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Suffern board sets escrow, declares lead agency and adjourns review for Wayne Avenue 23‑unit townhouse plan
Summary
The Planning Board established a $3,500 escrow for Nelson Pope review, declared its intent to be lead agency under SEQRA and adjourned review of a revised 23‑townhouse site plan at 156–160 Wayne Avenue to March 19, 2025; board members raised parking, walkway and agency referral questions.
The Village of Suffern Planning Board on Feb. 19 took initial procedural steps on a revised site plan for a 23‑townhouse development at 156–160 Wayne Avenue: the board set a $3,500 escrow for review by Nelson Pope, declared its intent to be lead agency under SEQRA and agreed to adjourn the matter to its March 19 meeting while the applicant updates plans and solicits agency comments.
Dan Richmond, attorney for the applicant, described the project as 23 townhouses with a mix of three‑ and four‑bedroom units and two‑bedroom units intended to conform with conditions tied to prior 2011 zoning approvals. Richmond said the team had previously submitted only a concept plan and followed up with more developed plans for review. The applicant’s counsel said the county had already been sent materials but requested more detailed plans.
Board members pressed for clarifications on several technical issues. One member said the only dimension visible on the submitted drawing for parking spaces read “3 foot by 18 foot,” which board members noted would not be wide enough for a car. Another asked how walkways from townhouse doors through parking areas would be distinguished from parking spaces, and whether they would become de facto parking spots. The board and counsel agreed those were design details to resolve with the applicant and the village’s contracted planner, Nelson Pope (NPV).
The board discussed circulation to county planning and other agencies and whether an escrow should be set before referral; the board voted to set the escrow and declare its intent to serve as lead agency under SEQRA, then to adjourn the matter to March 19 so more detailed plans and agency comments can be obtained. The motions carried on voice vote with all present members saying “aye.”
The board instructed the applicant to provide more detailed site plans, clarify parking and walkway delineation, and coordinate with the fire department and other agencies for apparatus access. If agency comments warrant, the board said it will schedule a public hearing at a later meeting.
