Project seeks to revitalize Milton

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 1/12/22

Marlborough Planning Board Chairman Chris Brand offered details on a mixed use project before his board that is focused on revitalizing the hamlet of Milton. A Public Hearing on this Main Street …

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Project seeks to revitalize Milton

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Marlborough Planning Board Chairman Chris Brand offered details on a mixed use project before his board that is focused on revitalizing the hamlet of Milton. A Public Hearing on this Main Street project is scheduled for February 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marlborough Town Hall, 21 Milton Tnpk, Milton.

Developer Robert Pollock has proposed a 40,130 sq/ft mixed-use project on Main Street in Milton with 8 retail spaces on the ground floor and each having 4 apartments above on the second floor for a total of 32 one-bedroom apartments.

Brand said the cost of the rentals did not come up, “and it’s not something we generally ask and is outside the scope of what the board does.” He said the project has to go before the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals as they are seeking variances for two items; a decrease in each parking space size, which by code is 200 sq/ft or 10ft x 20ft.

“They are seeking a variance for 9ft by 18ft because the property behind this proposal they’re digging out a huge amount of rock. I think it’s going to be approximately a 40ft excavation,” Brand said.

The second variance sought is for the distances between buildings.

“Our code says the minimum distance between structures of two or more, has to be 1 ½ times the highest structure. They don’t meet that [and] they’re trying to get somewhere between 11 and 14 feet between each one,” he said, noting there will be three buildings in all.

Brand said the parking design calls for moving vehicles off of Main Street on its western side to allow for easier and safer travel, “so in theory he is widening that road, not technically, but he is taking street parking off of Main Street. There will also be additional parking off of Brewster Street. I believe the variance is going to be modified to include those spots as well. He’s also got the giant lot behind Frida’s Cafe. That will be an additional plus or minus of approximately 31 spaces.”
Brand said this is a great project.

“I think this is the kind of project not just for Marlboro and Milton but what municipalities are really looking for. The Ulster County Planning Department regarded this project very highly. They spoke nothing but good about it. This really is the type of development within the hamlets that encourages walk-ability. You’re having a mixed use and the architecture matches what’s there previously. Overall, I think this is exactly what every town is looking for to revitalize their hamlets.”