IMPORTANT!!  REPORT ON THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING, APRIL 18
Submitted by Blanche Rubin

The Clinton Planning Board was recently advised by the Hyde Park Planning Board of a proposed subdivision on North Quaker Lane, just south of Hollow Road. All actions in another town that take place adjoining the Clinton town line are sent to the Clinton Planning Board for their knowledge and discussion, as required by state law.  Clinton’s Planning Board has no direct jurisdiction or final decision-making power. But the Town of Clinton Planning Board was requested to submit their comments to the Hyde Park Planning Board. Following completion of the evening’s planned agenda on April 18th, the Planning Board discussed the Hyde Park subdivision.

The land for the subdivision, to be called Serenity Hills, consists of 230 acres on which 77 single-family homes are being planned in a cluster development. The lots range from very small (an acre or so) to fairly large. Because of the cluster approach the developer is permitted to average the lot sizes. They average about 2.7 acres. This proposal would have a major effect on our quality of life in the southern section of Clinton, with certain impacts on groundwater supply and quality, major impact on traffic in the three historic hamlets along Hollow Road, and increased demand on the West Clinton Fire District. For those of us in the Hyde Park Central School District, this development would certainly increase taxes. We will also be faced with the destruction of a forested environment and the creation of visual blight, matters that are important to us all.

Norene Coller, Chairperson of the Clinton Conservation Advisory Council, submitted a letter of concerns to the Clinton Planning Board, outlining 10 major issues ranging from the development’s impact on Clinton’s aquifer and wells to its effects on rare animal species in the area, as well as covering all of the matters listed above.
A copy of this document is included below.

Michael McCormack, Chairperson of the Planning Board, made it clear that they were not aware of the subdivision’s status in the approval process; nor were they familiar with Hyde Park’s regulations and procedures. He requested that a letter of interest be sent to the Hyde Park Planning Board, requesting that Clinton Planning Board be kept apprised of the development’s progress. He also requested Norene Coller to send a copy of her letter to the Hyde Park Planning Board.

Art dePasqual, Planning Board member, agreed that we will be greatly impacted by this development. Addressing the Clinton United members who were in the audience, he advised, “Get some people down there [to the Hyde Park Planning Board meetings]. Numbers will make a difference, as we know!”

The discussion then turned to which governmental body, in Clinton’s town government, should be the one to address this issue. The Planning Board, the CAC, and the Town Board were all considered. Michael McCormack maintained that the Town Board, because of its clout and broader range of jurisdiction, was the appropriate group. He said, “This is not just a Planning Board issue. There are more concerns [beyond those the Planning Board would have the jurisdiction to consider] that are pertinent to the whole Town.” He added, “If we were to end up with a lawsuit, it’s the Town Board that has to initiate it.”

Audience members were permitted to offer just a few comments since this was not a public hearing. One emphasized that the way Clinton responds to this proposed development will set a precedent for all future large developments that encroach upon our town. Another made the point that there are two other sizable subdivisions adjacent or almost adjacent to Serenity Hills.

As more is learned about this development and its progress we will post updates here. Check back with the Clinton United web site often!

TOWN OF CLINTON
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
P. O. BOX 208   CLINTON CORNERS, NY  12514
To:  Clinton Town Board
Cc: Clinton Planning Board
From: Clinton CAC
Date:  April 19, 2006

Regarding: Proposed Serenity Hills subdivision, Hyde Park
     The CAC has examined the maps and made a road survey of the proposed Serenity Hills subdivision in Hyde Park, adjoining the Clinton town boundary.  We have the following concerns:

1. The aquifer in the region of the well field will be drawn down to fill the needs of 77 homes.  This may impact the wells of nearby Clinton residents.  A hydrologic study should be requested by the Clinton Planning Board and Town Board to assess the impact.

2. It is difficult to determine which watershed the well field will draw from.  The location appears to be on the boundary of the Crum Elbow and Fallkill watershed.  If the well field is indeed in the Crum Elbow watershed, the water would be withdrawn from that watershed and discharged into the Fallkill watershed through the waste treatment plant.  This action would have major impact on the water table in both watersheds.  This impact must be assessed. 

3. The subdivision is in the an area shown by the New York State Natural Heritage Program map as the “Crum Elbow Creek Wetlands Important Area” indicating that this area contains rare animal species.  A study by Erik Kiviat located a Blanding’s turtle population in this area.  Effects on the habitat required by this rare species should be documented in a biodiversity study by Hudsonia, including required mitigation measures before the application is approved.

4. The effect of the waste treatment plant on the small wetlands and small tributaries of the Fallkill Creek should be required since the water quality of the Fallkill Creek is already imperiled by development. 

5. The soils on the proposed subdivision are either hydric (saturated with water) or shallow upland soils (Nassau-Cardigan complex).  The upland soils are not suitable for development since the depth to bedrock is not great and, in some cases, the slopes are steep.

6. The cutting of the existing forest would have a negative impact on the ability of the soils to absorb precipitation, and would, therefore, increase runoff.

7. The majority of the proposed homes are slated to be placed on a ridge, which in some cases will be greater than 500 feet in elevation.  These homes will be clearly visible from North Quaker Lane, impacting the visual quality of all who drive by.

8. The impact on traffic passing through the hamlets of Pleasant Plains and Frost Mills would be great.  The historic roads are at capacity at present.  We would strongly suggest a by-pass road, as recommended by the Clinton Master Plan Committee of 1991, be constructed, connecting this subdivision with Route 9G and bypassing the historic hamlets.  This recommendation was considered by Dutchess County Department of Public Works in the past.  At the minimum, a traffic impact study should be required.

9. The plan is in error in stating that the fire district involved is Staatsburg.  The West Clinton Fire District would be required to service this subdivision.  They should evaluate the plan.

10. Finally, the impact to Clinton taxpayers in the Hyde Park Central School District would be considerable.  The school district should be asked to evaluate the impact on the over crowded schools, and taxpayers in Clinton should have a chance to express their concerns about the inevitable increase in school taxes.

Respectfully submitted,
Norene Coller, CAC Chair