The Pine Plains Planning Board on Wednesday, Jan. 14 reviewed a proposal to expand an existing storage facility and add a seasonal farmstand at 2814–16 Church St.
The proposal was submitted by Steve Hobson, owner of HTWO Properties, who is seeking to expand his current storage operation and construct a farmstand for local produce on the property.
Hobson told the board he had initially planned to sell the white house on the site but determined that the building “needs too much work,” making refurbishment for sale impractical. He also said the property’s septic system does not have sufficient capacity to support additional housing units.
Instead, Hobson proposed installing a farmstand equipped with electricity that could be rented by vendors during the growing season and secured during the winter months.
The expanded storage facility would include both climate-controlled cold storage and smaller, non-climate-controlled storage units. Hobson said demand for storage in the area remains strong. “I have to turn away someone nearly every day,” he told the board.
Planning board members discussed potential screening and landscaping to buffer the facility from neighboring properties and the roadway. They also noted that while the town’s comprehensive plan requires storage facilities to be set back 35 feet from the road, the proposed farmstand would be located within 25 feet.
Board members said they would review whether a variance or waiver would be required to allow the reduced setback. The board appeared generally receptive to the proposal. Further discussion is expected at its next meeting scheduled for Feb. 11.