At a glance
Tuesday's regular Planning Board meeting handled routine business — paying engineering invoices and adopting a new formula-based escrow fee schedule — and took updates on two ongoing projects. The centerpiece: a detailed first presentation of 'Waterfront Village,' developer Ben Fain's plan to redevelop the long-vacant Kaz property near the Amtrak station into a roughly 150-home mixed-use neighborhood with a grocery store, retail, and open space. The board declared its intent to act as lead agency for the project's environmental review.
010:47
Opening, announcements, and a special meeting on housing
The board opened with introductions and the announcement of a special meeting later in May.
Key points
- The chair introduced Logan, who is providing ongoing technical support, and welcomed Nick Fox, the city's new code enforcement officer, who sat in to begin discussing how the board and code enforcement can work together.
- The board announced a special meeting on Thursday, May 28, starting around 6:45 p.m., devoted entirely to the Hudson Housing Authority project — said to be too large to share an agenda with this meeting.
- Roll was called; one member was absent.
A note on the transcript
This page is built from YouTube's automatic captions. The transcript has no speaker labels and garbles many names, so this summary describes speakers by role and uses applicant names only where they were clearly stated aloud. Check anything important against the city's official minutes.
022:57
Bills, minutes, and a new escrow fee schedule
The board handled routine business and adopted a formula-based escrow fee schedule.
Key points
- The board approved three invoices from its engineering consultant totaling $930.90, and approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
- It adopted a new escrow fee schedule — a set of routine escrow amounts scaled to a project's size and scope, so escrow no longer has to be negotiated case by case and applicants are treated consistently.
- The amounts were based on the prior board's figures, how far they had fallen behind, and a comparison with similarly sized municipalities in the area.
037:38
360 State Street: the lighting plan
The applicants for 360 State Street returned with responses to a consultant's comment letter and a lighting plan.
Key points
- The applicant team submitted responses to all consultant comments, supporting documents, and a lighting plan that adds bollard and walkway lights.
- After visiting the site, board members said the existing lighting appeared to be overnight 'safety lighting' and asked what a full operational lighting plan would look like.
- A board member encouraged a 'dark sky' approach to limit light pollution, especially around larger parking lots in residential neighborhoods.
- The board and its consultants will review the just-submitted lighting plan, and the applicant is expected back at the next monthly meeting.
0411:58
810 Van Winkle Road: completing the Academy Hill subdivision
The owner of 810 Van Winkle Road is seeking re-approval to finish the long-running Academy Hill subdivision.
Key points
- The project — the Academy Hill subdivision, also known as the Mount Ray project — was originally approved in 1985 for 50 units in two phases. Of those, 43 units were built and sold.
- The request is to finish the final nine units: three triplex buildings on three lots still owned by the developer, with exteriors matching the original plan and compliance with current codes.
- The applicant team is working through the engineer's comments, including whether the environmental review needs to be reopened, and was unable to have the full submission ready for this meeting.
- The attorney said he intends to contact the property's homeowners association — which had raised concerns about the construction process — before the next meeting, when the applicant will return.
0518:50
Waterfront Village: a 150-home plan for the Kaz property
Developer Ben Fain and his team gave a detailed first presentation of 'Waterfront Village,' a redevelopment of the long-vacant Kaz property near the Amtrak station.
Key points
- Ben Fain — already behind Kitty's, the Wick Hotel, and other waterfront properties — described a phased plan to redevelop a site that has been largely vacant for decades.
- The plan covers roughly 6.25 acres in the application (about 7.75 acres counting already-completed work) and proposes about 150 homes, a roughly 16,000-square-foot grocery store, additional retail (a 7,200-square-foot building plus a 1,200-square-foot boutique pavilion), internal streets, a large central open space, and roughly 269 parking stalls.
- The architects described breaking the large site into three walkable blocks, extending the street grid south, integrating the existing Wick Hotel, and placing a five-story residential building on the lowest part of the site.
- The project would be built in three phases — phase one is the grocery, open space and infrastructure — and the contaminated site has been accepted into the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program.
- The applicant's attorney explained the project needs a rezoning of the whole parcel to the RSC-2 mixed-use district, a petition already submitted to the Common Council, and asked the board to begin the state environmental review (SEQR).
Connections
The Waterfront Village rezoning petition is also before the Common Council, which discussed it at its May 14 Legal Committee and its May 18 informal meeting. The project draws on Hudson's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and the Hudson 2035 Comprehensive Plan.
0653:45
Board questions, and the first SEQR step
Board members raised concerns about scale, traffic, flooding and sewers, then voted to begin the project's environmental review.
Key points
- Members welcomed the early feedback opportunity but said parts of the plan felt 'bulky'; the five-story residential building seemed tall for Hudson's two- and three-story fabric, and members questioned whether a larger grocery store fits the city's character.
- Members raised traffic and emergency access — the site is bounded by train tracks and Tanner's Lane with limited egress — and asked the project's traffic consultant to study evacuation access closely.
- A member raised the combined sewer overflow that already discharges near a public park and asked how the project would avoid making it worse; the team said an engineering report on water and sewer would accompany the environmental narrative.
- Members also asked about flood-plain regulations, viewsheds toward Mount Merino, and whether the housing would be affordable; the team said the residential units are currently proposed as market-rate and a market analysis will be done.
- The board voted to declare its intent to serve as SEQR lead agency and classified the project as an 'unlisted action' — the first procedural step in the environmental review.
What's next
As lead agency, the board will circulate the project to other involved agencies. The developer will return with full site plans, lighting and landscaping plans, and a SEQR environmental narrative covering traffic, stormwater and the brownfield cleanup.
Read the full transcript
0:47Everyone, uh before we convene the meeting, a couple of quick announcements. Uh one, I neglected to introduce a new member of our team last meeting. Uh Logan is going to be providing tech support for us on an ongoing basis. Appreciate that. And and I know that Peter is especially grateful that he does that. also [clears throat] want to introduce a guest that is not a new member of the planning board although he's seated with us but Nick Fox is the new code enforcement officer Hudson and it's our first opportunity to really begin to talk about [clears throat] how we can work together we welcome you and uh glad you're joining us in the this part of the ceremon um also I wanted to uh in a more formal way announce that we do have a special meeting scheduled now heard from all of you that you're able to participate. Uh but for the record, it's uh May the 28th. Um it'll be a single topic agenda. Uh really looking at the Hudson uh housing authority project. Um
1:53it was too much to put that and tonight's meeting on one agenda. Uh so we decided to divide that up. So thank you for your willingness to another night uh with us at the table. Um, please note that it won't start until uh close to 7:00 because there's another meeting in the space from 6:00 until about 6:45. So, we will be starting let's say 6:45 if you could arrive by then. It'll start as soon as the uh uh the other meeting concludes. U the only announcements I had before we convened unless there's any other announcements for the good of Ford. >> 28th >> 28th. So um we'll call the meeting to order. Lyn, would you call the role please? >> Yes. >> Dr. Black here. Mr. Spears >> here. Miss Cochra >> here. Mr. Woodoff >> here. Mr. Shinsky >> here. >> Mr. Michaelson. Mr. both >> here.
2:57So, uh some regular business. First item uh uh is approval of any pay payments for bills. Do we have invoices? >> We have three invoices from our engineer Randy engineering design totaling $930.90. >> And these have been reviewed and and are >> correct. >> Okay. So, a motion to approve be in order being moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Sarah seconds. And roll call, please. >> Mogle. >> Yes. >> Dr. Black. >> Yes. >> Mr. Spear. >> Yes. >> M. Conquer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bthog. >> Yes. >> Mr. Schedy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Michaels. Absent. >> Um, now we'll approve the minutes from the last meeting. uh as distributed. Uh are there any additions or corrections to the minutes as distributed? Hearing none, a motion to approve and be aware.
4:00Motion moves to approve. Second, >> a second. >> Veronica seconds. Call the role, please. >> Senator Bogle. >> Yes. >> Dr. Black. >> Yes. >> Mr. Spear. >> Yes. >> Miss Cro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Clifford. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shepsky. >> Yes. >> Mr. Michael absent general >> Kaylee did inform me this afternoon that he was has a conflict tonight and won't be able to join us. So we're proceeding uh in his absence. The um the next item is part two of an action that we took in our last meeting. At the last meeting we pro approved the new uh process for the receiving management and distribution of escrow. Um you reviewed that and approved it at our last meeting tonight. We're now looking at the actual escro amounts. Uh these uh these suggested escro fees have been distributed tonight to you and they were at your uh place at the table. Um the objective here was to create a defensible uh routine uh escrow amount depending on the size and scope
5:05of the project so that we don't have to determine at each individual meeting what the pescrow would be for any particular project. that by introducing a formulaic approach, it also uh would remove any any concern [clears throat] of of uh uh unfair practices toward one applicant over another. So you can review uh those suggested rates and and again these were developed by Andrew, Linda, myself as well as coordination with the parties in the city that we work with on these matters. Um, so you can I'll be happy to talk talk it through each of these or do you simply want to review them and then we can take action? Any questions? Is um some increases in the prior estro and additional use. Was there just a flat fee increase or a percentage?
6:09>> No, these amounts were based on the prior board's amounts and how much we fell behind. And we did comparison of municipalities of similar size throughout the area. Okay. Any further discussion? questions. A motion to approve is is your order. [laughter] Second, >> Peter, I'd like to call the ROM. >> Yes. >> Dr. Black, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Miss Contra. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> Mr. Shepsky, >> yes. [clears throat] Michael. >> And finally, and uh under regular business, uh there's a an opportunity [clears throat] for leazison reports. Uh just as a reminder, in our early uh time
7:12uh with the revised board, we established relationships with two other uh uh agencies or organizations in the city. Uh and just so we would have sort of the physical infrastructure in place for those opportunities when we might benefit from working together. Uh Nathan Peter, I don't know if you have any updates on your ideas on work, but I wanted to provide that opportunity. >> Okay. >> So, let's move into old business. Um I would invite the applicants from 360 State Street to uh present. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening again everyone. Um since we saw each other last month uh we received a comment letter from the consultant. They provided very recently provided responses to all those comments additional documents backing up responses and [clears throat] uh a lighting for the metric plant as well. We haven't had any uh real time take
8:16those yet. But uh here to answer any additional questions you might have or take any different direction. >> So, after the last meeting, some of us went over to just see firsthand what the lighting looked like, >> and I think we have some thoughts that we'd like to share. Do you hear Sarah? Any thoughts you want to share after after? >> Yeah, I appreciate that it being mentioned in the last meeting that the lighting plan would be something that we would discuss and it looks pretty obvious that the lighting is there. It's just sort of like safety lighting for overnight. Um, so I guess the question is to do what we can what we can expect from you in terms of a full lighting plan for operation. There's neighbors kind of went pretty close. >> Yes. So we did we did send a lighting plan all the light fixtures down there. We had added several holes and a few builder lights additionally like the walkways etc. So, one of the things that I would say, even though I'm not aware of the Hudson
9:20has a dark skies policy, but I think we would like to encourage, especially when you're in neighborhoods, that we are mindful of light pollution and that to to the degree possible that we follow a dark sky kind of approach to lighting, especially larger parking lots and and so forth. So, um is that part of the not the dark sky, but the lighting plan? I was a part of what they've already submitted. Uh we had question looking for more detail on it and it sounds like you've just recently made the submission. We had seen it yesterday. >> That's correct. >> So that's as of today, anything you would add? >> Uh I mean it sounds like we're going to review it. It um Yeah, it was it was seemed nice. >> Yeah. So, we'll review that and then provide comments for the board. >> Any other comments from the engineer? >> Uh, no, there's no new comments, but we'll go through their their new submission and um hopefully most of the
10:22items are checked off. >> Any comments from here? >> Oh, likewise. No new comments here. I will of course review the applicant submission that just came in today and update the board according if there's any further input necessary. >> So, I assume we would have you on the agenda again for our next uh monthly meeting. Any board comments or questions? >> Yeah, the um I think right down there as well and there's like poles there lights up and everything. Some of the lighting is coming from the old library which is the gathering building. Are you going to utilize that light for your project? You putting your own lighting in that parking lot front of your building. >> We are we're not counting on >> you're not counting >> anyone else's lighting, right? utiliz >> in a light pose in the lower parking lot on State Street side. I think there was one or two poles with light on either side. That's okay. But it was dark there. >> Yeah. >> On the front of the building itself with a walkway as a sidewalk. There's plenty of lights there, but the illumination
11:26could be better. >> So, any other comments? Any additional information? Uh just one meth uh clarification. Uh should I be working directly with the city's DPW or water and sewer people or are you forwarding the information to them? Someone else doing that? >> You should typically you should be >> but keep us in the loop so then we all know what's going on. >> Okay. So we'll see you next month. >> Okay. >> Okay. Good to see you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Um new business. Uh we have a presentation from 810 Van Winkle Road and the floor is yours. >> Hi, good evening. Andy Brick brick law firm on project attorney. With me is John Hitchcock and Isabella Hitchcock from the museum engineers are project engineers. Isabella just told us it's way too nice to be in here this evening. So I will be very quick get out my way. Um this is 810 Van Winkl. It's the Academy Hill subdivision, also known as
12:30the Mount Ray uh project. Uh originally approved in 1985, uh for 50 units. Uh there were two phases. The first phase was completed 22 units. The second phase was approved uh for 28 units going 19 got constructed. Um we are here seeking reapproval of the original project so that we can complete uh the nine remaining uh lots and construct them. They are three lots. Uh if you're familiar with the project, they are three unit buildings. They're triplexes. So 810 Van Winkle is uh three uh lots that will be three triplexes. So that would be the nine units. It's nine new, not nine new buildings, but three new buildings uh with nine units total. It was part of the original approval. Uh the original approval had a sunset provision. And for a good number of years, uh, I used to come down once a year, usually in a snowstorm, and seek an approval, uh, for an extension of the time, but my client, Cat Hill Development Corp, got a little
13:32distracted with some things and and and let it lapse. So, they're now uh asked me to come back and work with John to work with you to see if we can get it uh put back on track and finally approved and constructed. Uh we're proposing uh units that look exactly the right there. Um it's uh you know it's in keeping with the original plan. We're not changing anything. Units are the same. Obviously codes have changed a little bit. We'll comply with all the new codes but from from the outside from the exterior the appearance will be the same. Um we did receive the initial engineers letter from uh Renie Engineering and we are working on those comments. Um they involve uh addressing the secret process and whether or not it needs to be reopened or or still within the thresholds. Um reviewing I believe they're reviewing the SWIP to make sure what we're still doing is in compliance with the SWIP. Uh they were going to ask for a sewer letter uh a staging plan uh and a project narrative as well as outlining what the original bulk table with the original zoning was approved so
14:35we can compare to what we're proposing to make sure we're still in keeping the improved. So we are working on that. We were hoping to have it here for you this evening, but we didn't get there yet, but we will have it for you well in advance of the next meeting. Um, so that is primarily our updates. I would add that in preparing for this meeting, I reviewed some of the documents that you have on your website and it's really helpful to just be able to go to your website all the way back to 1985. So, so thank you. Um, but one of the things I did see is that there was a letter from the HOA that was submitted subsequent to the meeting when we were here in February of 2025. and there is an HOA for that property and um I intend uh before the next meeting to reach out to the HOA. They they addressed I only found the letter preparing this meeting. They had some legitimate concerns primarily related to the construction process and making sure it's unobtrusive as possible which is something we completely agree with. So I will be reaching out to the HOA to to work with them coordinating any issues and concerns they have uh regarding the process. So that's all are updated now. we are working on anything rea then uh
15:39we'd ask uh if you have anything else you want us to take a look at let us know we may do so um or if not if you put us on the next agenda we'll have everything resubmitted we know we'll get in here for the next meeting >> okay any comments from the commission >> no nothing new if you're working on everything we had in the April 7 comment that >> that's what we're >> yeah any comments no at this point in time board any questions >> I do have a question which is I'm mostly I wasn't here in 1985. I was in the first year of high school. >> Were you born? >> I was, you know, 10 years old. But um um >> really [laughter] um the new projects versus the existing buildings is it I just trying to understand leadership structure parcels versus all the other they're just like who are all the players on I'm not familiar with so just to get my up to speed not not any
16:42>> correct because it was approved as a cluster subdivision of behind. One of the requirements was that the project sponsor the building uh our client academy hill development that they create an HOA loan association that was approved with an offering plant through the New York turn general. >> Yeah. >> And they did that. So they then went and sold all the lots that were constructed. When those lots were purchased, those people automatically become members of the HOA. So, the two the three lots that we're going to build on are still owned by our client, but all of the other units have now been sold and they're own individually, and that's the HOA. And that those are the neighbors. And candidly, those are the people that will be most affected by the construction of these final nine units. That's why I said we're definitely going to reach out to them. We want to coordinate with them. We want to make sure um they can be supportive of our proposal. Awesome. Does that answer? >> Yeah. Quick. Are they going to answer questions? No. >> Originally day one there's like three stages.
17:43The project itself it was two phase. >> Two phase. >> Yeah. 22 in the first and then 28. They built and sold the 22 and then they built and sold 21 and then the nine are the ones that remain. >> You're that's what you're here for now. >> Correct. Yes. >> Was it was Espro established at the time? >> I don't know if Escobar was established at the time. You did establish. We provided ESCO for TDE analysis for this current pending application. So you do have you do we did submit an are you aware of that? >> Um so thank you >> and if it needs to be replenished just let us know. >> We we expect a full engineering review we look forward to it and John can address any concerns that come up and you know we're comfortable we can can address any concern. Any other comments or questions? So, we'll see you next month. >> Okay. >> Look forward to working with you. >> Thank you all. And the applicant behind us let us borrow their easel. So, we strongly support the project. [laughter]
18:46>> You're welcome. >> Uh, next new business is the Waterfront Village. Um, I do know they have a fairly uh uh detailed presentation they want to make and I'm suggesting that uh we consider holding our questions until at the completion of their presentation. Is there going to come back? just
20:07because we have to go through Is it actually It sounded good. >> Yes.
21:11planning. What do you do? Everybody's [clears throat] get hot. The
22:12>> floor is yours. >> Good evening, Chairman and members of planning board. Uh, this project is a long time coming, so I'm very excited to present it to you all. Uh, this is our >> Can you introduce yourself to the new members? >> Absolutely. My name is Ben Fain. uh Hudson resident eight about eight years almost nine years uh I started Kitties Grapefruit Wines the caboose um Mr. Cat now uh the Wick Hotel we're renovating and now this is our next phase of what we're we're we're dreaming of here. So the project that I'm going to present, we're all presenting tonight is created on the belief that this district could become one of the most vibrant and welcoming parts of Hudson. I really drank the Kool-Aid on the v on
23:14the vision that Hudson had for this area, especially this site, the cat site. Um, so I'm going to tell you about our proposal. Um, you're going to hear about the dream to remediate contaminated land, add 150 homes, uh, introduce neighborhood serving retail, a grocery component, in improve pedestrian connections, implement the the city's vision for a mixeduse waterfront district that's already underway. So, uh, this is just the beginning. This is a a sort of a longer process, but that's that's what we're So, I was always told when I was if we to do something like this, you tell them what you're gonna tell them. You tell them it and then you tell them what you told them. So, that's what I'm going to try and do tonight. So tonight, what we're going to walk through is really the team behind the project, our vision, the existing site, why it matters, the
24:17environmental remediation, um, and how the project aligns with Hudson's long-term planning vision. Uh, the big, but the probably the most important thing tonight is your feedback. So the team behind this project we uh is we really started this because we knew this was a complicated project. This is a and we wanted the strongest team possible. So we have we get we have architectonica and Christopher Short is here. The architectonica is one of the most respected architecture firms and urban design firms in really in the world. um and they do mixed use projects all the time, but in particular waterfront developments. So that was a a very important part of who we wanted to work with. We're working with LRC group who you many of you know that they have a lot of experience obviously with complex infrastructure which is important. um Whiteman, Austrian Hannah, Charlie
25:19Gotautle, then uh who's who's doing our landl and the nice and weird group. That's me, Michael, and many others. But so it's a serious project and it took a serious this is a dream team. That's I'm just going to say it. That's that's who we're working with and I feel very lucky about that. Uh so we're going to get into the details, but the big picture, our vision that this is a walkable mixeduse neighborhood. It's an extension of Hudson full stop. Uh it's not an isolated development. It's not a private enclave. It's not a disconnected campus. It's part of Hudson. So what we're talking about is we've got 6.2 2 acres. It's direct that that's the what we're going to show you tonight. Uh it's it's located across the street from the Amtrak station. You know, it's it's been quasi
26:23abandoned, frankly, for almost 30 years, maybe more at this point. Uh so it's been disconnected. We hope to change that. We we are very very concerned about maintaining the architectural character, respecting the surrounding neighborhood, respect for the industrial and waterfront history, respect for scale and scale and and but in particular walkability. So what you're going to see is uh we have a residential housing proposal of 150 units neighborhood retail internal streets landscaping circulation parking and infra and integrating the Wick Hotel. So the Wick Hotel is is amazing. It's the best and it's going to be better. We're we're working on that and we're going to that's a a whole other story but that's that's coming and it's going to be so our our goal is to integrate this all together.
27:26Important part of this this is a phased approach. We're we're really trying to do this in three phases um so that it doesn't appear all that's that's extremely important to us. The neighborhood it has to evolve organically. Um uh also to do this we're doing an environmental remediation of the site. It has that has to be done very carefully and we have to have time to respond to community feedback. So phase one is the grocery component, our hotel improvements, additional parking, internal drive and infrastructure which is a building beneath the building. Uh so environmental re remediation you're going to uh we the site has been accepted into the New York State brownfield cleanup program as a part of that there's obviously there's storm water management there's utility infrastructure upgrades that we have to do which is we do them anyway
28:29but this is this will be also coordinated through that effort um long-term vision for Hudson uh you know decades ago the LWRP the city of Hudson began rethinking the waterfront with the LWRP the comprehensive plan and the zoning changes. So this is most of the site is the RSC2 zoning the district uh last thing. So we're you know we're this is the early stages. We want feedback. We we need we frankly we need feedback. It doesn't happen on its own. We need ideas. We want collaboration. We have to do this. We really have to do this together. So, we're coming in the spirit of collaboration. We're we're we're open-minded and um but we're going to need your help. So, uh I just think this is this is going to be
29:32a transformational project for Hudson. No question about it. So very excited to start it off and introduce you to Charlie. Thanks. >> Good evening everyone. Charlie Gotley use council for the applicant for white men. Um [clears throat] heard a little bit about the project. I just want to talk about process uh most importantly here. Um again we have proposed what we are calling at the moment the waterfront village. we were workshopping some names. Um but certainly feedback as Ben had mentioned is always helpful. Um this evening we want your initial comments. Um but we would also ask the board um to start thinking about the secret process, the state environment review act. And this board can actually take uh its first step to commence the secret process this evening by classifying the project as an unlisted action and declaring your intent to be the lead agency. That allows us to go out and receive comments from other involved
30:36agencies, city DPW, the common council, uh New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and so forth. As Ben had mentioned, there is a reasonzoning element of this project, although it's fairly minor compared to the review task that is before this board. We have a mix of RCS2 zoning, which is a majority of the site, R4 residential zoning, which are small parcels to the west of the Wick Hotel, um, and industrial one zoning district, which is further east, uh, approaching Tanner's Lane. Uh, we are asking the common council and we have submitted a reszoning petition to just take this entire project and put it in the RCS2 zoning district. So everything is consistent for the project. The RCS2 zoning district allows for mixed residential uses, commercial uses, retail uses and so forth. Um Bennett mentioned this is a phased
31:40project and that's important when we talk about process. Right now the application before you is technically for site plan review and special use permit related to phase one of the project which is the proposed grocery store open space infrastructure and access drives. Phase two and phase three. Phase two is our retail element. Phase three is our residential element. Those will be coming at later dates. Um however the state environmental quality review act tells us that we cannot segment a project's environmental review. So even though we don't have concrete plans yet for the residential component or the retail component we know enough about their size um somewhat about their appearance, their water usage, their sewer usage, their impervious surface coverage. So that allows this board acting as lead agency to review all three phases of the project for its environmental review at
32:42this time. Then in the future when we come back for site plan and special use permit review for phase two and phase three, you've already done your homework related to secret. Now if something changes, if the economics change, if the market changes and phase two doesn't look like it it is appearing today, we will have to show that we similarly do not have any environmental impacts at that time. Um, a few things related to zoning consistency and that reszoning effort. Um, we did a deep dive into the city's comprehensive plan and the city's local water uh revitalization plan. Both planning documents that this city has adopted have identified this project site for revitalization and encouraging mixeduse development. The LWRP has actually identified this project site as a southern waterfront area and it is a priority for mixeduse development and revitalization.
33:44Um, as I had mentioned, we have applied to the common council for the resoning. We wanted to get that review process going concurrently, get their comments on the reszoning. However, no other agency, the common council, the DEC, any other approving agency cannot act until this board finishes its secret review. Um, so our next steps on the project are tonight, hopefully we are able to declare this board's intent to be the secret lead agency. Then we're going to take your comments. We're going to take the comments um we get from the other agencies and we're going to provide this board with a full site plan set, lighting plan, landscaping plan, so forth and so on. Um as well as a secret narrative. That secret narrative is going to have your traffic report, your storm water report, all the informations related to the project site's involvement with the New York State Brownfields program so that you can properly assess what those impacts are. We have provided the necessary documents for this board to take that first secret
34:46step. Um we submitted on the MUN collab portal our cover letter, our application forms a concept of what the entire master plan is going to look like. Um that shows what each phase is going to look like. A site plan, a conceptual site plan of just phase one, which is really just the open space uh and the grocery store. a full environmental assessment form um with some additional appendages related to the environmental impacts that we will be reviewing. So again, um I'm going to hand it over to Christopher Short to go over the project in a little bit more detail. Um and then we can take any questions or comments and we welcome them all. Thank you. >> Uh good evening. My name is Christopher Short. I'm from the New York office of architect. So, it was like a train running up here uh this evening. Thank you for having me. Uh happy to be here. Uh what you're seeing on the screen right now are just some images of what Ben introduced what he's done already
35:49with the booth, the witch, and the kids. I think it's evident that he has a good sense of design um and a good understanding of what the community needs. Let's go to the next page. Thank you. So, our site here is located in R. It's a unique site because it's really the most western port fortune of Hudson and it has an opportunity to do a couple things. One, it could really anchor that part of the city where there is not a lot of development happening now or not a lot of use as there's predominantly vacant warehouse on the site, majority of the sites. But two, it also has an opportunity to simultaneously be the front door of Hudson with people coming off that train track. That train is incredibly busy uh throughout the day. I booked my tickets three days ago and I have one left. So it's a good opportunity for us to to do something unique here as a product for us. Let's go to the next page, please. So this is more of a blown up version of the site. Um, as the application is
36:53filed, it's approximately 6 and a/4 acres of improvement. But if you take into consideration what Ben and company have already done uh with the wick, the caboose, and kitties, it's approximately 7 and 3/4 acres. And now that that's a big chunk of land. We didn't just want to put buildings anywhere, right? We wanted to be contextual. We wanted to fit into the fabric. And so what you're seeing in blue are the existing street infrastructure of the sign. So if we can apply that scale to this site and [clears throat] break down that nearly eight acres into three blocks that people are familiar size, it allows us to extend that city further to the south. Keep it going, please. And while we had that idea, doing our research, we we stumbled across um a historic map. I think it's from the 1890s. Uh our site obviously highlighted in red. You can see the train station here, South Front Street here. Uh but what's unique about this is Second Street
37:55continues all the way south. Obviously there's no water anymore. It's all been filled over the last 1500 years or so. If you look at the aerial image you have outside there from 1923, it actually ratio the buildings built on there. So somewhere between 1890 and 1923, that was built in. Uh but Second Street continues south, right? So, it's evidence that the city of Hudson was always going to expand somehow to the southern portion. Let's keep going. Um, now the site is not without its challenges. Uh, I think everyone here is familiar with location. We're bound by train tracks to the south. Um we are bound by a dead end on Tanner's land lane and there is a tremendous grade change from Allen Street down to cross street and that's where that pedestrian stare exists today. So if we want to extend the city fabrics out into the site and really become ingrained in what city Hudson is, how do we do that those those challenges? So what's interesting here and we we we did a little analysis
38:58of bus stops and pedestrian and and the train and bike paths and all that stuff. The Amtrak station is here and we have a bus stop here. So that leads some some credence and some gravity to the site to be a real transit oriented development or one that is pedestrian friendly as Ben made in his introduction and that is certainly something that we considered in developing the master plan here. Uh, but two, whenever I'm in Hudson, I take the train on. I don't have a car. I don't run an Uber. I walk around. It's a very walkable city. So, how do we continue that connectivity from a pedestrian perspective? So, there is that stair that continues south. And if anyone's taken it, it kind of dead ends on cross street, right? You're you're up against the Robert Taylor house and kind of got jump over some burge grass and and all that. Doesn't really go anywhere if unless you go left or right. So, is there an opportunity for us to really take that pedestrian connection and extend it further south into something that is a destination? I think the
40:01answer to that is yes. Go to the next page, please. This is the existing site. A little confusing with all the red lines, but not in scope is showing some of the work that um Ben has already done with Kitties, the caboose, and the Wick Hotel, but the entire site itself is these seven 3/4 acres I mentioned. Um, also what's highlighted is the Robert Taylor house which is part of the reszoning application. It's not proposed to be amended or do any work in this application from an architecture or master plan perspective. Um, there is one out parcel on this residence here. So that's allocated as such. Um, there the site is going to be improved by demolishing the warehouse and these two small residential structures here. The CSX building will remain, the train will remain, and obviously everything that's been worked on uh will remain, but there's an opportunity. How do we collectively integrate what has already been built into an overall vision? To the next page, please. And this is the
41:03proposed master plan. So, we have really two main streets into the site. One which we're calling Wick Street, you know, comes off South Front Street and then one that we're calling South Second Street. So that is diagrammatically the con the continuation of that of second street that everyone saw on that historic plan. Um [clears throat] and south second street would wrap around internal to the site itself and then have another ingress egress point on land. So there's one two three vehicular uh ingress and ingress points. But it was important for us to do the street layouts in a way where I know we're very pedestrian oriented but parking is a real thing that we have to talk about and so we have to provide parking here but how do we do it in a way that feels ingrained into the entire proposal. Um so by doing these streets in such a way we're left with essentially three city blocks one two and three and by having that internal circulation we're not adding
42:06any additional circuitous circulation around the site to the existing street infrastructure of the city. The second main thing that we've done here is what you see here here and here our um retail groceryer component. So there's about 7200 foot retail component that fronts on South Front Street that kind of book matches what's happening at the caboose so we can create a nice gateway into the development itself but also creates an extension of that really that retail corridor that exists today. Right. So we're maintaining what the intent is in the planning to date. There is a 1,200 square foot boutique retail pavilion internal to the site and then the 16,000 square foot proposed grosser which is here. Additionally, uh we have the 150 units that Ben was mentioning in a five-story building. Now we located we we we've been doing this for two years with Ben and his team and we we did
43:09various iterations as to how many resident Joe buildings does do we need how what does the market support where do they go master planning approach for that and we thought it was important to locate that further off the south front street to maintain that retail corridor so people can actually come into the site pull people from the city from the train station into the site go to the brocher go to retail And what another reason why we put this here is we are proposing five stories but it's the lowest part of the site site slopes from top left down to top right about seven or 8 ft and we're still confirming the final topography but locating that on the lower portion of the site we would have to comply with any type of fe regulations and we intend to do so it has the illusion that it's not as tall as if it were on the front part of the site 7 foot 8 foot can have a real visual impact so when you're designing these buildings. So having it located over here in the most part of the site helps reduce that. Um and also it's pushed back from this point here. It's 150 ft from Hannah's lane. Right?
44:12We didn't want a massive street wall against something there. It's not Warren Street. It's something a little bit different. Um but putting that back helps preserve some of the spatial separation between those existing residences. Parking I mentioned there's essentially three distinct parking lots. one for the residential proer uh and then one for the hotel retail where a total of 269 stalls with some associated street parking with that. But probably the most important thing that we did here was really really twofold. One, every street has sidewalks on both sides. It's not one of those where we're just going to have sidewalk on one side and then you know private garages into a residence on another. It's conceived as a pedestrianoriented development. So there's wider sidewalks around the perimeter of the site and those sidewalks not only connect to buildings and then to existing sidewalk infrastructure also connect to various located outdoor spaces. Right now these were conceived as if they were buildings. They're not
45:15leftover space. Outdoor space is important in mixed use environments. Um outdoor space is friendly important in potent. So there's an opportunity for us to do unique pocket parts between the retail and the groceryer. So whether that's a sidewalk cafe that spills out or maybe the space is reserved by the groceryer and you have uh a new vegetable company that has the latest um strain of apples that they're trying to sell. So they can set up a tent there, right? So it's it's a flexible space similarly to the proposed or the the 1200 foot boutique retail. instead of just having a building on this weird street corner, there's outdoor space there. So, that could be an enjoyable space. And then also, uh, to the west of the hotel, there's a hotel terrace. Take advantage of that now and do some nice landscaping, proper greenery, um, compared to what is there today. Most importantly, there is a large open space in the middle of approximately 10,000 square feet. Now, that's just shown as kind of a big lawn right now, but I think the purpose of locating it there was this could be a real outdoor social
46:18hub. It could be for events. It could be for farmers market. It could be just for [clears throat] you want to picnic at night. It's flexible, but it's centered around the development, right? It's it's almost like a central park there. So, that was conceived intentionally in that particular location. [clears throat] I do want to mention that the stairs are right here. So aligning that we now have a destination for those stairs to come down. First you're prompted with retail immediately. Then you could walk to your groceryer here, walk to the hotel, wherever you want to go, right? So now there's a real destination for that that continuity with those stairs. You can see there's a lot of street trees. Again, intentional. We want a real green space. We just don't want big void in parking lots. We want it to feel like a park, feel like an extension of some of the greenery that is already in town. Next page, please. So after we figured out in master planning, we looked to um some of the existing precedents in in town in the city today. What's the materials? What are the rhythms? What
47:20are the portions? What are the layering of of relief on the facades? Um and obviously I think everyone's familiar house silica train station and Warren Street. But if we go to the next page, there's some more images of what is there on site today with wickets out here, uh, kitties up top and and the caboose down there at the bottom. There is this really awesome train that's there today and we we love it. You know, I think we pitch the idea of calling this crane waterfront. Um, but uh, we want to reuse it somehow. So, if we go to the next page, these are illustrative recipes. Um, and what they're here to do is show a sense of scale. This is immediately looking east. So you have your train station here, Kitty's caboose. You have the three residential parcels. This is the out parcel that the that companies do not own. That is the wick hotel. Here's the proposed residences, the groceryer, and then the retail. You can see how this is a continuation of that retail element that exists on South Front Street today. You
48:22can see how Wick Street is proposed and generally comes in, right? And it'll connect to South Second Street. Again, all internal circulation will wrap around the site. Uh I do want to point out that our client is very committed to sustainability. Their existing buildings are net zero. So the intent is whatever is being proposed here would include some measures of sustainability whether it's net zero passive house. It's things that we will figure it out. Uh but it's important that the address and anything that actually gets built on the property. Next one please. And then these are some pedestrian views. um they're not necessarily a final product. They're very conceptual and illustrative in nature. But what they show are a sense of scale, a possible sense of materiality, how these buildings can relate to the existing historic fabric that exists in Hudson today. So maybe using that crane as part of science package to introduce the arrival to the site. This could be some really beautiful retail here. So it's this is intentionally angled right towards the train station. So when you get off the
49:24train station, that's the first one of the first things you see. Um, and continuing down, you can see the existing boost there. Uh, and then the gross are starting to pop up. If we go to the next page, this is a view looking down street. So you can see the leg of the retail, the 7200 foot one coming right next to the grosser here. And that is that really, you know, whimsical pocket park that we have here. Maybe it has catmar lighting or something interesting um to create an outdoor room. People actually want to go and use the space. We do have a residential building at the end of this property here. You see the wick here. In front of the wick is the uh the large open park where all these buildings are know kind of surrounded. Um, we are incorporating a lot of landscape to make the pedestrian experience of this, you know, really lively and enjoyable. This is though we have street parking, right? The the streets are sized appropriately, but they're not oversized, so people aren't going to have speed, right? The focus here is the
50:27pedestrian. And then here's a view looking north with that, you know, boutique retail here, the hotel in the background, and then the proposed uh residential. Again, residential is going to be in phase three. Market conditions get changed, but it's important for us to take some cues as they exist today with a lot of the real homes that you have. There's a rhythm to it. There's a texture to that. It feels residential. We want it to feel residential. We don't want it to feel like anywhere in the USA. It should feel like Hudson. The next one. And then here's a section cut east west of the north. Really, what this is showing are some of the heights of the proposed retail. one story about 16T or so for the 7200 bar about 24 foot for the proposed grosser grocerers like height and then we have our fivetory residential diagrammatically you can see how the site slopes and why that's located there and then as this topography of Hudson keeps coming up here um you know the that fivetory building kind of nestled into into the valley to the next page please um as Ben
51:30and Charlie mentioned there's three phases these are the plans shown phasing so phase one, let's build W Street, let's build a part of Second Street, let's build the grosser, this parking, this parking, and all the associated landscaping and open space that that comes because once you have this, this is a very active space. You're not just waiting for phase two to come to be usable, right? This is a usable space the day it opens. Phase two is the retail infill, one here and one here. So again, we could do that where the pads are developed during phase one where you're not encroaching or hindering any traffic or any access to the site. The building utilities would be run come up build it and then phase three similarly that's all happening on the right hand side of of of plan where we would do the residential building and the associated parking with that. Um and then here is go back this will be the last slide. Um and here's the the master plan and it's and it's three phases. So
52:34in summary, we've tried to do, you know, four things. One, [clears throat] let's connect to the fabric of Hudson. It has a rich dynamic fabric. We want to be a part of that. So providing continuity through tractions, having some of the streets more internal, so there's some outfacing uses retail I think is important. Um two, let's introduce a scale that everyone's familiar with, big site. Let's break it down. three blocks, walkable um is something that everyone is familiar with. Uh three, let's really pursue the sustainability front and that's not just a buzzword anymore. A lot of code is going to drive you the sustainable measures anyway, but our clients committed to go above and beyond that pursuing that zero. And then four is we have an awesome opportunity here to take what is predominantly a vacant parking lot and warehouse and [clears throat] really create an awesome front door opportunity um and kind of fill in when that final piece is and really have the site anchor what is the western portion
53:36of city Hudson. Uh so with that I think one or turn back. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Um that's it. Uh so like I said, we'd love to hear any comments you have. We would like to start the SQL process, which by no means is a a decision, but it is um simply allowing us to go forward and kind of start that environmental review process. So if you have any questions, we're all yours. >> And firstly, Rich Andrew, any comments frame the board's discussion? Nothing specifically on my end unless the board has any questions about seeker process. I know Mr. Gotautle explained that in detail but if you have any further questions I mean that was of course accurate but happy to fill in where I can. >> Well let's open up the discussion questions observations comments Nathan. >> Um phase one require presenting like
54:41does that have to be staged before we do second review? Um so [clears throat] there's only and if we could let's see so this will work. Um the you know oddly so really this interior part is all RSC2 now. >> This is industrial. Oddly about industrial is it permits multifamily today but we just want to make the entire site consistent. The only thing that could not be done today without the resoning is the proposed accessory hotel terrace. Um, when the wick was constructed, the common council adopted local law 2 of 2016, which reszoned most of this into the RSC2. For whatever reason, that parcel was left out, but it is naturally connected to the Wick Hotel. So, this would have to be reszoned RSC2 to allow for this accessory terrace to be in conjunction with the Wick, but everything else could proceed. Okay. the uh second street south second street [clears throat]
55:44who's going to have been responsible for that city. >> So all these internal roadways are going to be private roadways. So there would be public easements um on the sidewalks and on the roadways. Um there would be a you know a maintenance agreement uh with the city that would essentially be the equivalent to a storm water maintenance and access agreement which essentially says to the extent that the developer the property owner does not maintain those streets um and forces the city DPW to come in and maintain or close the street what have you uh that they would be able to recoup the monies >> and that's going to be a dead end street or is it going to connect to >> the Second Street in I think at it's going to continue down here to the end of Tanner Lane. >> Yeah. And that would be the end of phase three. >> Um just initially looking at it um some parts of it seemed bulky. Um you
56:47know there was a lot of talk about you know keeping with Hudson's long-term vision being a neighborhood. uh the fabric, the pattern of the city. And I don't know if Hudson has ever had a big brochure. Um they've been, you know, like mom and pop stores, smaller corner stores, you know, I don't know what that is in comparison to say like a a price shopper in Greenport. Um so [clears throat] I guess something for for scale to kind of understand the size of the brochure because to me that isn't keeping with the fabric. I I've never gone like shopping in Hudson for like my essentials, you know what I mean? Like paper towels and and stuff like that. You voted for for that. Um and so that was one of my things and and it the residential is that apartments or what is that? >> Um so a few things. One is this will be you know a larger grosser than in the
57:50city of Hudson right now. Well, one of the things we've noticed um when when we were doing the planning for this was you're absolutely right. There is nowhere in Hudson where you can get more than what you're going to have for dinner that evening unless you get in your car and you drive to Greenport. This will allow a pedestrian accessible larger grocery, right? But we're not talking about a Price Shopper. We're not talking about a Hannerfords. Um, so when we do do our next submission, we are in discussions with a potential grosser. So we will have more developed elevations. >> Will it be a ger that's affordable to everyone that lives in Hudson then or is it going to be more upscale? >> Um, so when we are able to when those negotiations with that ger are done, we'll be able to provide that information as well as more detailed elevations of exactly what it's going to look like. >> Okay. and the residential section. Could you describe that more? >> Sure. So, at the moment, again, this is phase three of the project, so it might not be before you again for another three years, but at the moment, they are
58:51both apartments. >> Okay. And um it just seems, you know, like working on replacing Bliss Towers right now that everyone seems to want something shorter. Uh, so I, you know, the four stories seems a little bit high. Um, and I I also don't know if that kind of goes with the fabric of the city of Hudson and and in the shape and the size of the building um, as well. I mean, we're used to two or threetory houses. >> So, I I don't know. It's just >> No, absolutely. >> It's kind of bulky. >> These are the exact comments we came here for. Um, a few things just to note is that and and we will be providing much more detailed information, but one of the goals of the revitalization project and the master planning process here is to diversify the housing stock in the city of Hudson. Um, so that that includes making sure that there's more than just rowousing, there's more than
59:52just town houses. Um, you know, I I worked on the depot district project and that was really the first largescale apartment building that came to the city of Hudson at the same time >> like it belongs >> in my opinion. >> Sure. And the whole idea is um with that neighborhood is they're developing hopefully a city block, right? Um so I think yes in a vacuum it might not belong. Um but you have to look at the entire kind of phased approach here but we can certainly take a look at the massing the vulking um and and maybe give some different perspectives as we go through the process. Um, okay. So, the first thought that I had, uh, had similar questions about like I know that the smaller a grocery gets, the more expensive its wares are. Um, so I was curious about that plan. Um, but I don't know if I can use this as a comp, but the I remember a lot of the
1:00:56push back on the development in the North Bay on Charles Williams had to do with a big apartment building going into what is essentially a dead end in a flood plane. And although there's more going on down here, there is no other egress out of here except Front Street unless everybody does what everybody already does, which is drive around warehouses on the third. And since that's not really allowed, you know, that's not a real access point. That's driving on somebody else's private property with platform on that road. That's I I'm struggling to know why this isn't wouldn't run up against the same concern that there's basically no way for anybody to evacuate there or I don't know you know there's like front street is I guess a fire truck to get around or something but I was thinking about that >> and so one of the things we have retained uh Mark Naldini from I think it's still Kraton Manning um as the traffic consultant on this and so what we can do is make sure he looks at this with the fine tooth cone for um access
1:02:00from emergency vehicle standpoint. Um what I think is different from this project based on the other multifamily project you're discussing was there were a lot of um concerns over placing fill in a flood plane for that project which would actually enhance the flooding. Um here what we will be producing is a storm water pollution prevention plan that shows that the rate of storm water runoff from the project will will be better if not consistent with what exists today. But then we'll also be doing a FEMA analysis and and we're waiting on topography for that. But we will show that uh we're meeting all FEMA regulation for development in a flood plan. Um but we will certainly take a look at access as it relates to any mandatory evacuation or you know worst case scenario. [clears throat] Um I have a set of questions um around this DSX building um you mentioned days. I I sort of wondering that was not
1:03:02marked as not being developed. I was just is that owned by mall or is that >> question? >> I I was just trying to understand the parts of the the project that are the >> inside the building not being touched. Okay. So it's the the landscape >> were they happy being surrounded or have you are you >> which which >> this one >> yeah it was described in the presentation as being a CS isn't for storage. >> Okay. So it's it's not by them. >> No. Okay. I was just like I was just trying to understand if they were going to be encircled. Um and then um I think I like and it's not a a for now question but like I think as the project progresses understanding the height from deer alley >> um there's a set of people who have like a >> gorgeous view out out across the and what the impact will be. Um, and then on
1:04:08the there looks like there's also a single residential property that's going to be surrounded by this. And so I'm sort of aware of that as well. And then um the zoning change for the Robert Taylor house back property. There's no current plan to do any development there. So I was just curious about the need for the zoning change in that parcel. >> No, there is. Um, correct me if [clears throat] I'm wrong, we do also own the Robert Kennedy parcel. There is no plans whatsoever for any additional work here. Um, I do believe it is being renovated um, at the moment. Um, and hopefully getting it back to a a um, a status where it can be utilized for some sort of accessory elements to the project [clears throat] or the Wick Hotel. Yeah. >> Um, but that is not part of part of the project. But that resoning is really designed to give again consistency so that in the future if it is to be utilized it would certainly go back
1:05:10before this board but it also has the proper zoning. >> Yeah. But it does change the what we can approve or not depending on the zoning. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So it does mean that there would be a more expansive potential project on that parcel, but that's up to the council, not for us. Um, [clears throat] and then I I know other people have questions. I have like a whole [clears throat] >> You want to just go through it? >> Yeah. Um so combined server overflow we already have a problem at the moment uh at on the white park where we have a cso there. >> Um and then the pumping station which then brings sewage up and over. This is going to add an enormous amount of hardcape a whole bunch of new sewage units or new units that will produce sewage. Like what if anything is I I don't know what the answer is. This is like a future engineer. >> No, absolutely. So, that is a concern. I
1:06:13think we're under operating under consent decree. The whole thing like >> Yeah, I um myself um and Rod Morrison from LRC Group are all too familiar with the consent orders and working with the DEC on the combined sewer overflow problem. Yeah. And the INI issue that the current system has. Um there is a credit system in place. When we do submit that secret narrative, we will be producing um an engineering report related to water and sewer um that will fully address that issue and would also be akin to the report that we would use for a sewer extension permit application. >> I think that there's like even above and beyond that because it's the CSO right into essentially a public park. I have like a particular concern about like making that problem that we already have worse. Okay, great. We'll make sure to take a look at it. Uh actually Victoria's thought about the or the question about the scale of the housing and the uh and the five floors
1:07:18being I mean I get that it's at a lower um topography than than just across the street or being with your steep range. It does seem like that's something that we get a lot of comments about is is was the impact on folks even on that little part of Allen Street or other sort of viewpoints of the neighborhood. I'm also curious who owns that um staircase. >> Um what I'll say related to the viewpoints, those are excellent. I love the fact that we now know that Dally is something to look at because we can do a viewshed analysis >> um from different vantage points. So if there are other vantage points um that you would like to see the potential project from you can see what our design team can can kind of put together comments questions >> I think I'd like to just underscore a
1:08:23couple of the observations um and I know we'll do this but I I think just to just to raise this topic uh sufficiently that careful design of a traffic solution is going to be fundamental to this project. Careful, thoughtful, you're disturbing people's lives on Tanner Lane in a way that they can't even imagine at this point. And so I think a a a very thoughtful approach to how we deal with transportation, how we deal with noise, how we deal with light because all of those are disturbing uh variables uh that um I think it's really important some of the early comments you made that this philosophically this is Hudson. this is integrated in Hudson because if it if it is if it feels like an island of exclusivity um that's the wrong message >> and um I even think about your green space and and my question is will that
1:09:25be a program space in other words will there be activities uh actually program for that space or is it just a a use as you wish kind of space because it could be a way to bring Hudson into the into the development in ways that um that may not occur otherwise. But um [clears throat] these are a little bit outside the scope of some of the things that planning board thinks about, but it's such a major uh project that it will affect the entire community, not just the surrounding areas. Uh so um we look forward to having thoughtful conversations with you as we go through the process. >> Yeah, absolutely. related to noise and light. We will be addressing those in our secret narrative. Related to the open space, >> we're being watched. >> Uh related to the open space, um right now, as you can see, it's it's a blank canvas, but I really didn't want to hear uh hear from the community in the city as to what programming could is a potential there.
1:10:27>> Um I've also I'm a very member. Um, are there any thoughts about I mean what's the market you're going for with this housing? Are you pursuing kind of tax credits or mixed affordability process supply but you know are you going to lease up 145 luxury apartments or what's the Yeah. What's the thought there? >> Yeah sure. So >> 145 like is that's is the scale connected to the you know the form of the space. >> Sure. Understood. Um you know that is a little bit outside of the site plan that the planning board does have. um because that is a business decision. Uh but what we can say now is we will be doing a market analysis when we do our super review. It'll be a preliminary marketing analysis of what is the housing stock in Hudson. What affordable housing units are coming online. Excuse me. I think there are a lot of affordable units. There are a range of affordable units based on percentage of AMI. There is a large amount of affordable units coming into the city of Hudson. And in fact, I think we see the depot district struggling with filling
1:11:30their affordable units. Um, so this residential component, like I said, you might not see this before you again for approval for another five years, another three, four years, and that market might change. Um but at the moment they are proposed to be uh market rate and we do that just for um consistency because we don't know what the future is going to hold for the need of the housing stock in the city of >> I'd like to underscore one thing that Veronica talked about and I really appreciate the perspective Veronica that you bring as a native. One of our guiding lights is the comprehensive plan and I would encourage you to really study the comprehensive plan uh in light of your proposal and and see where the connecting points are between your project and then how can you contribute to some of the uh Hudson 2035 uh visions that have been created. Um, and again, that's another way to not only satisfy our requirements, but it's
1:12:33another way to more fully integrate into the ultimate vision for the community. >> Yeah, absolutely. [clears throat] >> So, I have one last question. >> Yeah. Just about sort of the lack of phasing that the the residential building would be included in the in the in the site plan review, but we're not going to see any details about it for three years. How would that >> Oh, yeah. I mean that's a tricky one. Um so the way secret works is if you have a conceptual idea of a larger phased project >> and you know what that conceptual idea is right we know we want to do apartments here um in phase three. We know that now we know that today but we are not submitting for site plan approval for those apartments yet. But SER requires us to study the environmental impacts as if it's as if we are submitting for approval of this today. What are the impervious surfaces? What are the sewer impacts and the storm water impacts based on how large of a building it is? So we're studying those environmental impacts now and then later
1:13:37on in 3 four years we might come to you with a phase three site plan application that says we're ready now to do the apartments. It might look different. It might have might be lower. It might have less units. And if that's the case, we will show that your prior secret analysis is consistent with what the project looks like in four years when we come back to four. Right. >> Yeah. I think the other thing I would say is thank you for redeveloping the cast site. Like this it really has been like an empty void this whole time. And like I think it's it is overall positive that something is happening that property. >> Yeah, I will say it's been a pleasure to work with the team. That's not very often in my line of work that you get to do a revitalization project. Um more importantly, this is going to be a brownfields project. >> Yeah. >> And so, you know, um for those of you that don't know what New York State Brownfields program is, it is an opportunity
1:14:38um where you enter into the state's brownfield program for certain tax credits. You will then clean up all contaminated areas of the project site. You take that contaminated contaminated soil out. Um you discharge of it in accordance with all state and local regulations and then new fill comes in clean fill. There are different levels of cleanup. You can clean up a site for, you know, an Amazon warehouse, right? You don't really have to clean it up that much. But for retail, a park and apartments, you have to clean it up to the highest standards that the state requires. And we will be we're just starting that brownfields process and we will give this board and your consulting engineer all that information to show the various levels and methods of how it's being cleaned. >> It's really amazing and I just also I just want to double down on the on just how um how powerful this is and how obviously thoughtful it was. The phasing, everything about it, the the connecting it with the grid. I mean, really just bringing part of the city back to life. It's really quite beautiful. It's sort of exciting to be a
1:15:40part of it. >> Yeah. And uh you know, we're excited to work with the planning board. Again, this is the first step. >> So, there's going to be plan changes. There's going to be more comments. There's going to be public hearings. I think the only other thing I would say is that there's a lot of parking. >> Yeah. um if you like look at the the when you combine it with the Amtrak lot next door, it's like it's an awful lot of parking um in a pretty concentrated area. Um just I don't know what the percentage is of building park but and parking but it's I said if you include entre law >> well it is refreshing for you to hear that [laughter] four years I've been reminding the city of there are no off street parking requirements. So one of the things that our traffic uh report will assess is a parking assessment. Yeah, and I I do appreciate that the building sort of hides it from the sort of central focus of the train station and arrival in
1:16:42Hudson. I think it's good that it's sort of hidden away behind there to some extent. Um, and we will also our our parking assessment and a lot of you may or may not have read Mark and Alini's parking assessments in the past. We'll assess how many open spaces are here. Um because to the extent that retail users can utilize existing parking spaces rather than utilize new impervious surface that merite >> that'll be that's best. >> Yeah, I did wonder too about connectivity there and you know I think about the number of times in like suburban Atlanta whether I've like pulled into the wrong parking lot to get to the retail space I need to go and there's some wall or transit I can't make >> Yeah. That's 1990s planning. >> Sure. Um, >> and I think also like connecting across to your other neighbor on the other side of the train tracks as well. It's like how do we re like how do we like really elongate this thing such that like people can walk down the stairs through your development and all the way across to where the the current um antique is
1:17:46and building. Great. So this was a great and thorough presentation. I think we all walk away generally understanding what you're talking about which is a super introduction uh to the work we'll do together. Um I think it's appropriate that we declare our intent serve as the lead agency. So um let's take action on that. Who would like to put that in the form of motion? Peter moves that we declare intent to serve as the lead agency. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Veronica seconds. Linda, would you call the role? If I just may, if you could also add that we're unlisted action on your secret. >> Okay. We're going to add that there's unlisted action on your secret. So the board serving as lead agency or intent service lead agency for the unlisted action. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> Okay. Thank you for that. And is the motion and the second still holds? >> Yes. >> All right. >> J. >> Yes.
1:18:49>> Yes. Mr. Shepsky. >> Yes. Mr. Spear, >> yes. >> Miss Conquer, >> yes. And Mr. Woods, >> yes. >> Great. So, I will work with uh the planning board's consultants on the helping out with my lead agency circulation. Um, we will respond to these comments. We are going to come back with a lot more information. Um, and then we're off to the races. So, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Before we adjourn, uh, uh, Minda and Andrew and I are meeting with Nick Fox briefly after today's meeting just as an introductory kind of conversation. And if two other board members would like to join us, we can do that without doing a public meeting and probably 15 or 20 minutes just to begin to to see how each other are working. So with that, I would offer um a request for a motion to adjourn. moves. >> Second.
1:19:56>> Yes.
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