Pine Plains developments on track after Town Board approves zoning changes

PINE PLAINS — A proposed wedding and event venue at the former site of Lia’s Mountain View restaurant may move forward after the Pine Plains Town Board approved a change to the zoning code.

Town Board members approved multiple changes to the town’s zoning code on Thursday, Sept. 17, including adjusting rules for properties that are divided over multiple zones and adjusting definitions for retail farm stands.

The first change amends a local law pertaining to properties that are split by multiple zones. Instead of applying for a variance, a property owner may now extend the less restrictive zone to the entire parcel — as long as the parcel is less than 5 acres.

Angela Somma, who runs The Tin Barn in Clermont, has planned to rehabilitate the property on Route 82 for the better part of a year. Somma wants to open a venue in the space, complete with food, drink, music, and dancing. Her application was delayed, however, when it was discovered that the Pine Plains parcel was split in two.

With the matter now resolved and codified into law, the rehabilitation may continue.

Farm Market or Farm Stand?

The Town Board approved another tweak to the local laws last week. The difference between farm markets and farm stands had been batted back and forth between the board and the county for months, but at September’s meeting, Town Attorney Warren Replansky filed a resolution addressing the distinction.

Under the new resolution, a farm market requires the available products to be grown in the larger Hudson Valley area. It’s not required to be seasonal and may sell goods produced at a different location.

The debate came about after a proposed storage property at 2316 Church Street wanted to include a farm stand at the front of their property. Under Pine Plains’s zoning regulations, a “farm stand” refers specifically to retail operations on the same farm property where the goods are produced.

Whether the application will now be amended remains to be seen.

Patchin’s Mill tour

After a summer of renovation and rejuvenation, the historic Patchin’s Mill — a lumber mill building that has seen significant renovations this year at the hands of Friends of Stissing Landmarks — is ready for its closeup. FOSL will host a Patchin’s Mill Day on Oct. 11, where they’ll walk through the restoration work that has brought the local landmark back from the brink. Both the mill and its adjoining house will be available for tours.

Flock public forum

Councilmember Jeanine Sisco reminded residents of a public forum on Sept. 23 concerning surveillance company Flock Safety. The forum will start at 5 p.m. and be held at the Pleasant Valley Town Hall. It’s being organized by County Legislator Eric Alexander, and will include Sheriff Kirk Imperati, District Attorney Anthony Parisi, and County Legislator Yvette Valdés Smith.