Saugerties Holiday Express plan adds 70 units

The big question is not whether this development is warranted but whether the Village Waste Water Plant can handle the 70+ units the design calls for. In addition, other environmental and aesthetic concerns that need to be looked into with greater scrutiny inlcude;

1. Run-off from parking lot and how it will be pretreated to filter the petrochemicals?
2. Light pollution and use of appropriate fixtures to mitigate the spread of the light?
3. Will the Holiday Express look like a something you would not mind having in your front yard?
4. If in trying to expedite new development we ignore our own Saugerties Comprehensive Plan?

Planning Board Minutes for October 21, 2008 that include the construction proposal for the Saugerties Holiday Inn Express hotel.

A closer look is needed

In regard to the Partition Street Project and its impact on the Saugerties Village Waste Treatment Plant, the adjoining wetlands, disturbance of plant, fish and wild life and public access.
DISTURBANCE OF FISH and WILDLIFE ESTUARY:

PDF DOWNLOAD “SIGNIFICANT HABITATS AND HABITAT COMPLEXES OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT WATERSHED”, the Esopus Creek entering the Hudson River is a tributary for spawning habitat for herrings and overwintering areas for black bass species, just to name a few. It is determined that there are six wintering sites that are extremely important or critical to the maintenance of the Hudson River black bass stocks including Esopus Creek. THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT PDF

Local fishermen and sportsmen have used the lower Esopus Creek (right below dam) for centuries as an important resource for their recreation and livelihood. The Partition Street Project will have an adverse affect on this recognized estuary and historically significant resource, if permitted as indicated in the current plans that have been submitted and expressed to Saugerties Village Board.

References: http://training.fws.gov/library/pubs5/web_link/text/upp_hud.htm and http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html

SASS - IV. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: PDF DOWNLOAD

Please note that the referenced property is located at the (formerly known as) "Barclays Dam" and is within the "Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance" (published by the New York State Department of State, 1993) and therefore is subject to review. This was incorporated in the Saugerties Village's Waterfront Revitalization Plan originally drafted in 1985 and published as the village's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan in 1986.

"Whether within or outside a designated SASS all proposed actions subject to review under federal and State coastal acts or a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program must be assessed to determine whether the action could affect a scenic resource and whether the action would be likely to impair the scenic beauty of the scenic resource."

I've included the section of the "ULSTER NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE" that can be found in its entirety at http://www.nyswaterfronts.com/waterfront_developed_SASS.asp for your convenience.

VILLAGE OF SAUGERTIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE POLICY BOOK:

It is noted in the Village of Saugerties Waterfront Advisory Committee’s Policy Book in 21A, 22A, and SCENIC QUALITY POLICIES that the Partition Street Project would violate its guidelines and policies. In fact, Policy 24 almost paraphrases the SASS report above: “Prevent Impairment of Scenic Resources of Statewide Significance as identified on coastal area map.” It goes on to list the inclusions which list many of the guidelines which the Partition Street Project would violate, if permitted to be built as described by its owners’ representatives at the planning board meeting that was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 @ 7:00PM.

PATTERN OF NON-COMPLIANCE at DOCK ST WASTEWATER PLANT
SPDES# NY-0031208: PDF DOWNLOAD

I'd would also like to reiterate my concerns about the repeated pattern of non-compliance indicated in DEC records. My reasearch dates back from January 2000 (the first two quarters of) , including 09/18/04, 03/28/05, 04/06/05, 10/25/05, 01/31/06, 02/03/06, 06/28/06.

EPA reports indicate that SAUGERTIES (V) DOCK STREET STP, PDF DOWNLOAD
FRS ID: 110006621021 has been in non compliance eleven (11) quarters in the last (3yrs) NPDES Effluent Charts: http://www.epa-echo.gov/cgi-bin/effluents.cgi?permit=NY0031208

These non compliance reports indicate a systemic problem with the plant operations and should compel your attention and further study before the Partition Street Project connection is permitted.

Partition Street Project conceptual Architectural Plan

Partition Street Project conceptual Architectural Plan photographed 12/16/08 @ 11:30AM at Saugerties Village Hall.

Partition Street Project conceptual Site Plan #3

Partition Street Project conceptual Site Plan #3 photographed 12/16/08 @ 11:30AM at Saugerties Village Hall which details parking spaces.

Partition Street Project conceptual Site Plan #2

Partition Street Project conceptual Site Plan #2 photographed 12/16/08 @ 11:30AM at Saugerties Village Hall.

Partition St Project Site Plan

Partition Street Project conceptual Site Plan photographed 12/16/08 @ 11:30AM at Saugerties Village Hall.

Saugerties: Partition Street Project Contacts

For questions regarding technical specifications or aesthetics:

Brinnier & Larios PC
67 Maiden Ln
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 338-7622
Dennis Larios

McCormack Michael Architect
181 Church Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 452-2268
Architects

http://www.lmvarchitects.com/

Partition St. Project meeting leaves many questions

Last night there was approximately 30-36 people in attendance to listen to the presentation given by representatives of the Partition Street Project in the Village of Saugerties. The meeting officially started a little bit after 7:00PM and ended at around 8:30PM. It was made clear by board chair and Village attorney that the public would not be allowed to ask questions or have discussion during this stage of the planning. They stated that there would be ample opportunity for the public to weigh in later meetings to be held.

The engineer, architect, geologist and attorney representing the project gave the planning board members a brief description their clients' intentions to build what will consist of, a "a three story, 30 unit Hotel, a 4000 sq. ft. ballroom (accommodating 100-150 people for weddings and events), "catering facility", outdoor "tent" area, and terraced 100 space "valet" parking lot which is now known as "Nanny Goat Hill", and approximately an additional 100 space parking lot within the primary building site.

Presently the zoning is R3 (Special Use permit needed for parking lot) for the "Nanny Goat Hill" and PW (Planned Waterfront) for the remaining acreage. According to the Village Zoning Law Article #8: a Hotel/Motel requires one space per guest room, one space for every 3 employees. Restaurants/Bars require one space for every three seats or one space per every 1oo sq.ft. of gross floor area.

Here are some of the concerns expressed:

1. Excavation if "Nanny Goat" Hill: its historical significance and "blasting" that it will require.
2. Burden on already taxed Dock Street Waste Water Treatment and Blue Mountain Reservoir which is the Village's primary water utilities.
   
3. No public access and obscuring of public view of the historic Cantine Dam.
4. Excessive traffic that this project will produce and the inadequate road (9W/32) infrastructure that offers access.
5. The "hair pin" turn at the bottom of Partition Street that will undoubtedly be a problem.
6. Possible razing of several historically significant properties including "Nanny Goat Hill".
7. Run-off and pollution of the lower Esopus Creek from the 200+ parking lots and roofs of the building.
8. Disturbance of alleged pollutants burried as a result of the site's previous use.

Please add your comments.

Partition Street Project seeks permits

Saugerties based Partition Street Project, aka: Saugerties Convention Center project seeks permits required to start construction: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 @ 7:00PM in the Firehouse Room at the Saugerties Village Offices at 43 Partition Street. For information call 845-246-2321.

Bonded Concrete seeks permit on Kings Hwy

Saugerties plant of Bonded Concrete from Albany New York seeks permit to build permanent structure on Kings Hwy for concrete mixing - Tuesday, December 16, 2008 @ 7:30PM at Senior Citizens Center

Cantine Dam Conference Center Project

Saugerties Village Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday December 10 @ 7:00PM to include discussion of Partition Street Conference Center Project

Please note that these drawings were prepared by Ashokan Architecture & Planning, PLLC. However as of this writing (12/03/08), they are NOT involved with this project. The purpose of displaying these drawings are for information and historical reference ONLY!