Orangetown board delays legalization of seasonal concession stand over drainage sign-off

The Orangetown Planning Board on June 11 declined to grant final approval for a request to legalize a seasonal concession stand built without permits, citing an unresolved drainage review. Jonathan Hodash, the project's architect, told the board the team has addressed most review comments but said they only received the most recent engineering letter the same day.

Board members read consultant submissions and focused on a drainage report from Booker Engineering dated August 5, which stated "no supporting information was provided to demonstrate mitigation from potential adverse impacts as a result of the increased storm water runoff" and recommended the concession-stand plan not be approved for drainage at that time. A board member said the panel "cannot approve because they did not approve drainage" and urged the applicant to seek a continuation and return when the drainage consultant issues an approval.

The applicant and project representative acknowledged the timing overlap between the PRC and consultant responses and said they would request a continuation. The board directed that, if the applicant obtains a favorable drainage report from Brooker/Booker in time, the item could be placed early on a future agenda; otherwise the board will withhold final action.

Why it matters: without consultant sign-off on stormwater mitigation, the board said it could not confirm that the legalization of a structure constructed without permits would avoid off-site drainage impacts. The board repeatedly emphasized the need for a complete drainage review before taking final action.

Next steps: the applicant will seek the outstanding drainage approval and may be scheduled for the next available meeting if the report is received.