The Pine Plains Planning Board heard updates on several major projects and approved a resolution for a cannabis processing facility during its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 12.
Jamie Hammel, owner of the Hudson Company, introduced his architectural team and presented revised plans for a mill, showroom, warehouse, and art gallery on the lot at the corner of Routes 82 and 83, incorporating the existing lumber warehouse on site.
Hammel told the board that his company has received “lots of love and enthusiasm for the project” from residents and that his staff of 30 is excited to work in Pine Plains, with some planning to move to town. He also noted rising costs for building materials, saying the price of steel has increased by $30 per square foot since he first approached the Planning Board six months ago. “We hope to move expeditiously,” Hammel said.
Brent Buck and Isaac Pollan of Brent Buck Architecture, along with Caron LoBrutto of LaBella Associates, presented site plans and outlined necessary variances, including a lot line adjustment to incorporate the area currently occupied by wood cabins.
Pollan described the planned use of natural materials, including weathered wood siding and local stone masonry.
The principal building will house the mill, with additional structures including a warehouse, an office and showroom; an art gallery will connect to the mill. An open-air woodshed for lumber storage and worker parking will be located behind the main buildings.
A courtyard between the showroom and warehouse is designed for outdoor gatherings, which may include occasional open houses. “We see this as something not just for Hudson Company, but also for the town of Pine Plains,” Buck said.
LoBrutto noted that the design includes naturalized landscaping and DarkSky compliant lighting that will point downward to minimize light pollution. She answered questions from Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile, reviewed septic system plans, and detailed which agencies the team is consulting during the process.
“These LaBella people are so thorough,” Hammel added.
The board said that the next step would be a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process, followed by a review before the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In other business, the Planning Board approved a resolution allowing Alchemy Pure to proceed with its adult-use cannabis processing and packing facility at 2775 Church St. While the company must renew its license annually, it will not be required to return to the Planning Board for further approvals.
The board also considered a request from Stissing Center to extend its site plan approval while construction continues. The work already approved by the board includes structural stabilization with steel supports and construction of a rear extension. The Planning Board voted to extend the site plan for one year, with the arts center expected to provide updates on progress in six months and again at the end of the extension period.
Finally, Town Attorney Warren Replansky announced that litigation involving Carson Power has ended, with the appeal filed by Preserve Pine Plains officially dropped.