Troutbeck proposes next two construction phases

AMENIA — With the first phase of the Troutbeck Adaptive Reuse planning at completion, the Planning Board heard a presentation reviewing site plans for the next two phases at its regular meeting Wednesday, March 13.

Phases two and six were described by Peter Sander, representing Rennia Engineering Design of Dover Plains. He explained that phase two consists of improvements and rerouting of the service driveway off of Leedsville Road, including a gravel lay-down area that will eventually become a gravel parking lot. Under phase two, a hedgerow would be planted along Route 343 to mask fruit trees from view as well as a construction staging area that will be installing a new septic area.

Phase six, which would have included construction of an 86-seat restaurant, has been scaled back, Sander said, to eliminate the restaurant and convert an existing structure to accommodate lodging while also solving additional parking needs. Because parking plans are included in both phases, it made sense to combine the two, Sander said.

Planning Board member Nina Peek asked about planning for the phase two road improvements, determining that the road would be converted to two-way traffic with entrance and egress onto Leedsville Road. Plans for septic installation were also of interest to Peek, who asked about the connections between the main manor house and the planned septic area that would be uphill.

Sander responded that the effluent flowing from the manor house would be separated, the solids being captured in a holding area and the liquids being pumped up to the septic field. He said that the current septic arrangements are augmented by an existing pump. Sander specified that the orchard plantings would not be in the septic field, but rather in the septic reserve area.

Town engineer John Andrews enumerated several points of information that must be provided to the Planning Board, including additions to the original stormwater plan, an expanded environmental review plan, county approvals for the wastewater plan and better coordinated planning sheets, citing inconsistencies in lighting plans, for example. He asked for plans that would show minimal lighting impact and he wondered about the location of the gravel parking lot.

For phase two, Andrews asked for designation of a vehicle turning area and a better drawing of the trash area’s configuration to the rear of the manor house. He asked for a fencing plan for both the contractor parking area and the construction staging area.

Drainage plans for the Leedsville Road entrance were also of interest to Andrews, who said it was not clear whether paved aprons were planned for the entrance.

Peek asked for a timeline guide for the construction work, recalling residents’ concerns about hours-of-operation protections.