Planning Board seeks to lead brickyard review
City planners have declared their intention to lead the environmental review of plans to further develop the former Hutton Brickyards property.
The Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution identifying its intention to take on the responsibility of the environmental review for a proposed five-year specialuse permit to develop the waterfront property at 200 North St.
Interested and involved agencies have 30 days to respond to the Planning Board’s action, after which the board can declare itself lead agency and proceed with the review.
Prior to the board’s action, representatives of the developer provided an overview of plans for the site. The property is being developed by owner MWest Holdings of California, under the name North Street Brick Works LLC.
Plans for the property include continuing seasonal food and vending operations, but also making further site and infrastructure improvements. The developer’s plan, in part, is to create a 100-person event space, as well as a “hospitality building.”
The existing pavilion, where a restaurant once operated, would house a stage and seating for 3,000 people, and there also would be a new ticketing and concierge plaza. Additionally, there would be space for “glamping,” or luxury camping. A caretaker cottage would be created to oversee the site.
The developer also wants to add additional lighting and signs, and double the amount of onsite parking to more than 1,000 spaces. There also are plans to widen North Street to provide access for emergency vehicles.
The Hutton Brickyards hosted two concerts by Bob Dylan in June 2017, as well as the Smorgasburg Upstate food and flea market in 2016 and 2017. Earlier this year, though, representatives of Smorgasburg said they would not return in 2018.
Kevin McManus, a representative for North Street Brick Works, said the developer would like to “activate” the site and begin holding private events there this summer. He said, though, that no events have been booked yet.