Clinton board approves stipulation tied to 6 Senses access dispute after hour-plus public comment

The Town of Clinton Town Board voted to approve a resolution authorizing Town Attorney Shane J. Egan, Esq., to execute a stipulation of settlement in litigation involving CECNY Holding LLC (doing business as 6 Senses) and the Town of Hyde Park, during its March meeting.

The settlement resolves a dispute over whether a Hyde Park zoning denial could block CECNY’s proposed access across a Hyde Park parcel to a Clinton parcel intended for a conference-center use. Several residents who spoke during a lengthy public comment period urged the board to reject the stipulation, calling it a one-sided concession to a multinational developer.

The stipulation, identified in the board materials as Resolution No. 14 of 2025 (Index No. 2024-53500), follows Hyde Park’s adoption of local law No. 1 of 2025, which the town attorney said retroactively nullified a prior Hyde Park ZBA resolution that had denied access. Town Attorney Shane J. Egan told the board that because Hyde Park’s local law removed the ZBA resolution’s force, “there’s no point to spending any more money on lawsuits on that issue.” He added, “That’s a fact. That’s not an opinion.”

Residents countered that the stipulation contains concessions that strip Clinton of legal leverage and could preclude future challenges. “This seems like an utterly baffling settlement agreement... it nullifies the decision made by our own zoning boards,” said resident Nick Sacedoto. Adam Dykesel said the town should not “give in to bullies,” arguing that large developers should be required to drop outstanding suits before the town signs away rights.

Several speakers stressed the settlement’s practical effect on local land-use review. Dan Bernd cited state zoning requirements and urged the board to pursue a moratorium or repeal of the town’s conference-center law rather than settling. Graham Trask, a local resident who has litigated development cases elsewhere, and others warned that approving the stipulation would not end litigation and would weaken the town’s bargaining position.

Board members and the town attorney framed the vote as a procedural measure, not approval of any project. Elliot (board member) said the resolution “is actually in support of our ZBA” and that the board was not voting on the merits of any conference-center application, which would still require planning-board review. The town attorney likewise told the public that the stipulation does not prevent Hyde Park opponents from initiating separate legal challenges to Hyde Park’s local law.

The board approved the resolution by roll call; the motion authorized Egan to execute the stipulation and take actions necessary to effectuate its terms. The resolution’s text states the stipulation will become a final, nonappealable decision when served by CECNY on the named respondents with notice of entry.

The matter arose from a June 4, 2024 ZBA determination in Hyde Park and subsequent litigation that named Clinton as a respondent for jurisdictional purposes. The town’s statement and Egan’s remarks emphasized that the specific Hyde Park resolution identified in the litigation had been nullified by Hyde Park’s local law, which prompted the stipulation.

What happens next: If the stipulation is served as described, CECNY may proceed to seek planning-board review in Clinton once any outstanding jurisdictional conditions are satisfied. Opponents urged the town to prioritize amending or repealing the conference-center law; board members said separate zoning revisions and potential comprehensive-plan work will be considered in coming months.

Quotes in this article are taken verbatim from speakers at the Town of Clinton Town Board meeting and are attributed to speakers listed in the official meeting record.