Planners approve first phase of riding academy

By NEAL RENTZ

The Lewisboro Planning Board voted unanimously Aug. 19 to approve a proposal for a private riding academy.

Double H Farms Riding Academy, located at 20 Boutonville Road South, Cross River, received site development plan and town stormwater permit approvals.

The board approved the first phase of the project this week. The second and final phase of the project has not been submitted to the board.

Town Engineer Joseph Cermele said 37 acres are located in Lewisboro and 17 in Pound Ridge. The proposals from the applicant do not involve the Pound Ridge portion of the site, he said. 

Rich Williams, an engineer representing the riding academy, told the Planning Board previously that some of the aspects of the first phase of the project include expanding the existing grand prix ring, driveway improvements and wetland mitigation. 

Williams asked at the July meeting if the wetland permit could be provided to his client through an administrative action, rather than requiring Planning Board approval.

The board voted unanimously in July to allow the academy to seek administrative approval for the wetland permit.

Country club bond

Also at this week’s meeting, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the request from the Waccabuc Country Club for a 90% release of its site improvement performance bond.

The original performance bond was $1.1 million. 

In his recent memorandum to the town, Zachary Pearson, principal engineer for Insite Engineering, Surveying & Landscape Architecture, who is employed by the country club, stated the remaining 10% of the bond would be held by the town until one year after his client received a certificate of occupancy.

The Planning Board previously approved a series of improvements at the country club including the renovation of its existing boathouse, installing an outdoor seating area and installing a new septic system and stormwater management facilities. 

Town Attorney Judson Siebert said the country club has been making the required infrastructure improvements.

Siebert also said he was pleased that the Planning Board was able to release most of the performance bond.

“This is great,” he said, adding the board’s action regarding the bond release avoids “ping-ponging” the action between the Planning Board and the Town Board.