Members Present: Paul Slutzky, Chairman
Carl Giangrande, Board Member
Ed Kaplan, Deputy Chairman (absent)
Penny Sikalis, Board Member
Gail Shegerian, Alternate Member
Harout Dermenjian, Board Member
Also Present: Scott Ouimet, PE, with Kaaterskill Associates representing 7776 Main Street LLC;
Haley Bigando, PE, with LaBella Associates and J.C. Alten representing Finn Partners, Fran Clark, Karen Sanderson
Open Regular Meeting:
Chairman Slutzky opened the regular meeting at 7:00 PM.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting September 25, 2025:
- Sikalis made a MOTION to approve the minutes as presented. H. Dermenjian seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Privilege of the Floor: none requested
New Business: none
Old Business:
- 52 Maple Avenue Lot Line Adjustment—Tax ID: 164.05-8-25.1
No representative present
- 7776 Main Street— Site Plan & Preliminary Major Residential Subdivision Plat Review—Le Jardine de Hunter—S. Ouimet presenting
Ouimet advised that applicant has not yet received the letter of water availability for the project from Mayor Higgins.
The Board reviewed revisions S. Ouimet made to the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 3 Supplemental Narrative in response to the Board’s questions at the September meeting.
Chairman Slutzky said Board would wait until the SWPPP is completed and submitted to NYSDEP and Preliminary Plat has been presented to Board before making a SEQR determination or scheduling a public hearing.
- Creekside Retreat House-7961 Main Street—Site Plan Review and Architectural Review
Haley Bigando, PE and J.C. Alten, Project Manager, presenting
Chairman Slutzky confirmed that $800 site plan review fee had been paid to Village Clerk and $100 for review fee by Zoning Board of Appeals of applicant’s Variance Request had also been received by Village Clerk.
Chairman Slutzky advised he would file a 239 Review Referral for the project with Greene County Planning as the project is within 500 feet of a state highway.
Bigando reviewed the full size project plans with the Board. She pointed out that total building height had been reduced to 45 feet so no height variance would be required and the handicap entrance ramp that has now been included. She advised that Chris Costello of NYCDEP had advised that a SWPPP would not be required for the project as no new impervious area is proposed within 100 feet of a water course, and that NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Renovation (SHPO) had advised that the proposed project will have no Adverse Impact to historic and cultural resources.
The Board discussed with H. Bigando and J.C. Alten the availability of parking and handicapped parking accessibility. J.C. said that while available parking and handicapped parking on the site was very limited, adjacent on-street parking was considerable and the Catskill Mountain Foundation’s available parking across route 23A was ample. He also said the Foundation has always made a practice of assisting elderly and handicapped individuals in accessing their venues and events.
The Board reviewed in detail the submitted Part-1 Project and Setting of the Full Environmental Assessment Review Form with H. Bigando. The Board agreed that the proposed project would be classified as an unlisted action under SEQR. After discussion, P. Sikalis made a MOTION for the Board to seek Lead Agency status in a coordinated SEQR review of the project. C. Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Chairman Slutzky said the SEQR review would be continued at the next meeting with Board review of Part 2-Identification of Potential Project Impacts.
Chairman Slutzky asked H. Bigando to post the project plans and all relevant documents to a sharefile site and provide a link to the site to the Board to facilitate access for all involved and interested parties in the coordinated review. She agreed to do so.
Chairman Slutzky then began the project review under the Village Architectural Review Law. H. Bigando presented the building elevations, colored rendering and 3D image of the proposed building.
J.C. Alten advised the horizontal siding would be Hardi board and the vertical board and batten would be wood or Hardi board. He said the roof would be covered with architectural asphalt shingles. After further discussion and review, Chairman Slutzky made a MOTION to approve the project under the Architectural Review Law. C. Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Chairman’s Report:
Chairman Slutzky pointed out that the regular November meeting date would fall on Thanksgiving day and the regular December meeting would fall on Christmas day. After discussion Chairman Slutzky made a MOTION to reschedule both the November meeting and the December meeting to December 18 at 7:00 PM.C. Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Chairman Slutzky said that the Village Board at its last meeting asked the Planning Board to provide them a draft of a proposed new dumpster/trash removal law to deal with the numerous complaints the Village Board has received about unsightly dumpsters at residential homes. After discussion, the Board agreed to search for some existing trash handling municipal laws that could assist us in drafting one of our own.
Adjournment:
- Sikalis made MOTION to adjourn at 9:06 PM. C. Giangrande seconded the MOTION, which was carried by all.
Transcribed By:
Paul Slutzky