Traffic increases, disturbances to wildlife and maintaining the character of the neighborhood were all concerns brought forward to the Town of Newburgh Planning Board on Thursday, April 20. The planning board hosted a public scoping session as part of the initial steps of the approval process for the project known in the town records as “The Enclave”. The public will have the opportunity to send in written comments to the town until May 1.

The project known as the Enclave, made an initial appearance back in December 2022. The board had declared their intent for lead agency back in December 2022. Diversified Properties, LLC is the current developer of the project and Engineering & Surveying Properties, PC, represented by Ross Winglovitz, will be overseeing the construction of the development. Two completed projects in the town, Meadow Ridge and Summit Lane apartments, were also under the development of Diversified Properties, LLC.

“The applicant Diversified Properties is proposing 246 apartments. We’re going to be in 18 different buildings ranging in size from 12 units to 18 units per building. Total of 164 two bedrooms and 82 one bedrooms. There’ll be a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts and outdoor active recreation area,” said Winglovitz. “Main access to the site will be from Route 300. There’ll be an area in front for school bus pickup, drop off.”

The Quassaick Creek, which runs within the property boundaries, would have a bridge crossing for residents who are going into the development. Garages and parking spaces for the development residents are proposed for the site as well. Water service connection would be provided from a connection along Route 300. Other areas of study would be included in the scoping document. No senior density bonus was proposed as previously reported.All documents pertaining to the project can be found on the town website for public review.

“The scope really is the outline of the environmental studies that have to be performed in order for the board to consider the various different environmental impacts associated with this project,” said Planning Board Attorney Dominic Cordisco. “The studies have not yet been done, they will be done. And there will be further opportunity for the public to review those and also to comment on them. The planning board’s role is to review applications that are made by applicants.”

Members of the public were then given the opportunity to speak on their project and to address their concerns going forward. One commentator opposed the project and wanted the natural land to remain as it was and also raised concerns about the present traffic along Route 300. Another commented about the traffic study and asked when the last one was conducted along the section of road that would be impacted. Making left and right turns have been difficult to make according to the commentator. According to Winglovitz, the traffic study would analyze traffic along 300 which includes 9 intersections in total along 300 at Gardnertown Road, Plattekill Turnpike, Deborah Place, Jeanine Drive, Route 32 and Route 52. The study would review peak hours of traffic.

“I live right up here on Route 300 and I’m also very concerned about traffic. It’s really dangerous going out of our drive onto Route 300. There’s already so much traffic, I’m fundamentally opposed to this,” said Donna Suppipat. “I’m sitting here feeling like I’m in the twilight zone that this is even being considered,” said Sue Acosta. “I’m so against it, I just don’t see anything positive about it and it breaks my heart.”