Planning board grants three‑year special use permit for accessory apartment at 27 Holmes Road

The Pawling Planning Board voted on Aug. 3 to grant a special use permit for an accessory apartment at 27 Holmes Road, approving a three‑year temporary term subject to several conditions including erosion and sediment control measures, DEC/DEP approvals, Dutchess County Department of Health signoff for subsurface sewage disposal, and submission of contractor certifications.

Chair (S5) read Resolution 6 of 2026, which states: "special use approval is hereby granted for a term of 3 years from the date of this approval, after which time the applicant shall be required to reapply to the planning board for renewal of said permit without need for paying any additional application fee." That language followed a board discussion in which some members argued for a one-year temporary term while others supported a three-year trial period to allow neighbors time to raise concerns. The resolution passed on a roll call with recorded 'Aye' votes from Doctor Bloom, Gregory Bernard, Brittany/Britney Walt/Bolt, Jennifer Collin/Coleman, Jay Erickson, Mark Friedman and Aaron Chapo.

The approval also directs that applicable state and county permits (DEC, Dutchess County Department of Health, and New York City DEP approvals where required) be obtained and that the applicant provide required erosion-control and septic system documentation before final action is complete. Staff instructed the applicant on next steps for filing and signature endorsement before proceeding to the building department.