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:
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.
Experts Cite Flaws in Durst/Carvel Document
April 12, 2007
Pine Plains United retained three experts in land use to review the Proposed Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted by Durst. They have reviewed relevant sections of the Durst/Carvel DEIS and found them flawed. We have also included a link to a Letter-to-the-Editor by Becky Thornton, president of the Dutchess Land Conservancy, critiquing Durst’s claim that this is a “green” development.
John Lyons, an attorney with Grant and Lyons; George Janes, a visual impact expert at the Environmental Simulation Center in New York City; and Lisa Nagle, a planner based in Saratoga Springs, have each submitted letters to the Pine Plains Planning Board questioning the assumptions and methodology behind the document and urging the board to delay any decision on completeness until the flaws are corrected. Read more
