Pine Plains building expansion could add six apartments, three storefronts

PINE PLAINS — More apartments could be coming to Pine Plains after Planning Board members gave a positive reception to plans to expand a commercial building on Pilch Drive.

Representatives of Poughkeepsie-based contractors Evolution Energy described at a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, March 11, plans to add three additional commercial spaces at ground level and six residential apartments above the existing and proposed commercial spaces. Board members responded warmly to the plans, citing a need for more housing.

The building currently hosts a bakery and a physical therapist’s office. A self-service car wash also sits on the property.

Board members said they supported the new apartments, but questioned whether the town could support three more commercial spaces.

“There’s already a lot of empty storefronts in town,” Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile said. Stabile, along with the support of other board members, suggested the new units at ground level should be additional apartments rather than more storefronts.

Construction company representatives said they would explore adapting the plans with the owner of the property, Fakhouri Enterprises Inc.

Discussion of the proposal focused on the projected rent rates for the apartments and septic requirements.

Board members asked what the apartments would cost renters, prompting construction company representatives to describe the apartments. Plans call for one bedroom apartments with a second room to serve as an office or den.

Company representatives said market rates for similar apartments are between $1,800 and $2,100 per month, but in Pine Plains the apartments may fetch about $1,500 per month.

Board member Kate Osofsky bristled at those figures, citing the town’s need for affordable housing.

Septic requirements prompted Evolution Energy Chief Operating Officer John Pagano to push back on board members’ suggestion to change the planned new commercial units into additional apartments.

Pagano said residential units require greater daily capacity than commercial units, and the property may not be able to accommodate the necessary septic system for nine residential units.

“The only issue that we see when we’re dealing with the Department of Health is the gallons per day,” Pagano said. “I know we were able to hit it with the three commercials in the bottom.”