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Dover Knolls Development Co. on Plans For Psychiatric Center
12.15.2005
Eamon McNiff
Harlem Valley Times
Even if they go solo, the Dover Knolls Development Co. representatives are going to do what it takes to get the word out to the public about their plans for the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center.
Last week, Dover Knolls, the planners and developers of the project and representatives from the Benjamin Co., the owners of the property, held a public meeting at Dover High School on Dec. 8 about the project, which is considered the largest development project in the state's history.
Developers held the meeting to officially present their new application and plans for the Dover Knolls Development to the public, which is being called the "new town of Dover" by principal developer Paul Pearson.
Two weeks ago, the developers were given a few minutes during the regular town board meeting to present some of the plans. Board members had stated previously they would hold an official town meeting dedicated to presenting the plans in October, but no meeting has taken place yet.
Wanting to get information out to the entire town and surrounding area, Dover Knolls developers decided not to wait any longer for the town to schedule a meeting. They went ahead and set up the Dec. 8 meeting themselves, in conjunction with the high school.
The public responded to this past Thursday's meeting, filing the high school cafeteria to capacity. All 150 chairs were taken, and all the spaces in between were filled with bodies, as about 200 people showed up from all over the area to hear the plans.
Train station emphasis
In an effort to comply with the town's original concerns about the developer's plans for Dover Knolls, Pearson explained that they were keeping an emphasis on the Wingdale Train Station, which lies on the property.
"There is going to be more emphasis on the train station and the town center as a 'walkable' hub," Pearson said.
He said developers planned to have 630 homes in a half-mile walk from the station. By grouping the homes, he said they would be able to keep 65% of the property as green space.
Another criticism the developers heard from the town board last January was they were building too many homes before commercial and retail spaces.
Pearson said developers would increase the amount of commercial and retail space developed in the first phase, along with some homes, to get the project moving forward.
"We went out to local consumers and talked to them. The consumers said they have nothing to hold onto yet with the project. The commercial aspect is stymied until we get going, but we have direction," Pearson said.
Pearson explained to the crowd that, in the first phase, the old storehouse building on the property would be turned into commercial space. Eventually, the space around that storehouse will be turned into the village center, he said.
Also in the first phase, Pearson said developers would work on administration buildings and roads and infrastructure along the east side of the 800-acre property, and residential homes on the west side.
"We've shrunk the housing down and made it more manageable," Pearson said.
He said developers had decided to reduce the total number of residential homes by 100, reducing it to about 1,300 houses.
Residents' concerns
Some concerns expressed by people in the crowd were what impact the development would have on traffic. Pearson said developers would remove from the plans an entrance from Pleasant Ridge Road, which would reduce traffic volume.
Overall, in each phase, Pearson said developers wanted to do some housing, some commercial and some infrastructure work to keep an even pace to the project.
The other goal, he said, was to build trust with the town and town board, to show them they are committed to staying with the project.
"This is going to generate revenue for the town, and it will eventually lower taxes and increase property values," Pearson said during the first town board meeting two weeks ago.
Also in the first phase, Pearson said developers were going to rehabilitate four existing buildings on the property for retail space. They hope to bring in stores, a drug store and maybe a grocery store right away, he said.
Pearson said developers would also repair the golf course during in the first phase, remodeling four new holes, bringing in a driving range and practice range, but keeping the golf course at nine holes.
Phases Two and Three
In Phase Two, Pearson said developers would focus on the village center aspect of the project.
"At that point, there will be enough momentum to make a real push for commercial," he said.
During Phase Three, developers will finish the housing, infrastructure and take up other remaining matters to create the "new town of Dover."
Throughout the meeting, the crowd seemed positive. According to local Dover Knolls representative Cathy Schibanoff, the meeting was a success.
"It went really well. We've got some real positive feedback," she said.
"I thought the presentation was wonderful," Earl Slocum, who attended the meeting, said.
Slocum is the former mayor of the Town of Pawling. He also worked with the Harlem Valley Partnership on the original master plan for the psychiatric center.
"I was at the first presentation (last January) and this one was far superior," Slocum said.
"They seemed to have their act together," he said about the developers.
Slocum said he thought the Benjamin group was dealt a "low blow" last January. Developers had presented their plans to the town in a similar fashion at the high school last year, only to be handed a letter from town officials that same night rejecting their plans.
"The overwhelming majority of people there spoke in favor of it," Slocum said about last Thursday's meeting, adding that only two people stood and spoke negatively about the project the entire night.
Overall, Slocum said he thought the town needed to move along with the project and remember the project won't only affect Dover.
"The town seems to only have its own interests in mind. This is something that is going to benefit the whole Harlem Valley, from Pawling to Pine Plains," Slocum said.
According to Schibanoff, the hope is to hold multiple meetings such as the one last Thursday to keep the public current with what is going on with the project. Eventually, developers also hope to hold one in conjunction with town officials.
"We hope to continue these types of meetings," she said, adding, "We want to build a relationship with the community."
The developers are still waiting for the town board to approve their new application and plans. Once that is complete, they will begin the environmental review process.
© Harlem Valley Times 2005
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