Planning board approves subdivision plans
HALFMOON, N.Y. >> The Planning Board Monday approved site plans for a unique subdivision to be marketed to retirees, empty nesters, snow birds and first time homebuyers looking to reduce the upkeep and maintenance of their home.
The 37-lot Eastpointe Homes subdivision is to be built on a 7.86-acre site fronting Cemetery Road. Plans presented by developer Scott Earl call for all the single family homes in the subdivision to be built on reduced-size lots using a smaller scale design.
It’s the first such subdivision in town where all the homes allow the owner to have a turnkey operation where they can walk out the door, lock it, and take off for parts unknown.
The homes are to be between 1,200-square-feet and 1,400-square-feet each and built on minimumsized lots of 40 feet by 100 feet. The lots will have reduced front yard, side yard, and rear yard setbacks. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities are to be assumed by a home owners association.
The project did not come without controversy. The 7.86 acre lot was originally five separate parcels. Developer Scott Earl put the parcels together then requested and received Town Board approval in April to amend legislation for his nearby 27-unit Inglewood PDD townhome project to include the Eastpointe Home subdivision.
One of the five parcels that make up the Eastpointe site borders the Inglewood PDD.
Residents living on Cemetery Road have expressed their concern with the project since it first appeared on a Planning Board agenda as a 44-unit project. After discussing the project at a March meeting the Planning Board voted 6-1 to send a negative recommendation to the Town Board.
Prior to an appearance before the Town Board in April the number of homes proposed was reduced to 37. After discussing the project on April 17 the Town Board approved the request to amend the Inglewood PDD to include the Eastpointe Homes project by a vote of 4-0.
Their residents’ concern with adding more cars to the road continued Monday despite the fact that the concept and the number of units allowed had been approved already by the Town Board.
“There are a lot of kids right there that go to school. The school buses stop for the kids and the cars coming over the hill can’t see the buses,” said Lori Monell of Cemetery Road. “Adding all those cars will just make the problem worse. A week ago we had our mailboxes demolished.”
Dave Brantigan echoed Monell’s concern. He lives on the road at the top of the hill.
“I’ve been there 30 years and I’ve seen a lot of accidents,” he said. “I saw a car roll over completely and had my truck demolished while I was in it. The road needs to be straightened and lowered.”
Cemetery Road neighbor Vinny Halil has two young daughters and told the board Monday he is concerned for their safety with all the traffic.
As part of the Town Board approval the project is required to install two digital speed limit signs
along the road to slow vehicles down. Earl, who attended the meeting, offered to reduce the height of the road’s bank near Brantigan’s home, an offer he rejected because his home is too close to the road.
As he did when appearing before the Town Board Earl said the problem lies with the road and with the residents’ driveways, two items he cannot control.
“I respect the residents,” he said. “I know they have a problem but it’s not related to this project. The hill is the issue and I can’t touch the road. That’s DOT’s area. I’m willing to shave the bank. The problem is not with what’s to be built.”
With the amended Inglewood Planned Development District in hand, allowing the Eastpointe project to become part of that PDD, the Planning Board was simply being asked to approve the parcel’s subdivision into 37 lots.
Preliminary approval was given unanimously 7-0.