APA approves 32-acre Hamlet expansion in North Elba

RAY BROOK | In its monthly meeting Thursday, the Adirondack Park Agency approved a map amendment moving 32 acres of Moderate Intensity land to Hamlet in North Elba. "It was great to see that an additional 32 acres of Hamlet land designation were unanimously approved for North Elba at the APA Meeting earlier today," North Elba Supervisor Jay J. Rand told the Sun via email. "It is a step in the right direction to help address housing shortages in North Elba with possible options to provide temporary athlete housing during the 2023 FISU Games. "I am very pleased with this decision as it provides new and exciting possibilities for our community," the supervisor said. The decision makes way for potential purchase and development of the former W. Alton Jones Cell Science Center and surrounding acreage. Plans are in discussion with town zoning to re-purpose the property as a residential area for community housing and as a temporary athletic village for the 2023 World University Games. No sale is recorded yet online. Essex County Tax Maps indicate the parcel is valued at $3.1 million and is currently owned by PEG Enterprises, a local group of businessmen based in Lake Placid who bought it in 2007 for $3.45 million. APA did not discuss any possible development on the site. Their focus Thursday was to review only the town's rezoning request and see if the switch to Hamlet fit parameters outlined in APA regulation. Water and sewer lines already exist on the site. It is in the Lake Placid Fire District and part of the Lake Placid Central School District. North Elba pointed out in their Environmental Impact Statement that the town has not sought any land-use mapping changes since 1973 when the original Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map was adopted. But the town submitted the entire Community Housing Needs Assessment completed for ROOST in January this year by Camoin Associates, which outlined the extensive need for "middle housing," residential areas for year-round working professionals and families. And, by APA definition, "Hamlet" serves as "the service and growth centers in the (Adirondack) park ... intended to accommodate a large portion and natural expansion of park housing, commercial and industrial activities." A public hearing on North Elba's map amendment was held on May 15 via teleconference. The public comment period concluded on May 30 with comments from five individuals and organizations. The North Elba Town Council moved the map amendment in January as they looked to coordinate the sale of the property for development. Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism President and CEO James McKenna told the Sun in late spring that ROOST was helping put the pieces together to solve both the need for community housing and athlete housing for the 2023 World University Games. The goal is to improve community housing for the long term. "This would only be community housing, not available for hotels, motels, or short term rentals. That's why the town is engaged," McKenna told the Sun. McKenna said an interim athletes' village at the location could potentially hold a maximum of 1,400 athletes. July's APA meeting was the first held in over a year with a full complement of commissioners. And all approved North Elba's 32-acre Hamlet expansion, 8-0. Local planning boards will take up any future Barn Road project, which, depending on structure heights and number of units, may or may not trigger further APA review. There are no wetlands on the site.

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APA approves 32-acre Hamlet expansion in North Elba

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