Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Zoning board of appeals overrules Dutchess County to allow Stewart’s setback variance

Zoning board of appeals overrules Dutchess County to allow Stewart’s setback variance
Stewart’s at 7710 South Main St. in Pine Plains. Photo courtesy Daisy Sindelar, new Pine Plains herald

PINE PLAINS —  With a 4-1 vote on Monday, April 24, the Pine Plains Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has granted the Stewart’s Shops at 7710 South Main St. a front yard setback variance for a proposed 4,000 square-foot Stewart’s, overcoming a determination by the Dutchess County Planning Department that the proposal is not in keeping with the character of the town.

The plans will next go to the Pine Plains Planning Board for approval on Wednesday, May 10, which will give the project a broader look.

Necessary to grant under Pine Plains’ zoning laws, which do not allow businesses to be set back more than 25 feet from their property lines, the variance will allow Stewart’s to build its new store up to 163.5 feet from the road (the current store is 104.5 feet from the road), and place its new gas pumps in the front of the new building.

The current store and gas pumps will remain available while the new store is built, after which point gas will become unavailable for one month. Without the variance, Stewart’s alternative plans were to place its new pumps in the rear of the building, a process that would cause gas services to become unavailable for closer to three months, according to Marcus Andrews, a project manager for Stewart’s.

Dissent to the generally favorable opinions of the proposal was voiced by Scott Chase, the ZBA chairman, who argued that granting the variance would directly contradict Pine Plains’ 2019 Comprehensive Plan, as well as current zoning laws, and that there were alternative building plans Stewart’s could pursue.

ZBA member Carl Baden had recused himself from the vote due to his business ties with Stewart’s, and an additional member had been added to allow the possibility of a majority plus one vote (a stipulation required by Dutchess County for an overrule).

Under the proposed plans, additional services offered by Stewart’s would include low-flow diesel, which would not accommodate use by trucks and larger vehicles. Rich Jewett, manager of the Pine Plains Stewart’s, spoke during public comment to indicate that diesel was an often-requested service by the community, and that a “nice new store for the community, with the looks of a new store, with new landscaping and everything” would represent an investment in the community by Stewart’s.

Latest News

Classifieds - June 4, 2026

Classifieds - June 4, 2026

HELP WANTED

DENTAL ASSISTANT Part Time: Tuesday to Friday, for exclusive private practice in Sharon, CT. Flexible schedule and hours, competitive salary. 860-364-0200, office@drnweeia.org.

TOWN OF SHARON HELP WANTED: Building Department /Land Use Office Support, part-time, approximately 25 hours per week, $24.70 per hour. Position provides administrative support for the Building Official, Fire Marshal, and Land Use Administrator. Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED (Associates Degree Preferred) with 4 years increasingly responsible work experience, preferably in administrative work, public con-tact, and field of municipal government. For full job description, see the Town of Sharon Website (sharonct.gov) or con-tact the Selectmen's Office at 860-364-5789. Applications and resumes are to be received in the Selectmen's Office, P. O. Box 385, Sharon, CT 06069 by 4:00PM June 15, 2026. The Town of Sharon is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wassaic Project opens new gallery space in historic Gridley Chapel
Samuelle Green turned paper, wire, and glue into a honeycombed hive at Wassaic Project’s Maxon Mills in Wassaic.
Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project started its 2026 season in style on Saturday, May 16, with an exhibition that featured 39 artists whose work was showcased at its flagship Maxon Mills location and plans for its new space at Gridley Chapel.

The chapel, which was erected in 1873 and is located across the street from Maxon Mills, is a recent addition to the Wassaic Project.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Last Week’s Question

What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook approves Thorne Building renovations
The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.
Archive photo

MILLBROOK — A long-vacant landmark in the center of the village is one step closer to a major transformation after the Planning Board unanimously approved renovation plans for the historic Thorne Building on Monday, May 18.

The project, proposed by the Millbrook Community Foundation, would convert the former school building — vacant for roughly two decades — into the new Thorne Center, a multi-use arts and community hub designed to host performances, educational programming, music instruction and public events.

Keep ReadingShow less
Memorial Day paraders brave wet weather

A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.

Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

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.