Amenia Housing Board seeks answers on Cascade Creek plan

AMENIA — The Amenia Housing Board on Nov. 20 outlined a list of questions it wants answered before issuing its required recommendation to the Town Board on the Cascade Creek workforce housing proposal.

Proposed as a conservation subdivision by the nonprofit Hudson River Housing (HRH) of Poughkeepsie, the Cascade Creek project calls for building homes on 28 lots served by shared water and septic systems.

Before issuing its recommendation, the Housing Board agreed it must first hear back from the Town Board on several points. Housing Board member Juan Torres raised concerns about bonding for the planned shared utilities, questioning who would be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the systems.

“If the water fails and the development needs $1 million to repair it, who pays?” Torres asked, noting that the development’s residents would have limited resources. The board also added a question about the process that would apply in the event of a default.

Torres sought additional detail on resale restrictions for homeowners who may wish to sell and profit from the sale.

Housing Board member Josh Frankel raised design-related concerns, seeking assurances that the subdivision would include a variety of home styles. Board chairman Charlie Miller also said he would want clarification on the methodology for selecting homeowners.

Roughly 30 residents attended the Planning Board meeting, and most voiced concerns about various aspects of the Cascade Creek proposal. During public comment, several speakers questioned whether the development’s tax assessments would be lower than those of comparable homes elsewhere in Amenia.

Others worried that an influx of new families would increase enrollment in the school district, leading to larger class sizes and higher educational costs. Some residents feared the project could lower surrounding property values.

Concerns were also raised about fire safety, with a few speakers warning that homes built in close proximity could make it easier for a fire to spread.