Round Lake Island

By David BerlinerJOUR 2001WDecember 6, 2010

The Plan

• Submitted in March 2010

• John Sorrentino plans to build a 10,000-square-foot, single-family house on the 6.6-acre island.

• It would also include a bridge that extends from a right of way on the shore to the island.

Round Lake

• Round Lake is located in Monroe, NY, about 60 miles north of Manhattan.

• Island dates from 1707 and originally served as a pasture.

Round Lake Island is 6.6 acres.

The Original Proposal

• A six-bedroom house.• Includes:– A well– A 2,000 gallon septic tank– A dock for access by boats– A helicopter pad– A bridge extending from a right of way to the

island.

The original plan from March 2010

What are the problems?

• Round Lake residents opposed.

• Scenic, as well as safety and health concerns.

• Emergency vehicles.

• Noise concerns with the helicopter.

Outraged Citizens

• Residents very active in attending town meetings

• Facebook page started

• Sorrentino later scraps helipad from plan

• People are concerned about:– Impact the house will have on the scenic value of the area– Health and safety– Pollution

The Save Round Lake Island Facebook Page with 2,500 members.

Facebook Page

• Started by a resident of Round Lake, Dan Sapp.

• Page is updated often.

• Contains updates on the project and people’s opinions.

Septic Tank

• Kathleen Purdy, president of the Round Lake Association, points out problems:– Septic Tank

– Tree Code

– Circumnavigating the lake

Septic Tank

• Designed by Eljen, who produces prefabricated drainage systems.

• This system barely meets minimum capacity requirements

• Not acceptable near lakes since effluent can make its way into the water.

Engineer’s plans. The bridge that connects the right of way on the shore to the island is 800-1,000 feet long.

Circumnavigating the Lake

• Residents are disappointed that they may not be able to go around the lake anymore.

• Sorrentino responded, “This is no less of an intrusion than if you built a home on the side of a mountain or hillside and needed access.”

Round Lake. Point “A” represents the location of the right of way.

Open Development Area

• An ODA is any public area that lacks a public road for access.

• Because property does not front on a public road, he would need a variance from the zoning board.

• Only if this is granted can he get the building permit.

• The planning board was asked for their advice. Their decision was to not recommend the area for ODA.

John Sorrentino

• A real estate developer

• Owns 105 acres in a neighboring town, Chester

• Purchased the island from Gerard Bell in 2009 for $80,000

Round Lake Island

A picture of Round Lake Island taken in April, 2010

Right now…

• The project is awaiting a decision from the town board.

• If it is approved plans will move forward.

• If denied, the project will either cease or Sorrentino may sue to have it approved.

A summer day at Round Lake

View of the lake from the boat rental center on Round Lake