Commission deems 714 The Crescent consistent with LWRP subject to state/federal sign-offs and no material changes

The Harbor and Coastal Zone Management Commission on July 15 voted to find the proposed shoreline project at 714 The Crescent consistent with the village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), provided that state and federal agencies with jurisdiction sign off and that there are no material changes to the plans as reviewed.

Kristen Motel, counsel for the applicant, introduced a project team that described removing an existing concrete/asphalt boat ramp and replacing the hardscape with native plantings and terraces to restore salt-marsh habitat. “We’re seeking to dramatically improve the condition of things on-site,” Motel said, describing the removal of approximately 1,300–1,400 square feet of impervious surface and addition of stormwater management and vegetated buffers.

Landscape architect Louis Fusco detailed plans to continue riprap at the seawall, create shallow planted terraces where the ramp now exists, install screening evergreens (8–10 foot specimens at planting) and add roughly 10 new trees to buffer neighbors. Fusco said the proposed deck will be pervious—allowing water to pass beneath—and the design increases on-site flood-storage capacity.

Shay Graham of Hudson Engineering described grading, erosion controls and stormwater measures including a Coltex treatment unit intended to capture runoff; the design increases flood storage by roughly 1,000 cubic yards. Wetland scientist Bill Kenny reviewed the impact analysis and said his professional opinion is that the proposed measures — removal of the ramp, reduced impervious cover, added plantings and a riprap berm to reduce wave energy — will protect the wetland and adjacent critical environmental area if implemented as proposed. “Based on those primary project features, it’s my professional opinion that the wetland will be protected,” Kenny said.

Commissioners raised open items including outstanding DEC, Department of State and Army Corps reviews, the availability of engineering memos used by the planning board, and a pending soil test. Counsel (speaker 9) noted the code’s timing for consistency determinations and advised that the commission could draft a resolution allowing conditional approval while requiring the applicant to return if state or federal reviewers mandate material changes.

Chair (speaker 2) moved to approve a preliminary consistency determination conditioned on completing state and federal reviews and ensuring no material plan changes as a result; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission and staff asked applicants to provide outstanding engineering memos, soil testing, and final construction/staging details for the record and directed staff to notify the planning board if material changes arise.