Amenia board discusses zoning change strategy

AMENIA — Responsive to discussion heard at the Wednesday, Oct. 11, meeting of the town Planning Board, the Housing Board continued its discussion at its regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, about  Hudson River Housing’s plans to create an affordable housing development on property across from the Town Hall on Route 22.

Hudson River Housing representatives had met with the Planning Board the previous week, leading to a discussion of the zoning regulations that govern the parcel and how the development might conform to zoning regulations while also meeting the local need for affordable housing.

The flat portion of the acreage where the development would be built is in a Hamlet Residential (HR) zone, but other portions lie in a different zone. Hudson River Housing was considering a request to rezone to Suburban Residential (SR), but the SR zone does not allow for multifamily housing.

Changes to the zoning use table that defines what is allowed and disallowed in various zones was an option that the Housing Board found promising.

Following discussion moderated by Housing Board Chairman Charlie Miller, the Housing Board favored rezoning of the parcel and agreed to send the request for a zone change to the Town Board. An additional change would be to the use table to allow for multifamily dwellings in an SR zone, subject to site plan review by the Planning Board.

 The change would align the proposal from Hudson River Housing more closely to the town’s comprehensive plan, acknowledging the importance of the goal of creating affordable housing.

Lake Amenia Road

Inspections have been completed at the 74 Lake Amenia Road property under consideration as the town’s first unit of affordable housing, and a possible site for a modern wastewater treatment facility. An official report is expected soon.

Miller summarized preliminary findings noting that the basement of the home was positive for the presence of radon, but that the issue could be solved by an exhaust system.

There was no infestation by wood-boring insects. The septic system would need to be upgraded from its current cesspool arrangement. Asbestos exposure is limited to the wrapped pipe in the basement. All instances of lead paint are intact, Miller reported.

While the official report is being finalized, a bid package for the items needing attention is being assembled.