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Experts to review Shawangunk Ridge project
By Dawn Letus
Correspondent January 09, 2003

GARDINER - Town Board members this week said experts will review Awosting Reserve's application to build a 350-plus-unit subdivision on 2,660 acres on the Shawangunk Ridge to determine their completeness before the application is sent on to the town Planning Board.

"The purpose of putting the proposal on the agenda (Tuesday) is to let the public know the application has been received and sent to the town engineer and town attorney for review," town Supervisor Jack Hayes said. Developers of the plan have called the proposed project "a conservation-based community... designed in the style of Adirondack camps, with a village center, cabins, cottages and retreats for three-generation family living dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the unique natural and scenic resources of the Shawangunk Ridge." But some residents and environmentalists are already concerned and cautioned the Town Board to move carefully when reviewing the project due to the environmental sensitivity of the Shawangunk Ridge and the fact that other agencies will be involved. Located primarily in the town of Gardiner, the proposed subdivision spills over into the towns
of Shawangunk and Wawarsing. The developers are Roger Beck, president of Red Oak Partners, LLC; Putko Tillson Lake, LLC; the Delaware-based Awosting Reserve; and the community design, development and management group Chaffin/Light Associates. Former Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman David Strauss suggested the Town Board hire outside consultants, at the applicant's expense, to review the proposal and ask the state Department of Environmental Conservation to lead the evaluation. Hayes read aloud a Jan. 3 memorandum from town Planner Jim Freiband that states the applications for subdivision, site plan and special permit approvals, received Dec. 23, each face extensive environmental review and put time restrictions on the town and other affected agencies. Freiband wrote, "Due to the size and complexity
of the applications, a thorough determination of completeness is required to establish the starting dates for time periods under the various applications." Freiband also recommended the Town Board initiate lead agency coordination and ask the state Department of Environmental Conservation if it would accept the designation due to the multiple town involvement and to protect the state's interests at Minnewaska Park. The town should formally refer the applications for a determination of completeness and the Planning Board must also evaluate the application materials for completeness, Freiband wrote. "However, it should be noted that (the town subdivision
regulation) requires submission of a sketch plan prior to preliminary plat submission, so that the application is defective as pertains to the subdivision process and no time limit can be construed to run," Freiband noted. Based on consultations with the town attorney, Freiband concluded, some additional applications might be required. Among those, he said, were open development area and waivers of town street specifications. Zoning Board of Appeals member Morey Gottesman said it may behoove the town to push the state environmental agency a little to get them to accept lead agency
status on this project. Peter Conte, a local hydrogeologist, said on Jan. 6 that he also submitted a memorandum to the Town Board that said he felt the application was incomplete after reviewing the proposed plan. "A lot of mail has been received over the last two or three days," Hayes said Tuesday.

Daily Freeman 2003