By Nathan Mayberg
SOUTH FALLSBURG — November 25, 2005 – As anticipated, the Town of Fallsburg Board eliminated the final sections of the town which could be used by developers of mobile homes and bungalows to build between six and ten units per acre.
Now, in the areas of the town where such development is allowed, building will be limited to two units per acre, following a unanimous vote on two local laws by the board on Tuesday evening.
While there are no developments currently proposing ten units per acre, there are a number of high-density projects, although some are already at two units per acre.
On the old density, Supervisor Steven Levine said, “We obviously feel that those numbers are too high and should be reduced to two per acre. That would correspond in number to all other types of construction. Developers will no longer be able to use a threat of this type of construction to try and get concessions out of the town board.”
Bungalows are not built like they used to be and are now constructed in a similar manner as a normal home, said Levine. One of the tasks of the newly created master plan review committee will be to define what a bungalow is, in addition to where they and other types of developments can be placed.
In other business, the board unanimously granted water and sewer extensions for a proposed 11-building apartment complex located near the Pines Hotel in South Fallsburg, with Levine abstaining due to a small business conflict outside of the town.
The planning board had required that the applicant, Aron Weinberger, extend his sewer connection across a stream, as local residents also demanded. Some of those who live near the proposed complex took the town to court over the issue and won an order that the town extend the district.
The project still requires planning board approval and is filling out a full environmental assessment form, said the project’s attorney, Jacob Billig. The 11 year-round apartment buildings would contain 264 units. Each building would have three floors, eight units per floor, or 24 units per building.
Billig said that Weinberger will pick up the cost of the sewer extension, estimated at $150,000. He also estimated that the construction will create 60 jobs. The planning board and builder have agreed so far to construct three park/playground areas and four methods of egress.
Billig presented another project to the board, Laurel Gardens, which would consist of 30 single-family units on 15 acres, located near the Pines. According to Billig, the planning board has already given him all necessary approvals, but the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wants the town to sign off on taking care of the sewer pump station there in the event of an emergency.
According to Billig, the development would be owned by a homeowners’ association, which would maintain the station.
In the event of an emergency, he is asking the town to agree to make emergency repairs.
The developer has proposed putting up a bond to cover the expense of the potential repairs. Levine instructed Billig to contact Will Illing, the town’s engineer.