CAC Meeting Minutes 11/01/08

Conservation Advisory Council (CAC)

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP)

Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC)

Town of Rhinebeck

Date: November 1, 2008

Consistency Review for LWRP of the Koff Property

Present: Members of CAC/LWRP/WAC: Meg Crawford, Raphael Notin, Bill Dowden, Lisa Camp, Sheila Maloney, Gloria Fox, and Carol Smith

Guests: Mike Trimble, Sharon Sherrod, Planning Board Members

The CAC conducted a consistency review of the William and Susan Koff property on River Road, Rhinebeck. This property is in the LWRP and the Historic District.

Lot 1 is being annexed to Lot 2. Are they still 2 separate lots under the conservation easement that would allow another dwelling? Has the right been reserved to build on old Lot 2? Lot 3 is being divided into Lot 3A and Lot 3B. Are there now four or five lots?

How will this new subdivision affect the Historic character of Ryan Road?

Building Lot 3B will affect the scenic view shed.

Three new driveway cuts are proposed on Ryan Road. Would a shared driveway be more appropriate for Lots 3A and 3B?

Ryan road is heavily used for walking and three driveway cuts would destroy the character of the road.

There are several wet areas on this property including 4 ponds and a seasonal stream.

The LWRP finds that the Historic and Scenic Resources Policies 24A and 24B apply to this project.

Policy 24A: prevent impairment of scenic resources within the estates district scenic area of statewide significance. Maintain and enhance landscaped grounds, maintain and preserve stonewalls, gateways, and landscape features. Using appropriate scales, forms and materials to ensure buildings and other structures are compatible with and add interest to the landscape. Identification and protection of existing trees of a significant size, that is eight inches or over in diameter, and of stone walls will be required through special permit and site plan requirements. The town should maintain and protect any stone walls along Ryan and River Roads. Any stone walls on the interior of these lots should be preserved.

Policy 24B: Protect scenic qualities of roads in the town nominated as scenic roads... Three driveway cuts would diminish the scenic qualities of the road.

Notes from CAC minutes including previous reviews also on the Koff property:

From August 25, 2008 minutes:

Town requires easements for the preservation of the existing rail bed for the expansion of the Huckelbush trail system. The rail system is an integral part of the Town's recreation planning.

• The CAC also reiterates its concern that the proposed subdivision is out of character with the nature of this designated scenic road. This site is part of the national historic landmark district. It provides a key transition between the few smaller homes on the eastern side of River Road, and the fewer large estates along the river. It nestles on the western side next to the Creed Ankony Farm and the Astor Casino. The wooded area on the property here provides a scenic buffer for the Astor Casino and Tea House. Impacts on those important sites should be addressed and mitigated in the site plan. This Type I action may have a significant adverse impact as set out in 6 NYCRR 617.7(c)(v): "the impairment of the character or quality of important historical, archeological, architectural, or aesthetic resources or of existing community or neighborhood character."

From April 28, 2005 minutes:

• Impact on wetlands - There are streams, ponds and wet areas on the property. The streams are tributaries to the Hudson River.
• Suburban subdivision - The application is for a subdivision with a distinctly suburban character on land located in the National Historic Landmark District, which land has several contributing features to said District, and which land is also in an agricultural district. The results of the proposed subdivision would be a significant adverse environmental impact on the Landmark District, and inconsistent with the
• Scenic District - The proposed subdivision is on River Road, an important scenic and historic road for the Town of Rhinebeck and for Dutchess County.

• The application exhibits a lack of sensitivity to the historic values for that area. River Road is an important scenic and historic road, well known throughout the State. Preserving the character of this road is important for the Town of Rhinebeck. The CAC is also concerned that the proposed suburban development is not appropriate for this agricultural land. We are further concerned that there could be a significant impact on wetlands and Hudson River tributaries, which the application does not address.

The CAC found that inconsistencies were found as per policies 24A and 24B

Respectfully submitted:

Sharon Sherrod and Carol Smith