Board schedules hearing, referrals and site inspection after applicant secures variances for accessory apartment

The Pawling Planning Board set a public hearing for July 6 on an application by Ricardo Cordova for a one-bedroom accessory apartment and directed staff to make the statutory referrals required for a special-permit review.

Architect Stephanie Fox, speaking for the applicant, said Zoning Board of Appeals variances were granted in October 2025 for setback and accessory‑unit ratio nonconformities. Fox said the applicant then obtained Dutchess County Department of Health approval for septic repairs and a New York State DEC wetlands permit related to work within the 100‑foot wetlands buffer. "We received a 10.2% variance for that overage," Fox told the board about the accessory‑unit size relative to the principal dwelling.

The board discussed whether to conduct a site inspection before the hearing. Members agreed to a site visit on June 25 at 5:00 p.m.; the chair said staff would notify absent board members by email. By motion, the board also directed staff to refer the application to Dutchess County planning, to the county health department to confirm adequacy of the water supply and septic system, and to the town fire marshal. The motions carried on voice votes; individual member tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

Cordova confirmed the accessory unit will be owner‑occupied and described planned repairs to the existing framing, electrical and other systems rather than a full rebuild. The board noted that a few technical items must be added to the plans (for example, owner‑occupancy and other required notes) before a final resolution is prepared.