2021_08_13_05 SEQRA Env Assessment Narrative

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Harlem Valley Homestead — SEQR Environmental Assessment Narrative SEQR EA Narrative.doc 1 Insite Engineering, Surveying & Landscape Architecture, P.C. 1.0 INTRODUCTION This Project Narrative was prepared on behalf of Harlem Valley Homestead (the “Applicant” or “HVH”) relative to the 247.99 acres of real property consisting of 5 tax lots bearing identification numbers of 7260-00-062777 (60.3 acres), 7260-00-123597 (100 acres), 7260-00-981478 11.44 acres), 7260-00- 089448 (75.08 acres), and 7260-00-167790 (1.17 acres), owned by Anra’s Nest LLC and Nonno’s Garden LLC, located on both sides of Old Forge Road in the Town of Dover, NY, and classified in the Rural (“RU”) zoning district to the west of Old Forge Road and the Resource Conservation (“RC”) zoning district to the east of Old Forge Road (the “Premises”). The Applicant/HVH seeks to augment the existing Farm Operation and Agriculture uses on the Premises in Dutchess County Agricultural District No. 23 through the development of a Country Inn and Conference Center in accordance with the Special Permit Criteria set forth in Section 145-52.2 of the Town of Dover Zoning Law (“Zoning Law”), the Site Plans standard enunciated in Zoning Law Section 145-65, and the Resubdivision provisions in Section 125-5 of the Town of Dover Subdivision Regulations (“Subdivision Regulations”). The proposed Country Inn and Conference Center project will entail the construction of 48 guest units, associated hospitality buildings, recreational areas, and common infrastructure, including central/public water supplied by proposed on-site wells, on-site subsurface sewage treatment by septic, stormwater management best management practices, roadways, and parking areas. 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS The site is situated in a valley that is bounded on the North and West by the Ten Mile River, and Deuel Hollow Brook running along the Southern edge of the site. To the east sit two large hills with vast stands of both deciduous and evergreen forests. The site is accessed via Old Forge Road which connects to New York State Route 55 south of the project area. Currently, the overall Site contains approximately 3.7 acres of paved/developed areas that includes gravel work yards, driveways, buildings, and Old Forge Road (down to the intersection of Route 55). The remainder of the Site is primarily forest, meadow, pasture, and gardens. The site contains a farmhouse with a series of out-buildings used for agricultural activities, many of which are proposed to remain but undergo renovations to make them more suitable for future use. The existing character of the site will be preserved to remain consistent with the pastoral nature of the surrounding area. See Figure 1 for existing conditions for the overall site.