Carvel/Durst Updates
The proposal is for 951 new units (some houses are already on the property) on 2,200 acres mostly in Pine Plains, with a small part of the property in Milan. Read our latest briefing here. News and related updates are listed below.
Peer Review of Chapter 14 “Community Services and Fiscal Impacts”
March 20, 2008
Pine Plains United commissioned Michael N’dolo of Camoin Associates to conduct an objective peer review of Chapter 14 of the Carvel/Durst Draft Environmental Impact Statement, “Community Services and Fiscal Impacts”. Below are the Summary of Findings and a link to the entire document.
Peer Review of Chapter 14 “Community Services and Fiscal Impacts”
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
There are a number of omissions and material errors in Chapter 14 that render it invalid. Camoin Associates finds that Chapter 14 does not meet the requirements of the Carvel DEIS Final Scoping Document because it does not accurately reflect the fiscal impacts of the proposed project. As such, Camoin Associates recommends that the Town of Pine Plains Planning Board, as Lead Agency for the Carvel DEIS:
(a) reject Chapter 14 in its current incomplete form,
(b) require that substantial revisions be made by 1133 Taconic, LLC/Landmark Land
Company, Inc. (“Project Sponsor”),
(c) ensure that such revisions are reviewed by an expert party and that the revisions
are made to the satisfaction of the Lead Agency, and
(d) provide the general public the opportunity to comment on the revised version of
Chapter 14.
Durst Gravel Mine Impacts on Hamm Brook Area
March 12, 2008
Summary of Jane Water’s comments on March 12th about the Gravel Mine, Hamm
Brook area on the Carvel Site:
James Sheldon’s 10 Numbers
March 5, 2008
James Sheldon lives in Gallatin and has been paying close attention to the Durst Project for the past 4 years. His work focuses primarily on the financial implications of a development of this scale on our small communities. He posted a recent letter to the Planning Board on his blog. In the letter, he highlights 10 keys numbers that raise very important questions about the Durst Project and its viability as described in the DEIS.
Scenic Hudson Reports on Impact to Wildlife
March 3, 2008
Read the entire press release on the Scenic Hudson Website.
Released Mar 03, 2008
Jay Burgess
Director of Communications, Scenic Hudson, Inc.
Tel: (845) 473-4440 x222
Cell: (914) 489-0362
Fax: (845) 473-0740
jburgess@scenichudson.orgPINE PLAINS — An ecological assessment conducted by Scenic Hudson of the proposed Carvel Property Development in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, concludes the project would irreparably fragment an important wildlife habitat, contributing to the loss of rare species.
Comments concering Durst Project Impact on Boblinks and Barred Owls
March 1, 2008
Summary of Comments by Jane Waters made at the March 12th hearing about Bobolinks and Barred Owls at the Carvel site:
Durst DEIS Fiscal Impact Analysis is Inadequate
March 1, 2008
Jane Waters has been following the developments in the Durst Project for the past 4 years and is an active participant in the public process that has ensued. This article reflects her analysis of the Fiscal Impact Analysis provided by Durst in the DEIS.
“Turning Point” from the Daily Freeman
February 14, 2008
EDITORIAL
A plan to develop 2,200 acres of rural land into 951 luxury homes has certainly earned the attention of the residents of Milan and Pine Plains.When 300 persons from towns totaling less than 5,000 residents attend a hearing, that’s a tip off that locals smell something that could change their communities. For perspective, a comparable turnout for a city of Kingston hearing would require 1,200 residents. Read more
County Planning Weighs in on Durst Project
February 14, 2008
Robert Wills of the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development has written a scathing critique of the Durst Development. It is worth a read as it specifically addresses many of the claims of the developer and comes to starkly different conclusions.
“In this project’s current form, using the adjective “green” is nothing more than putting the proverbial ’spats on a pig’. We are hopeful that the project sponsor, with its acknowledged urban record of implementing exemplary green strategies in their projects, will, in good conscience, redesign Carvel Property Development as a true model of sustainable development, a character-filled community within which residents will be inspired to live, and Pine Plains will be proud to welcome.“
Download the PDF: County Planning Review of Durst Development
“More criticism than compliments at Carvel hearing” in Millerton News
February 14, 2008
Link to the article (registration required)
By Shaw Israel Izikson
02/14/08
PINE PLAINS - Despite nasty weather, more than 70 residents attended Wednesday night’s public hearing on the Carvel Property Development’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) at Stissing Mountain High School.
“Downstate developer meets upstate resistance” from the Daily Freeman
February 10, 2008
By Patricia Doxsey, Freeman staff 2/10/2008
The lightly shaded area straddling the border of Pine Plains and Milan on this map is where the Durst Organization wants to build more than 950 homes.
