10-27-2015 (Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
QUEENSBURY PLANNING BOARD MEETING
SECOND REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2015
INDEX
Subdivision No. 22-2005 & Townhouses at Haviland HOA, Inc. 1.
Subdivision No. 3-2014 Modification Tax Map No. 290.17-2-39
Further Tabling
PUD Zoning & PUD SP# 57-2015 Queensbury Partners 1.
SEQR Tax Map No. 289.19-1-23 through 35
Site Plan No. 55-2015 New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC 9.
Tax Map No. 279.-1-48
Subdivision No. 9-2015 Joseph Noonan
13.
SKETCH PLAN Tax Map No. 302.18-2-61.21
THESE ARE NOT OFFICIALLY ADOPTED MINUTES AND ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD AND
STAFF REVISIONS. REVISIONS WILL APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING MONTHS MINUTES
(IF ANY) AND WILL STATE SUCH APPROVAL OF SAID MINUTES.
QUEENSBURY PLANNING BOARD MEETING
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(Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
SECOND REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2015
7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
STEPHEN TRAVER, ACTING CHAIRMAN
PAUL SCHONEWOLF, SECRETARY
BRAD MAGOWAN
DAVID DEEB
GEORGE FERONE
THOMAS FORD
JAMIE WHITE, ALTERNATE
LAND USE PLANNER-LAURA MOORE
STENOGRAPHER-MARIA GAGLIARDI
MR. TRAVER-Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Town of Queensbury Planning
Board meeting for October 27, 2015. We have two items on our agenda and two
Administrative Items. We'll start with the two Administrative Items and there is no public
hearing for those.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
FURTHER TABLING: SB 22-2005 & SB 3-2014 MODIFICATION
TOWNHOUSES AT HAVILAND HOA, INC. BEEKMAN PLACE
MR. TRAVER-They're looking for a further tabling, Laura?
MRS. MOORE-Yes, they are. They've asked for either the 17th or 19th, and I've suggested the
Board table them to November 19tH
MR. TRAVER-November 19tn?
MRS. MOORE-Yes.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Do we have a tabling resolution for that?
RESOLUTION TABLING SB 22-2005 & SB 3-2014 MODIFICATION TOWNHOUSES AT
HAVILAND
MOTION TO TABLE SUBDIVISION NO. 22-2005 & SUBDIVISION NO. 3-2004
MODIFICATION TOWNHOUSES AT HAVILAND HOA, INC. BEEKMAN PLACE, Introduced
by Paul Schonewolf who moved for its adoption, seconded by Thomas Ford:
Tabled to the November 19, 2015 Planning Board meeting.
Duly adopted this 28th day of October, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Deeb, Mr. Schonewolf, Mr. Ford, Mr. Magowan, Mr. Ferone, Ms. White, Mr. Traver
NOES: NONE
SEQRA
FURTHER REVIEW PUD ZONING AND PUD SITE PLAN 57-2015 QUEENSBURY
PARTNERS
MR. TRAVER-Okay, and the second item relates to the Queensbury Partners project of further
SEQR review of Part II of the Full Environmental Assessment Form This relates, in part, to the
discussion we had with the applicant last week where we re-affirmed, in effect, the prior SEQR
review that we had done, and we subsequently discovered that the applicant had updated the
Environmental Assessment and so it was felt that in order to be completely proper in our review
we should actually go through the Part II of the Environmental Assessment Form, and, Laura,
did you want to review your Staff Notes?
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MRS. MOORE-I'll identify, under Summary, the Applicant completed a SEQRA Full/Long
Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 in 2013 using the official SEQRA forms which were in
effect at that time. As you know they've changed. The Project was then subject to extensive
review, including SEQRA review by the Planning Board as SEQRA Lead Agency, during 2013
and 2014. The Planning Board ultimately completed Part 2 of that EAF, after several Project
modifications during the course of review, and issued a SEQRA Negative Declaration. As part
of the current PUD application review process, the Applicant has submitted a new Full/Long
EAF reflecting the current proposal and using the new SEQRA EAF Form. As the Project is
substantially identical to that which was previously approved by the Planning Board, the
Planning Board reaffirmed its prior SEQRA Negative Declaration on October 20, 2015.
However, to fully complete SEQRA review and to be consistent with the Applicant's new EAF
Part 1, the Planning Board wishes to review and complete the new EAF Part 2, and I can go
through that for the Board.
MR. TRAVER-Yes, that would be great, Laura. Before we begin the Part 2, are there any
members of the Board that have any questions on what it is we're doing this evening or why?
Okay. All right, Laura, can you begin then?
MRS. MOORE-All right. So this is the Part 11. I'll start with Question One. This is Impact on
Land. Does the proposed action involve construction on or physical alteration of, the land
surface of the proposed site?
MR. TRAVER-Yes.
MR. FORD-Yes.
MR. TRAVER-And I would say the relevant part would be E.
MRS. MOORE-Okay. Proposed action may involve construction that continues for more than
one year or in multiple phases.
MR. TRAVER-Yes, and that's no or small impact.
MRS. MOORE-Okay. Consensus of the Board?
MR. FERONE-1 agree.
MR. DEEB-Yes.
MRS. MOORE-Okay. Question Number Two, Impact on Geological Features The proposed
action may result in the modification or destruction of, or inhibit access to, any unique or
unusual Iandforms on the site.
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MR. TRAVER-Everyone in agreement with Number Two, no?
MR. DEEB-Yes.
MRS. MOORE-Okay. Number Three Impacts on Surface Water Does the proposed action
affect one or more wetlands or other surface water bodies?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MR. DEEB-No.
MRS. MOORE-Question Four Impact on Groundwater The proposed action may result in new
or additional use of ground water, or may have the potential to introduce contaminants to
ground water or an aquifer.
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. DEEB-No.
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MR. FORD-No.
MRS. MOORE-Question Five, Impact on Flooding The proposed action may result in
development on lands subject to flooding.
MR. TRAVER-No.
MR. DEEB-No.
MRS. MOORE-Question Six, Impact on Air Does the proposed action may include a state
regulated air emission source?
MR. TRAVER-No.
MRS. MOORE-Question Seven, Impact on Plants and Animals Does the proposed action
result in any loss of flora or fauna?
MR. TRAVER-No.
MR. DEEB-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Eight, Impact on Agricultural Resources Does the proposed action
impact agricultural resources?
MR. TRAVER-I'd say no.
MR. DEEB-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Nine Impact on Aesthetic Resources Is the land use of the proposed
action obviously different from, or in sharp contrast to, current land use patterns between the
proposed project and a scenic or aesthetic resource?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MRS. MOORE-Question 10, Impact on Historic or Archeological Resources Does the proposed
action occur in or adjacent to a historic or archeological resource?
MR. FORD-No.
MR. TRAVER-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Eleven, Impact on Open Space and Recreation Does the proposed
action result in a loss of recreational opportunities or a reduction of an open space resource as
designated in any adopted municipal open space plan?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MR. DEEB-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Twelve, Impact on Critical Environmental Areas Is the proposed action
located within or adjacent to a critical environmental area (CEA)?
MR. TRAVER-No.
MR. FORD-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Thirteen, Impact on Transportation Will the proposed action result in a
change to existing transportation systems?
MR. TRAVER-No. Everyone in agreement with No for 13?
MR. FERONE-Yes.
MR. FORD-Could we just, let's examine that for a moment if we could.
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MR. TRAVER-Yes.
MR. FORD-Existing transportation systems, they do exist. Will it result in a change? Is that not
possible with an increase in the usage and population, a moderate increase?
MR. TRAVER-Well, we did, there was a traffic study and they did modify the intersection out
here. So if you look at the subparts, it's primarily focused on the one parking area issue, but
predominantly a degrading of transportation, or have a negative impact on movement, and in
fact it appears that the modification they've made to the one intersection where the project is
effecting is actually an improvement, and I believe there was testimony to that last week during
our discussion, that the rating of the intersection actually had improved and it's proposed to get
even better because they're going to be adding another lane for a turning movement. So I'm
not seeing that it's having an impact on transportation in any kind of negative environmental
impact.
MR. FORD-Then I would suggest that it in fact is resulting in a change and it is a positive
change.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-But the change isn't now, it could be in the future 20 years from now.
MR. FORD-That's good.
MR. TRAVER-All right. Then do we want to say, if we say yes, then we have to look at A
through F, and I don't know that we would, I mean, it's not exceeding the capacity of the
network. We don't have parking. It's not degrading existing transit access or pedestrian or
bicycle accommodations. You know, I think when you're talking about movement of people or
goods they're talking about an impact that covers an area larger than one intersection, when
you're talking about people or goods. So I think that the impact, the answer is no, but did you
feel that we should answer yes, Tom, and then?
MR. FORD-Well, as you go through the subsets, I concur with it.
MR. DEEB-Well, none of the subsets apply to what we're talking about. So it's going to end up
being no anyway.
MRS. MOORE-Does the Board want to identify an Other Impact under F that's no to small
impact?
MR. DEEB-I don't.
MRS. MOORE-Okay.
MR. TRAVER-1 mean, obviously it's up to the Board. Tom, if you want to make a comment.
MR. FORD-1 would an no to moderate impact, under F.
MRS. MOORE-And what would that other impact?
MR. TRAVER-If you want to say traffic flow improvements to an intersection, something like
that? What kind of verbiage should we put under Other Impacts?
MR. SCHONEWOLF-All that's really going to happen is nothing until they tear that house down.
MR. TRAVER-Well, in this assessment we're looking at the whole project, and they are going to
be making a change, as Tom points out. They are going to be altering the intersection out
here. In fact, they've already, you know, added, replaced some defective sensors and that type
of thing, but we know that as part of the project, as we've seen in the plans, they're going to be
adding a turning lane to reduce the back up and so on. So in my mind, in terms of SEQR, it
was not relevant, but it is a change, and it certainly would be under F where we could choose to
make a comment and I think we just need to choose our language carefully.
MR. DEEB-Laura, can you clarify? This is for any negative change that comes about. We
don't have to list any positive changes.
MRS. MOORE-Right, it's an adverse.
MR. TRAVER-It's intended to reflect adverse.
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MR. DEEB-Not positive. So I don't see where we have to put anything in there.
MR. MAGOWAN-If you want to think about it, a lot of these little questions, there's several
moderate in there, you know what I'm saying? The amount of change and what they're going
to be doing to increase the, what they've already done to adding another turn lane, I really don't
see that there would be any.
MR. TRAVER-But I think is what you're getting at, Tom, that we should note that positive
change in here?
MR. FORD-Correct.
MRS. MOORE-That's fine. Under Other Impacts you mention that alterations to the
intersection are mitigating and actually enhance that, enhance the intersection.
MR. TRAVER-Okay.
MR. DEEB-But do we know that for sure? This is something we're counting on is going to
happen in the future.
MR. TRAVER-Well, the traffic study reflected that.
MR. DEEB-Well, but it hasn't been proven yet, and if we put in here that it has, and then it
doesn't. So I'm a little hesitant to put that in there.
MR. TRAVER-Well, we're saying, I think if we put that in there what Mr. Ford is pointing out is
that in any case we would check no or small impact that may occur. We're not saying it would
occur. We're saying it might occur.
MR. FORD-And the operative word there is may.
MR. TRAVER-Right.
MR. FERONE-So are we saying an overall no on that question?
MR. TRAVER-Well, that's what I had initially proposed, and Mr. Ford is just saying to give it a
more detailed or comprehensive answer that we could say that there are other impacts
reflecting an improvement to the intersection, but no or small impact may occur, and so it would
be a yes, but it doesn't mean that we would, it certainly wouldn't call for a positive declaration.
MR. FORD-Correct.
MR. TRAVER-So, yes, so, okay. So we're talking bullet F, we're saying, Laura, and you had
suggested language, improvements to intersection?
MRS. MOORE-Improvements to the intersection, and no or small impact.
MR. TRAVER-To the intersection, and then we would check no or small impact may occur,
right?
MRS. MOORE-Correct.
MR. TRAVER-So then for Number 13, just to clarify for the Board, our proposed response is
yes, and then under F we would say, under Other Impacts, improvements to the intersection,
and we would check no or small impact may occur. Is that agreeable?
MR. DEEB-What impact?
MR. TRAVER-It's improvements to the traffic flow because of modifications that are proposed.
MR. DEEB-I understand that, but we've never done that before on any other SEQR that we've
listed that the improvements were made, and that there might be an impact. I mean, I really see
a contradiction here from what we've done in the past.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Well, let me poll the Board, then. How many feel that they can agree
with what I just discussed, that we would say yes on 13 and we would add improvements to the
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intersection as no or small impact. You would vote yes? A show of hands, who would agree
with that? And you two gentlemen are a no?
MR. DEEB-I'm a no.
MR. FERONE-I'm a no.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Well, I'm seeing that the majority are agreeing with yes. So in that case,
Laura, should we consider that a yes answer as suggested?
MR. FERONE-And then my other question is once you answer yes do we not have to indicate a
through a that those are no or small impact? We have to answer all the questions.
MR. TRAVER-Only the relevant one, which in this case would be F, other impacts. We would
indicate no or small impact occur.
MRS. MOORE-You don't have to answer all of them. You're answering the one that's relevant
to the project.
MR. TRAVER-So it would only be F, right?
MR. DEEB-So are we setting a precedent?
MRS. MOORE-Each applicant is taken on its own merit.
MR. DEEB-Okay.
MR. TRAVER-All right. So we have a majority of the Board approving that we are going to vote
yes on 13. We are going to add to line F, under Other Impacts, improvements to the
intersection, and we're going to indicate that that F is no or small impact may occur.
MR. FORD-Thank you.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Fourteen.
MRS. MOORE-Number Fourteen. Impact on Energy Does the proposed action cause an
increase in the use of any form of energy?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no. Is everyone in agreement with no for that?
MR. FERONE-Yes.
MR. TRAVER-Okay.
MRS. MOORE-Number Fifteen, Impact on Noise, Odor and Light Does the proposed action
result in an increase in noise, odors or outdoor lighting?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MRS. MOORE-Number Sixteen Impact on Human Health The proposed action may have an
impact on human health from exposure to new or existing sources of contaminants.
MR. TRAVER-1 would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MRS. MOORE-Number Seventeen, Consistency with Community Plans Is the proposed action
not consistent with adopted land use plans?
MR. TRAVER-1 would say, no, it is consistent. Is everyone in agreement with that for
Seventeen?
MR. FERONE-Yes.
MR. FORD-Yes.
MRS. MOORE-Number Eighteen Consistency with Community Character Is the proposed
project inconsistent with the existing community character?
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MR. TRAVER-Again, I would say no.
MR. FORD-No.
MRS. MOORE-All right. That completes the entire Part 2 of the Environmental Assessment
Form.
MR. DEEB-On Number Fifteen, proposed action may result.
MR. TRAVER-Impact on Noise, Odor and Light?
MR. DEEB-Yes, on light, and if you go to subset E, proposed action may result in lighting
creating sky-glow brighter than existing area conditions.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. So you're thinking lighting?
MR. DEEB-I was thinking I don't know how we can answer that no.
MR. FORD-Well, the emphasis there is on sky-glow.
MR. TRAVER-Yes, I mean, if you look at the, I understand where you're coming from. I
hesitated when I saw that as well, but if you look at the subsections, under A, then we would
say, you know, is this producing sound above noise levels established by local regulation.
Well, of course we don't have any regulation yet, but it's not noise pollution. There's not going
to be any blasting within 1,500 feet.
MR. DEEB-No, I wasn't talking about A, B, or C.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. So then we go to D, proposed action may result in light shining on to
adjoining properties. I think that there are.
MRS. MOORE-Our current Code doesn't allow.
MR. TRAVER-Right, and have a lighting plan that's showing that they're within the Town Code.
MR. DEEB-Okay.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. So then that means that our answer to 15 as no would not change after
that discussion. Is everyone clear on that and comfortable with that answer?
MR. FORD-Yes.
MR. FERONE-Yes.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Laura?
MRS. MOORE-You've completed Part 2. There's a SEQR resolution that you can read.
MR. TRAVER-Okay.
RESOLUTION GRANTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION PUD 57-2015 QSBY PARTNERS
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
RESOLUTION — Reaffirming SEQRA Negative Declaration for Queensbury Partners application
for
PUD Zoning and PUD Site Plan 57-2015
QUEENSBURY PARTNERS, LLC
Tax Map ID 289.19-1-23 through 35
Location: SW Corner of Bay & Blind Rock Roads
WHEREAS, Queensbury Partners previously made applications to the Town of
Queensbury for a mixed use development proposed to be located on property located at the
intersection of Bay and Blind Rock Roads, and
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WHEREAS, the Planning Board previously served as SEQRA Lead Agency to review
potential environmental impacts of the proposed project, and
WHEREAS, in its role as SEQRA Lead Agency, the Planning Board reviewed a Full
Environmental Assessment Form, evaluated all potential environmental impacts and determined
that there would be no significant adverse environmental impacts and, therefore, issued a
SEQRA Negative Declaration, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board also issued its Site Plan Approval for the proposed
project, and
WHEREAS, ZBA Variance approval for the project was nullified by Court Decision, and
WHEREAS, Queensbury Partners has now submitted a Planned Unit Development
(PUD) application to the Town Board proposing essentially the identical project, and
WHEREAS, the PUD, if approved by the Town Board, would also be subject to Site Plan
Review by the Planning Board, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has agreed to designation of the Planning Board as
SEQRA Lead Agency for review of potential environmental impacts of the proposed PUD, and
WHEREAS, all of the physical characteristics and components of the PUD project are
substantially identical to those of the previously approved mixed use development project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the PUD process, the Applicant has submitted a new Full
Environmental Assessment Form which reflects modifications to the Project that evolved during
the previous application review process and utilizes the new SEQRA EAF Form; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has also reviewed the new Environmental Assessment
Form submitted by the applicant on October 1, 2015,
WHEREAS, Part II of the Full EAF has been reviewed and completed by the Planning Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury Planning Board hereby determines that the
potential environmental impacts of the Queensbury Partners PUD would be no different than
those previously identified and analyzed in review of the previously proposed mixed use project,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Planning Board reaffirms its previous determination that there
would be no significant adverse environmental impacts, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Planning Board reaffirms and reissues a SEQRA Negative
Declaration for the newly proposed PUD project.
MOTION REAFFIRMING SEQRA NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR PUD ZONE
RECOMMENDATION TO TOWN BOARD AND PUD SITE PLAN NO. 57-2015
QUEENSBURY PARTNERS, LLC, Introduced by Paul Schonewolf who moved for its adoption,
seconded by David Deeb:
Duly adopted this 27th day of October, 2015, by the following vote:
MS. WHITE-Just a quick clarification with Laura. I understand that I was not here for the
discussion last week. However, going through SEQR I'm familiar enough with the history of the
project that I feel comfortable voting. Is that okay?
MR. TRAVER-Yes. Thank you for the question. Tom?
MR. FORD-Could we go back to the beginning of the motion, and I want to verify placement at
that particular intersection. I thought I heard southeast corner. I may have misunderstood.
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MR. SCHONEWOLF-Where does it say that?
MR. FORD-From what you read early on.
MR. DEEB-Right at the top, location SE. It should be southwest.
MR. TRAVER-It says at the intersection of Bay and Blind Rock Roads.
MRS. MOORE-Right, at the top portion there, where it says location.
MR. DEEB-SE corner.
MR. TRAVER-Southeast corner of Bay and Blind Rock Roads.
MR. FORD-It is not. It is the southwest corner.
MRS. MOORE-Yes.
MR. FORD-And I want to make sure that we get it on the right corner.
MR. TRAVER-Okay.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Yes, because it would be a hell of a thing moving it.
MR. FORD-Our neighbors across the street might object.
MR. TRAVER-All right. Then, Laura, we should be able to simply amend that motion to reflect
southwest as opposed to southeast.
MRS. MOORE-Yes.
MR. TRAVER-In the comment under location.
AYES: Mr. Ferone, Mr. Magowan, Ms. White, Mr. Ford, Mr. Schonewolf, Mr. Deeb, Mr. Traver
NOES: NONE
MR. TRAVER-We are done with SEQR, gentlemen.
NEW BUSINESS:
SITE PLAN NO. 55-2015 SEQR TYPE N/A NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC
AGENT(S) CENTERLINE COMMUNICATIONS C/O DAVID FORD OWNER(S) KUBRICKY
CONSTRUCTION CORP. ZONING MDR LOCATION 1359 RIDGE ROAD SITE PLAN:
APPLICANT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY — 130'
MONOPOLE WITH 9 ANTENNAS, ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT SHELTER AND PAD ALL
WITHIN A FENCED AREA. PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 179-5 & 179-9 OF THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PLANNING
BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL. CROSS REFERENCE UV 57-2015 WARREN CO.
REFERRAL OCTOBER 2015 APA, CEA, OTHER APA LOT SIZE 9.38 ACRES (PORTION
OF) TAX MAP NO. 279.-1-48 SECTION 179-5, 179-9
THOMAS PUCHNER, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
MR. TRAVER-This is a follow up application with the New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC that we
did last week. Laura?
MRS. MOORE-Okay. This applicant has completed the Site Plan application for the
construction of a 130 ft. monopole cell tower and associated site work. The applicant has
received a use variance from the zoning board of appeals and is back before this Board for Site
Plan review.
MR. TRAVER-Good evening.
MR. PUCHNER-Good evening, Vice Chairman Traver and members of the Board. Thomas
Puchner, Phillips & Lytle law firm on behalf of New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC. We're back
here for the Site Plan Review. We were here last, a week ago today for the Planning Board's
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recommendation on the Use Variance for this tower, which was positive, and on Wednesday we
also appeared at the ZBA who granted the Use Variance for the tower. So here we are again.
In the interest of time, I know you're busy. It is a public hearing. I'm happy to go through and
do a full presentation or I can take questions, whatever the Board wishes.
MR. TRAVER-Were there any, and I see, by the way, that you had submitted some
documentation related to the balloon flights, and I should thank you for that. Were there any
discussions, in review before the ZBA, were there any impacts on your application as we have it
before us tonight?
MR. PUCHNER-No changes to the application. There were comments, and we responded to
the comments.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Did members of the Board have any questions?
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Did we ever ask you for a proposed completion date, or did you talk about
that? I may have missed it.
MR. PUCHNER-1 don't have a schedule on that. I believe this one is anticipated, or may be
anticipated, for 2016.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-I hope so.
MR. PUCHNER-Yes, well, believe it or not they have a long term view on a lot of this, and
sometimes they're further out than 2016.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-How many approvals do you have now?
MR. PUCHNER-For this one?
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Do you have all of them for this one?
MR. FORD-Except APA, right?
MR. PUCHNER-We have an incomplete application with the APA because of the previous non-
compliance. That will be taken care of as soon as we have final notice of decision from the
ZBA. DEC has a mining permit on the site. It also has an application in to modify it to
recognize that the tower will be there. There's no other real changes to it, but that also,
because of the way the DEC permits are coordinated, the APA permits, incomplete on one
leads to incomplete on the other. So we start here and they fall like dominoes hopefully. We
have an application for an APA permit that's pending. It has an incomplete status because of
the Use Variance.
MR. TRAVER-Yes. It was interesting reading the correspondence in June that initially it was
the other way around.
MR. PUCHNER-Right. I think we could have saved a lot of time. I think we just didn't know,
and it's not often the case that a project needs a Use Variance locally and an APA. It's more
often it's a permitted and APA implements and it makes sense, but the Town has said go to
them first. It's a chicken before the egg scenario.
MR. TRAVER-In some cases there've been projects related to the lake where applicants have
come in and they've already gotten approval from the APA. I might be mistaken. Okay. Very
good. Well, are there any other questions from the Board before we open up the public
hearing? I guess the hearing is already open. We don't have to re-open it.
MR. PUCHNER-There was one other, there was a question about the photo simulation we had.
MR. TRAVER-Yes. I'm afraid it was me.
MR. PUCHNER-We did go back, we went back to the engineer, VISION Engineers that
prepared those, and it's kind of a visual trick for the eye. The photo sim, as far as the tower,
the mock tower and antennas and the compound were scaled off of the balloon, and there's a,
in your packet there's a photo of that same photo with just a balloon, but it's to scale as to the
balloon and everything else from where it was shot. The bulldozer's in the foreground. We
don't have distance on that but it's kind of a trick of the eye.
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MR. TRAVER-Yes. I thought about that afterwards, later that evening. I was thinking about
that. So that's fine. I mean, the application clearly reflects the build to height anyway. So, you
know, it was purely, you know, it just struck me as, you know, a visual disparity but then I
thought about it and I thought well maybe it's further back than it appears, and with that kind of
an object it's easy, as you say, to deceive the view in a two dimensional view. So that's fine,
but thanks for following up.
MR. PUCHNER-No problem. The balloon is five and a half feet, if you look at it you can see.
It's a trick of the eye. With the bulldozer I'm sure it's 10 feet. I'm not an expert on that. So
anyway, it's clearly not going to be just twice.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Every balloon test we've had in this Town has been a non-starter.
MR. PUCHNER-In terms of what?
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Well, you couldn't see it.
MR. PUCHNER-You couldn't see it, right. We also have non-starters because of trees.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-I was one of the guys they sent out to watch for them. Five hours later
they remembered I was out there and I said I can't see it. It wasn't there.
MR. PUCHNER-Okay. Well any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Well, we have a public hearing tonight. Is there anyone in the audience
that's here to speak about this Cingular application? Yes.
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN
MATT FULLER
MR. FULLER-For the record, Matt Fuller. I live at 1547 Ridge Road, which is about half a mile
north of this site. My wife and I live there, and I did send a letter to the ZBA, but we are in
support of that. I'm in that hole along 149 where there's just no service up there, and in today's
world cellphones are everything. So, we actually put a small cell, private cell tower at our
house. You can buy them. They're a couple of hundred dollars, but it's spotty. If you walk
outside the house it doesn't work at 20 feet.
MR. TRAVER-But the extra antenna that you added does help the signal?
MR. FULLER-Inside the house. You've got to be right about 15 feet away. So, yes, we're very
much in support of the application. I think frankly the Town should have put it on the transfer
property, but that's a different discussion. So, yes, we'd be in support of the tower.
MR. TRAVER-Thank you. Anyone else?
MRS. MOORE-1 do have one comment that was addressed at the Zoning Board. I'll bring it up
so the Planning Board hears this. This is from Mr. Vanness. It says that the, it's addressed to
Sue Hemingway. "Good morning, Sue: Just a heads up on the Cell Tower; I have spoken with
the attorney about space on the tower for an Emergency Services antenna and he said it would
be no problem because they normally will allow this at no charge to the municipality. Is this
something we can incorporate into the agreement? Thank you." Our Zoning Administrator
responded to this inquire by Bill in a statement and he says the agreement for the space on the
tower for emergency services would be between the Town Board and the applicant, and then for
purposes of Planning Board review, a notation on the plans regarding potential EMS space on
the tower could be fine. So Mr. Puchner addressed that at the Zoning Board meeting and I'm
sure he has comments for the Planning Board.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Thank you, and I saw one other gentleman that wanted to speak. Yes,
sir.
SPENCER HARDING
MR. HARDING-1 live at 61 Jenkinsville and I have AT&T, and I don't have service.
MR. TRAVER-Could you just state your name for the record.
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MR. HARDING-I'm Spencer Harding. It takes me a good like mile, maybe two miles before I
end up getting service when I make a call, and I miss a lot of stuff. So I'm completely in
support of this.
MR. TRAVER-You're in support of the project as well. Okay.
MR. SCHONEWOLF-Basically you don't have service is what you're telling us.
MR. HARDING-Exactly.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Well, thank you. Anyone else? Any other interest in speaking to this
application? Okay. Then we will close the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. TRAVER-Are there any further questions from members of the Planning Board for the
applicant? Do you have anything to add?
MR. PUCHNER-I just want -to make that one comment about emergency services. I'm not
authorized to commit AT&T to co-locations on a tower that hasn't been approved yet. In
general we entertain requests all the time for these types of things and I'm sure that they would
be willing to in this case, but I can't make a commitment. It's not my role to do that.
MR. TRAVER-Right. Understood, and that's not before us tonight anyway, but thank you for
that.
MR. PUCHNER-Thank you.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. I think we're ready for a motion. Do you have one?
MRS. MOORE-Prior to you starting that motion, you would also include engineering signoff.
The applicant did submit revised plans that have been forwarded to the Town Engineer for
review and comment. I haven't received that information back. So in your resolution you
should include engineering signoff.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Isn't that part of the draft?
MRS. MOORE-It typically is and I don't see it in this one. So I apologize.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Then we want to make sure that we have engineer's signoff.
MR. PUCHNER-And that was as to the stormwater design.
MR. TRAVER-Correct. Yes, typically that's what they're commenting on.
MR. PUCHNER-Okay.
MR. TRAVER-Okay.
RESOLUTION APPROVING SP # 55-2015 NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC
The applicant has submitted an application to the Planning Board for Site Plan approval
pursuant to Article 9 of the Town zoning Ordinance for: Applicant proposes to construct a
telecommunications facility - 130' monopole with 9 antennas, associated equipment shelter and
pad all within a fenced area. Pursuant to Chapter 179-5 & 179-9 of the Zoning Ordinance
Telecommunication Towers shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Pursuant to relevant sections of the Town of Queensbury Zoning Code-Chapter 179-9-080, the
Planning Board has determined that this proposal satisfies the requirements as stated in the
Zoning Code;
As required by General Municipal Law Section 239-m the site plan application was referred to
the Warren County Planning Department for its recommendation;
On 10-21-2015 the Planning Board made a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals;
on 10-22-2015
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the variance request(s),
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(Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
The Planning Board opened a public hearing on the Site plan application on 10-27-2015 and
continued the public hearing to 10-27-2015 when it was closed,
The Planning Board has reviewed the application materials submitted by the applicant and all
comments made at the public hearing and submitted in writing through and including 10-27-
2015;
The Planning Board determines that the application complies with the review considerations and
standards set forth in Article 9 of the Zoning Ordinance for Site Plan approval,
MOTION TO APPROVE SITE PLAN 55-2015 NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC,
Introduced by Paul Schonewolf who moved for its adoption, seconded by George Ferone:
Per the draft provided by staff conditioned upon the following conditions:
1. Engineering signoff required.
Adherence to the items outlined in the follow-up letter sent with this resolution
Duly adopted this 27th day of October 2015 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Ferone, Mr. Magowan, Ms. White, Mr. Ford, Mr. Schonewolf, Mr. Deeb, Mr. Traver
NOES: NONE
MR. TRAVER-Okay. You're all set.
MR. PUCHNER-Thank you very much.
MR. DEEB-Get it built.
MR. FORD-Good luck with the APA.
MR. PUCHNER-Thank you. I want to applaud the Town and Board for their professionalism
from start to finish, and also your use of technology. I'm all over the Hudson Valley, up into the
Park and, you know, often we have trouble just getting someone to talk to on the phone, but to
have all of this and have it work when it needs to work is great and it's a big help for everybody.
I'm sure you appreciate it as well.
MR. TRAVER-We're very fortunate to have a good Planning Department.
MR. DEEB-Thank you very much for that.
MR. TRAVER-You're welcome. Thank you.
SUBDIVISION NO. 9-2015 SKETCH PLAN SEAR TYPE JOSEPH NOONAN AGENT(S)
VAN DUSEN & STEVES OWNER(S) DAVID A. SALEEM & CATHY M. HOGAN ZONING
NR LOCATION 120 COOLIDGE AVENUE APPLICANT PROPOSES A 3-LOT
SUBDIVISION; LOT 1 TO REMAIN AS RESIDENCE; LOT 2 TO BE SUBDIVIDED INTO 3
LOTS CONSISTING OF: LOT 2A OF 0.71 ACRES; LOT 2B OF 0.77 ACRES; LOT 2C OF
1.04 ACRES. NEWLY CREATED PARCELS ARE PROPOSED TO BE DEVELOPED FOR
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES WITH ONSITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS. PURSUANT TO CHAPTER A-
183 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE SUBDIVISION OF LAND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL. CROSS REFERENCE SIB 4-2008 BP
2003-408 SEPTIC ALT.; BP 95-288 INGROUND POOL; BP 95-561 DETACHED DECK
WARREN CO REFERRAL LOT SIZE 3.67 ACRES TAX MAP NO. 302.18-2-61.21
SECTION A-183 SUBDIVISIONS
MATT STEVES, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
MR. TRAVER-Laura?
MRS. MOORE-This applicant proposes a 3-lot subdivision; Lot 1 to remain as residence; Lot 2
to be subdivided into 3 lots consisting of: Lot 2A of 0.71 acres; Lot 2B of 0.77 acres; Lot 2C of
1.04 acres. I've noted the Sketch Plan shows a lot configuration so that each lot has 50 feet of
road frontage with a home set back about 200 feet from the property line. All three of these
proposed parcels abut the Morse Field recreation area along the rear property line. The
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(Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
application materials were forwarded to Water Department and their response is included, and
the applicant is aware that the Water district extension is required, and I've identified in the Staff
comments information from the Code about lot design.
MR. TRAVER-Okay. Thank you, Laura. Good evening.
MR. STEVES-Good evening. For the record, Matt Steves with VanDusen and Steves
representing the applicant. As Laura has already stated this is property on the southwesterly
end of Coolidge Avenue, immediately to the north of the Morse Athletic Field on Sherman
Avenue in the NR zone. We're proposing to create three lots off of that parcel. This was part
of a previously approved two lot administrative subdivision a few years ago to break the house
off of what is now Lot One from the rest of the property, and then the current owner now is
Joseph and Kathleen Noonan. They're looking to subdivide their vacant parcel. We are aware
of the fact that there is water available there. It's outside of the district so we will take care of
that issue. We will leave it open to any questions if there are any.
MR. TRAVER-Sure.
MR. STEVES-Obviously moving forward with whatever configuration we go forward with, we
would be doing the test pits, perc tests, anything necessary to move this.
MR. MAGOWAN-Who's house was this?
MR. STEVES-It's currently David Saleem. Before that it was.
MR. DEEB-Was it Slack?
MR. STEVES-Slack.
MR. TRAVER-Yes, there's a deed.
MR. STEVES-Robert Slack.
MR. TRAVER-All right. Well, it doesn't look as though you are going to be, you're not looking
at variances. One of the suggestions we got from Staff is the clarification of the clearing areas,
yes, clearing areas and a no cut zone for the construction. I assume that you'd put that on the
next?
MR. STEVES-Absolutely, and once we have the actual topography and the existing vegetation
in the area, we can accurately define it. I don't want to show something on the Sketch Plan that
is completely inaccurate.
MR. TRAVER-Sure.
MR. FORD-Thank you.
MR. STEVES-But at the same time, you know, I know that the Board should review that and I
respect that, but at the same time I don't want to show something that I know isn't true until we
actually.
MR. TRAVER-Right.
MR. STEVES-1 could superimpose an aerial and hope I'm close, but that's not the best way to
do it in this instance, but we would definitely move the houses forward if we had to, to a different
size, even look at reconfiguring the parcels. It's tough when you have an existing zone that
allows 50 foot frontage in the NR zone, but if you accommodate a house on 50 feet then you
create, there are some nice homes that they had built along Parkview Avenue. There's a
carriage style house that came out beautiful, and those are all 50 foot lots, if anyone's been by
those.
MR. TRAVER-1 mean, that was my only comment when I was looking at particularly 2A and 2B.
I mean, they're so close together.
MR. STEVES-Right.
MR. TRAVER-But, you know, there is a housing need.
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(Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
MR. STEVES-Like I say, if you look at those on Parkview, that's a prime example of a 50 foot lot
with the type of home, and they turned out to be beautiful homes. I think they sit in there nice.
My perspective on that is they built one and people bought the rest of them. So they know they
must like the particular application and the way they were set up. These would be in a similar
style. We could talk to the applicant. He's just looking at, you know, subdividing this. He's
not going to be building these. I believe he lives down in the southern part of the country, but,
you know, you would almost have to develop this site in that type of a home.
MR. TRAVER-Yes.
MR. FERONE-The lot sizes are pretty odd, and you said that there would be consideration for
re-configuring the lots.
MR. STEVES-Yes, that's why we're here.
MR. FERONE-Is it absolutely necessary that there be three? I mean, it would probably work a
heck of a lot better if there were only two.
MR. STEVES-I've stated that from Day One with my client, but, you know, again I have to
represent my clients with this Board and that's why we're here for discussion.
MR. TRAVER-Yes, and of course they want as many lots as they can because of the revenue.
Yes.
MR. STEVES-To be totally up front I had suggested this as a primary location except for the fact
of the type of residences in the area that it's in and the fact that you end up being in the
backyard of other lots going to the northwest. It may be a better scenario for two, but I can't tell
my client that it's something that meets the Code you shouldn't do. It's his prerogative to try to
do it.
MR. TRAVER-Right. Yes.
MR. MAGOWAN-Has there been any test pits on these lots?
MR. STEVES-We had done test pits in the area. We did some conveyances back and forth
with Morse Athletic Fields years ago, not directly on these lots. Tom Nace and Tom Center
were doing the engineering on this project, and we wanted to confer with the Board before we
move forward.
MR. MAGOWAN-Because I know that whole area is a high water table.
MR. STEVES-Yes, there is high water table in this area. There's no question. The existing
home has a septic. Everything works fine, but, again, I'm not going to speak to engineering
comments.
MR. MAGOWAN-I respect them. That would be my reasoning of bumping that back down to
two, instead of trying to cram three on there, you know.
MR. STEVES-I think you're absolutely correct there, and I think a lot of it has to do with when
we get the test pits what the answer is, whether we have to spread some of these septics out to
accommodate. It may be even if the client wants three, he might only end up with two because
of the constraints of the property.
MR. MAGOWAN-Yes, well, that's what I'm leaning towards.
MR. DEEB-I would strongly urge you to recommend two. I concur that I feel more comfortable
with two than the three lots.
MR. STEVES-So do I. Thank you.
MR. DEEB-So if you get re-affirmation from us and you go back to him.
MR. STEVES-Not a problem.
MR. MAGOWAN-I understand him wanting to maximize his lot.
MR. DEEB-We understand that.
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(Queensbury Planning Board 10/27/2015)
MR. STEVES-That's the way it always is, in most instances, and like I said I'm representing him
and I told him up front that I thought a two lot scenario was much better but we'll go in with three
and see if it's acceptable.
MR. TRAVER-Well, the next step will be some of the engineering, right?
MR. STEVES-Yes, we'll be doing the topography and the test pits, and then we'll come back
and, you know, I'm not going to say for certain what it's going to look like, but from my memory
actually it's going to be completely different than what we have here. It may be most likely two
lots with the type of soils that Mr. Magowan has already started. We're going to have to maybe
create a larger bed to accommodate that, and I have a feeling that once we got to preliminary
and we got to three, the neighbors would want to see it changed.
MR. FORD-You know you're going to get comments from Mr. Ford. Some of us have already
tipped their hand.
MR. TRAVER-All right. Any other comments on this project at Sketch? All right.
MR. MAGOWAN-No, I think Mr. Steves finished this off there.
MR. STEVES-And if the Board has a minute for another question, unless you have something
else, a question for you for the Board.
MR. TRAVER-Go right ahead.
MR. STEVES-Could I ask your opinion on this? In talking to Laura earlier, I had a client come
to me in the last week asking for a variance, to help them with a variance to place a pool in their
backyard, and this is where Laura may be able to help me out here as I go forward with these
questions. This is in a conservation subdivision that this Board has approved recently. It's the
Village at Sweet Road. Twenty-nine lots. All the lots, the rear of every lot abuts a green area.
So there's no direct neighbors behind any lots. So because of the conservation, it's beautiful,
and I wanted to let everybody know that I think that because I am also building in there, but the
fact that this neighbor came to me and said we want to put in a pool and we're going to need a
variance because even if we do a 12 foot wide pool with the required amount of concrete
around it we're not going to meet the 10 foot setback. So we'll push it to five feet and we're not
really impacting anybody in the back, and in talking with Laura, she came up with a great idea
and I wanted to pass it by this Board. We can either come in and, out of 29 lots, say, 15 or 20
want a pool, and we're in clogging up the Zoning Board for 15, 20 applications, or we can as the
Planning Board what their thought is as to, because it's a conservation we can kind of amend
that approval based upon Planning Board review because it is a conservation subdivision, and
adjust the setback requirements for an auxiliary structure such as a pool so then we're not doing
that, if this Board deems that that is something that they would want to look at.
MR. TRAVER-Well, I think we'd be willing to look at it.
MR. FORD-1 don't mind looking at it.
MR. DEEB-We never mind looking at anything.
MR. TRAVER-Yes. I think that's our job. So, yes, I would say refresh our memory. Show us
what you have in mind, and we'll look at it.
MR. DEEB-But no guarantees.
MR. STEVES-1 didn't say there were, but thank you very much.
MR. FERONE-Thank you.
MR. TRAVER-All right. Thank you. All right. Well that concludes our agenda for tonight. Is
there anything else that the Board, that we need to consider?
MR. FORD-1 move we adjourn.
MR. TRAVER-All right.
MOTION TO ADJOURN THE QUEENSBURY PLANNING BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER
27, 2015, Introduced by Thomas Ford who moved for its adoption, seconded by George Ferone:
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Duly adopted this 27th day of October, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Ford, Mr. Ferone, Ms. White, Mr. Schonewolf, Mr. Deeb, Mr. Magowan, Mr. Traver
NOES: NONE
On motion meeting was adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Stephen Traver, Acting Chairman
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