Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Town of North Salem Planning Board held its regular meeting on June 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM in person and via Zoom. The meeting was led by Chair Cynthia. Board members present included three in person and one (Chris Brock Meyer) on Zoom, declared to be able to vote due to an emergency under Public Officers Law 103A. The board addressed multiple agenda items including public hearing carryovers, extension requests, lot line adjustments, subdivision approvals, and updates on town planning initiatives.
The public hearing previously scheduled was carried over to the July 2025 meeting.
The board considered and approved a resolution granting Thomas DiMaio a 90-day extension of his SEQRA negative declaration, Chapter 89 field permit approval, and stormwater management permit, extending expiration from July 12, 2025, to October 10, 2025. The motion was made and seconded, passed unanimously with all board members (including Chris via Zoom) voting aye.
Richard Williams of Insight Engineering presented a proposal for four lot line adjustments involving two parcels (159.5 acres and 46.5 acres) owned by Reed Road Group and Group 2, LLC. The adjustments adjust existing lot boundaries without creating new lots. The chair reported on a site visit and expressed satisfaction with the proposed access off Reed Road. Board members had no questions for the planning consultant or town engineer. The applicant clarified that they will not construct the driveway until a building permit for a lot is obtained, keeping the action as a Type II action under SEQRA. The board agreed to proceed with the application process.
Tim Allen represented the applicant. The board discussed a question about the revision date on plans and whether the health department signature on the plat needed revision. It was clarified that the health department signed the plat during the preliminary phase, which was waived for final approval. The board voted unanimously to approve the final subdivision plat and stormwater management permit for a two-lot subdivision.
Discussion of a proposed three-lot subdivision. The board noted that trailers on lot one remain, but the applicant is working to remove them. The chair emphasized that the trailers must be removed. Given minor comments, the applicant requested a public hearing. The board set a public hearing for July 9, 2025, contingent on receipt of revised plans in time for public notice. The motion was amended to include that condition and passed unanimously.
The applicant's engineer arrived late. The board discussed fire commissioner concerns regarding a driveway width of 11 feet 9 inches on a curve. The applicant will contact fire officials for a sign-off and copy the board. The board allowed the wetland consultant (Steve Marino) to communicate directly with the board's consultant (Joe Bridges) regarding native plantings in disturbed areas, with all correspondence going through the board's office. The applicant must address all consultant comments and return for approval.
Rob Wasp of Wasp Engineering Group presented a lot line change transferring 1.5 acres from 33 Whittier Hills Drive to 31 Whittier Hills Drive. The action is a Type II action under SEQRA; no public hearing is required. The board agreed to place the item on the July 9 agenda for potential approval once revised plans are submitted.
Cynthia. I have an answer about whether Chris can vote. You declare on the record extraordinary circumstances under Public Officers Law 103A. We can't count towards the quorum, but sick can vote. Okay. Um you ready? Okay, I'm gonna call the uh North Salem Planning Board meeting of June 4th in order. Um we have three board members present and one board member on Zoom. Um he is on Zoom because of an emergency this afternoon. And uh under public office's law 103, I am going to declare that an emergency so that Mr. Brock Meyer may vote this evening if he chooses to, and if he stays with us throughout the evening, um Chris, you can participate. Thank you. Um the first item on the agenda is a holdover the public hearing for Grant Road LLC. That'll be carried over to the July meeting. Uh the next item on the agenda is uh Mr. DeMeo. He has requested a extension, a 90-day extension of his approvals so that he can complete his work. Um, and we have a resolution to consider resolved that the North Salem Planning Board hereby grants Thomas DeMo, a 90-day extension of his secret negative declaration, chapter 89 field permit approval, and storm water management permit from July 12th, 2025 to October 10th, 2025, per his written request. I will make that motion. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Ed. All in favor? Aye. All right. Chris votes aye. You're all set, Mr. DeMayo. The next item on the agenda is the Reed Road Group, uh, represented by Rich Williams from Insight, which is here. Um Rich, just a very quick um update, and we have two reports, and at some point I will comment on the site visit. Sure, thank you. So good evening. For your record, my name is Richard Williams. I'm with Insight Engineering. Um, and as you've mentioned, we recently completed a site walk at the property. The proposed project is a lot line adjustment consisting of four lot line adjustments for a 159 and a half acre piece of property and 46 and a half acre piece of property. So just to start with the two larger parcels, uh, looking at the plan on the screen. You have a 159.5 acre piece of property that this board in the town is very familiar with, um, has gone through numerous iterations through the years, and that is has frontage along Hard Scrabble Road and Reed Road. And then also a part of this application is a separate piece of property owned by second second group, Reed Road Group 2 LLC, and that is a 46 and a half acre piece of property that has frontage uh along Reed Road and Guinea Road. There are four lot line adjustments proposed. No new lots are being created, um, starting at the top of the page, or uh you know, if you're looking at a clock 12 o'clock and working counterclockwise. Lot one is currently a 5.86 acre piece of property. That a lot line adjustment is going to bring that up to 80 acres. And that's being highlighted on the screen now. Moving counterclockwise. Lot two currently consists of the majority of the first piece of property owned by the Reed Road group. It's currently 130 acres and is proposed to be 45 acres. And the third lot is currently 23 acres and proposed to be increased in size to 38.