AMENIA — Following a report on the plans for Phase 8 of the adaptive reuse plan submitted by Troutbeck, the Planning Board at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Reviewing the Troutbeck plan, Engineer Rich Rennia of Rennia Engineering of Dover Plains explained that Phase 8 would see “a small rearrangement of components.” An indoor pool to be enclosed within a pole barn will be connected with the wellness area. A small bathhouse containing rest rooms is also planned.
A net reduction in impact will result from the rearrangement, Rennia said, including reduction in wastewater generation by 240 gallons and lowered water demands.
“There is no increase to the overall project,” Rennia said, although minimal lighting will be added for pedestrian safety.
Planning Board engineer John Andrews indicated, although a health department approval is needed, he had reviewed the overall plans and found that the application is ready for public hearing. Planning Board attorney Paul Van Cott agreed, clearing the way for the board to schedule the December public hearing.
Silo Ridge
Citing a change in demographics since the existing Silo Ridge master plan was approved by the town in 2020, representatives of Silo Ridge reported to the Planning Board indicating an interest in changing two planned three-story town house structures into three-story condominium buildings to be designated on the plans as Condos D and E.
The existing approved master plan shows 245 units. No new units would result from the change.
Engineer Andrews indicated that the townhouses totaling ten units divided evenly between two buildings would have had fee-simple ownership. The change would bring condominium ownership structure.
Under fee-simple, the townhouse owner would own both the land and the building on the land. On the other hand, a condo owner owns only the condo, while the land belongs to a condo association in which the owner is considered a shareholder.
“Administratively, there are a lot of steps needed,” Andrews said, adding that although the project has changed, he felt the changes were insignificant. He noted that the Silo Ridge Design Review Committee will need to sign off on the proposed change from townhouse to condo.
To Planning Board member Ken Topolsky’s inquiry into progress on providing the board with a Silo Ridge organizational chart, O’Leary assured the board that the chart is being worked on, along with an updated progress report on the status of construction of the Silo Ridge development as a whole.
Keane Stud
Members of the Planning Board praised the Silo Ridge Masters Show Jumping Competition held in early October at Keane Stud on Depot Hill Road, noting that the world’s top riders were attracted to compete in the four-day event. The benefit to the town of Amenia was measurable.
Keane Stud owner Juan Torres told the Planning Board that he is working on design of a new site plan for the Depot Hill area acreage to be submitted for the board’s consideration before the end of this year.
“We believe that our goals are more aligned with the community,” Torres said, adding that the aim is to protect the woods, land, habitats and natural amenities, goals outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan of Development.
Architect Nicole Emmons, of Hart, Howerton Architects of New York City, asked the Planning Board to describe their concerns on behalf of the town when thinking of Keane Stud Farm’s future.
Reading directly from the town’s Comprehensive Plan of Development, planning board member Topolsky said that the document guides the board’s vision.
“This is the voice of Amenia,” Topolsky said, noting that the plan emphasizes repeatedly that Depot Hill is one of the town’s most scenic features. He stressed the importance of protecting the viewshed.
Planning Board chairman Robert Boyles, who also serves the Wassaic Fire Company as Captain, mentioned a need for fire protection ponds as water sources, as well as voicing concern about runoff drainage toward properties located downhill from Depot Hill.
Board member James Vitiello said it would be important for the planners to arrive at a proposal that would be visually appealing.
“We have to turn to you, as a designer, to design something that doesn’t just maximize the dollar value but to find something the town can be comfortable with,” Vitiello advised.
“Our goal is to work together,” Torres said.
George Janes, the town’s visual resources consultant, said that he was in agreement with the concept of 10-acre agricultural parcels as initially described.
“What makes the Depot Hill viewshed special is its present agricultural landscape,” Janes said.
“You’re subdividing, not developing,” he pointed out to Torres.
Discussion included the role of deed restrictions in limiting the eventual development of each 10-acre piece by those who will purchase them.
Board member John Stefanopoulos indicated the possibility that parcels can be developed in ways that will blend with the scenery and add value, constrained by deed restrictions written correctly.
“The Planning Board is not going to design it for you,” Janes told Torres and Emmons, suggesting that they find guidance within the town’s comprehensive plan.
Before the Planning Board adjourned, Wassaic resident Sharon Kroeger provided notice of a petition gathering signatures intended to preserve and protect the Delavergne Hill viewshed that includes Depot Hill.
"They had this in mind from last year," girls varsity head coach Les Funk of Pine Plains said. Funk said the young team wanted the sectional title and "never gave up," until they won it Wednesday, March 5, at Mount Saint Mary College.Photo by Nathan Miller
Naveah Rennie, no 34 of Pine Plains, was the Bombers' dominant scorer, racking up 20 points by the end of the matchup against S.S. Seward Institute during the Section IX Class C finals at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 5.Photo by Nathan Miller
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC