Zoning measures delayed after county review

PINE PLAINS — Two proposed laws that seek to amend portions of Pine Plains’s zoning code have been delayed after pushback from the Dutchess County Department of Planning & Development.

The first concerns the split property at the former site of Lia’s Mountain View restaurant. The lot lies in two separate zones, which the new owners have called on the town to combine into one. Plans for the space include a music venue and restaurant.

The county contends the proposed zoning change amounts to a use variance, which means the property will be used for a purpose other than what’s typically allowed in the zone it sits in. As it stands, the property owners have applied for an area variance. That entails modifying where they’re able to build, as opposed to what they’re building.

If they choose to follow the county’s recommendation, the future owners would be able to rezone the entire parcel — rather than simply build a different kind of structure on the bifurcated area.

The second law concerns the distinction between a “farm stand” and a “farm market.” In Pine Plains, a farm stand is seasonal. It’s currently defined in the town code as “an accessory structure used for the display and sale of farm products grown on a farm’s premises, and uses its proximity to a roadway to attract potential customers.”

A farm market, conversely, requires the available products to simply be grown in the larger Hudson Valley area. It’s not required to be seasonal. The application in question, which pertains to the storage property at 2316 Church Street, requests a farm stand. Councilwoman Jeanine Sisco suggested the applicant revise the language to request a farm market instead.

The Pine Plains Town Board decided to send both applications back to the Pine Plains Planning Board for further discussion.

The meeting then turned to other news. The success of last week’s Community Day was noted by Sisco. Councilman Trevor Roush proposed a workshop on potential uses for the new Town Hall site.

During public comment, resident George Keeler spoke against the potential creation of the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act, which is co-sponsored by State Senator Michelle Hinchey. The act would replace Central Hudson Gas & Electric with a publicly-owned utility company, which supporters claim would result in lower energy bills for residents. It also calls for the eventual transition to 100% renewable energy. Keeler claimed doing so would be costly and result in job loss for the area.

The board also passed a motion allowing the library to program events in their basement without scheduling through the town every time. The basement has become a popular space for an after school Kids Club from 3:30 - 5 p.m.
The next Town Board meeting for Pine Plains is scheduled for July 16.