Final approval on Narrowsburg School plan; A good fit with the neighborhood

Posted 8/21/12

NARROWSBURG, NY — Normally when a large number of people turn out to a planning board meeting, it’s because the neighbors have complaints they want to lodge. But at the meeting of the Tusten …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Final approval on Narrowsburg School plan; A good fit with the neighborhood

Posted

NARROWSBURG, NY — Normally when a large number of people turn out to a planning board meeting, it’s because the neighbors have complaints they want to lodge. But at the meeting of the Tusten Panning Board on June 22, the neighbors and members of the larger community came to heap praise on the project put forward by Brendan and Kathy Weiden.

The Weidens are in the process of purchasing the building that housed the former Narrowsburg Central School, and the closing is scheduled for July 1. The couple has been negotiating with a possible anchor tenant for the building, who would use about a third of the available space.

The tenant would manufacture specialty ice cream in the facility, but some changes are needed to accommodate the business. A new driveway will be constructed on the grounds of a house adjacent to the school to allow access for 65-foot tractor trailers, and an addition will be added to the building to allow for a loading dock and refrigeration for the product. Brendan said the couple had purchased the house.

Brendan said the owner of the ice cream operation, who has at this point not been identified, is interested in having the public be able to view the making of the ice cream, so the plant will serve as something of a tourist attraction. Brendan said “the ice cream guy” has projected that the facility will create 20 to 25 jobs.

Brendan said that the owner currently has an ice cream manufacturing facility in New York City and he is interested in expanding in a location that is closer to the milk, cream, eggs and other ingredients needed to produce the ice cream.

During a question-and-answer session, council member Tony Ritter asked if the plans would allow for the use of the gym and auditorium for civic events such as EagleFest.

Brendan responded that the plan will allow for access to the gym for special events, and the proposed tenant is “excited” to be in a mixed-use building. He also said, “We would love to get EagleFest back,” but that would happen later.

Traffic is typically a concern with new project such as this, but Ed Jackson, chairman of the planning board, read a letter from the New York Department of Transportation, which said the organization had no concerns about traffic because it would be less than the traffic generated by the use of the building as a school.

Brendan’s remarks were interrupted several times by applause. Supervisor Carol Wingert was one of several people who praised the project and the Weidens. Wingert said, “I applaud you; you have gone above and beyond in your due diligence” in planning for the future use of the school.

Bernie Creamer said his six kids graduated from the school, and his wife graduated from it in 1950. He said it was important that the building would remain a part of the community.

After the public hearing, the planning board granted final approval for special-use permits to allow the plans for the facility to move forward.

The previous plan for the building, which has been empty since 2005, was to turn it into a drug rehab facility, which the community vigorously rejected.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here