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An architect's rendering of the proposed Townes at Ketchaponack, with existing homes shown in the foreground.
After two meetings in which the public could weigh in on the draft environmental impact statement for a proposed condominium development on the north side of Rogers Avenue — plus a 10-day written comment period, the Westhampton Beach Planning Board on Thursday, April 22, marked the end of the draft stage to allow the environmental review process to move forward.
Following the draft environmental impact statement, or DEIS, comes the final environmental impact statement, or FEIS, in which the applicant must address the concerns and questions raised during the review of the draft as part of the state-mandated environmental review process.
“The FEIS has to include responses to those substantive comments,” Village Attorney Anthony Pasca said during last Thursday’s meeting as he explained the difference between a DEIS and an FEIS. The process could take 30 to 60 days, or longer by mutual consent of the Planning Board and the applicant, he said.
Village Planner Kyle Collins added that those comments include comments from the public, from the Planning Board and from other involved agencies.
“This is no small undertaking,” Planning Board Chairman David Reilly said. “This is a lot of work, and it will take some time. This is not a matter of responding with a couple of emails. This is a lengthy document that has to be drafted and prepared.”
Mr. Pasca said other agencies will rely on this completed document, including the village trustees, who he said have more discretion than the Planning Board on whether to issue the applicant a special exception permit. “So it’s important to get right,” he added.
The applicant, Rogers Associates LLC, is proposing a condominium complex named “The Townes at Ketchaponack” with 52 units in 13 buildings plus a community center, a pool and a tennis court on 9.4 acres where an asphalt plant once stood.
“As we have from the beginning of this, we will make every effort to make sure that you’re kept informed, and that the various documents will be made available as appropriate so that when things are happening you’ll be aware and you’ll be able to be involved in the process,” Mr. Reilly said, addressing the members of the public in the audience at the virtual meeting. “That’s what we wanted from the beginning: is that everybody has a fair shot being involved in what’s going on here.”
The coming site plan process and the special permit process will offer more opportunities for the public to comment, Mr. Pasca pointed out.
The application will be on the Planning Board agenda again on Thursday, June 10.
