MONTICELLO, THOMPSON – Representatives for the proposed Rosewood Development appeared before the Village of Monticello Board to outline the scope of the project and formally request that the village assume lead agency status under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

The proposed project spans approximately 292 acres, with 160 acres located in the Village of Monticello and 132 acres in the Town of Thompson. Rather than pursuing annexation, George Duke, speaking on behalf of SWMT Properties, said the developer is proposing two coordinated Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts, one in each municipality, designed to function as a single project.

“It’s one project, unequivocally,” Duke explained. “The idea is all four boards—the Village Board, Village Planning Board [of Monticello], Town Board, and Town Planning Board [of Thompson]—are going to be coordinated in this review.”

Duke explained that the environmental review would encompass new zoning, preliminary site plan approval, and adoption of a regulating plan that would be incorporated into the village’s zoning code.

 “The idea is to lock in what the design is,” stated Duke. “It has a lot of regulations that address not only the densities and setbacks, but also tree preservation, open space reservation. Things that have to be considered and preserved.”

Architect Elizabeth Ford Williams of the Speck Dempsey design team provided a high-level overview of the site as she highlighted preservation of natural features. She said the design process began with a detailed tree survey identifying healthy, mature trees throughout the developable area.

“We commissioned, from the very beginning, a really robust tree survey,” Williams recounted. “This plan is saving over 500 of those significant healthy trees within the developable area.”

Williams described the development as primarily residential, with a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and stacked townhomes, and higher-density development located toward the interior of the site. A mixed-use neighborhood center is proposed in the northern portion of the property, featuring retail on the ground floor with apartments above.

“The goal has been to create a place that celebrates the land,” Williams said, noting that the plan prioritizes walkability, open space, and a pedestrian-oriented layout. Many of the units, she explained, would front green pedestrian-only spaces designed around preserved trees.

The plan includes a maximum of 860 residential units in the village, with 640 lots, and exceeds the village’s open space requirement.

“Of the 25 percent open space required, we’re providing 31 percent,” Williams said, stressing that nearly half of the overall site would remain undisturbed open space.

Village Attorney Michael Sussman brought attention to water and sewer capacity, particularly noting existing capacity and what needs to be done to facilitate and allow a project “of this magnitude.” Duke acknowledged the concern, calling it a central issue for the environmental review.

“These are all legitimate concerns that are going to have to go through this process,” Duke said. “No action can be taken until they’re properly addressed to both the village and the town’s satisfaction.”

Sussman also inquired about ownership and long-term maintenance of roads, alleys, and pedestrian pathways within the development. Duke said a master homeowners association would be established to maintain common areas and enforce design standards.

“Unequivocally, there’s going to be a master association,” Duke said. “The preservation of those trees is codified. It’s pretty significant that that’s important to the overall fabric of what this is going to look like.”

When Trustee Gordon Jenkins suggested waiting for the rest of the Board [Mayor Rochelle Massey and Trustee Janice Davis] Barbarite assured there was no reason to worry, with Sussman clarifying that assuming lead agency status would give the village greater oversight of the environmental review, including the ability to retain independent experts using escrow funds provided by the applicant.

Following discussion, the board unanimously approved, with a motion by Trustee Theodore Hutchins and second by Trustee Gordon Jenkins, declaring the Village of Monticello as lead agency for the Rosewood Development Plan and authorizing the circulation of that designation to involved and interested agencies. A formal positive declaration under SEQRA, triggering a full environmental impact statement, is expected to be considered at a future meeting.