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Homeowner seeks retroactive site-plan review after heat-pump units installed on historic-road frontage
Summary
A homeowner presented a site-plan application after HVAC condenser (heat-pump) units were installed without permits. The board discussed screening options, moving units to a more concealed location, and scheduled a site visit to assess feasibility of relocation.
A Rhinebeck homeowner asked the Planning Board to review a new application for three installed heat‑pump condenser units at 636 River Road after the HVAC contractor installed equipment without first securing required permits.
The applicant, identified in the application materials as Wendy (presented under the spelling variants used in meeting materials), said the units are currently placed on the north side of the house and can be seen, in part, from River Road. She proposed a natural-stained wood fence behind planted native screening to obscure the units from the road but said she would prefer not to fence if landscaping alone were adequate.
Board members discussed options including moving the units to the rear of the house, but the applicant said the rear area has a steep slope, rock outcroppings and buried services (septic and pool plumbing) that make relocation difficult. The applicant offered to provide photos of the rear slope to help the board evaluate relocation feasibility prior to a scheduled site visit.
Planning staff read a draft procedural resolution accepting the application for further review under Code chapter 125 and classifying the action as Type II under SEQR; the board set a public hearing for Aug. 4 at 6:05 p.m. Staff said two board members will perform a site visit before the hearing.
No decision was reached about permit approval; the board asked the applicant to provide additional photos of the rear slope, and staff will arrange the site review.
