Town of Wappinger - Alpine Commons Workforce Housing

Conditioned Negative Declaration

Dutchess County - The Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Alpine Commons Workforce Housing will not have a significant adverse environmental impact provided specific conditions are met. There will be a 30 day public comment period commencing with the date of this notice.

The action involves a proposal by the Developer to construct five (5) residential buildings and related amenities within the southern, undeveloped portion of the Alpine Commons site. The Applicants intend to convert Alpine Commons from a retail shopping center to Mixed Uses per Town Zoning Code §240-81.7. The net lot area devoted to the residential component of the Mixed Use is 16.06 net usable acres (17.26 gross acres - 1.2 acres of steep slopes). The Project will be accessed via a spur off an existing internal road within Alpine Commons. The mix of apartment units contemplated is 48 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 36 three-bedroom units, for a total of 144 units. The 5 proposed buildings will exceed the 35 foot heigh limitation in the SC Zoning District and the applicants propose 3 story rather than 2.5 story buildings. The proposed action would include the extension of the United Wappinger Water District by the Town of Wappinger Town Board to provide municipal water to the site. The site is located within the United Wappinger Sewer District and as such has a right to connect to the municipal sewer system. Approval from the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health is also required to extend the water district and to connect to the sewer system. Construction of mixed uses in the Town of Wappinger requires special permit and site plan approval of the Planning Board, however, the applicant's project does not comply with the existing zoning and three variances are required from the Zoning Board of Appeals before any approvals could be granted by the Planning Board. The applicant has decided to apply for the variances prior to making a submission to the Planning Board. The applicant is seeking funding for the project from New York State Homes and Community Renewal and has been awarded a grant from the Dutchess County Housing Trust Fund Housing Creation and Preservation Program. The project is located 1404 Route 9 in the Town of Wappinger, New York.

The conditions are:
1. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) shall be prepared and approved by the Planning Board as part of the site plan approval. All SWPPPs must include practices consistent with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control.
2. Reduction of new impervious surface should be investigated by developing existing disturbed areas rather than clearing wooded areas for new development.
3. The SWPPP needs to address the integration of new stormwater facilities with the existing Stormwater practices on the Alpine Commons site. The efficacy of existing stormwater practices shall be verified as part of the SWPPP.
4. Appropriate stormwater practices shall be implemented on the site to control post construction stormwater runoff and minimize erosion in accordance with the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual.
5. Erosion and sediment controls shall be installed and maintained during construction activities as required by the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity.
6. Excavation of steep slopes should be minimized.
7. Proposed buildings should be integrated into the terrain to minimize the need for excavation. 8. Cuts and fills should be balanced to minimize the amount of materials removed from the site. 9. Stockpiles of fill must be controlled to prevent erosion.
10. Any blasting required shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 80 (Blasting) of the Town of Wappinger Code.
11. The Town of Wappinger Town Board must approve the extension of the United Wappinger Water District to the site to provide municipal water before any special permit can be granted. This condition shall protect the aquifer.
12. Limiting removal of trees between November 1 to March 31 would mitigate potential negative effects to the Bat species.
13. The exterior of the buildings should have muted natural colors to blend them in with the surroundings.
14. Truck trips for construction should be minimized to the greatest extent possible and should take place during off-peak hours.
15. After construction is completed and the project site is at least 50% occupied, a new traffic study must be conducted to verify that signal timings are appropriate, and that acceptable Levels of Service (LOS) are maintained. The study shall be supplied to New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) and the Town Planning Department. The study should be repeated one year after full occupancy of the residential units.
16. The applicant shall coordinate with NYS DOT as required to maintain acceptable levels of service.
17. A multi layered vegetative buffer, including but not limited to native evergreen plantings and native deciduous understory plantings, shall be placed on the perimeter of the cleared area to the satisfaction of the Planning Board at Site Plan review to act as a visual screen and as a sound reducing buffer.
18. Reduction of new impervious surface should be investigated by developing existing disturbed areas rather than clearing wooded areas for new development.
19. Street trees and sidewalks are required along the Route 9 frontage of the site.
20. Parking areas shall have well landscaped areas to enhance visual appeal and stormwater absorption.
21. Obtaining an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals would permit the development even though it is not consistent with the current Zoning Code.
22. Investigate the potential of creating neighborhood commercial uses on the site such as laundromats, dry cleaners, coffee shops, and restaurants for use by the proposed residential development.