Amenia Housing Board takes aim at 2025 goals

AMENIA — The first Housing Board meeting of the year on Thursday, Jan. 16, brought the election of officers and the setting of goals for the year. The Housing Board unanimously re-elected Charlie Miller to serve as chairman and named Gaye Parise to serve as secretary.

Recognizing the urgent need for workforce housing opportunities and the importance of communication, the Housing Board is planning an informational event to be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Town Hall, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon.

Miller noted that the event will offer an overview of workforce housing and describe the scope of the Amenia Housing Board.

Dutchess County officials will attend, along with representatives from the County Board of Planning and Development, Miller said.

During the event, representatives from Hudson River Housing, a non-profit organization in Poughkeepsie will describe its work to provide affordable housing opportunities in area communities. The developer will discuss its project proposal now before the Amenia Planning Board.

Miller updated the Housing Board on the town Planning Board’s preliminary review of a Hudson River Housing project on Cascade Road, now awaiting an accurate survey of the actual acreage involved, as well as a conservation assessment of the site.

Once the acreage and conservation information have been submitted, then details of the site plan will be received and considered, Miller said.

“If we want to have a middle class, we have to provide housing choices,” Miller added.

Communication was an agreed-upon goal for the coming year for the Housing Board.

Board member Juan Torres said that the board should seek to identify ways to smooth the process of getting a project started, to shorten that process and to remove impediments. Torres noted that the steps involved in project planning can be extremely costly to applicants.

Another housing goal to be explored will be Accessory Dwelling Units, where apartments might be created in existing homes where homeowners might want additional income.

During the public comment portion, four neighboring residents expressed concern about the Cascade Road higher-density affordable housing project being proposed by Hudson River Housing, particularly the impact a development might have on the existing stream and natural habitat. Also of concern was the effect of any development on water run-off volume and negative impact on neighboring properties. Fewer homes on larger lots was suggested as a viable alternative.