2007-06-11 SP MTG25
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SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2007 MTG. #25
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG. #25
JUNE 11, 2007 RES. 282-284
6:30 P.M.
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
SUPERVISOR DANIEL STEC
COUNCILMAN ROGER BOOR
COUNCILMAN RICHARD SANFORD
COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH
COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER
Craig Brown Zoning Administrator
Dave Hatin Director of Building and Codes
Stu Baker Sr. Planner
Barbara Tierney Fiscal Manager
DISCUSSIONS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Supervisor Stec-The first half hour of the workshops will be an update from the
Community Development Department. Noted there may at times be appropriate to hold
an executive session.
Zoning Administrator Craig Brown Memo..reviewed by the Board. Planning Board and
Zoning Board pretty much caught up with their work load..Planning Board will have two
meetings this month. Under Engineering reviews; it looks like we are heading to an
agreement with Clark Wilkinson .. No rescheduled date for Macchio …
Craig Brown Zoning Administrator-Re: Planning Board first of two meetings will be a
workshop session with Town Counsel for SEQRA reviews, the second meeting will be
regular business
Supervisor Stec-Have advertised for Land Use Planner and Sr. Planner
Noted George Hilton is covering for the land use planner at present.
Councilman Sanford-Re: Virginia Muller-Land on Bay Road would like rezoned.
Craig Brown Zoning Admin.-Will have a second meeting with her this week.
Councilman Boor-Has Harrisena Church brought in an application to rezone?
Stu Baker Sr. Planner-No
Councilman Sanford-Discussed lead agent status..Irish Bay has there been any official
statement from the Planning Board advising them that they have every right to send a
letter to other agencies requesting lead agency?
Craig Brown Zoning Admin.-We have been waiting to see what position the APA takes
on this.
Councilman Sanford-Requested that by e-mail to the Planning Board advise them on
what was just stated, that independent of APA action that it is within their jurisdiction to
request lead agency.
Craig Brown Zoning Administrator-Will forward this onto Town Counsel, Matt Fuller
will be doing a SEQRA workshop with the Planning Board.
Councilman Boor-Re: Zoning Board Meetings are their specific personnel assigned to
these boards?
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SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2007 MTG. #25
Craig Brown Zoning Administrator-Stu Baker Planning Board when work load allows
Planning Board-George Hilton
Councilman Sanford-Re: 4 Garrison Road Sidewalk that goes no where.
Supervisor Stec-Noted that work was done on sidewalks a few years ago over in
Boardacres and over in Garrison, Ft. Amherst…we passed a sidewalk law that said if it is
a County or State highway, then the Town will handle the snow removal, the ones in
residential and town we are responsible for maintenance and repair and they are
responsible for the snow removal. Some of the sidewalks are privately installed the town
doesn’t own them.
Councilman Sanford-there is no interest on their part to have them maintained I would
like to have that investigated.
Councilman Brewer-Requested the Mr. Sanford speak with Mike Travis, Highway Supt.
Councilman Sanford-The owner of 4 Garrison would like the sidewalk removed.
Councilman Strough-I would like to sit down with you guys and see how to structure this
department, would like feedback.
Craig Brown, Zoning Administrator-Suggested that meeting with one or two Board
Members coming down and sit with us for awhile.
Councilman Strough-We need to sit down with you guys to make sure we are all on the
same page, issues such as floor area ratios.
Councilman Boor-Floor area ratios, I am not sure how we define a remodel from new
construction, how are those kinds of determinations made?
Dave Hatin-Director of Building and Codes-We have two sets of regulations that affect
the same issue, the building code has a totally different stance from the zoning.
Craig Brown Zoning Admin.-With the Collins project there is really no different zoning
lines whether it is an addition or a new structure.
Councilman Boor-If you consider it new construction were perk tests done or is the septic
system two hundred feet from the lake?
Dave Hatin-Director of Building and Codes-In this case it was done. There was a brand
new system installed over a hundred feet from the lake. It was a replacement system…
Councilman Boor-the addition is twice the size of the original house.
Dave Hatin Director of Building and Codes-that does not matter.
Councilman Boor-The point I am trying to make is local code I believe 22/23% calls it
new construction.
Dave Hatin Director of Building and Codes-Noted he looked at the perk test, they
complied with the regulation and we issued the permit it does not matter if the house was
ten thousand square feet or twenty thousand square feet that is irrelevant, it is whether the
perk rates and soil conditions warrant the designed septic system. New construction is
considered on a vacant lot never been built on before.
Councilman Boor-I have not seen that definition.
Dave Hatin Director-We are talking sanitary sewer ordinance, zoning ordinance neither
one defines what you are talking about.
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Supervisor Stec-to satisfy the issue is that if we wanted to say no we consider that new
construction then we would need to add that in.
Councilman Sanford-Questioned Mr. Hatin regarding a sewer problem on Ridge Road
Dave Hatin-Director-That was a toilet that was leaking causing the problem, it has been
rectified.
Councilman Sanford-Will e-mail Mr. Hatin on a situation regarding electrical wiring on a
house…also house is zoned residential but I understand multiple people are living in the
home we could have ourselves a very uncomfortable situation if there was a fire.
DISCUSSIONS: CHARGE BACK-BOARD OF HEALTH ENGINEERING FEES
Supervisor Stec-Per e-mail from Councilman Boor, requested that deep hole tests be
referenced.
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTION NO. 282. 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
RESOLVED
, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby moves into an
Executive Session to discuss litigation.
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Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTION NO. 283. 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its
Executive Session.
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Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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NO ACTION TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION
DISCUSSIONS: TRIBUNE PILOT – EDC
Mr. Len Fosbrook-EDC
Justin Miller-Attorney Representing Tribune
Supervisor Stec-We have been trying to attract Tribune to the Connector Road location
this is the last item to be addressed before we get a commitment here. They need to get
an approval from the Town, County and School Board for a Pilot. There is a standard
one that IDA can grant for ten years and we are talking about an enhanced one because
this is beyond the standard. This fifteen year version requires affirmative vote from each
of the three boards affected and then it goes to the IDA after that.
Mr. Len Fosbrook-We have been working with Tribune for almost four years they are
looking to consolidate into one location their lease is coming up. There is a benefit
package that goes with this, and we have to be competitive with other areas. We have
found a way to provide the benefits, it is a combination of using the IDA and also the
Empire Zone.
Attorney Justin Miller-They sought out a fifteen year Pilot Structure that left them on a
neutral basis, they wanted to zero out their tax liability for a period of fifteen years their
lease is targeted for a fifteen year period. Under the Empire Zone program they can
effectively eliminate their tax liability through the State Tax Dept. for ten years and the
IDA under a standard pilot is a ten year program. If the IDA changes from that uniform
policy they have to put you on notice of that as a Town Board and if they do anything
other than distribute revenues from the Pilot pro-rata they also need to have affirmable
consent that is why we are here tonight. By combining Empire Zone Benefits and IDA
Benefits, the goal of achieving a fifteen year pilot can be achieved, we need to work with
each of the taxing jurisdictions and get their affirmative consent before doing so.
Concept of paying full taxes thorough the Empire Zone period because they can get a
credit back from the State for that period (ten year) and then escrow some of the monies
paid to the IDA to put them away for payment in the years 11-15 of the Pilot structure.
The net effect would be to keep PBL and Tribune as the developers on a neutral basis for
a fifteen year period. We are looking to get the consent for is to change the distribution
of revenues under the Pilot during the fifteen year period. Under 10 Yr. Pilot the IDA
would put a ten year Pilot in place and there would be no revenue received by the Town
for the first five years. In the years six through ten you would see half of the assessed
valuation come in. At year ten and year eleven you would go out to full taxation. Based
on that model 1.6 million in total revenue received by the taxing jurisdiction in that
fifteen year period. Under the enhanced model, we have projected about 1.7. The
enhanced model provides a modest increase in the amount of revenue over the fifteen
year period but in doing so changes the way that the revenues come out of the IDA into
the taxing jurisdictions. The assumptions also include a four percent per year increase in
tax rates which could be high or low. On the savings side we are going to set up an
escrow account to hold some Pilot monies in trust we need to assume the escrow account
is going to build a reasonable amount of interest. Under the enhanced model in year one
they would pay a Pilot payment based on their full cost basis of their property which
would be about ten and a half million dollars. The structure that we recommend involved
taking the first Pilot payment and then paying all the special district taxes out of that total
Pilot Payment and setting up a project fund to help pay for some of the project costs as a
second dedicated source of funds and that would include paying for the land that is being
sold by QEDC, infrastructure costs; water, sewer, gas, electric and other utilities and
other pubic infrastructure costs associated with the project and then a dedication to the
escrow.
Councilman Sanford-that is not part of a pilot, that is something different?
Attorney Miller-It is within the Pilot. The schedule of funds that we put together does, is
in the first instances places revenue in years one through five in the escrow fund, it places
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revenues in years one through five in a project fund and then in years six through fifteen
begins to accelerate the amount of revenues distributed to the taxing jurisdictions.
Councilman Sanford-Noted he was not up to speed on this, I would like to ask Len to put
into some form of a spread sheet summary the A-Z’s of the particulars of this project so
we can review it and understand exactly what the deal is. Conceptually you are probably
going to find a warm reception from the board in that we understand it, the concept, we
want to look at the particulars in more detail to make sure we are comfortable with the
numbers. The concept is not objectionable. I am not interested in you walking away
from this room tonight talking to you client with the understanding that the Town of
Queensbury is comfortable with the modified Pilot unless we have a firm commitment
from Tribune that in fact in consideration for a modified Pilot and the rest of the
particulars that Len is going to explain to me we have in essence a deal. If we have a
committed understanding we are probably going to be quite receptive.
Attorney Miller-It is a reasonable request. They have put a lot of time into planning,
design and engineering on that site which in my mind leads me to think they are taking
that site very seriously in wanting to relocate there, but at the same time they have had
some significant offers in particular from Schenectady that has a wealth of financial
assistance to give away, because they have a sales tax intercept from Schenectady into
the metroplex which puts everybody to a disadvantage.
Len Fosbrook-Noted that this is not uncommon it is always in negotiation and everyone
is trying to make the best deal. My goal is to keep them is Warren County.
Councilman Strough-Spoke on the quality of life in Queensbury and the quality of the
school systems, the quality of the location I do not think Schenectady has anything to
offer like that.
Councilman Sanford-We want to keep Tribune in the area, we recognize the importance
to the community. Our frame of reference is we want to work with Tribune to make this
happen.
Councilman Boor-We want to stay here.
Len Fosbrook-We have done our best to represent the Town of Queensbury in the best
light to make this deal come together. I think we will be able to close this by the end of
the month.
Supervisor Stec-The Pilot is client specific. Have you spoken to the school.
Len Fosbrook-We were there a little over a week ago.
Supervisor Stec-The school has the most at stake as far as the swing in the tax rates and
the impact on the tax revenue and then the next biggest player is the County today the
smallest player as far as the financial stakes is the town. We do want closure here, the
town has been very involved with this for a couple of years now.
Len Fosbrook-The environment that you have created here for business has been one of
the biggest plusses that we have had in dealing with this company. They are a good
corporate citizen too.
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Supervisor Stec-The IDA has a public hearing on this on June 25 in the morning, before
hand you will need the approval from the three municipalities and we have one regular
meeting between now and then, if we can get all our answers to all our questions in the
next four days by the close of business Thursday or as early as possible then it can be on
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for the 18, if not it would be on July 2.
Councilman Sanford-We are working hard to make this happen we need to know to make
a decision is all the particulars of this deal and that has to come from you. I think the
message we are trying to send to Tribune is when we have all that we are going to
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consider it and digest it all. Provided that we have a comfort level with it we are looking
for a pro quo commitment and then at that point in time we will let you know.
Attorney Miller-Because of the way the deal is has continued to change based on their
modeling of project costs and what has happened to the water and the sewer and the
parking spaces here and a whole bunch of different moving parts which have made it
confusing quite frankly. I want to make sure in speaking with Tribune and BBL in the
last two days I have met with the IDA, and with representatives of the School Board I am
not sitting in front of the Town I expect to be presenting to the County I do not want to
change my story, I am using my own good will as opposed to just changing tune and
changing the story. Are you guys good if we can get yes on this, Tribune and BBL?
Councilman Sanford-The issues that I heard about are not problematic in an of
themselves, ie the Pilot and the other consideration that has been out on the table, but it
would be premature until I fully understand it.
Attorney Miller-Reviewed for the board Pilot Schedule A and Schedule B provisions…
Supervisor Stec-Questioned if it is reasonable by the end of the day Wednesday to have
the information to the Board?
Len Fosbrook-Once everyone is in agreement I will make sure you have everything in
your hands.
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(Noted that the meeting with the Queensbury School Board will be on July 18)
DISCUSSIONS: WORKERS COMPENSATION/DISABILITY INSURNACE
SELECTION – BARBARA TIERNEY
Barbara Tierney-Presented the Town Board with a review of disability and workers
Compensation quotes that were received. The Regent consultants reviewed the quotes
and guided the RFP process. Disability: National Benefit per Salerno was the cheapest
they offer a forty five cent rate for one year for two years fixed rate at forty seven cents
the annual premium would be thirteen thousand one hundred dollars and the consultant
recommended to go with the fixed rate.
Board agreed to go with Nation Benefit 2 years fixed rate
Barbara Tierney: Workers Comp. current carrier is recommend by Regent Consultants
New York State Insurance fund, Safety Group 497.
Board agreed to go with current carrier for Workers Comp.
DISCUSSIONS: MICHAELS DRIVE DRAINAGE – DAN RYAN/MIKE TRAVIS
Engineer Dan Ryan-Gave a presentation to the Town Board regarding drainage on
Michaels Drive with location map. The area study was specific to Michael’s Drive.
Noted there was a perception of an increase in the water table. Many of the properties
currently have basement pump systems. Over the years the perception is the water table
has increased over time to a point where now their sumps are operating on a continual
basis for a cycle of less than one minute. They are running the spring, summer and
winter. The approved subdivision map of 1974 there were test holes dug for Michaels
Drive, the test pit data indicate ground water varying from depths of four feet below
grade to nine feet below grade depending on where you are at. I met with almost every
resident on Michaels Drive, personally, measured their basement elevation and observed
their conditions; most basements are on an average of six feet below grade so close to the
ground water elevation that was determined in 1974. Based on their perceptions and I do
not think it is something that is being made up, there is some legitimatize to that, and that
is part of what I tried to summarize for you in a condensed version of my full report.
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Councilman Strough-You are saying the current test pits are reading what, about the
same?
Engineer Ryan-Relatively similar, comparing grades from then to now, I am assuming
they have changed slightly with some back fill around the foundations and what not, it is
hard to say specifically without an accurate survey. I am probably sure that there is some
increase. Basically from Sherman Avenue to the end of Michaels Drive is about sixteen
hundred feet total, there is about a fourteen foot drop in grade from Sherman Avenue to
the end of Michaels Drive. At the end of Michaels Drive is essentially where the wetland
begins plus or minus a couple more feet as it extends toward Luzerne Road. There is
standing water and wetlands very evident through out this whole area in the back and
southeastern portion from Michael’s Drive standpoint.
Councilman Boor-All new development is on town water?
Engineer Ryan-Everything is town water in this area, all septic tanks. One acre zoning.
1989 test pits ground water three feet below grade surface five feet below grade,
consistent to that the area has been. Ground water was evident then and today.
Reviewed for Board approved subdivisions in the area. There are a lot of negative are
going to happen I believe when the subdivision goes in which is in the immediate future.
Another area off Luzerne Road is at sketch plan, nine acres not developed wetland the
subdivision is on the western side ten lots. That seems to be on the right track
Sr. Planner Baker-I think that has been over a year from sketch so they will have to come
back with a revised sketch.
Engineer Ryan-We as a Town promotes infiltration as the primary defense for storm
water runoff. In this area probably not the best alternative because of the fact that there
are ground water issues. You can increase infiltration by up to twenty to thirty percent by
developing a site utilizing infiltration practices. The other important factors in the
hydrological cycle here that are important evapo-transpiration which is a combination of
evaporation and transpiration through plant life. Obviously removing vegetation will
reduce that and potentially increase infiltration again. We are adding infiltration by
developing significantly and by the looks of what is proposed in this vicinity that
certainly could be a big factor. Basically we are talking about ground water recharge,
ground water discharge. Ground water recharge, infiltration, runoff collected to
infiltration devices, sewage and irrigation systems, based on rough estimations you can
increase infiltration by up to fifteen to twenty percent through the use of sewage and
irrigation systems in a residential development zoned one acre. Increase density
increases that number lower density decreases that number.
Councilman Strough-Spoke on clustering.
Engineer Ryan-If you promote clustering, the same number of units so the sewage flows
and everything else are basically constant and leaving as much forest as possible
obviously is a positive.
Councilman Strough-Is there any way of re-directing the water table so we can go to a
natural flow area?
Engineer Ryan-Basically, to summarize, we have fourteen feet of grade drop just on
Michaels Drive alone, if ground water is at six or so feet at the upper end near Sherman
obviously if we have an infiltration pipe or some kind of storm drain below that level we
can draw down the ground elevation to some degree.
Councilman Boor-The soil types are sand how deep?
Engineer Ryan-As far as I am aware it is medium to coarse very porous sand down to like
eighty feet. It is generally draining toward the Hudson River.
Councilman Boor-Are you talking an active or passive system here to drain this?
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Engineer Ryan-I think we can do a gravity system. We need to look at the storm drain
system on Luzerne Road, there is a possibility of providing a storm drain on Michaels
drive.
Councilman Sanford-This did not all happen by accident, all of this building which has
created this problem went in front of our process and was approved. What is our moral,
ethical, financial and legal obligation for remedy? How does it get paid for?
Councilman Brewer-If we did do this system and brought it over Luzerne Road we could
somehow change our rules, regulations and laws so that these developments on either
side, north, south, east and west we could mandate that they tie into this so that it goes
into a centralized system.
Councilman Strough-Our scope has been so segmented that we have to broaden it and
make it more comprehensive, it is not just storm water it is traffic it is a lot of different
things.
Councilman Boor-We have to have stricter criteria for the Planning Board applications.
Supervisor Stec-It is my understanding that the solution that Engineer Ryan is suggesting
is that the next step would be the Board to bless you to design a system and Mike Travis
Highway Supt. is here, I presume he is willing to be the participant to do the work once
you design it.
Engineer Ryan-In addition to that we need to look at the infrastructure in place.
Councilman Boor-If we are going to do this, and I will probably support it, I do not want
them to break ground next door and then have to retro fit something in there.
Councilman Sanford-We have to talk about what we can do legally here to get this
particular entity involved with the mitigation.
Engineer Ryan-They do have an easement to provide overflow drainage to Luzerne Road
from their storm drain system they are utilizing infiltration along the road with an
overflow to Luzerne Road. Why that wasn’t just piped to Luzerne Road but again they
have provisions to do that and maybe we need to force the issue.
Supervisor Stec-Requested that Sr. Planner Baker will you follow up with Counsel on
that site plan.
Councilman Boor-Questioned if variances have been granted on that.
Councilman Sanford-Asked that a copy of the subdivision and site plan approval be
copied and placed in the back room for the Councilmen.
Supervisor Stec-We would like Engineer Ryan to design the system, also speak to the
residents where easement will be required, and Mike Travis will check the existing
infrastructure where this will tie into.
Councilman Boor-I am in agreement, but, we will have to speak to Counsel with regards
to the site that has been approved.
Councilman Brewer-He may be willing to tie into this to make a better subdivision.
Supervisor Stec-On the Michaels Drive case the Town is designing and do it on our
nickel but we have a developer that is just getting started and we to make sure we have all
our options but it is our position that, that developer needs to be the one that is installing
this. In the long term for the next one that has not been approved yet something in place,
either in the code or otherwise that says, you need to look at this and you need to include
this in your design.
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Councilman Boor-Questioned the public if anyone attended the Planning Board Meeting
on the new project and was anything mentioned about the water as an issue?
Unknown-Yes. The Engineer CT Male he walked the site at all months of the year and
never saw any water.
Highway Supt. Travis-When he gets everything set we will look at the plans and we will
set a time frame.
Engineer Ryan-We will deal with DEC for permitting. The designing will not take long
will be needing accurate survey data.
Supervisor Stec-We are in agreement for Dan to move forward.
DISCUSSIONS: CLUP WRAP UP – STU BAKER
Definition of Museum was added to the document
o
Under Article II of the Zoning Code
Bay Road area, referred to it as Professional Office
o
deleting commercial references
Sr. Planner Baker-Noted those on credit page are the people that were on the committee
at the time a resolution was made to forward it to the Board.
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Change date from 2006 to 2007
Discussion held regarding work done by Councilman Strough part B will wrap that up
later in the summer set a public hearing on part A Comprehensive Lane Use Plan for
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July 2.
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Page 16 the sidewalk plan was pretty much deleted, on page 20
A.5 required developers to install sidewalks ..have it read the
Town should install sidewalks as it rebuilds road in moderate
density…eliminate developers should be required
Councilman Strough-Spoke on sidewalks, we have three basic residential densities, your
neighborhood your moderate and rural are you sure you want to eliminate the
requirement of sidewalks in the most dense the neighborhood residential planning area
where at the same time it suggests and recommends a grid format?
Councilman Boor-I view sidewalks in a commercial applications where you do have
grids.
Councilman Sanford-In the areas adjacent to the City of Glens Falls I think the sidewalks
should remain and be maintained.
Councilman Strough-As those areas grow in a grid like format and they expand you want
to maintain the sidewalk concept. You may want to make sidewalks mandatory in the
higher density neighborhood residential however in the other two densities you may want
to make it optional but seriously be considered when clustering.
Sr. Planner Baker-A.5 The Developers are encouraged to provide sidewalks in other
planning areas where clustering is proposed.
Councilman Strough-also add encouraged in other areas and strongly encouraged where
clustering is proposed.
Councilman Sanford-Definition of Commercial Floating District C.3
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Sr. Planner Baker-a floating district is nothing more than district you have on the books
but you have not placed on the map yet.
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Insert page number 52
Councilman Sanford-Recommendation D.5 Suggested that it read as follows: In the Bay
Road PO Zone and Quaker Road east commercial areas .
Where did the strong statement regarding the airport come from?
Sr. Planner Baker-Essentially this came from Marshal Stevens the Airport Manager, he
sent a letter to the Community Development Department saying while you are working
with the committee lets get the needs of the airport addressed. The FAA strongly
recommends that there be some height restrictions required on buildings and associated
structures in areas adjacent to the airport for the purposes of airplane takeoff and safety.
Councilman Boor-I do not have a problem with it as long as it is new construction, I do
not want Chestnut Ridge people going through what they did before when they cut the
trees.
Councilman Sanford-If you want a feel good discussion in here regarding the Floyd
Bennett Memorial Airport we can work on that but it has to be constrained to prohibiting
future residential construction and if in fact there is a problem with anything existing we
will deal with it but I do not want the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to be legal
justification to go in there and do it.
Supervisor Stec-E.9 should acknowledge that there is an airport there.
Councilman Boor-Discourage new residential development north and south of it.
Supervisor Stec-I would limit it to that.
Councilman Strough-I was suggesting, restrict the types of development that might be
sensitive to the negative impacts caused by the airport.
Supervisor Stec-We may want to make a reference to the heights of structures out there
as well. Limit it to restricting new residential development and also acknowledge the
height of structure issue. Requested that Stu make the recommended changes in
another color for the Board Members.
Councilman Sanford-Recommended updating the Action Items to reflect the changes
made. Asked Stu to review Dr. Hoffman’s letter.
Councilman Boor-Need to get more specific on the zoning of the Oneida Corners.
Councilman Strough-Do we have in there the fact that we want to make sure that we do a
comprehensive analysis of hydrological and traffic and other impacts? Recognize it as a
need.
Councilman Brewer-I do not think anybody has an issue of doing it but the time frame?
Supervisor Stec-The Town Board desires to systematically analyze the cumulative
impacts on various infrastructures (traffic, storm water, water, sewer, hydrological etc.)
The Town would like to systematically have each of these studied by a professional
during the life of this document.
Sr. Planner Baker-Under the implementation plan it would be a long term goal.
Discussion on the PO Zone on Bay Road
Suggested language; continue the professional office zoning along Bay Road South of the
intersection of Haviland. Agreed to
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Councilman Strough-Spoke on Northway Interstate protection area in the Open Space
Plan it identifies the interstate as wanting to remain rural looking and we also have had
other issues it was brought up at other meetings of putting residential areas adjacent to an
interstate. We have basically agreed that we want to try and again discourage residential
development.
Sr. Planner Baker-You addressed that in your part B.
Councilman Strough-Yes, but it is not in part A. it wouldn’t hurt to have it somehow
identified in part A. I have tried in part B to get all the discussions in one place so people
do not have to refer to the Glen Lake Study and the Halfway Brook Study at least the
mention of it is in the article and then if they want a more comprehensive analysis it kind
of directs the reader you can go here and at least identifies it. I think we should at least
identify that the Northway Corridor is one that we want to discourage residential
development and encourage buffer areas.
Sr. Planner Baker-My editing approach to John’s part B, basically flies in the face of his
desire to reference all the applicable sections of different reports.
Councilman Strough-Part A and B should reflect one another. If something is important I
do not think there is anything wrong with redundancy.
Sr. Planner Baker-The problem is it creates a very lengthy document. My approach has
been to delete the cross references so we would have a more concise document.
Councilman Strough-The purpose of part B we should be encompassing in one document
a review and cross reference of all the sources. So, if someone wants to take a look at
Lake George they see a brief discussion of it and then below that it says see and it lists
several other articles that the Planning Board or an outside citizen might want refer to, it
is important that we maintain those cross references.
Sr. Planner Baker-Can I whittle the cross references down then full quotation of the
applicable sections, can I refer to page and paragraph number in the appropriate
document?
Councilman Strough-I referred them to the document itself with the exception of some
documents that might be important, for example on Glen Lake, I left the executive
summary so it gave the reader some idea of what if they want to refer to that document.
Sr. Planner Baker-I think we can do that without quoting repeatedly the same sections
over and over though out the document.
Councilman Strough-We can do some summarizing.
Supervisor Stec-There are minimal changes to be made the sooner you get it back to the
Town Board for us to have, at the end of Friday transmit to the Board a final version.
DISCUSSION: ASSESSOR’S RETIREMENT
Supervisor Stec-Received a letter from the Assessor regarding her retirement, need to get
an ad out to hire a new assessor. As far as the State is concerned Queensbury and Glens
Falls are one assessing entity.
Councilman Boor-Questioned if Glens Falls should be brought into the hiring of the
individual?
Supervisor Stec-The County would like to see a County wide assessor there are some
holdouts. It would be nice to have one tax rate County wide. We cannot force a town to
join a county wide assessment.
Councilman Boor-Would it remove the legal expenses from the Town?
12
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2007 MTG. #25
Supervisor Stec-Yes. 38% of the taxes are generated in Queensbury.
Councilman Boor-I want to know how many article 7s are filed in Thurman or Stony
Creek…
Supervisor Stec-We had a very light year this year for grievance day. We need to start a
dialog with Glens Falls on this.
Councilman Sanford-Is there a major advantage in sharing the assessor with Glens Falls?
Supervisor Stec-There was a State grant so much a parcel. If we left within the ten year
window then we had to pay back a prorated share, we are now past the ten years.
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING TOWN BOARD MEETING
RESOLUTION NO. 284.2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Richard Sanford
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Town
Board Meeting.
th
Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Respectfully submitted,
Miss Darleen M. Dougher
Town Clerk-Queensbury