Developers tout gated community in Hurley

By Donna Cafaldo , Correspondent Daily Freeman May 20, 2005

HURLEY - A proposed 652-unit housing development called Hidden Forest at Hurley would not only boost the town's population but would add $230 million to the town's value, developers told residents at an informational meeting this week.
Devoting more than half of a two-hour session to fielding questions from the audience of 75 who filled the auditorium of St. Joseph's Mission, developers said the "gated" adult community, between U.S. Route 209 and Lucas Avenue at the southern end of town, would bring in $340,000 annually in municipal tax revenue, $760,000 in county and library district taxes and $4 million in school taxes without adding a single student or putting further stress on school resources.
Geraldine Tortorella, attorney for the development company Tomlew, said the plans call for 53 percent of the 411-acre site to remain untouched. Tortorella said 26 percent of the site would contain houses and roads, with the balance left to wetland conservation areas, walking trails and community amenities such as a clubhouse and indoor/outdoor pools. The houses would be "stick built" in phases, with about 100 units constructed annually over five to six years.
Darren Davidowich, senior vice president of US Homes, the project builder, said the proposed complex would house people age 55 and older. A market analysis indicated a strong demand in Ulster County for housing for that age group, he said.
The closest completed community similar to that being proposed in Hurley is in New Jersey, he said.
Hurley resident Matt Sirni asked why the development needed to be gated. "What is it in Hurley that you want to keep out? In New Jersey, I would understand," Sirni said, generating a laugh from the crowd.
Davidowich said gated communities provide seniors with a sense of security, even subliminally, and are central to their success. "We have been pushed on this before, however, they are a key component and feature people are asking for," Davidowich said.
Preliminary plans show roads, water and sewer services to be maintained privately, through a homeowner's association managed by a board of directors and regulated by the state Attorney General's Office.
Among questions raised by the audience, most focused on impacts on water sources, wetlands, increased demands on government, local businesses and fire and emergency services left unanswered. Developers said answers would become clearer as they proceed with extensive impact studies required under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The process will allow for plenty of public input, they said.
Hurley Planning Board Chairman Paul Hakim said developers have only begun the process of applying for a required planned residential development (PRD) designation, subdivision and sketch plan approval. PRD regulations already exist in the Hurley zoning law, but a zoning change will be required for the proposed site, said Dan Shuster, the town planning consultant.
One resident said Hurley approved a plan 10 years ago to keep the town a "bedroom community," but said the proposed project was not what they had in mind. That comment drew the evening's only applause.
Davidowich noted that US Homes will formally change its name to Lennar by month's end as a result of an acquisition. Lennar, a national home builder for more than 50 years, with local offices in Fishkill, had 2004 revenues in excess of $10.5 billion. Davidowich said the company has built more than 600,000 homes since 1954.
Vince Napoli of Hurley said after the meeting that he remains neutral on the proposed project and plans to continue following the process as it progresses. However, Napoli said he felt many of his initial questions had been answered.
Sandra Ostoyich of Saugerties said she came to the meeting to learn more about the communities she had already knows of spending her winters in Florida.
"To tell you the truth, I came here thinking about the Winston Farm," Ostoyich said. "I would love to bring this to Saugerties instead of a casino."

©Daily Freeman 2005

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