The Red Hook Town Board voted on May 13 to refer a Coastal Assessment Form (CAF) for a proposed town acquisition of the Red Hook Boat Club in the Barrytown hamlet to the Planning Board (the town's waterfront advisory committee) for a consistency review under the town's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The referral is a ministerial step that sends the CAF and related documents to the Planning Board for review; the board acted on resolution No. 35 and approved the referral by unanimous vote. Board members voted to send the form so the Planning Board can compare the proposed action to the adopted LWRP and provide written consistency advice before any further action on acquisition.

The matter drew an extended public-comment period in which residents raised process, cost, public-safety and environmental concerns and urged delay until the town's update to its comprehensive plan is complete. "The haste with which this proposal is being advanced undermines trust in this process and disregards the best interests of our community," Roxanne Fisher told the board, saying the town's justification relied on planning documents dating to 1993 and noting a $100,000 state grant the town received to update its comprehensive plan.

Other commenters pressed the board on transparency and timing. "You said the next step was the public comment hearing," said Carrie Kitner, who said she had spoken with the supervisor and sent a follow-up letter; she asked whether the public comment period had already started and whether earlier written submissions would be considered. Supervisor Robert McKeehan told attendees that comments received before and during the public hearing will be part of the record and that, as a legal matter, comments made after the public hearing is opened are included officially in the hearing record.

Several speakers described practical and safety problems they say the site presents for expanded public access. Rich Ross, speaking on behalf of club members, said waterfront work could cost "anywhere in the neighborhood of $3 to $5 million" to meet New York State requirements, that nearby bulkheads may need replacement in five to 10 years, and that heavy equipment might need to be barged in because of an Amtrak bridge weight restriction. Kayakers and powerboaters said the site's currents, steep drop-offs and limited parking make it impractical for expanded launching. "I just don't understand how this comes about," said Lisa Murray, who asked whether the town intended to buy the property or to take it through eminent domain.

McKeehan repeatedly described the CAF referral as a legal, ministerial step required when actions involve the waterfront: "It's a requirement by law that we refer to the waterfront advisory committee so that they can compare it to the adopted local waterfront revitalization plan," he said. He also said the board continues to prefer negotiating a public-private solution with the club and that any contemplation of acquisition or use of eminent domain would come later in the process.

Board members and staff told the audience that a public hearing on the proposed acquisition is scheduled for May 16 and that written correspondence already received related to the boat-club matter will be included in the hearing record. The referral now sent to the Planning Board will be considered at that board's public meeting; the town supervisor said the Planning Board's consistency advice is part of the statutorily required review sequence.

The board corrected minor typographical errors in the CAF materials before the referral. Following discussion, the board moved and approved resolution No. 35 to transmit the CAF and supporting documents to the Planning Board. The meeting concluded with the board directing staff to forward all related materials, including materials that will be presented at the May 16 public hearing, so the Planning Board has the complete record for its review.

What happens next: the Planning Board (acting as the town's waterfront advisory committee) will review the CAF for consistency with the town's LWRP and issue advisory comments at a public meeting; the town's supervisor said the town hopes to pursue public-private options before considering any exercise of eminent domain.