1969-05-21
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MINUTES of the public hearinq of the Town of Queensbury
Zoninq Board of Appeals held at the Town Office Buildinq on
May 21, 1969 at 8:00 p.m. Those present were:
James Fitzgerald
Georqe Kurosaka
Charles Sicard
James Keller
Allison Ellsworth
Mr. Fitzgerald, the chai~an, presided. Mr. Kurosaka
requested a correction be made in the minutes from the
previous meeting (motion seconded by James Fitzqerald)
that the wording on the fifth to the last line on page
three be changed to read 50 m.p.h. instead of 15 m.p.h. as
recorded. The minutes were apprQved as corrected.
The first item of business for which Mr. Fitzgerald
read proof of publication was aoplication #96 Qf GI~ERT
MELLOR, R. D. 11. Glen Lake, for a variance locating a
free standinq conforminq sign less than 50' from front
property line on the property situated at south side Quaker
Road adjacent to Two Squires Restaurant property, Town of
Queensbury. Mr. Fitzqerald asked for presentation of
photographs showing lack of visibility. There were none
available.
Appearing for Mr. Mellon was Mr. Robert Stewart from
the firm of Clark, Bartlett and Caffry, 10 Harlem Street,
Glens Falls, who stated traffic traveling from east to west
on the Quaker Road would not see the sign as the Two Squires
sign is right on the lot line and if Mr. Mellon went farther
back, the Two Squires sign would obscure his sign. Mr.
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Stewart asked for a temporary variance or a temporary
license so that the sign could be moved if needed, without
causing further problems for the Board. When Mr. Fitzgerald
asked again about any pictures, Mr. Stewart replied there
were none.
Upon further questioning, from Mr. Fitzgerald,
Mr. Stewart stated that the Two Squires building is appro-
ximately 25' from the front line and their sign is right
on the lot line. If Mr. Mellon were 15' back from the lot
line, this would solve the problem.
Mr. Sicard questioned if this line were the new
existing line. Mr. Stewart replied that the State owns
80 feet in front of Mr. Mellon's actual lot line and that
if the neighboring signs were to be moved, his client would
move his also.
There were no other appearances for or against. The
Board, with James Fitzgerald, George ~urosaka, Charles
Sicard, Allison Ellsworth voting for and James Keller
against, :
RESOL.VED: APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE #96 BY GILBERT
MELLON TO ERECT A SIGN ON QUAKER ROAD BE APPROVED
WITH A 15' SETBACK FROM '!HE FRONT PROPERTY LINE
PROVIDED THAT THE SIGN SHALL BE LIGHTED ONLY DURING
THE NOl\KAL HOURS OF BUSINESS PENDING FURTHER CONSID-
ERATION AT SUCH TIME AS QUAKER ROAD IS WIDENED.
The second item of business, application #97 for
a variance of BRUCE BUIC~ by Judae Sian Corp. for the
erection of three (3) oversized sians - west side Route
9 on the property situated at Bruce Buick Garage, Upper
Glen Street, Town of Queensbury. Mr. Kurosaka disquali-
fied himself because of his association with Bruce Buick.
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Mr. Fitzgerald read the proof of publioation and mentioned
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the plot plan attached to the application and the Board
studied all aspects of the plan. Mr. Keller reported that
the Planning Board had approved the plan as being in general
harmony with the use of the land.
Appearing for Bruce Buick was David J. Kollar of Judge
Sign Corp. who told the Board that Route 9 is a primary
highway with a speed limit of 50 m.p.h. A &maIler sign
than the ones requested would be more difficult tQ identify,
therefore causing traffic hazards. A larger sign, easily
read from 400 to 500 feet would not cause the driver to
take his eyes off the road. He said they had observed the
50' setback and feel justified in asking for the larger
signs. Upon questioning from Mr. Sicard as to the ability
of a driver's reading at that speed, Mr. Kollar said there
would not be much copy on them (similar to the Golden Arches
of MacDonalds.) Further questioning from Mr. Sicard as to
flashing illumination caused Mr. Kollar to answer that,
at that point, nothing had been said to Judge Sign Corp.,
but he assumed they would be lighted during business hours
and the early evening, saying that most dealers turn their
signs off at 11:00 p.m. Mr. Kollar presented photographs
of similar signs in a magazine. The Board resolved:
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE #97 BY JUDGE SIGN CORP. ON
BEHALF OF BRUCE BUICK TO ERECT THREE OVERSIZED SIGNS
AT '!HEIR ROUTE 9 LOCATION BE APPROVED PROVIDING THE
SIGNS ARE LOCATED 50' FROM THE. PROPOSED ROUTE 9 R.O.W.
AID THAT THE SIGNS ONLY BE ILLUMINATED DURING THE
HOURS THAT BUSINESS IS OPEN.
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Mr. Fitzgerald then read proof of publication for the
application for a Variance t98 of WILLIAM W. MAILLE, Pitcher
~, for placing a swimming pool in the side yard instead
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of the rear yard, on the property situated on the south side
of Pitcher Road, Town of Queensbury.
Mr. Keller explained that it is irregular shape and
on a very small lot. C.O.S. added that it is a very narrow
lot. Mr. Keller stated that the Planning Board had approved
because of the lot size and shape.
There were no appearances for or against. The Board:
RESOLVED: BE IT RESOLVED THAT APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE
#98 BY WILLIAM MAILLE TO ERECT A SWIMMING POOL ON THE
SIDE YARn ON A LOT LOCATED ON PITCHER ROAD BE APPROVED
AS APPLIED FOR DUE TO THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY IN THE
SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE LOT.
Application #100 for a V~riance of Interstate Bakeries,
#10 Sagamore Street, Glens Falls, for locating a revolving
lighted sign on the property situated at south side of
Quaker Road near Northland Beverage Center, Town of Queens-
bury, for which proof of publication was read by Mr. Fitz-
gerald, was the next item for consideration.
There were no appearances for or against this appli-
cation. Mr. Keller reported that the Planning Board had
disapproved its erection. The Board, therefore,
RESOLVED: APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE #100 BY INTERSTATE
BAKERIES FOR A REVOLVING SIGN BE DISAPPROVED; NO
GROUNDS FOR GRANTING A VARIANCE HAVING BEEN SHOWN.
Mr. Fitzgerald then read the proof of publication for
Application for a Variance 1101 of RICHARD A. HUGHES, 7
Orchard Drive, Queensbury for erecting a two suite Medical
Office Building with four apartments on the second floor
on the property situated at west side of Bay Road south of
Singleton Funeral Home and north of Wagoner Business Machines,
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Town of Queensbury. The Board discussed the area and Mr.
Ellsworth wondered how far it would be from the brook, to'
which Charles Sicard replied it is a swampy area and George
Kurosaka added that there was bog in the back. Mr. Ells-
worth studied the plot plan and Mr. Sicard stated that it
was formerly owned by Owen Kane.
Lloyd Kingsley, contractor, appeared on behalf of Dr.
Hughes stating that Dr. Hughes wants an offiae for himself
and his wife and would like apartments also. Further
questioning from the Board caused Mr. Kingsley to say the
following: there will be two (2) 250 gallon septic tanks
and 300 feet of drain for sewage. Mr. Kurosaka questioned
approval from the Department of He~lth. Mr. Keller said
the planning Board had approved the application because dènial
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would deprive the .pplicant of reasonable use of the land.
There were no appearances but Mr. Keller read a note
from John E. Wheeler, contractor and developer from Ballston
Lake, who made a plea for approval of the application.
The Board:
RESOLVED: APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE #101 BY DR. R. A.
HUGHES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROFESSIONAL OFFICES AND
APARTMENTS BE APPROVED AS APPLIED FOR PENDING APPROVAL
OF THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OF THE
SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
The final item of business was the consideration of
Special Permit #10 by West Mountain Ski Corporation for a
variance on the west side of West Mountain Road for con-
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ducting a Riding Acadmey - R2 District on the property
situated at West Mountain Ski Corporation, West Mountain
Road, Glens Falls, - Town of Queen.bury. Mr. Fitzgerald
read the proof of publication.
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When Mr. Fitzgerald asked for appearances for or against -
...- the following presented themselves to the Board:
Mr. Edward Nichols, neighboring property owner on the
north side, who complained that the riders were using other
than the property of the West Mountain Ski Corp.
R. Case Prime, attorney for West Mt., Claude Brant,
partner in West Mt. Corp., and Charles Holcomb, employee
of West Mt. Corp., appeared for the application.
Mr. Fitzgerald questioned the stabling of the horses
and the area in which they} would be ridden. Mr. Prime
answered, describing the area and the stabling facilities.
Mr. Brant stated that, with per-mission, they would pasture
the horses on the Fowler property.
Mr. Prime stated that at the present time, they are
using the lands of Niagara Mohawk with Niagara's permission.
He also told the Board that the Corporation is starting very
small with the eventual intention (providing financial
success ensues) they will develop their øwn facilities
on their own property.
Charles Sicard - "You do have per-mission from Niagara
Mohawk?"
Case Prime - "Yes."
George Kurosak& - "Are you teaching the rules of the
road for riders?"
Prime - "All rides are supervised." Mr. Prime further
stated that it is the intention of West Mt. Corp. to develop
a useful family type recreation center (skiing in winter -
riding in summer - etc.) depending on the financial success
of the smaller venture.
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Mr. David Amell, resident of West Mountain, questioned
the advisability of having a stable located near a restaurant.
Mr. Bra~t advised that eventually they would like to
locate on the top of the mountain tying it in with the
natural recreational facilities of the area.
Appearing for the application was Fred Gilbert, who
lives two doors from the Ski Lodge and adjoining the Fowler
property, who said the horses spent more time in the woodlot
than on the trails and that the WestMt. Center kept the
area well cleaned. Mr. George Sepsie, another neighbor,
stated that it would serve a very good purpose for children
(mentioning the Girl Scouts, etc.) Mr. Amell retorted
that he had experienced the flies and had lived with them
all winter.
Mary Frasier, also an ~oining property owner on the
south, objected to the ,,"8 and wondered about the value
of the property as the riders do not respect any property.
George Kurosaka stated that horses have the right to
be on a public highway.
Mr. Brant told the Board they try to make their facili-
ties as attractive as possible and constantly spr~y for
insects and assured everyone that they have to maintain
attractive premises to appeal to customers. Mr. John Norman
who lives across from Mrs. Frasier complained that the horses
are ridden across his lawn.
Charles Holcomb assured the Board that all rides are
supervised and that the horses would not leave the group
to go to the other side of the road.
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After Mr. Fitzgerald asked for any other questions or
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remarks, he suggested a short recess for the Board to con-
sider all applications.
The Board resolved:
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL PEm.lIT #10 BY WEST NT. CORP.
TO OPERATE A RIDING ACADEMY AT '!HE WEST MOUNTAIN SKI
CENTER BE APPROVED AS APPLIED FOR A PERIOD ENDING
JANUARY 1, 1971, AT WHICH TIME A NEW PE2{IT MAY BE
APPLIED FOR.
Upon motion by Charles Sicard, seconded by George
Kurosaka, the meeting was adjourned.
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