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Residents raise viewshed and traffic concerns as Planning Board hears Anchorage Lot 3 amendment
Summary
At a public hearing on an amended subdivision for Anchorage Lot 3, residents raised worries that changing the driveway to River Road could increase traffic risk and that relocating the house higher on the lot could obstruct Hudson River views; the board closed the hearing and the applicant agreed to resubmit.
Kelly Baer, representing the applicant, spoke for the Anchorage Lot 3 amended subdivision and explained the main change — moving the access from Mariners Court to River Road — and that the plan proposes a five-bedroom residence with a revised septic design approved by the Orange County Health Department.
Multiple residents voiced concerns. "We are concerned that there's a possibility of doing that," said Barry, who lives uphill, referring to the house blocking a Hudson River viewshed. The board and counsel explained the town's role: Pat Hines said planned building height is listed as "less than 35 feet" and that 35 feet is the R-1 zone maximum; Planning Board attorney Dominic Cordisco told residents that the board enforces code compliance but cannot adjudicate private viewsheds.
Traffic and safety were also raised in a written comment read into the record by Ken Mennerich: Joe Brophy (750 River Road) urged using Mariners Court for driveway access rather than creating a new River Road curb cut, citing reduced sight lines, speeding and use of River Road as an alternative to Route 9W. Pat Hines read a letter from the Highway Superintendent saying he "has no objection to allowing the driveway access off of River Road."
The board closed the public hearing by unanimous vote and asked the applicant to resubmit revised materials addressing staff and public comments; the 62-day decision period will be suspended while the applicant responds.
