NY State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)
SCOPING DOCUMENT
For a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
HUDSON STEPPE
Village of Ossining, Westchester County, NY
Adopted ___August 24________ 2010
SEQR CLASSIFICATION:
Unlisted Action
LEAD AGENCY:
Village of Ossining Planning Board
LIST OF INVOLVED AGENCIES
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Village of Ossining Planning Board
Village of Ossining Village Board
Westchester County Department of Health
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
LIST OF INTERESTED AGENCIES
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NYS Dept. of Correctional Facilities
NYSDOT Region 8
Westchester County Planning Dept.
Westchester County Dept. of Environmental Facilities
Ossining UFSD
Josette Polzella, Town of Ossining Assessor
Village of Ossining Fire Headquarters
Village of Ossining Environmental Committee
Village of Ossining Historic Preservation Commission
Introduction
This Scoping Document is adopted by the Village of Ossining (hereinafter “Village”), as Lead
Agency for the SEQR review of the proposed Hudson Steppe project. This document is
intended to serve as the foundation for the identification of all potentially significant adverse
environmental impacts that are pertinent to the proposed action, and to identify appropriate
mitigation measures. It is also intended to eliminate consideration of any impacts that are
irrelevant or non-significant.
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Description of the Proposed Action
The applicant proposes to develop 188 condominium or rental units in seven residential
buildings and a mix of dwelling unit types. Dwellings vary in size from 835 square feet (SF)
(studio), 829 to 1050 SF 1-bedroom units, 1200 to 1700 SF 2-bedroom units, and 2038 to 2793
SF 3-bedroom units. Ten percent of the dwelling units, evenly distributed among the unit sizes,
will be marketed at affordable prices. In addition, the Smith-Robinson house will be renovated
to accommodate three floors (7,500 SF) of office space on the site. The proposed site
development provides a total of 253 parking spaces, including 183 spaces in an underground
parking facility.
General Scoping Considerations
The applicant will prepare a site-specific, project-specific Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) addressing all items identified in this Scoping Document. The applicant will
incorporate information from other developments underway or proposed in the local area and
include, where noted, discussions on cumulative adverse impacts.
The applicant will follow the SEQR regulations (6NYCRR 617) for direction on the required
content of a DEIS. The DEIS will assemble relevant and material facts needed to address only
those potential significant adverse environmental impacts that can be reasonably anticipated
due to the project. It will be clearly and concisely written in plain language that can be easily
read and understood by the public. Highly technical material will be summarized and, if it must
be included in its entirety, it will be referenced in the DEIS and included as an appendix.
The DEIS will be written in the third person without use of the terms I, we, and our. Narrative
discussions will be accompanied as appropriate for clarity by illustrative tables and graphics.
All graphics will clearly identify the project area. The DEIS will group the areas of concern into
relevant subject areas with each section describing the existing setting, potential impacts, and
proposed mitigation to permit more efficient review. Opinions of the applicant that are
unsupported by evidence will be identified as such.
Preliminary Plans will accompany the DEIS as an attachment and reduced copies of pertinent
plan sheets may be included in the text of the DEIS.
Contents of the DEIS
Cover Sheet listing title of project, location, identification as a DEIS, Lead Agency, applicant,
preparer, and relevant dates (i.e. date of document preparation and spaces for dates of DEIS
acceptance, public hearing, final date for acceptance of comments). A list of preparers will
include the firm name, contact name, address, and phone number for all consultants who helped
prepare the document. The Lead Agency and applicant will be identified with a contact name
and a phone number.
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Table of Contents including listings of primary DEIS sections and subsections, tables, figures,
drawings, and any items that may be submitted under separate cover (and identified as such),
with page numbers listed for each.
I.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Executive Summary will include a brief description of the proposed action and a listing of
all identified potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures. A summary
will be provided of the approvals and permits required, and of the alternatives to the proposed
action that are evaluated in the DEIS. The Executive Summary will only include information
that is found elsewhere in the main body of the DEIS.
II.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND THE PROPOSED ACTION
This chapter of the DEIS will describe the project site and its location within the region, the
proposed project, the public need and objectives of the project sponsor, and list required
approvals, reviews, and permits.
A. Site Location and Description
1. A written and graphic description of the location of the project site in the context of
the County of Westchester, the Village of Ossining, including tax map numbers and
list of abutting property tax map numbers. The site shall be described relative to:
surrounding land uses, main transportation corridors, streams, water bodies,
wetlands, steep slopes (including any proposed mitigation for slope stability and soil
erosive qualities), and other prominent natural and man-made features on and in the
immediate vicinity of the project site. This description shall include the school
district in which the site is situated.
2. A brief description of the environmental setting of the site, and the natural resources
identified thereon and in the adjoining areas. This description shall include a brief
history of site use, current uses of the site and/or past activities and man-made
facilities thereon. In addition a brief description of the flora and fauna of the area
and including any rare or endangered species or other significant natural
communities identified by the New York Natural Heritage Program.
3. Identification of any easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, special district
boundaries or other legal devices affecting the subject property’s development
potential.
4. Description of the existing infrastructure serving the project site and/or its
immediate environs, including existing site access, road network, available utilities
such as gas, electric, telephone, and cable, storm sewer, as well as central water and
sewer facilities.
B. Description of the Proposed Action
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1. Written and detailed description of the proposed action, including the proposed use,
design, layout, phasing and construction schedule, and provision for emergency
access and available resources, as well as vehicular and pedestrian circulation in and
around the site.
2. Identify zoning and describe existing land uses for the project site and adjoining
properties.
3. Discuss compliance with all applicable Zoning requirements and other criteria set
forth in the Village of Ossining Code. The DEIS will indicate the extent to which
any modifications or waivers of such standards and other criteria, any variances
from such regulations, or any zone text changes that would be required to carry out
the project as proposed and an evaluation of why such deviation is needed and
would be appropriate.
4. Describe “green” building technologies incorporated into the project.
5. The provision of adequate parking and sidewalks within the proposed development
will be discussed.
6. Management of fill export and import will be discussed, and a construction phasing
plan will be described.
C. Project Purpose and Need
1. Discuss the purpose or objective of the project sponsor.
2. Identify the public need for the proposed action, including consideration of
consistency with adopted policies and/or plans as set forth within adopted local and
regional land use and community development plans.
D. Approvals, Reviews and Permits
1. List all required approvals, reviews, and permits required, by agency, to implement
the proposed action together with the status of each application, including the
creation or expansion of water, sewer, drainage or other municipal districts if
required by the project.
2. List all Involved Agencies and known Interested Parties for DEIS distribution.
III.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING, IMPACTS, MITIGATION
This section of the DEIS will identify the existing environmental conditions, potential impacts
of the action, and proposed mitigation measures as appropriate for each of the major issues
identified in this Scoping Document. Sufficient detail should be provided so that reviewers are
able to gain an understanding of current conditions and impacts. Special effort should be made
to explain technical information in lay language with supporting tables and maps.
Proposed and potential mitigation measures for identified adverse environmental impacts
should indicate which mitigation measures have been incorporated into the plans as well as
those which have not, and the reasons therefore.
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The format or organization of this section will include the following subsection headings for
each topic or impact issue to provide a meaningful presentation of the environmental issues that
allows the reader to focus on individual impact issues:
Existing Conditions
Potential Impacts
Mitigation Measures
A. Soils and Topography
The existing surficial and bedrock geology of the site will be described. Although the site
has been substantially developed and impacted, underlying soils characteristics will be
discussed and quantified to the extent necessary to identify the proper stormwater
management and soil erosive qualities and to the extent necessary for the completion of
NYSDEC General Permit GP-0-10-001. If prominent and/or unique features are present at
the site, these features should be identified on a map. The design of the project should be
accomplished to avoid and or minimize impacts to bedrock and disturbance of substantial
rock outcroppings whenever and wherever possible.
If rock material is proposed to be removed to complete the grading process for this project,
the nature and amount of the rock and/or soil likely to be encountered, and the method of
rock and/or soil removal should be identified (i.e., ripping, blasting, or hammering), with
the impacts and mitigation measures discussed, including discussion of how much material
is to be removed and the method of removal. There will be discussion of ensuring import of
clean fill to the site for project development. Any permits and authorizations required prior
to blasting shall be clearly identified.
The DEIS will provide a soil erosion and sediment control plan that will consist of a text
description and plan details of specific designs to be implemented during and postconstruction.
A topographic survey based on a two-foot contour interval will be prepared. Existing
topography will be mapped based on the following slope categories: 0-15%, 15-25%, and
25% and greater. Slope descriptions will include a listing of these slope categories as a
percentage of the total site area. A comparison of existing and proposed topography will be
evaluated. The following will be described:
a. A preliminary cut and fill analysis, including an analysis of the disposal of
excess cut or the import of fill materials, if fill is required, as well as
identification of areas where cut will reach the water table and contingency plans
to deal with discharge of groundwater to the surface.
b. In areas identified for stormwater infiltration, test pits and percolation tests will
be conducted to confirm the adequacy of the soils.
c. Conformance with the applicable NYS SPDES General Permit for Construction
Activity will be discussed.
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d. Describe in detail provisions for successfully working with the steep slopes on
the property including temporary measures and permanent measures.
e. If blasting will likely occur, the discussion should not only include mitigation
measures that address ways in which blasting will be controlled, it should also
address ways of reducing and avoiding the need for blasting.
f. If excess earth materials will need to be removed from the site, estimate the
number of tons and truck trips necessary to carry out the construction and
identify the routes the trucks will take.
B. Surface Water and Ground Water Resources
1. Surface water features will be mapped and described, including 100-year floodplain,
wetlands and watercourses on the site, if any. A drainage study, defining existing and
post-development peak rates and flow volume of stormwater runoff and stormwater
quality treatment during the statistical 2-, 10-, and 100-year, 24-hour Type III storm
events, will be submitted. The results of this study will be summarized in the DEIS text
and all supporting calculations will be presented in an appendix to the DEIS.
2. Pre- and post-development stormwater runoff quality and outline of treatment methods
per current NYSDEC Design Standards and local regulations shall be presented,
including discussion of whether quantity control measures and/or improvement to
existing facilities are required.
3. The DEIS will include a stormwater management plan for the development, and there
will be discussion of compliance with local stormwater management regulation (Chapter
227 Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control) and NYSDEC general
permits.
4. The access to, ownership of, and responsibility for maintenance requirements during
construction and long term maintenance of any stormwater management facilities shall
be discussed.
5. The DEIS will describe if any quantity controls as described by the General Permit are
required and if any improvements to the existing Village stormwater management
facilities to accommodate the development are required.
C. Water Supply and Wastewater Systems
1. Water Supply System:
a. Calculate water demand for the project based on Department of Health multipliers.
The preliminary design for the proposed water supply system (water storage tank,
delivery issues, pressure zones, distribution around the site, and any on-going
upgrades planned by the water supplier) shall be clearly explained with provision for
both domestic and fire flow capacities. Administrative issues relating to the water
supply system and water district shall be addressed. Discuss potential cumulative
impacts associated with this project in combination with other proposed or approved
projects in the water supply system. Long-term ownership and maintenance of the
system will be discussed.
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b. Pressure and flow of the existing water main will be determined and discussed to
ensure adequacy and proposed connections and required improvements will be
dicussed.
2. Wastewater Disposal System:
a. Estimate the potential sewage generation from the proposed project. Identify the
sewer district which includes the site and the location where the sewage is treated and
discharged.
b. Address any potential sewerage limitations that may apply to the project.
c. Discuss mitigation measures including water conservation to reduce sewage flows, or
upgrades required to the system, if any.
d. Include discussion of potential cumulative impacts associated with this project in
combination with other proposed or approved projects in the wastewater system.
e. Long-term ownership and maintenance of the system will be discussed.
D. Land Use and Zoning
1. Land Use
a. Describe existing land uses of the subject property and adjoining properties.
b. Discuss the compatibility of the proposed project with the character of the
adjoining area.
c. Discuss potential impacts on adjacent land uses.
d. Describe the construction schedule and construction phasing. Discuss impacts on
adjacent land uses associated with proposed construction activities, including
access to the site for construction vehicles, effects of construction traffic on
adjacent roadways, construction staging and management of fill export and
import. Discuss mitigation measures to minimize the need to transport
demolition material off-site.
2. Zoning
a. Describe existing zoning of the project site and adjoining properties.
b. Discuss conformance of the proposed action with the most recent
Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Ossining, and pending Plans where
applicable.
c. Demonstrate compliance with all zoning requirements and other applicable
criteria set forth in the Village Code. Indicate the extent to which any
modifications or waivers of such standards and other criteria or any variances
from such regulations would be required to carry out the project as proposed,
and an evaluation of why such deviation would be appropriate. Describe any
density bonuses sought and the incentives that are associated with those density
bonuses including the affordable housing.
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e. Conforms to the LWRP and its associated local program and policies.
E. Transportation
1.
Existing Conditions.
a. A description of the following area roadways, including general descriptions of
existing geometry, lane widths and traffic controls at the intersections listed
below. Manual turning traffic movement counts at the following intersections for
the weekday morning and weekday afternoon peak hours. (Data collected within
last five years, if verified by recent count data, can be used in the analysis.)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
xiv.
U.S. Route 9 and Main Street/Church Street
U.S. Route 9 and Waller Avenue and Emwilton Place
U.S. Route 9 and Broad Avenue
U.S. Route 9 and James Street
Main Street and Spring Street
Spring Street and Waller Avenue
Spring Street and Academy Place
Spring Street and Broad Avenue
Main Street and State Street
State Street and Academy Place
State Street and Broad Avenue
State Street and James Street
Spring Street and Lafayette Avenue
Hunter Street at both ends
b. Capacity analyses for existing conditions at each of the intersections noted above
following procedures from the “Highway Capacity Manual”.
c. Traffic volumes should reflect typical conditions on area roads when the
proposed development would be at full build-out. Peak hour volumes should be
graphically shown for each intersection (one figure for each peak hour showing
all intersections) for the weekday morning and weekday afternoon peak hours.
Counts will be made when school is in session.
2.
Potential Impacts.
a. Determine background traffic volumes, including an appropriate growth factor,
plus other proposed or approved/ unbuilt projects at the time of the study (to
account for cumulative impacts).
b. Calculate site-generated peak hour traffic (based on trip generation information
from the Institute of Transportation Engineers) and distributed onto area
roadways (shown graphically) based on existing travel patterns.
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c. Capacity analyses for future background conditions calculated for each study
intersection.
d. Combined traffic volume projections based on background traffic volumes and
added site-generated traffic as described above.
e. Capacity analyses of future combined traffic conditions as noted above and
compared to capacity results for existing and background traffic conditions at
each study intersection.
f. Identify the population expected to be served for mass transit and their mode of
transportation to that mass transit (i.e. whether they will be driving to the train
station or actually walking), and discuss means by which pedestrian access to
mass transit will be facilitated.
g. Discuss the proposed improvements to facilitate pedestrian access to nearby
MTA Station.
3.
a. Mitigation. Mitigation in the form of recommendations for roadway and
intersection improvements, traffic controls, signal modification, timing revision,
future monitoring shall be discussed.
b. Discuss benefits of access to mass transit and on-site automated parking.
c. Discuss the ways in which the project will facilitate bicycle and pedestrian
access for residents.
F. Aesthetic Resources
1.
Describe the visual character of the project site environs through the use of narrative
text and one or more of the following: aerial photographs, plans, sections, visual sight
line profiles. Provide a viewshed map showing important points from which this site can
be viewed within ½ mile using the NYSDEC Program Policy, Assessing and Mitigating
Visual Impacts, DEP-00-2 as a guideline. The analysis will describe:
a. The existing visual character as viewed from public roads or properties,
including main structures on the site, and visuals to and from the Hudson River.
b. The change in visual character resulting from implementation of the proposed
action compared to existing visual character and existing approvals. Also
includes a detailed description of the proposed streetscape.
c. Mitigation measures proposed to lessen an adverse visual impact of the proposed
action including but not limited to such matters as architectural design,
landscaping, preservation of existing vegetation, and ”fit” with the existing
topography.
d. Include discussion of potential cumulative impacts associated with this project in
combination with other proposed or approved projects in the visual study area.
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e. Discuss consistency with the NYS Coastal Management Program and LWRP.
G. Historic and Archaeological Resources
1. Contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
(OPRHP) to determine the presence of and potential impact on historic and
archaeological resources that may be located on the project site, as well as the Ossining
Historical Society.
2. Describe the findings of any cultural resource investigation if same is required by
OPRHP standards and describe any historic, architectural, and archaeological survey
data if applicable.
3. Discuss mitigation measures proposed or alternatives considered as deemed advisable
by the professional archaeologist or OPRHP.
4. With regard to the Smith Robinson House, describe the preservation work that needs to
be done and its anticipated results. This will include consulting with a professional
architect with historic preservation specialty and provide a thorough historic and
architectural survey that defines the area of potential effect on historic resources as well
as detail any potential impacts that the project could have on the integrity of the SmithRobinson House.
5. Discussion of any rare species or significant natural communities on the site.
H. Community Facilities and Services
1. The proposed project may create the need for additional community services including
police protection, fire protection, emergency medical services, education, and public
recreation/open space facilities. Each existing service area will be described as to its
existing capacity. (Water and sewer services and distribution are addressed separately
in another section.) Describe how the site plan will adequately provide emergency
service access to the residences and that the site plan meets NYS fire codes.
2. The impact of the proposed project on each service area will be estimated, according to
generally accepted multipliers.
3. Mitigation measures will be discussed including increasing the capacity of affected
community service areas as a result of the proposed action.
4. Address intermunicipal services (for example police or fire response), if any, and any
administrative concerns related to the project site.
5. Recreation/open space: Describe the recreational, open space, and green space provided
by the project in comparison to existing recreational, open space, and green space on the
site, and describe whether the recreation space will be public or private, active or
passive or whether there will be any restrictions such as conservation easements or other
encumbrances.
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6. Include discussion of potential cumulative impacts associated with this project in
combination with other proposed or approved projects as may affect community
facilities and services.
7. Include discussion of impacts on schools in the district.
I. Fiscal Impact Analysis
1. A fiscal impact analysis will be undertaken to ascertain the potential fiscal impacts
associated with the increased demand on municipal services generated by the project.
2. The fiscal impact analysis will be on the cost and revenue implications of the project for
each service taxing district affected by the proposed action. The fiscal impact analysis
will be based on generally accepted methods and their application. The market value for
proposed residences will be described, as it is the basis for property tax revenues.
3. Mitigation measures, if necessary, will be presented that minimize the fiscal impact of
the proposed action.
J. Noise and Air Resources
1. The DEIS will qualitatively evaluate the potential construction-related impacts to noise
levels and air resources and will identify appropriate mitigations to reduce them,
including the noise to be generated by site clearing, truck traffic, blasting and rock
excavation, and the potential post-development noise to the surrounding neighborhood,
if any.
2. Potential environmental impacts anticipated due to the construction of the proposed
project, hours of construction operations, including noise and traffic, air quality, dust
blasting, chipping and impacts on the surrounding area should be described, including
the potential damage (and remedial measures to be taken to correct damage) to Village
roads from construction traffic, and the prevention of mud and gravel from being
tracked onto Village roads.
3. Discuss the noise and air impacts of the truck traffic along the identified truck routes.
4. Discuss the lighting on site and how it would potentially affect neighboring properties.
5. Discuss any environmental justice issues that may exist in this location.
6. Describe how the proposed action will utilize energy conservation measures and a
summary on how those measures will reduce the overall carbon emissions of a project
this size when implemented.
IV.
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
This section of the DEIS will list the impacts that are likely to occur despite mitigation
measures, and will compare in summary form the beneficial and adverse implications of these
unavoidable impacts. Discussion will include short term construction impacts.
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1. There should be a description of methods of recycling waste and natural materials on
site during construction.
2. Describe the construction schedule and any limitation to the amount of acreage of
disturbed soil exposed at any one time.
V.
ALTERNATIVES
This section of the DEIS will evaluate and compare alternatives to the proposed action, which
are listed below. The evaluation and comparison will include a conceptual plan and a tabular
comparison of quantified impacts in addition to text.
The following alternatives will be studied:
A. The “No Action” Alternative as required under 6 NYCRR 617.9.b.5.
B. Development Under the Previous Approvals.
C. Development under a reduced unit count assuming that no density bonuses were
provided beyond the affordable housing density bonus.
VI.
IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES
Identification of those natural and man-made resources consumed, converted or otherwise made
unavailable for future use as a consequence of the proposed action.
VII.
GROWTH INDUCING ASPECTS
Potential growth-inducing aspects, including short and long term, primary and
secondary/indirect impacts, generated by the project will be described, including but not limited
to impacts on population, support facilities and development potential, and mitigation measures
discussed, if necessary.
VIII. EFFECTS ON THE USE AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES
A description of the effect of the proposed action on the short and long term use and
conservation of energy resources will be provided including ways to reduce inefficient or
unnecessary consumption during construction and long term operation.
IX.
APPENDICES
The appendices will include a list of all underlying studies and reports relied upon in preparing
the DEIS, technical exhibits and studies and background information relevant to the proposed
action such as the adopted Scoping Document and other relevant SEQR documents, and
relevant correspondence. Highly technical information may be included in the DEIS digitally
(on a compact disk) where that information is not needed by the layman to understand the
narrative discussion of that subject.
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