Catskill Planning Board approves 29 New Street renovation, refers 283 Main Street to Codes

The Village of Catskill Planning Board on July 13 approved renovations at 29 New Street and referred a garage/studio proposal at 283 Main Street back to the Code Enforcement Office for final approval.

Ann Gibbons, a member of the Planning Board, moved to declare lead agency for the 29 New Street project, and Anthony Petrianni then moved to classify the application as a Type II action; both motions were seconded and recorded as passing without opposition. The board found the proposed work — described in the minutes as interior second-floor renovations, added supporting posts to be painted, and new evenly distributed windows — historically appropriate, and Michele Pulver moved to approve the application. The minutes record no opposition to these motions.

The board reopened review of a garage/studio at 283 Main Street after the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) asked follow-up questions. The CEO reported one technical issue (the orientation of a doorway), which the applicant resolved via email, and raised a concern about potential future emergency-access limitations because the structure sits behind a row of houses. After consulting with counsel, the board concluded that access is adequate at present and that it does not have authority to regulate hypothetical future developments. Michele Pulver moved to return the matter to Codes for approval once the applicant submits final plans that comply with applicable requirements; that motion passed with no recorded opposition.

At 6:56 PM Chair Gilbert Bagnell moved, seconded by Michele Pulver, to enter an executive session; the board reconvened at 7:15 PM on a motion by Ann Gibbons, seconded by Gilbert Bagnell. The minutes do not specify the reason for the executive session. After returning to open session, Anthony Petrianni moved, and Michele Pulver seconded, that the Planning Board contact the Village trustees to recommend options for updating Catskill zoning policies; the motion passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 PM on a motion by Gilbert Bagnell.

The minutes list Wayne Thompson, Esq., and Secretary Karni Dorell as present; outside consultants Ross Nehm and Diego Celaya of A+C also attended. The record does not include roll-call vote tallies for motions, only that motions passed with “none opposed” or “all in favor.”