March 10 2008
Dutchess County Legislators:
The DEIS public comment period is designed for comment on the environmental impacts of a project, and the Durst project will have huge detrimental impacts on the community character of Pine Plains, Milan and northern Dutchess County. Now is the time for the Dutchess County Legislature to weigh in.
The proposed density in not consistent with the desires of both towns to maintain their rural character, as is articulated in their comprehensive plans. It is simply too large a project, over 1000 dwelling units (when including existing lots excluded from the project definition) on 2200 acres, more homes than exist today in either Pine Plains or Milan. Its sheer size and density drives many other environmental concerns.
So-called ‘open space’ in the plan is literally everywhere they don’t plan to disturb the ground, including back yards and condo ‘buffer areas’. In fact, it is even where they do plan to disturb the ground but don’t plan to erect a structure (such as utility lots and golf courses). It is a cynical and abusive definition of open space. The only true open space on the property is in 30 fragmented parcels, totaling approximately 450 acres out of the 2200 acres on the site.
The project is located in close proximity to Stissing Mountain, a visual highpoint and special gem supporting rare and endangered species. It will have unmitigated impacts on biodiversity, visual resources from the mountain, and traffic in the area.
It is not clear that there is a valid market for this ‘golf resort destination’, given the housing market and the competitive offerings for like high-end second housing in the area. The results of this plan, with the prospect of failure, would leave northern Dutchess with high density housing, exploding school and infrastructure costs and another underused and unprofitable golf course.
Please support our citizens – let the Dursts know that the Dutchess County Legislature is on record saying that the environmental and community impacts are too great. It must be redesigned to have significantly lower density and a more sensitive environmental footprint.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Ross Williams
Town of Milan
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