Planner updates town on progress of zoning review


 

PINE PLAINS - Planning consultant Bonnie Franson appeared before the Town Board Jan. 31 to discuss her progress in the review of the proposed zoning law.

Franson, of Tim Miller Associates, was retained last year to work with the Town Board on that review, which she began in November. To start the process, Franson took a look at the town's objectives, especially in ensuring they kept in line with the comprehensive plan.

The next step was to meet with Town Planner Nan Stolzenburg, which she did in December.

"We discussed the history of the comprehensive plan and the thoughts behind the zoning law, and particularly the concept of the density being proposed, Franson said.

To some extent they also talked about the changes that have occurred since the beginning of the plan's drafting.

"Since December I've spent some time up here and I've really gotten a sense of your environment," Franson said, adding that that includes the agricultural environment, the amount of vacant land and the development pattern in the hamlet.

She also told the board that Stolzenburg provided her with some history and insight to the Carvel Property Development. Her priority remains, however, the town's zoning needs.

"This month my focus is on getting fully familiar with the zoning code," Franson said.

That code is what was proposed by the now disbanded Zoning Commission, which was formed specifically to draft zoning regulations for Pine Plains, the only town in Dutchess County without any zoning laws.

Franson said she wants to learn about the procedures and the organization, as well as the substance, of the code.

"Are there definitions in place and are they consistent?" was one question she asked of the board.

To help guide the town through her queries Franson said she will produce one report on the zoning law itself and two reports to address the review of the density formula that has been proposed. She said there's one basic question that needs an answer.

"Does the zoning as crafted achieve what the town wanted?" she asked.

The three reports will be submitted to Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky sometime this week. He will review them and if he finds them satisfactory the board will then hold its first real meeting with Franson.

"This is not a meeting," she said last Thursday. "This is just a report."

In January, Stolzenburg provided Franson with digital files to help her put a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) together.

"We're moving forward and going full steam ahead as far as the process goes," Franson said.

"There is a lot to do," said Councilwoman Dorean Gardner.

"At some point in February we're probably going to look at scheduling another meeting to talk about our findings and the law," town Supervisor Gregg Pulver said, as he brought the town up to date on the projected schedule for the zoning review.

Latest News

Nuvance hospital system to merge with Northwell Health

Sharon Hospital would become part of a larger regional health systems with 28 hospitals.

Yehyun Kim/CTMirror.org

Nuvance Health, which owns four hospitals in Connecticut and three in New York, will merge with Northwell Health to form a larger regional health system across two states.

Together, the companies will own 28 hospitals and more than 1,000 sites of care and employ 14,500 providers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton director is an Oscar nominee

Arlo Washington in a film still from the Oscar-nominated short "The Barber of Little Rock."

Story Syndicate

John Hoffman, a Millerton resident, has been nominated for his film “The Barber of Little Rock,” which he co-directed with Christine Turner, in the Best Documentary Short Film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.

Distributed by The New Yorker and produced by Story Syndicate Production in association with 59th & Prairie, Better World Projects, and Peralta Pictures, “The Barber of Little Rock” explores the efforts of Arkansas local hero Arlo Washington, who opened a barbershop at 19 years old and, with a mission to close the racial inequality gap in his community, went on to found the Washington Barber College as well as People Trust Community Federal Credit Union. Washington’s goal is aiding his primarily Black neighborhood, which has historically been underserved by more prominent banking institutions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Inside Troutbeck's kitchen

Chef Vincent Gilberti

Courtesy of Troutbeck

About growing up in Carmel, New York, Troutbeck’s executive chef Vincent Gilberti said he was fortunate to have a lot of family close by, and time together was always centered around food.

His grandparents in White Plains always made sure to have a supply of cured meats, olives, cheeses and crusty bread during their weekend visits. But it wasn’t until his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was 16 that his passion for food really began. It was there that he joined the German Club, whose partnership with Johnson & Wales University first introduced him to cooking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Some say the world will end in fire. Ice is also possible.
Eliza Osborne

Today it feels like all life won’t end tomorrow, but a week or so ago not so much. Man oh man it was cold. It. Was. Cold. Could see your breath freezing in the air when you tried to talk. Seemed like no one would hear what you said until the vapor cloud thawed out sometime next spring. Didn’t want to go out. Didn’t want to get up. Didn’t want to do much of anything but sit around with my blankie. Probably freeze to death just walking from the house to the car.

Which, inevitably, led to thoughts about mortality. I know plenty of people who think you might as well go ahead and eat as much bacon as you want before you go, at least you’ll die happy. If you’re one of them, this might help you check that one off your bucket list.

Keep ReadingShow less