Developers report environmental clearance and parking changes for New Turnpike Road PDD; board preliminarily supports negative declaration

Andy Brick of Brick Law Firm, representing Goldstream developers, told the board the team completed a Phase 2 environmental assessment for the former Leonard Hospital property and submitted it to city staff. Brick said the applicant submitted a parcel determination to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under newly revised wetland rules and, because DEC did not respond within the statutory period, the applicant believes the site is exempt from those new rules for five years. “As of yesterday their time to respond to us has officially expired,” Brick said.

Karen Majanowski of Bowler Engineering reviewed major plan revisions: approximately 86 homes remain, parking was adjusted to about 1.5 spaces per home (roughly 137 spaces instead of the prior 201), and the rear units were pulled further apart (minimum 19 feet between some rear facades) to increase green space and improve aesthetics. Majanowski said the team also submitted SHPO sign-off, lighting and landscaping plans.

Board members discussed riverfront buffers, Army Corps jurisdiction and coordination with DEC and the city. The applicant signaled willingness to add raised or marked pedestrian crossings at access points. The board recognized the project as a Type I action, accepted a negative declaration motion and motions to declare the application complete for scheduling public hearings so the council can review the PDD. The board then directed the applicant to pursue city-council review and return for any required site-plan approval after the council's PDD action.