Just 3 individuals registered comments on the project
Just three individuals registered comments last week at two public hearings pertaining to Thayer Gate Flats, the 79-unit, five story hotel proposed for north Main St. in Highland Falls.
On Wednesday, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a hearing on — and then approved — three variances needed for the project. Speaking at the public hearing, which was conducted via WebEx, were Highland Falls’ Ron and Ellen Malecot. There was also a letter entered into the record of the hearing, from Highland Falls’ Joe Cyr.
Then on Thursday, the Consolidated Planning Board held a public hearing on the overall project, also via WebEx. Again, the Malecots and another letter from Cyr made up the only public comment.
The Planning Board hearing was left open until the board’s next meeting, which is expected to take place on Thursday, June 18. This will most likely also be a virtual meeting. It was left open at the suggestion of Board Member Harvey Green who, along with Board Member Ed Dunn, expressed concern that there was no other public hearing.
“It’s disheartening,” Dunn said.
Chairman Erik Smith said leaving the hearing open does not impact the project; the board had not been planning to vote on the matter last week anyway, he said.
The concerns that the boards did hear were mainly about the size of the building — which will take up the entire block between Drew Ave. and Parry Ave. along Main St. (the old Pentagon Federal Credit Union building and American Burrito/Christiana Hotel building).
The Malecots live directly behind where the 60-foot high building is planned, and said they are concerned about the building creating a “lack of breathing room” beside their home of nearly 30 years. (With a 10-foot high glass atrium on top of the building covering a pool, the total height of the building is 70 feet.)
Two of the variances approved by the ZBA affect the rear setback of the building, near the Malecots’ home. The other allows the hotel to lower a front entry awning from the 20 feet high required in local laws to 10 feet. Owner Rick Minicozzi argued that a 20-foot-high awning would not protect anyone from falling rain or snow.
Cyr called the proposed hotel a “monstrosity” in his letters and said “nothing will kill Main St. faster than a faux Vegas building with a swimming pool on the top”.
Minicozzi and a member of his team, Max Stach, showed photos and explained that the building “will be very much in line with Highland Falls” with red brick and concrete cast stone, with very little lighting on the exterior”.
It was also reported this week that the Orange County Industrial Development Agency has approved Thayer Gate Flats’ request for a sales and use tax exemption, a mortgage recording tax exemption if necessary and a 10-year PILOT. That announcement was made by CEO Laurie Villasuso Chief Executive Officer of the IDA.
