Grocery possible over the border

NORTH EAST (MILLERTON) — A new supermarket is being proposed for the 10-acre field in the town of North East behind the North East Athletic Club.

On Monday, Nov. 22, Southern Reality LLC, appeared before the North East Planning Board, along with local architect Ray Nelson, to discuss plans to build a 35,000- to 40,000-square-foot supermarket. The store as proposed would  be built just outside of the village of Millerton, which is in the town of North East, behind the Thompson Plaza and Basil’s Auto Shop, off Route 44, near the state line.

“I think that the conversation was very healthy and it’s a preliminary process at this point,� Planning Board Chairman Henry Klimowicz said. “They seemed interested in being sensitive to our community and committed to their project.�

This was the first time the applicants appeared before the town; they remained mum on exactly which supermarket chain they represent.

“The way they presented it the tenant remained nameless, but there’s been a lot of speculation,� said Planning Board member Dale Culver.

Nelson presented four architectural renderings, showing different ways the building could be configured, as well as the driveway and other essential components.

Culver said many details must be taken care of down the road, including storm water management, traffic studies and other town code requirements, before approval can be granted.

“If they follow the guidance given and they move forward in a proactive manner, I see a high likelihood in the project reaching completion,� he said. “Personally, in my experience on the Planning Board, I did not see any insurmountable obstacles.�

One of the biggest concerns  raised had to do with the existing Grand Union, which is just down the road from the proposed project site. According to Culver, the applicants said there was some discussion that Grand Union has a long-term lease and wants to stay put.

“We asked if this will result in an empty plaza,� Culver said, adding the applicants apparently approached Grand Union to see if the company was interested in selling. “I don’t know how detailed they were, but it appears that the intent of Grand Union is to remain in occupancy. Again, all things are subject to change.�

“One of the big issues will be for the Planning Board to get a sense of scale,� Klimowicz said, adding that the applicants spoke about changing boundaries with the Thompson property (which is home to the athletic center, a beverage distributor, a coffee shop and a children’s play center) and about buying land from Basil’s to accommodate the development of the 10-acre lot.

“That’s going to be complicated,� Klimowicz said. “There may be three site plans and there could be five lot-line adjustments; it’s not impossible, but it’s tough.�

The Planning Board is also keeping an eye on the town’s infrastructure, including the need for sidewalks.

“It would be nice to see people walk to the supermarket,� Klimowicz said. “We’ll have to see how that all plays out.�

Aesthetics will also be important. Klimowicz sited new buildings such as Elizabeth’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts and the new Salisbury Bank and Trust branch, and also noted recent upgrades to Main Street buildings by Leo Flood. He said these are  good examples of the look the board wants developers to strive for.

“Buildings should be more than just big box. A boilerplate grocery store design won’t be what we want to see from the applicants,� Klimowicz said, adding that it’s important for the town’s buildings to be integrated. “We don’t want it like a strip, with Route 44 separate from our downtown. We’re still a walkable place and I see us as a whole.

“My goal for this project is that it moves through smoothly. I’m not looking to postpone or delay this process; the applicant and community have a right to that,� he added. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore the things that have to be looked at by this board.�

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