Amenia Planning Board hears introductory Hudson River Housing plan

Amenia Planning Board hears introductory Hudson River Housing plan

Town Hall in Amenia on Route 22.

Archive photo

AMENIA — In addition to opening a pair of public hearings and then continuing them to its January meeting, the Amenia Planning Board at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, heard preliminary conceptual plans for Hudson River Housing to develop an affordable housing project to be known as Cascade Creek.

The first public hearing to be continued was to hear comments on plans for construction of an indoor pool at Troutbeck as part of Troutbeck’s Phase 8 construction planning. As a result of the continuation, comments will be heard during the January Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Residents did offer comments on plans for a sign at a new business, Da Vinci Windows, located at 3430 Route 343. Leading off the discussion, John Andrews, Planning board Engineer, detailed plans for the recently renovated property to create a window showroom to the first floor and an apartment above.

The business sign was originally proposed to be internally lit, but that type of sign is prohibited by local sign regulations. The applicant changed the sign’s lighting design to include exterior lighting from the bottom, but the sign code specifies that the lighting needs to shine down from above.

Planning Board member Nina Peek said that the plan should be revised to show the proper sign design.

Neighboring property owners expressed concern about debris on the property and a paved driveway near a wetlands buffer. Other neighbors raised questions about sight lines being obstructed by the new sign, pointing to speeding traffic in that stretch of highway where a blind spot exists.

Cascade Creek

Representatives from Hudson River Housing of Poughkeepsie preliminarily described plans to develop acreage at 34 Cascade Road to offer workforce housing to first-time homebuyers.

“This is the first time this is in front of you,” Andrews said of the planning for the property that is zoned suburban residential.
“We are going to need Planning Board guidance,” Andrews said, adding that on-site water and septic are envisioned for what is planned as a conservation subdivision.

Of initial concern, Andrews said, is that the maps on file are inconclusive in showing acreage that the applicant is describing.
“We need to know the size of the parcel,” Planning Board Attorney Paul Van Cott said.

Andrews added that the applicant is proposing to construct homes to become workforce housing, and that any workforce housing plan must be referred to the Housing Board.

Architect Peter Zander, describing the Hudson River Housing project and accompanying vice-president Mary Linge, reported that four construction phases would be planned with seven homes to be built in each phase for a total of 28 homes, each on a one-acre lot.

Zander said that there are no wetlands on the parcel, no endangered species, and no archeological history.

Linge indicated that single-family homes are envisioned to be sold to first-time home buyers. She added that she understands the process and she and Hudson River Housing are prepared for the long haul.

Attorney Van Cott said he will study the conservation analysis.

Planning Board member Ken Topolsky praised the work of the applicant in presenting the cultural history of the land, dating back thousands of years, as part of their efforts to plan a conservation subdivision.

Zander said that a certified survey will expand upon the conservation narrative.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less