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Developer seeks planning-board review of amended Fishkill Creek concept: 2 new buildings, trail links and housing increase draw scrutiny
Summary
High Developers presented a concept amendment for the Fishkill Creek site to convert planned commercial space to residential, add two new southern buildings (100A/100B) to reach up to 136 units including 27 below-market-rate units, and extend trail connections and limited trailhead parking; board members raised questions about building height, bulk and zoning compliance and authorized the planning board to circulate a SEQRA lead-agency notice.
High Developers and the project team presented a concept amendment for the Fishkill Creek Development district that would convert previously planned commercial floor area into residential units and add two buildings (100A and 100B) to the southern end of the site. The developer said the option to build up to 136 units (including 27 BMR units) would allow the county—s 25% nonresidential requirement to be waived if the council—s conditions (including the added BMR units, two trail connections and trailhead parking) are satisfied.
Architects explained the proposal would reuse an already-constructed concrete parking-structure datum and build two residential buildings that match the massing and materials used in the north portion of the site; the design team also proposed townhouse-style creek-side units to activate the creek edge rather than exposing a blank garage wall. Civil engineers described plans to add below-grade parking to serve the added units, supplement existing surface parking, and extend the Greenway and rail-trail connections; the team said they re exploring green roofs and planters, pushing the trail closer to the creek and reducing steps on the southern trail connection.
Board members and consultants pressed the applicant for more information on zoning bulk limits and building-height calculations (average-grade methods can make a tall exposed elevation appear as four or five stories at creek level), the adequacy of below-grade parking to meet demand, and the visual experience from the trail. Several board members emphasized that council grant of a nonresidential-waiver does not waive zoning bulk standards; the applicant was told to document how the proposed unit counts and massing can be made zoning-compliant or to identify necessary variance paths. After deliberation the board authorized circulation of a Notice of Intent to act as lead agency under SEQRA so the planning board could coordinate environmental review and secure detailed follow-up materials on height, parking and trail design.
