Planning Board – December 2025
CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
December 10, 2025
The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Mary Howard, Tom Jantzen, Jennifer Phillips and Jesse Cutaia, Ron Miller, and Nathan Hempel. Attorney Matthew Griesemer was also present
After review of the November 12, 2025 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to approve the minutes. All in favor. So carried.
Midwood Village LLC, 760 Woods Road, Tax ID #179.-1-30,
represented by Ashay Shah of Crawford & Associates, came before the Board regarding a Lot Line Adjustment, which will add 22.4 acres to the adjoining property. Motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Mary Howard, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing. Ashay Shah provided the Site Plan Map showing the proposed driveway after the Lot Line Adjustment and explained the project. Question was raised by an abutting neighbor, Phillip Varrallo, regarding the distance of the proposed driveway setbacks. The Board’s response was the setbacks from the property line would be 10’ as defined in the Clermont zoning code. Matthew Griesemer added the Planning Board has the right to set reasonable conditions for a potential driveway setback. Motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to close the Public Hearing and return to the regular meeting. SEQRA was read by Mary Howard, resulting with a Negative Declaration from the Board. The Board, after considering the historic nature of the neighborhood and its designation as a Scenic Area of Statewide Significance, determine that mitigation action shall include the following conditions:
~continued stewardship of the conservation area by Columbia Land Conservancy.
~and regarding a proposed driveway for Tax Map 179.-1-2.100, a 50’ accessory structure setback from the southern boundary Tax Map D 179-1-29 for a distance of 300’ measured from the centerline of Woods Road shall be in effect.
Motion was made by Jesse Cutaia, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to approve the application. All in favor. So carried.
Phil Gellert, County Route 8, 180.2-5.111, located on County Route 8, came before the Board seeking a Minor Subdivision of 4 acres from the existing 35 acre parcel. Motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Nathan Hempel, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing. All in favor. So carried. Concern was raised regarding the exact area of the existing parcel being leased to the ELP Solar Farm, which is not yet complete. The Applicant will return with revised maps. The Public Hearing will remain open until the January 14, 2026 meeting.
Susan Kotulak and Andrew Sartorius, Oki Doki Studio, represented by Andy Aubin of Crawford Associates, came before the Board regarding the property located at 1727 Route 9, presently Hudson Valley Distillers. Oki Doki Studio, a pottery studio, is planning to move from its current location on Woods Road to the subject property at 1727 Route 9. The construction of a pavilion measuring 40’x40’ is planned to house the needed kilns for the pottery. Motion to accept the application and schedule a Public Hearing for the January 14, 2026 meeting, was made by Jesse Cutaia, seconded by Jennifer Phillips. All in favor. So carried.
With no further business, a motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary