The September 28 Marbletown Planning Board meeting moved through a series of applications and updates, with several projects advancing toward approval and others awaiting additional review.

Chairman Dave Cobb began with an update on the Munday/Goldman 3-lot subdivision. “There’s a bill outstanding for $1,632.50. The funds available: we’ve only got $1,500.” To resolve the shortfall, the board made a motion to pay $1,500 and bill the applicants for the remaining balance.

Medenbach, Eggers and Carr represented property owners Michael Park and Kumran Pyan in a discussion of a proposed subdivision and lot line adjustment at 213 High Falls Road. Much of the property is near Route 213, and the plan includes curve cuts, rock cuts and a flag lot. A flag lot features a narrow strip of land resembling a flagpole, and “the main body of the flag lot must be at least 1.5 times the standard minimum lot area required for that specific zoning district.” The Zoning Board of Appeals is aware of these plans, and the project needs DOT approval. The Planning Board voted to “deny this proposal so that then we can go to the ZBA,” postponing further consideration until October 26, pending a decision by the Zoning Board.

“A lot has to happen. The map needs to be updated quite a bit”, Cobb indicated.

Greenpoint Solar, representing the High Falls Water District at 176 Mohonk Road, approached the lectern for a public hearing on a special use permit (SUP) connected to their large-scale solar project. The plans involving four 94-foot panel sections were presented at last month’s meeting. With no comments during the public hearing, the special use permit was approved. A gate lock feature needs to be reexamined, since this could impede emergency responses.

“We just have to work out the fire access. Pretty easy to do,” Cobb said, as a resolution will be written up soon.

Peak Properties, which includes “a shale bank currently in operation” at 240 Peak Road, requested a SUP renewal application. The application was accepted and a public hearing is planned for the next meeting on October 26.

Michael McClatchy of 195 Mohonk Road spoke briefly, “asking for an extension on a subdivision.” A six-month extension was granted.

The Hardenburg Hills subdivision was the focus of planned roadway changes. Although the agenda listed the time block as an opportunity to “discuss waiver and escrow,” Dan Kohler of Hudson Land Design focused on application details, including road width and a request to waive shoulder requirements.

“Two ten-foot travel lanes” and a “twenty-foot-wide paved travel way” were central features of the application. The roadway serves eight building lots, not all of which are currently occupied. Kohler argued that the proposed changes would be “safe, fully functional and environmentally prudent” and “fire code compliant.” By comparison, neighboring portions of Route 209 are 24 feet wide, as required. A $5,000 escrow amount was also discussed. The application was approved, with the two-foot shoulder requirement waived.

“People will drive a little more conservatively”, Kohler said. “Very low volume local roads.”

The Stone Ridge Fire Department requested site plan review to construct a 40-by-60-foot garage. The structure would not require water or septic, but representative Chris Smailer indicated that a heating system would be needed to properly accommodate a pumper truck. The metal-sided, sand-colored storage facility is planned near the cell tower. The application was approved and designated a SEQRA Type II action, a classification generally used for projects that do not have a significant adverse environmental impact.

New York City DEP plans to modify a pump chamber building at 5 Aqueduct Way in High Falls. According to the agenda, DEP requested “new construction of a canopy, repair and maintenance of an existing structure.” Roofing repairs are among the proposed work. The Rondout Chamber building was constructed about a century ago along the Catskill Aqueduct. Proposed changes include “new additions of canopies” intended to reduce the danger posed by falling icicles. Planning Board member Erik Nelson emphasized that there would be “no change to the footprint of the building.” The maintenance application was approved and designated a Type II SEQRA action, with a public hearing scheduled for October 26. A DEP representative said there are no plans to substantially alter the historic structure.

“It’s a pretty cool building”, she said, regarding this brownstone.

The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for October 26.