The Town of Rhinebeck Planning Board continued the public hearing on applications by Teaport LLC and ADH 2 LLC for work at 189–195 River Road after in‑field site visits and additional information gathering.

Applicants reported recent on‑site coordination with the fire chief, ongoing supplemental archaeological field work for utility and gate locations, and a pending jurisdictional determination for on‑site wetlands. Staff said they expect to have the archaeological report at the next meeting and that wetlands jurisdiction (DEC/ACDC) is approaching a 90‑day review window.

The application covers multiple master‑plan elements that require separate site‑plan approvals: the North Loop and East Loop of a ride‑on track, a garden‑scale train with associated small buildings, and a proposed “signature bridge” trestle structure and towers that will exceed accessory‑structure height limits. The board discussed requested height variances: a variance to reach an overall height near 29.3 feet for one phase and a separate structural element with an overall height near 59.3 feet; the applicant said the higher figure reflects the depth of the ravine the structure must cross.

Several planning board members expressed concern about scale and the project’s effect on the National Historic Landmark landscape that encompasses the property. One member said the project “feels like a theme park” and urged more sensitivity to historic character; another board member who had visited the installed train elements said the field condition was less visually disruptive than the paper plans suggested but nonetheless recommended caution.

Board members asked the applicant to provide additional materials and to ensure the fire department’s written comments and archaeological findings are supplied to the board before the next session. The board also asked that the CPL engineer who will be overseeing remediation work (where applicable) attend the next meeting to provide an on‑site report.

At the board’s request, the public hearing was continued to June 16 and the board asked that the applicant bring the engineer expected to work on the project to that meeting. The continuation permits the board to review outstanding materials — fire‑department comments, additional archaeological field work, wetlands jurisdictional information and ZBA submissions tied to the bridge and building height variances — before taking any approvals.

No final approvals or variances were granted at the meeting; the board emphasized that elements of the master plan remain subject to future site‑plan reviews and ZBA decisions.