APA looking favorably on Wilmington condos

By JACOB RESNECK
Contributing Writer

September 13, 2008 04:00 am

— RAY BROOK -- A dozen condos proposed for a site opposite Whiteface Mountain Ski Center have received generally favorable ratings from the Adirondack Park Agency.
But formal approval of the project is still months away.
ACO Properties, a Saratoga Springs-based developer, has proposed 12 condos over the long-shuttered White Stagg Inn on Route 86 in the Town of Wilmington.
The 2,000-square-foot condominiums would replace the 20,000-square-foot former motel, which has been closed for nearly 30 years.
The proposed project, to be called Whiteface Overlook, would likely be marketed as second homes and rental properties.
The APA held a public hearing on the project Wednesday at the Whiteface Ski Center. Local officials praised the project, and some townspeople asked questions, but there was no opposition, APA Deputy Director of Regulatory Programs Mark Sengenberger said Thursday at the APA's regular meeting in Ray Brook.
"We believe there aren't any insurmountable issues here," Sengenberger told APA commissioners. "We believe the project is potentially approvable."
The APA is only reviewing the concept behind the plan; that's because the developer has not submitted a formal application to the agency.
Commissioners were briefed on the design of the septic system, which may adopt an unconventional technology because of the size of the site. Others issues, such as the scale and intensity of the buildings on the 5.6-acre site will also be considered.
The APA will deliver its findings to the developer sometime next week. The developer can use this guidance when crafting a formal application to the APA in coming months.