PLANNING BOARD MEETING 5/21/2025
TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
MAY 21, 2025
Present: Chairman: Wayne Howell; Board Members: David Cantor, Jeff Boyd, Jeanne Zoll, Chris Ruckdeschel, Brian Cutler; Alternate: Mary Beth Horzepa; Planning Board Attorney: Alex Smith; Planning Board Engineer: Jason Pitingaro, P.E.; Town Board Liaison: Amanda Davis.
Absent: John Richichi
Meeting called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance led by the Chairman.
Motion made by C. Ruckdeschel to accept the minutes March 2025; second by D. Cantor All in favor; no opposed. (Please note that the minutes of March 19, 2025 stated that the Planning Board designated itself “Lead Agent” for Mongaup River Solar, LLC – that was in error – the Board did not! )
Correspondence: Chairman Howell reported that John Fuller had removed the application of Good Dada from the agenda and will appear next month.
Antona 3 Lot Subdivision Public Hearing– Tax Map Section 14; Block 1; Lot 44.31 in the RA Zone. Property consists of approximately 34.79 acres.
Present: Scott Buchholz, Project Manager
Scott presented all mailings; he stated that this is a 35 acre parcel that is being subdivided into two lots one will be 5.94 acres with the remaining lot 2 being approximately 29 acres which will be left to the Medina Farm. Chairman Howell asked if there was anyone from the public with questions and or comments; there was no one. Motion made by D. Cantor to close the public hearing; second by J. Boyd; All in favor; no opposed. Jason presented comments; they had done perc testing in 12/24 and this is basically the final format; monuments along the road and a new lot line for the site distance on the new lot line . If Circulation was done; they are still awaiting a call from County DPW; the remaining 20 acres can be developed in the future but as stated will need a land development plan and come before the planning board with a note on the plan. Counselor Smith was okay with everything and had no further comments. Chairman Howell stated that utilities will be underground. The County came back stating local determination. Motion to be made that the Town of Mt. Hope Planning Board designates itself “lead agent” for the purpose of the SEQRA and declares it to be an unlisted action; Motion made by C. Ruckdeschel; second by B. Cutler. All in favor; no opposed. Resolved, that the Town of Mt. Hope Planning Board is making a “negative declaration” as defined by Part 617 of the New York Environmental Law and the SEQRA review process and declares that the
proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
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Motion made by J. Zoll; second by D. Cantor. All in favor; no opposed.
Motion made by J. Boyd, second by J. Zoll to grant final approval subject to payment of all fees; addressing all comments; as well as County approval. All in favor; no opposed.
O’Brien Property – (Mother-Daughter) – Tax Map Section 1; Block 4; Lot 5 – Property located on 142 Pine Grove Road.
Present: Mark O’Brien
Mr. O’Brien stated what he wanted to do is “carve” out a space in his basement for his mother to live there. He has increased the size of his septic, there is a bathroom and he has fire proof door leading into the area he is hoping to “fix up”. The professionals stated that in 2019 the Town modified the code where as the Building Department could and can take care of this application Code 250-61 – you should go through the Building Department but it is good that you up-graded the septic. Mr. O’Brien was informed he doesn’t have to come to the Planning Board.
Mongaup River Solar LLC – 194 Pine Grove Road – Tax Map Section 1; Block 1; Lot 137 in the RES-1 Zone. Approximately 84 acres (property is Lane Meadow Farm LLC).
Present: Mr. Mihaly, Mr. Gallo & an Engineer
The applicants submitted visual simulations and stated that this is project is on 84 acres; it is for a development of approximate 2.1 megawatt of alternating current which is a ground-mounted facility. The majority of the facility will be located to the south and east of Ledge Road and west of Pine Grove Road. The remainder of the parcel is located to the east of Pine Grove Road and south of Van Burenville Road which is where the proposed solar facility would be. The owner would lease approximately 16.9 ft. of the property to the solar company. There will be no battery storage. They will tie into the Washington Heights substation; the side yard between the Town of Mt. Hope and the Town of Wallkill property line was discussed. They stated a 239 referral was done. They received variances from the Town of Wallkill. Jason presented his comments – they are proposing an approximate 30 foot rear yard setback (150 foot is required) and a 10 foot side yard setack (130 foot is required). There is a stream which runs through this property which Chairman Howell also brought up. C. Ruckdeschel asked if the “wall” panels could be seen and if this will be seen from any of the roads. Response was that there will be screening – the Board stated that in the past with screening it is “not taken care of or landscaped”. B. Cutler asked about the project changing “hands or being sold” as that is common practice with these projects. Response was that always can happen. They are currently before the ZBA for these variances; the Board asked what happens if they are not approved – response was they would have to “look at that”. The Board asked why couldn’t they be “moved”; response was “the landowner” doesn’t want them moved or give up any more property.
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- Ruckdeschel asked about the life of project – response was approximately 25 to 30 years. J. Zoll asked about the equipment you are using causing a large amount of ‘static”-response was they will provide further information. Fencing will be an 8 ft. deer fence and 5 inches on the bottom. The Board asked for information on what they received from the Town of Wallkill; Counselor Smith requested copies of their SEQR determination and their 239 referrals. The Board also requested to see pictures of the Town of Wallkill fencing. Jason asked about the “foundations – are they screws on slate?”
Chairman Howell asked about flood control pertaining to the stream running through the property.
They are waiting on the ZBA – The Board also would like to know more information on the fence in the Town of Wallkill as to does it tilt and does the panels “tilt”. If so, there should be some form of uniformity.
- Cutler asked if this parcel was going to be subdivided from the main parcel; no response.
The Board spoke on having a “landscaping maintenance bond” on the screening trees.
The Board decided not to schedule a public hearing and not to designate lead agency.
No reports from Planning Board Engineer or Planning Board Attorney.
Public Participation:
A gentleman approached the Board concerning 41 Old Mountain Road which consists of 125 acres and he would like to possibly look into putting in an “adventure park” on 40 acres there. Most of the acreage (125) is in a Forest Reserve. He would like to do like a rope course, zip line, etc. Jason responded that this would need an interpretation from the ZBA as your only “making it for limited use and it would be for commercial.
The Chairman will forward to the Supervisor C. Ruckdeschel’s proposal about the comprehensive subdivision plan and possibly reviewing it.
No further discussion.
Motion made by J. Zoll to close the meeting; second by D. Cantor. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Franck, Planning Board Secretary