Planning Board identifies potential major impacts of workforce housing plan

Planning Board identifies potential major impacts of workforce housing plan
The proposed site of Hudson River Housing’s Cascade Creek workforce housing subdivision on Route 44.
Photo by Nathan Miller

Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly reported the Planning Board voted to require a full environmental impact analysis of the proposed 28-unit workforce housing subdivision in Amenia. In fact, the board will further discuss the issue at its March meeting. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, board members voted 4-2 to prepare a draft positive declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, which could delay the subdivision six to twelve months if board members adopt it.

AMENIA — The Planning Board signaled support on Wednesday, Feb. 11, for a full environmental impact review of the proposed 28-unit Cascade Creek workforce housing subdivision.

Board members voted 4-2 to prepare a draft statement to be discussed further in March, identifying concerns over impacts to local schools, water supply and visual impacts.

Under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, the statement — known as a positive declaration — means the board determined the project may have significant environmental impacts that require further study before it can proceed.

Developer Hudson River Housing, a Poughkeepsie-based nonprofit, would be required to prepare a full environmental impact statement for the subdivision planned on 24.13 acres across Route 44/Route 22 from Freshtown Plaza if board members vote to adopt the draft.

“The positive declaration is a procedural vote to set the board on a path to create a full impact analysis, including completing a scoping process,” Planning Board attorney Victoria Polidoro said.

Board members identified four areas of potential impact, reflecting concerns raised by residents: a possible rise in local school enrollment, adequacy of water supply for firefighting, increased traffic, and visual impacts that may be inconsistent with community character.

The developers of the Cascade Creek subdivision have appeared before the Planning Board for more than a year, drawing a mixed reception from board members and the public.

Detailed site plans cannot be prepared until the environmental review process is completed.

Residents provided input most recently during an informal public comment session at a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, expressing concerns over impacts on groundwater supply and other issues. George Bistransin presented a petition opposing the development with 204 signatures.

Project Engineer Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering reported that all concerns from the January meeting had been considered and responded to in reports to the planning board. Changes had been incorporated into the plans based on comments voiced, he said.

Cascade Creek is classified as a conservation subdivision. Sander said 59% of the acreage would be set aside for open space.
Sander said that since November, he has submitted additional data on construction phasing and timelines, completed a second traffic study in addition to one conducted in September 2025, and met with fire officials to incorporate their suggestions, including increased spacing between homes and the use of fire-retardant materials.

“We feel we have provided sufficient information,” Sander said, asking that steps be taken to complete requirements for the conservation analysis phase, allowing the project to reach the design process when actual plans can be presented.

Sander projected that an estimated seven to 15 students might be added to the Webutuck School District as a result of the development, noting that he had difficulty in receiving a response to questions about Webutuck School District’s capacity for students.

Board members discussed how best to estimate potential enrollment increases and the difficulty of predicting how many school-age children might live in the homes.

“We are not school district predictors,” said Mary Linge, HRH vice-president for Real Estate Development, reasoning that other sources should be able to provide reliable data.

Adequacy of water supply to combat a home fire was a focus of board discussion, particularly a suggestion from local fire officials that a 180,000-gallon water tank would be needed for the purpose. Planning Board members debated how the matter could be resolved through compromise and the difficulty of reaching a decision without expertise in water supply standards.

“We’re just here for SEQRA impact now,” Sander said. “We’ve responded to fire department and citizen input. We’re going to work with you. We need your guidance.”

Planning Board member Nina Peek said the board should continue the process and move toward a public hearing once the impact statement is prepared.

Latest News

New climbing gym planned for Great Barrington

Photo by Alec Linden

A climber explores Great Barrington’s renowned bouldering areas, reflecting the growing local interest in the sport ahead of the planned opening of Berkshire Boulders.

Alec Linden

Berkshire Boulders, a rock climbing gym, is set to open in the Berkshires later this year, aiming to do more than fill a gap in indoor recreation — it could help bring climbing further into the region’s mainstream.

Its co-founders already have their sights set beyond the roughly 2,000 square feet of climbable wall planned for a site off Route 7, just north of downtown Great Barrington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wind, tarps and trail wisdom: a day learning how to camp smarter

Mat Jobin teaches the group how to use a permanent platform to rig a tent. The privy and lean-to of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Limestone Spring Shelter are visible in the background.

Alec Linden

A happy day on the trail all starts with a good night’s sleep the night before. That’s local trekking guide Mat Jobin’s mantra, and he affirms that a good night’s sleep is possible even if it has to be on the trail itself – with the right preparation, that is.

Jobin, of Simsbury, Connecticut, is a 16-year professional guide and the founder and owner of Reach Your Summit, an outdoor experiences company that promotes self-confidence and leadership skills through a variety of excursions and educational workshops in the forests of New England. On Saturday, April 11, Jobin hosted the inaugural Campsite Selection & Skills workshop just off the Falls Village section of the Appalachian Trail.

Keep ReadingShow less
Grandmother Moon: Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason book talk in Torrington

The story comes full circle when educator, traditional storyteller and author Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/Ho-Chunk) comes to Litchfield County to read from her new book, Grandmother Moon, inspired by her grandmother, Indigenous educator Trudie Lamb Richmond, who lived on Schaghticoke land along the Housatonic River in Kent.

On Saturday, April 18, from 2-4 p.m., the Torrington Historical Society at 192 Main St. will host the book talk and sharing of traditional stories.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Photographer David Ricci’s New Book at Five Points Art Center

“Everything Everywhere All At Once,” a photo from David Ricci’s book Hunter Gatherer.

Photo by David Ricci - Hunter/Gatherer

David Ricci will bring his exploration of American materialism to the Five Points Arts Center in Torrington on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., where he will discuss his new book, Hunter Gatherer.

Ricci is fascinated by America’s obsession with objects. In Hunter Gatherer, he examines a distinct strain of materialism—one rooted not in the new, but in the items that endure.

Keep ReadingShow less

NEAR and FAR

NEAR and FAR

“WHATSTOCOMEHASALREADYBEEN” by Richard Marr 40x30 (2021)

Photo Provided

Tyte Gallery, located on the 2nd floor at 3280 Franklin Ave. in Millbrook, presents NEAR and FAR, a solo exhibition of new work by Richard Marr, opening with a reception April 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Marr’s immersive landscape paintings explore the movement and force of water—from ocean waves to the Hudson River—while reflecting on nature’s interconnected rhythms and humanity’s place within them. On view through June 7.

Students get a taste of the real world during Career Day

Ella Emberlin, an eighth grader at Salisbury Central School, meets alum Colby Hickey, owner of Colby’s Tree Service, on Career Day.

Madi Long

SHARON – Sharon Center School students got a firsthand look at potential career paths on Friday, April 10, during their annual Career Day, where guest speakers from a range of fields spoke with students in fourth through eighth grade.

The annual event is organized by school counselor Liz Foster, who aims to showcase the positions held by local community members. Presenters included a meteorologist, scuba diving instructor, mechanic and attorney.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.