Planning Board flags Sefarady Colony site for cleanup, variances and court issues; 239 review deferred

The Town of Thompson Planning Board on May 13 reviewed updated plans for Valleing LLC’s Sefarady Colony (685 Old Liberty Road) and identified a set of unresolved issues that must be addressed before the project moves forward.

Project representative Moshe Attie said the site plan was updated following a work session, but measurements show a well house only 15 feet from the nearest unit, creating a required variance that the board said it was not willing to waive; the applicant was directed to seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Board members and staff also noted possible conflicts between proposed overflow parking locations and existing septic-system areas, requested a written list of items to be corrected with target dates and before-and-after photos, and said most violations must be resolved through the site-plan approval process. Building Department staff told the board some violations are in court, and members warned the public is likely to raise the site condition at any public hearing.

Given the number of substantial items needing correction, the board determined several changes are required before the project should be referred for a GML 239 County review or scheduled for a public hearing.

Next steps: the applicant must compile the requested cleanup list and timeline, clarify septic/parking conflicts, note which mobile homes may be grandfathered in place, and return to the board with updates; any required variance will need ZBA action before final planning approval.