as “The Scottish Play” and “The Winter House.” In the background of is Vinny Castellini, first assistant director.

Submitted

Keith Boynton is a filmmaker who grew up in Salisbury, Connecticut. He attended Salisbury Central School, Town Hill School, and Hotchkiss. He has made numerous feature films including Seven Lovers, The Scottish Play, The Winter House, and is just wrapping up a new film, The Haunted Forest, which is a horror/slasher movie. Boynton has made numerous music videos for the band Darlingside, and for Alison Krauss. He is a poet, a playwright, and comic book art collector.

JA: This series of stories The Creators focuses on artists, their inspiration, and their creative process. Keith, what was the seed that got you started?

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton director is an Oscar nominee

Arlo Washington in a film still from the Oscar-nominated short "The Barber of Little Rock."

Story Syndicate

John Hoffman, a Millerton resident, has been nominated for his film “The Barber of Little Rock,” which he co-directed with Christine Turner, in the Best Documentary Short Film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.

Distributed by The New Yorker and produced by Story Syndicate Production in association with 59th & Prairie, Better World Projects, and Peralta Pictures, “The Barber of Little Rock” explores the efforts of Arkansas local hero Arlo Washington, who opened a barbershop at 19 years old and, with a mission to close the racial inequality gap in his community, went on to found the Washington Barber College as well as People Trust Community Federal Credit Union. Washington’s goal is aiding his primarily Black neighborhood, which has historically been underserved by more prominent banking institutions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Inside Troutbeck's kitchen

Chef Vincent Gilberti

Courtesy of Troutbeck

About growing up in Carmel, New York, Troutbeck’s executive chef Vincent Gilberti said he was fortunate to have a lot of family close by, and time together was always centered around food.

His grandparents in White Plains always made sure to have a supply of cured meats, olives, cheeses and crusty bread during their weekend visits. But it wasn’t until his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was 16 that his passion for food really began. It was there that he joined the German Club, whose partnership with Johnson & Wales University first introduced him to cooking.

Keep ReadingShow less