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Putnam County to sponsor private developer's application for $1M housing grant in Carmel
Summary
The Planning Department will sponsor a private developer's application to the NYS County Infrastructure Program for a 40-townhouse project in the Town of Carmel; Empire State Development approved a letter of intent and the developer will provide a 50% non-state match with no county cost reported.
Putnam County's Planning Department presented and the Physical Services Committee ratified sponsorship of an application to the New York State County Infrastructure Program for a private developer's proposed 40-unit townhouse project in the Town of Carmel.
Commissioner of Planning Barbara Barosa said the state program prioritizes housing, offering $1 million for housing projects that lead to the creation of 10 housing units (and $500,000 for economic development or tourism projects). She said the County applied last year and received $500,000 for the Route 311/Terry Hill project related to Patterson Crossing. The current application, advanced at the town's request and supported by County Executive Byrne, would be sponsored by the County on behalf of a private developer for what the town calls the Carmel Residential Housing Project (also referred to as the Albano Housing Project).
Barosa said Empire State Development approved a letter of intent, the developer will provide the non-state 50% match (Barosa described $2 million in developer expenditure with $1 million reimbursed under the grant), and the funds would be applied to necessary roadway and drainage improvements that would be turned over to the Town. She said County staff time would not be used because the developer intends to hire a grant writer.
Legislators asked questions about timing and eligibility. Legislator Montgomery expressed disappointment that the project did not require a small number of affordable units, saying the units were approved for $650,000 per unit. Legislator Sayegh asked whether infrastructure work would precede building and Barosa said the Town Planning Board approved the infrastructure work. Legislator D'Angelo and others characterized the proposal as a step toward new housing supply.
Chairman Gouldman moved to waive rules to accept an additional memorandum and then to pre-file the necessary resolution; Legislator Regan seconded and the motions passed unanimously. The pre-filing authorizes the County to sponsor the application; formal grant submission and any award will follow state application and review processes.
