Members Present: Paul Slutzky, Chairman
Carl Giangrande, Board Member
Ed Kaplan, Deputy Chairman
Penny Sikalis, Board Member (absent)
Gail Shegerian, Alternate Member
Harout Dermenjian, Board Member
Also Present:
Fran Clark; Rich Rock; Trent Poole; Kiersten Tschinkel; Bill Gucker; Kinga Goodwin; Joe Goodwin
Call to Order: Chairman Slutzky opened the regular meeting of the Planning Board at 7:00 PM.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of January 22, 2026:
After review, E. Kaplan made a MOTION to approve the minutes of 1/22/26 as presented.
- Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Privilege of the Floor: (at end of agenda)
Trent Poole, General Manager of Hunter Mountain Ski Area and Kiersten Tschinkel, Base Area Operations Manager described various changes they are contemplating for interior of the base lodge and the mountain side exterior. The Board advised them that site plan review would not be required for interior renovations and would only be required for the exterior changes if new permanent features anchored to the ground were contemplated. Chairman Slutzky said a building permit would likely be required and CEO C. Giangrande would advise them if site plan approval from the Planning Board was necessary, when he reviews the building permit application.
NEW BUSINESS:
- 7742 Main Street—Concept Site Plan for Hotel/Motel Less Than 10 Units, Event Space & Restaurant-Rich Rock, Architect, presenting
- Rock presented a concept site plan and advised that all the existing structures on the lot would be demolished. He explained the proposed site plan included a restaurant and market with three hotel units above, six individual rental cabins at the rear of the property and an open air pavilion with event space for weddings and other events. He acknowledged that applicant previously indicated the lot was one acre in size, but the survey by Holtz Surveying showed the lot size to actually be .87 acre, or 37,897 square feet. Chairman Slutzky advised that the project is in the Village Business District, which requires a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet for a Hotel/Motel Less than 10 units. He further advised that a Commercial Event Venue also requires a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet.
After discussion, the Board agreed that the concept site plan could not be approved as presented as the lot does not have the minimum required lot size for the proposed uses of Hotel/Motel Less Than 10 Units or Commercial Event Venue.
Chairman Slutzky advised R. Rock of the procedure to request variances to the Zoning Law requirements at the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- 31 Garfield Avenue—3-Lot Minor Subdivision—Concept Plan—Kinga Goodwin, Joe Goodwin & Bill Gucker presenting.
- Gucker presented survey of existing lot and Subdivision plat for proposed 3-lot subdivision.
Board agreed that all three proposed lots appeared to meet the required Use, Area and Coverage
Regulations for Single Family or Two Family Dwellings in the Village Residential District. The Board agreed that the proposed 3-lot subdivision would constitute a Minor Subdivision under the Village Subdivision Law. Board also determined the proposed subdivision would be classified as an Unlisted Action under SEQRA.
Chairman Slutzky advised K. Goodwin the following items would be necessary to continue the Minor Subdivision review:
- Completed Application for Minor Subdivision review
- Application fee of $50 per lot for total of $150 payable to Village of Hunter
- Copy of existing deed to determine if any covenants or deed restrictions apply
- Copies of proposed deed descriptions for proposed three lots
- Minimum of five paper prints and one mylar print of the Subdivision Plat with the Planning Board’s endorsement block
- Completed Short Environmental Assessment Form with attention to the necessity of any required agency permits
Chairman Slutzky advised that a Public Hearing will be necessary, but it will not be scheduled until such time as a Negative Declaration under SEQRA has been issued by the Planning Board. He also advised the Subdivision Plat cannot be considered complete until such time as the Negative Declaration under SEQRA has been determined.
Applicants advised they would like project to be on the agenda for the March 26 Planning Board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:.
- Creekside Retreat House-7961 Main Street-Site Plan Review
Chairman Slutzky advised that the site plan review was completed at the January meeting, but with Board Member E. Kaplan abstaining from the vote on a motion to accept the official County Planning Board decision on our 239 Referral for this project, we did not have quorum to pass the motion. Therefore, Chairman Slutzky made a MOTION that the Planning Board was in agreement with the Official County Planning Board Decision—Referral ID: 25-71 in their response of November 21, 2025 to the Planning Board’s 239-m Referral Form for this project.
- Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all except E. Kaplan, who abstained from the vote.
- Discussion of proposed new Village of Hunter Dumpster Law:
After reviewing a draft new dumpster law presented by Chairman Slutzky, the Board agreed that additional language was necessary and decided to hold a workshop meeting to refine the draft law on March 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the conference room of the Village wastewater treatment plant at 8430 Route 23A.
Chairman’s Report: No items for discussion.
Adjournment:
- Shegerian made MOTION to adjourn at 9:15 PM. E. Kaplan seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Transcribed by: P. Slutzky