The Red Hook Town Board voted May 13 to refer a Coastal Assessment Form for the proposed acquisition of the Red Hook Boat Club in Barrytown to the Planning Board for review, after more than an hour of public comment opposing the town's contemplated use of eminent domain and questioning the process.

Residents who spoke at the meeting criticized the timing and transparency of the effort and raised concerns about cost, public safety on the Hudson River, parking and long-term maintenance of a waterfront site. "The haste with which this proposal is being advanced undermines trust in this process and disregards the best interests of our community," said Roxanne Fisher, a resident, during public comment.

Why it matters: the referral starts a ministerial planning review required by state coastal law and the town's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP). The Planning Board will examine whether the proposed acquisition is consistent with the town's waterfront policies; the referral itself does not authorize purchase or construction.

Residents recounted the boat club's long history and said the property has been privately stewarded since the 1940s. Speakers warned that infrastructure improvements the town would need to make the site publicly usable'bulkhead repairs, access across rail infrastructure and potential barge work for heavy equipment'could cost millions. "He estimated that it would likely cost anywhere in the neighborhood of 3 to $5,000,000 to bring your intended acquisition up to New York State compliance," said Rich Ross, identifying himself with the boat club community.

Several speakers also questioned timing: the board scheduled the CAF referral at the May 13 meeting a few days before a May 16 public hearing. "Why the rush to pass this step tonight before hearing the community's input on Friday?" Fisher asked. Supervisor Robert McKeehan told attendees that, as a matter of law, comments are part of the record once a public hearing is called, and that written comments already received would be included in the official record. "As soon as the public hearing is called, as a requirement by law, any comments that come in after that point are part of the record," McKeehan said.

The town presented the memo and draft CAF with a lengthy attachment summarizing consistency considerations with the LWRP and other planning documents. Town staff and the board emphasized the CAF referral is a ministerial step required to let the waterfront advisory committee (the Planning Board) compare the proposal to the adopted waterfront plan and provide written consistency advice. The board said it still prefers exploring a public-private partnership with the club and would consider alternatives before any exercise of eminent domain.

The board moved and approved a resolution to send the CAF and related materials to the Planning Board for review. Board members said the Planning Board will consider the CAF and hold its own public meeting; the Town Board will receive that advice as part of any subsequent decision about acquisition or use.

The meeting concluded with the board reminding residents that the public hearing will be held May 16 and urging people to submit written comments, which will be included in the record.

The town said additional materials and the planner's presentation will be included with the referral to the Planning Board.

Votes at this meeting on the matter were procedural: the board approved the CAF referral by unanimous vote and instructed staff to transmit the CAF and supporting documents to the Planning Board for review and to include the public hearing record.