Durst Purchases More Land Adjacent to Carvel Property
April 4, 2008
The Poughkeepsie Journal has published an article on Durst’s recent purchase.
Visual Impact: Durst DEIS Photosimulations Seriously Flawed
March 20, 2008
George Janes has provided a visual impact assessment that addresses some significant flaws in the Durst DEIS. The simulation above, for instance, matches the grading plan with the building locations to provide an accurate representation of disturbed land. In the DEIS, according to Janes, Durst makes unsubstantiated assumptions in order to show little to no visual impact.
→ George Janes’ Photosimulation Critique of Durst DEIS”
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:
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.
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.
DLC President Letter-to-Editor - Durst is “far from green”
October 10, 2007
Printed in the Poughkeepsie Journal on October 10, 2007Valley Views: Pine Plains plan is far from ‘green’ development By Becky Thorton October 10,2006I’ve been in the conservation land planning field for more than 20 years now, and I’ve seen all sorts of development and open space plans during that time. There seems to be a big difference between what I have been reading and hearing of the proposed Carvel development described as a compact project that preserves open space and what I see when I look at the plans made public to date.
Start by picturing the Carvel property in Pine Plains: 2,200 acres of beautiful, serene land and, with the exception of the existing golf course, a relatively undisturbed and open landscape. Read more
