Credit: Patrick Grego
The Pine Plains Planning Board convened at Town Hall on Wednesday, March 13, despite ongoing Wi-FI issues, with 20 people in attendance.
The meeting’s agenda included the Stewart’s Shops lot line adjustment at 7710 Main St. The board approved a resolution to add a 0.233-acre parcel from Dale Mitchell’s adjoining property to Stewart’s, creating a new 1.729-acre parcel. This adjustment will enable Stewart’s to expand its septic system, as required by the Dutchess County Department of Health. After review, the board concluded the adjustment would not significantly impact the environment, negating the need for an environmental impact statement. The resolution passed 7-0.
The lot-line adjustment is the latest green light for Stewart’s from the Planning Board, which last April approved plans for the store’s expansion.
“Is there any idea of when you guys are going to start?” asked Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile.
“Probably summertime,” said Stewart’s program manager Marcus Andrew. “As soon as we get Dutchess County’s approval and building permit we’ll be ready to go.”
Special use permit at 9 N. Main St.
The board also discussed a special use permit application for the American Legion and Tower Pizza at 9 N. Main St. Last May, the American Legion and Tower Pizza entered into a legal agreement that formalized joint use of an expanded parking lot behind their buildings. The lot was completed without a permit. Complaints from a neighbor resulted in the Town’s request that a permit application be filed.
Marie Stewart, the local American Legion commander, recounted an initial conversation between her father, George Keeler, and Stabile. “My father approached Mr. Stabile…and talked about whether or not we need any special permits or anything. We were told we did not,” said Stewart. However, Stewart said, by October the situation changed following complaints, leading to a notification that a special permit was in fact required.
“Just to correct the record — right George? — you talked to me at some function in the middle of town,” said Stabile.
“Right in the backyard here. I caught you coming out the door!” said Keeler.
Stabile recounted that he did not initially believe there would be a problem with the expanded parking lot, but had at the time advised Keeler to speak with Drew Weaver, the former building inspector who retired last year, and the town’s engineer.
Stewart deferred to surveyor and consultant Wesley Chase, also present. “We consulted with Wes,” she said. Wesley Chase presented site plan maps to the planning board that demonstrated, he said, that water pooling was a non-issue. There was some debate as to the necessity of additional lighting.
A unanimous vote set a public hearing for the matter at 7:30 p.m. on April 10.
“Mr. Chairman, before you go on, may I make a statement?” asked Keeler.
“Since we’re on the subject of lighting, why don’t we require lighting behind the Stissing House? Because that parking lot — with those hundreds of cars on weekends jammed in there — is darker than the inside of a Holstein cow.”
“We’re waiting to hear from them,” Stabile replied. “We’re working on it.”
Cichetti Slaughterhouse
Jack Meccariello, farm manager at Sugar Hill Farm, and Alex Ferrini, lawyer for landowner and farmer Matthew Cichetti of Prospect Hill Farm, presented an initial sketch plan for a meat processing facility at 424 Prospect Hill Road. Ferrini requested initial feedback and solicited questions from the Planning Board.
The slaughterhouse would be used by Prospect Hill Farm and Sugar Hill Farm, and potentially other locations as well, which would require a special use permit. A building permit will also be necessary.
According to the plan, the building would be 500 feet back from existing roads and accessible by a new driveway off Route 199, about a quarter mile east of Sugar Hill Farm’s farm store.
The plan also indicated that despite having a 20-foot ceiling, the building would not be visible to neighbors. Meccariello told the Planning Board that the neighbors he spoke with all understood there is a huge need for meat processing facilities.
The Planning Board suggested that the farms discuss their plans further with the Dutchess County Department of Agriculture and Markets. Once the Planning Board receives a completed site plan, they will set a public hearing.
The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss a legal matter.