Town approves securities, agreements for Gardner Ridge project in Gardnertown

The Town Board approved a suite of actions required for conditional final approval of the Gardner Ridge development in Gardnertown, including off-site roadway improvements, stormwater erosion and sediment-control securities, landscape security and inspection fees, a stormwater control agreement, and tree-protection securities.

Patrick J. Hines, the town engineer, said the Planning Board’s conditional approval requires posting securities for reconstruction of portions of Gardnertown Road/Creek Run Road. The applicant’s engineer estimated the off-site roadway cost at $168,989.00; a 4% inspection fee equates to about $1,760.00. The board approved the off-site roadway improvements.

Hines also presented the engineer’s probable-construction-cost estimate for required stormwater erosion and sediment-control securities totaling $845,159.50 and a 4% inspection fee of $33,806.00. The board approved the stormwater securities; the minutes record Councilmember Mary Lou Carolan abstained while other members voted yes.

The board approved landscape security and noted a required landscape inspection fee of $4,000 that must be posted before the Planning Board will stamp plans. The stormwater control agreement was approved; the town attorney presented a Declaration of Restriction and advised no vote was required to acknowledge review, which the board recorded.

Finally, the engineer calculated tree-protection securities under Town Code Chapter 172 totaling $18,481.25 and a tree-inspection escrow of $1,000; the board approved posting these securities. The approvals signal the board’s concurrence with the Planning Board conditions; the minutes do not record negotiated changes to the engineering estimates or an updated final construction schedule.