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Planning Board declares positive SEQRA declaration for proposed 168‑unit senior housing on Brewer Road
Summary
After an extensive Part 2 EAF review Aug. 21, the Planning Board declared a positive SEQRA declaration for the Elkay Partners 168‑unit senior housing project on Brewer Road, citing potential moderate‑to‑large impacts including wetlands, erosion, traffic and the need for water and sewer extensions.
The Town of Newburgh Planning Board on Aug. 21 declared a positive SEQRA declaration for the Elkay Partners proposal, a 168‑unit senior housing development on Brewer Road, after staff and board members identified several potential moderate‑to‑large environmental impacts.
Applicant representatives presented a revised concept showing three structures totaling roughly 168 units. Pat Hines of MH&E led the board through a detailed EAF Part 2 review and identified multiple issues the board should consider: the site contains DEC‑jurisdictional wetlands and regulated buffers; areas with slopes over 15 percent are present in proposed grading areas; depth to water table may be less than three feet in places; the project will disturb more than 2.5 acres in an agricultural district; and the proposal would require extension of Town water and sewer to serve the site.
Mr. Hines said those factors, along with potential erosion, stormwater and traffic impacts from 168 units, supported at least the possibility of significant environmental impacts. Planning Board Attorney Dominic Cordisco advised that a single identified moderate‑to‑large potential impact justified a positive declaration and the initiation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) scoping process.
Board members polled during the meeting agreed to issue a positive declaration; the Board will circulate the notice to involved and interested agencies and the applicant will prepare a draft scope for the EIS. Mr. Cordisco described the next steps: circulate the notice of positive declaration, receive a draft scope from the applicant, and hold a scoping session similar to a public hearing to finalize the EIS scope.
The vote to declare a positive SEQRA determination was unanimous. No vote on project approval was taken; further environmental study and agency referrals are now required before the Planning Board may act on the concept.
