Engineer presents modified parking plan for large event site; board flags floodplain variance and SEQR steps

Jason Pittengero, the applicant's engineer, presented a modified parking and site plan for a project representing Science of the Soul, saying the plan would provide approximately 900 spaces—largely grass-surfaced—with stone aisleways, an added entrance to meet frontage requirements and shuttle staging similar to prior arrangements at Strong Farm. Pittengero said the design aims to limit hard impervious surfaces and that the aisles would remain stone to maintain passability for emergency access.

Board members pressed technical questions: one member asked whether special district taxes in settlements were exempt (during the earlier tax discussion) and later members focused on the parking plan's floodplain implications, weekend usage patterns and whether future phase 2 expansion remains a possibility. Pittengero said the entire site lies within an environmental overlay zone and that the project will require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for impervious surface coverage; he added that underdrains and raised grade would be used to keep grass parking areas firmer during wet weather.

A member noted the EAF auto-populates certain DEC water-quality classifications, and Pittengero confirmed the EAF workbook and DEC data were referenced in the submitted materials. The board moved to assume lead agency, classify the matter for SEQR (the transcript references Type I classification due to acreage), and authorized the town consultant to prepare Part 2 of the EAF. The board set the SEQR public hearing timeline and noted any ZBA variance applications would be a separate step.

No final site approvals were granted at the meeting; the actions taken were procedural steps in the environmental review and application process.