Planning board accepts site‑plan application for change of use at River Diamond property, schedules public hearing

The Rhinebeck Planning Board accepted Sept. 2 the site‑plan application by Lisa Metcalfe to change the use of the property at 6822 River Diamond from office to retail and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 6 at 6:05 p.m.

Representatives at the meeting said the project is a change of use rather than a new building. Carl Hanson, representing the property owner, told the board the applicant began constructing an accessible ramp before realizing the new retail use requires planning‑board review. Construction was halted after a building inspector raised the issue, the applicant said.

Planning staff reported that the Department of Health and the Department of Transportation have reviewed aspects of the proposal: DEC/health comments indicated the new use will likely reduce water and sewer demand compared with the prior use, and DOT said the existing entrance is adequate. The board noted Town Engineering had previously commented that the current site plan may be acceptable so long as no new exterior ground modifications are required — a concern because the ramp and any other exterior changes require formal review.

Board members asked for detail on the ramp construction and confirmed the project requires a public hearing. The board’s draft procedural resolution accepted the application and supporting documents as adequate for further review, classified the action as Type II under SEQRA, and scheduled the Oct. 6 public hearing; staff will refer the application to CAB and Dutchess County Planning for comments.

The applicant agreed to remove an on‑site storage container prior to occupancy, and planning staff noted the applicant should provide revised plans that address ramp details and any exterior modifications before final approvals.