The New Windsor Planning Board reviewed sketch plans for a proposed 23 lot residential subdivision project known as Shadowfax Run Subdivision. The new subdivision would be located off of Jackson Avenue with proposed town roadways, Pleasant Plain Road and Long Branch Circle, to access all of the proposed lots. Sketch plan approval was granted at the conclusion of the September 11 meeting.

The project, which was last seen in January 2023, is being undertaken by MJS Engineering And Land Surveying, PC and the project property is owned by local architect Drew Kartiganer. MJS Engineer Juan DeJesus briefly overviewed the project, saying that the recent submission of the plans have new changes with newly added bulk table values, lot areas, wetlands and setbacks.

The offices of the New York State Department of Conservation and Army Corps of Engineers have been contacted by the applicant for permitting on the proposed project. DeJesus continued that the town’s highway superintendent was okay with the proposed plans and the applicant needed to renew their licensing agreement with Central Hudson, which led to a delay but has since been worked out.

The project would also need to be reviewed by the Orange County Health Department office and the New York State Historic Preservation Office issued a letter of no impact following evaluations conducted.

DeJesus continued that the NYSDEC would not issue permits until the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) was carried out. “We just know that getting that sketch plan approval will get us closer to being able to complete SEQR,” said DeJesus.

The planning board chairman requested clarification on the request for approval on the sketch plan to which Planning Board Attorney Dominic Cordisco referred and summarized Section 275: Subdivision of Land, Article 12 points A and B. “Prior to filing a preliminary plan, the subdivider shall submit a sketch plan showing the basic proposed layout and other information required in another section of this chapter,” Cordisco said. “After review of the sketch plan, but within 62 days of the date of the submission of it, the planning board will approve the sketch plan or recommend modification. The purpose of the sketch plan is to provide the planning board input in the formative stages of subdivision design. The applicant should not be bound by any sketch plan nor shall the planning board be bound by any such review.”

The planning board members discussed and agreed the applicant had achieved the basic concept of a layout for the plan. Cordisco noted for the board that the project was circulated for lead agency but a negative declaration was not adopted.