Neighbors, counsel say CEO’s conditional release was premature; board schedules appeal process

Attorney Alexandra (self-identified) told the board she represents interested adjacent property owners and argued the CEO’s conditional release of a stop-work order was arbitrary and premature because a site plan required by a prior board condition had not been submitted for review.

"The town of Hague zoning code requires an area variance, for a wall over 4 feet," Alexandra said, and she argued the conditional release relied on a plan that had not been before the board. Andrea Siska, a daughter of the directly adjacent homeowner, told the board the conditional release "was a premature decision... made without authority because it was made prior to an application for a variance being before this very board."

Board members acknowledged the appeal was timely and discussed whether temporary protective measures could shield the neighboring property while the board completes a comprehensive site-plan review. The transcript shows members debating whether to support the CEO’s conditional release or to require further review; the procedural outcome in the meeting record was to place the matter on the board’s next agenda for a formal public hearing to adjudicate the appeal.

The board discussed next steps, the appeal timeline and whether appeals stay work automatically (the transcript records they do not). Staff and board members noted that a site plan must be filed by the applicant and that the board will consider any jurisdictional or building-permit steps required by county or state authorities at the forthcoming hearing.