UntitledApril 4, 1974
Wappingers Town Board
Town Hall
Mill Street
Wappingers Falls, New York
Gentlemen:
The members of the Cedar Hill -Pine Ridge Civic Association strongly
urge that the Town Board repeal the Wappingers Zoning Ordinance
Density Bonus, Section 412.02.
The object of the Density Bonus was to encourage development of
a young community. However, this objective has been met. In recent
years, the Town of Wappingers has been subjected to rapid growth,
a growth so rapid that public facilities such as schools and roads
are taxed beyond capacity. It is time now to restrict the growth
of the Town to a more controlled rate.
Wappingers Town Board has begun action to limit this growth by
repeal of the Zoning Density Bonus as applied to R20 zoning.
The job must be completed by repeal of Section 412.02, the Density
Bonus applying to R40 areas.
The position of the Cedar Hill -Pine Ridge Civic Association is
well known to the members of the Town Board. Indeed, three separate
petitions, each containing well over 100 signatures, were submitted
to you on March 29, 1972, January 3, 1973, and March 20, 1974.
Moreover, it is not just our civic association urging repeal of the
Density Bonus. Early in 1972, the Zoning Regulations Advisory
Committee (ZRAC), consisting of representatives of civic associations
throughout the Town, became active After careful and responsible
thinking, including consultation with planners from Cornell and
the Town's own consultant David P. Clark Associates, ZRAC concluded
that the Density Bonus should be repealed.
The Town of Wappingers is a charming community in the Hudson Valley.
The natural beauty of the rolling, wooded land makes any season
here delightful. Please, hear the poeple you represent. Act
responsibly to repeal the Density Bonus, Section 412.02; preserve
the character of our Town.
Endorsed by the Membership
Cedar Hill -Pine Ridge
Civic Association
General Meeting
April 4, 1974
RECEIVED
APR g 1914
ELAINE H, SNOWDEN
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
y SUPERVISORS OFFICE
MILL STREET
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N. Y. 12890
LOUIS D. DIEHL
BUPKRVISOR
March 28, 1974
Mr. Rudy Lapar
Engineer to Town
90 East Main Street
Wappingers Falls, New York
Dear Rudy:
It would appear at this date that on April 8, 1974 the repeal
of the 1/2 acre bonus density will take place and receive a favorable
vote to repeal the 1/2 acre bonus.
From what information I now have I can see no reason why I and
the entire Board should not repeal the bonus.
Before this meeting on April 8, 1974, I need and the Board should
have firm figures on the present status and immediate,future of Wappinger
Sewer Improvement #1 showing status of rates and actual assessed valuation
related to the district.
Namely the following listed questions:
1) If all sewer line and plant construction were to stop where we are
right now, what would be the annual cost to a resident of Oakwood
Knolls or to those residents able to receive service.
2) If all improvements as approved by Audit and Control were implemented
what will be the annual sewer cost to an Oakwood resident, both benefit
and O&M? '
3) Do we presently have approved plans for the expansion of the Oakwood
plant and if so what is your estimate of cost?
4) How many homes in addition to those already existing in the Improvement
Area can be serviced by Oakwood?
5) How many lots in the Improvement Area presently have approval, preliminary
or final, of the Planning Board?
6) Can we serve all residents of the Improvement Area who will be charged a
benefit assessment?
7) By what amount would annual charges be reduced if all land in the
Improvement Area could be utilized at 1/2 acre density?
I \
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
SUPERVISORS OFFICE
MILL STREET
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N. Y. 12590
LOUIS D. DIEHL
SUPERVISOR
8) what effect Tri -Municipal system, approved or not approved, have on
sewer rates in Improvement Areas, including cost of expanding
Oakwood plant to accommodate #1 Improvement Area.
9) Conclusion, total rate costs per home with possible assuming Federal
and State funds not available, continued inflation and combination of
any and all listed items fail (are not achieved), what maximum rate
you can safely predict.
I am setting an executive meeting for Thursday, April 4, 1974
at 4:00 P.M. at Town Hall with Board Members and yourself and Mr. Rappleyea
and would think it imperative to present this report before this meeting
so members could digest it and formulate any possible questions and/or
affirm the present direction the Board is prepared to take.
Very. truly you
A��,
Louis D. Diehl
Supervisor
Town of Wappinger
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MARCH 20, 1974
We, the undersigned, are in favor of keeping the
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To: Town Board
fY
X PLANNING
, r ew york 12601 485-9890
Referral: 74-36 Town of Wappinger
Re: Repeal of Section 412.02 of Town Zoning Ordinance
The Dutchess County Department of Planning has reviewed the above referral and
makes the following findings:
1. The Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance Section 412.02 currently states that
11subject to the approval of the Planning Board in its subdivision review,
development in any RD -40 or R-40 districts may take place at the minimum lot
size and dimensions permitted in the next less restrictive district, provided
that public or community water and sewer facilities systems... are... provided..."
2. it is this Department's understanding that it was not the intent of the con-
sultants in the 1963 Master Plan or Zoning Ordinance that the bonus be used
unilaterally to increase density above one dwelling unit per acre.
3. The proposal would eliminate the density bonus option so that all future sub-
divisions in the R-40 district would be developed at approximately one dwell-
ing per acre -- at least until such time as the zoning ordinance is revised
later this year to implement the new Town Master Plan.
4. In a referral written by this Department on January 17, 1973 in regard to the
same question of the elimination of the density bonus in the R-40 and RD -40
zones, we recommended the Town not to eliminate the bonus until such time as
the land use plan, then in progress, was completed; an alternate suggestion
of a moratorium on the bonus until the plan could be completed was made.
Further we questioned the economic feasibility regarding the one -acre lot
and central sewerage, but these remarks were addressed to the small, single
subdivision system. This problem is greatly diminished by the much more
preferable arcowide sewer system.
5. A new land use plan has now been developed. The consultants, in consultation
with various boards and citizen groups, prepared the plan on the basis of
community goals and amounts of land needed for various uses for the Town's
present and future residents. The locations and densities of these uses were
then based on such factors as soil types and wetness, topography of the land,
and an attempt to preserve areas of the greatest ecological importance to the
Town while still accommodating future growth.
Page 2
Zoning Referral 74-36
6. The Town's land use plan calls for the establishment of four densities --
high, medium, low, and conservation -- of residential development with
higher densities in a relatively concentric pattern around the urban center
of Wappingers Falls; however, the density bonus serves to negate this plan
of development by allowing subdivisions in the low density area to be built
at medium density.
7. The proposal to eliminate the density bonus would affect property in the
eastern part of the Town along with areas in the southwest adjacent to
Fishkill and a smaller area in the vicinity of Cedar Hill. These areas are
in general proposed for low density in the new Town Master Plan (one density
unit per acre) and, therefore, the elimination of the density bonus would be
harmonious with that plan. In general the Town Master Plan is also consonant
with the County's Concept for Growth.
8. It should be pointed out that the proposed elimination of the bonus affects
two areas within the Town Sewer Improvement Area; namely, the Cedar Hill area
south of Hopewell Road and a smaller area southwest of Lake Oniad. These
areas, however, are characterized by steep slopes and some wetland and would
seem appropriately developed at a low density in accordance with the new
Town Master Plan.
Recommendation
The Dutchess County Department of Planning recommends that the Town Board base
its decision on its own study of the facts with consideration of the above
findings.
Dated: March 20, 1974
Henry Heissenbuttel, Commissioner
Dutchess County Dept. of Planning
g�cr.�e�-tea- ErQ�m.e
(Mrs.) Caroline F. Raymond
Associate Planner
Town Board
Town of Wappinger
Mill Street
Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
Gentlemen:
March 18, 1974
The following resolution has been passed by your
duly appointed Conservation Advisory Council.
To encourage the wise use and sound management of
natural resources throughout the Town of Wappinger;
to preserve the integrity, stability, and rustic
beauty of the community;
to safeguard the water table we all depend on;
to protect our streams and ponds from pollution;
to maintain a healthy relationship between people
and their environment;
to avoid unnecessary population congestion and
needless overcrowding of the land;
residents;
and to enhance the quality of life for area
the Conservation Advisory Council urges the Town
Board to eliminate the density bonus by deleting section 412.02
of the Zoning Ordinance.
Charles Cortellino
Chairman, Wappinger Conservation
Advisory Council
< Joseph Incoronato, member-Wappinger Conser.
Advisory Council
March 18, 1974
To The Members of The Town hoard of Tappingers
We would like to see the repeal of the density bonus
in our town.
Why should time and money be spent to zone land only to
have a developer come along and get the zoning changed
to half the amount of land per residence?
They should expect to provide adequate water and sewage
for their developments without any, additional incentive
such as this bonus.
The bonus benefits the developer, in that he can gain twice
the dollar return from hi.s investment.
The Town will be the loser in the long run with an over-
population situation causing an insufficient water and
sewage treatment condition years before the proposed town
water and sewer systems are completed and ready for use.
Evidence of some of this problem can be viewed at developed
areas such as Royal Ridge Estates.
Further evidence can be gained by riding by the sewer
treatment plant near Rt 376 on a warm day in an adjoining
township.
Does the Town want this type of thing to happen throughout
the township?
More of the natural atmosphere should be preserved in the
town at whatever cost is necessary.
Thanks for the public hearing and an oppurtunity to hear
the taxpayers." /
l .
Thi J. Di sbrow Family
/'
PLANNING BOARD
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
TOWN HALL
WAPPINGERS FALLS. NEW YORK 12390
TEL. 297.6256
March 20, 1974
Town Board
Town of Wappinger
Mill Street
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
RE: Proposed Ordinance on the Repeal of Section 412.02 of the
Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance.
Gentlemen:
At the March 18th, 1974 meeting, the Planning Board of the
Town of Wappinger took the following action on your request for
their recommendation on the repeal of Section 412.02 of the
Zoning Ordinance.
A motion was made by Mr. Allen B. Cooke to recommend to the
Town Board that Section 412.02 of the Zoning Ordinance be repealed.
The motion was seconded by Mr. James V. Porter and unanimously
carried by those members present.
Allen B. Cooke - aye
Donald J. Keller - aye
Dr. Harvey Miller - absent
James Mills - aye
br
James V. Porter - aye
Robert A. Steinhaus - aye
Arthur J. Walker - aye
Respectfully yours,
(Mrs.) Betty -Ann Russ, Secretary
Town of Wappinger Planning Board
CC: Planning Board Members
Elaine H. Snowden, Town Clerk
Pine Ridi-e [)rive
npp i npe rs ra 1 Is,
March 11, 1974
/Town Board
Town of Wappinger
,tfi 11 Street
'0 app i ngers falls, t% Y. 125 10
Gentlemen,
N.Y. 125,20
ELAINE
i lie Zoning PeFu 1 at ions Advisory Council strongly er)Corses
the motion before the Town Eoard to repeal the "DensIty
[onus" feature of our present zoning ordinance. Our reasons
for rccormending repeal of this feature are reflected in the
new !faster flan adopted i,y the Planninp Coard.
1. There Is no concept of a density hems it' the rteVl I'aster
Plan; this plan defines a variety of zoning; districts
whereas the density bonus has the o1wosito effect c
reducing; R-40 and R-20 districts to ^-20.
2. Curing the interim period, until the raster Plan is
supported by a revised zoning ordinance, the tot,,n should
attelilpt to avoid approving; nets eevelopments which are
contrary to this plan, i'epea1 of the Pens ty PonUS
would be a significant step in that direction.
3. The Density Bonus is s 1rr,l y ot!t-dated. It is not
selective in that it encourages hifrher density
development anywhere in the tmm.. reg-ardIess of the
difficulty in providing central services on a town or
district basis.
4. The new Blaster
centers" concept
providing and
accordingly, the
Density [onus has
relief. the most
sewer and water
subdivisions based
chooses to build.
Plan is Fased uron the "populatir)n
which )Treatly reduces the cr)st of
maintaining central services;
tax burden will be recauced. The
not and can not accomplish this tax
effective way of reducing the cost of
districts is to avoid approvIns-
upon this bonus wherever a developer
CC. PLItchess County Planninp
Planning board, Town of
Respectfully smi tted,
Marren L. Strohr,, Cha i rrman
Zoning Ref-ulatIons Advisory Council
f epartr?ent
llappitire r
We the undersigned, residents of the Town of Wappingers, re4uest
that the Town Board repeal the density bonus clause.
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Royal Ridge Civic Assoc., Inc.
Costa Adamakis
35 Top O'Hill Road
Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590
Town Board
Dear Sirs:
I would like to thank you for the assistance and moral support
which you have shown in the past toward our community at Royal Ridge.
However, since our local problems have diminished in magnitude
at present, our Civic Association had the time and energy for a
closer look at various aspects of life and future development of
our town as a whole.
There were lengthy discussions in our general meetings as well
as our executive board meetings and we came to the conclusion that
as a start we should participate in any and all activities that the
Town Board may originate.
Representatives of our Association are thus members of the
Zoning Regulations Advisory Council and I am happy to say that the
recommendations of ZRAC have pleased the majority of our membership.
The Density Bonus Clause recommendation in particular has the full
support of our Civic Association, and I was instructed to so inform
you in our executive board meeting held on February 27th.
Please feel free to call on us, in any activity that our par-
ticipation may help our town.
Thank you very much.
Costa Adamakis
President
RFCEIV&;�
MAR 14 1973
ELAINE N, SNOWDEN
RUDOLPH E. LAPAR, P.E,,P.C.
Consulting Engineers
Home:
ALL ANGELS HILL ROAD
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. 12590
Phone: 297-3935
Mr. Louis D. Diehl, Supervisor
Town of Wappinger
Town Hall - Mill Street
Wappingers Falls, N. Y. 12590
Dear Mr. Diehl:
Main Office:
90 EAST MAIN STREET
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. 12590
Phone: 297-9365
April 5, 1974
Re: Your Letter of March 28, 1974
Relative to the Status of Wappinger
Sewer Improvement #1 and the Bonus Density
I will try to answer the questions you posed in the above letter
but, to be honest with you, a detailed answer would probably take
about one month and would include at least two meetings with the
Board and the Attorney to get legal interpretations and Board
policy,
Question #1
The present plant capacity is 74,000 gallons and the approximate
usage is 32,000 gallons. That leaves a usable capacity of 42,000
gallons which could probably service 140 homes.
Before costs can be allocated it must be decided if only the
residents capable of receiving service will be charged, or
whether we should also charge those people who will use it in
the future, or the District as a whole.
It would certainly be advantageous to the District and to the
Wappingers Central School District to have Ketcham High School
tie-in. Do we do this now or later?
Question #2
The maximum anticipated expenditure by the Town was estimated
at $2,900,000 even though the Bond Authorization was $3,903,320.
Our most recent estimates indicate that our total cost could
reach $3,300,000 due to the inflationary rise but even more so,
to the stringent safety rules in force by OSHA (Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970).
Mr. Louis D. Diehl -2- April 5, 1974
Supervisor
r Town of Wappinger
We have been informed by reliable sources to expect our trenching
items to be almost triple of what they were under Contract ##1.
Based on the information contained in our original report the
benefit cost at an interest rate of 6% would be $218.87. If we
add an approximate cost of $20/year for O & M, we obtain a total
charge of approximately $240/year per unit. If we can increase
the units by 100, we reduce the cost to approximately $214 per
year. If we increase the units by 200, we reduce the cost to
approximately $194 per year. If we increase the units by 300, we
reduce the cost to approximately $179 per year.
Question #3
We have submitted plans on the expansion of the Oakwood Knolls
Sewage Treatment Plant to the Dutchess County Health Department
and have received our review sheet. Formal approval should be
obtained by the first of May. We should receive bids by the
first of May and our estimate is between $400,000 and $600,000,
depending on what portions of the plant we will not construct
due to the implementation of the Tri -Municipal Sewer District.
Question #p4
If we figure a 203,000 gallon plant and assume that each house
will contribute 300 gallons per day, then we can service approxi-
mately 677 houses.
Houses or single lots in April 1971 were 493. Therefore, ap-
proximately 184 houses,outside of those already existing, could
be served.
If we could reduce the use to 250 gallons per house, which is
more than the use in Watch Hill Section, then we could supply
812 homes and could have an additional 319 homes.
If we assume 2,000 gallons per school and an equal amount for
the industrial property, then we could still have room for
294 homes.
•
Mr. Louis D. Diehl
Supervisor
Town of Wappinger
-3- April 5, 1974
Question #5
The following lots have been approved in the Improvement Area:
Final
Development Approved Lots
Esquisite Land Develop.Corp. 5 lots
Spook Hill Estates 80 lots
Brookvale (mostly R-20 area)
Hil-N-Dale (all R-40 area
using 412.02)
William Lisofsky (R-20)
Pondview (R-20)
Total Lots 85 lots
Preliimiary
Approved Lots
150 lots
143 lots
76 lots
100 lots
469 lots
Question #6
Yes.(With the exception of a large parcel off Widmer Road of some
128 acres) as long as development is controlled for the next 5 years.
Question #7
Unfortunately we do not have the capacity in the Plant to utilize
the down -zoning to 2 acre. However, if we could service the ad-
ditional houses in the Plant (it should be noted that the lines
have adequate capacity) the cost per home owner, if all R-40 was
developed as R-20, would be an approximate reduction of some
$72/house or unit per year.
Question #8
The cost of the Tri -Municipal Sewer System should increase the
cost to the home owner in Wappinger #1 to approximately $30/year
(this figure is unverified at this writing but will be confirmed
or adjusted by May 1, 1974). However, the additional units which
can then be accommodated should greatly reduce the overall Improve-
ment Area costs as can be seen by the previously answered questions.
Question #9
Maximum rate predicted in Question #2.
REL: ecw
Very:r ly yours,]
Rudolp E. Lapar, P.E.