1991-10-22
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IJ,IEENSBURY PlANNING BOARD MEETING
SECOND REGUlAR MEETING
OCTOBER 2210. 1991
INDEX
Subdivision No. 14-88
FINAL STAGE
Hickory Acres
2.
Site Plan No. 46-91
Dr. Al Kristensen
3.
Subdivision No. 12-1991
FINAL STAGE
Andrew and Eileen Marissal
3.
Subdivision No. 10-1991
FINAL STAGE
Alene M. Brown
4.
Site Plan No. 48-91
Alice MacLean James
5.
Site Plan No. 49-91
Woodbury's
7.
Petition for a Change
of Zone P5-91
Thomas J. Farone & Son, Inc.
7.
Petition for a Change
of Zone P6-91
Garth Allen
d/b/a Bay Meadows Corp.
18.
Site Plan No. 50-91
Joyce and Art Buckley
23.
Subdivision No. 13-1991
FINAL STAGE
Rosaire Gaudreau
24.
Site Plan No. 51-91
Dr. Randall S. Lockhart
25.
Subdivision No. 14-1991
PRELIMINARY STAGE
Daniel D. Lewis
31.
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.
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IJ,IEENSBURY PuutNING BOARD MEETING
SECOND REGUlAR MEETING
OCTOBER 221D, 1991
7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
PETER CARTIER, CHAIRMAN
CAROL PULVER, SECRETARY
JAMES MARTIN
NICHOLAS CAIMANO
EDWARD LAPOINT
TIMOTHY BREWER
SENIOR PlANNER-LEE YORK
TOWN ENGINEER-RIST-FROST, REPRESENTED BY TOM YARMOWICH
TOWN ATTORNEY-PAUL DUSEK
STENOGRAPHER-MARIA GAGLIARDI
MR. CARTIER-Before we get into the regular agenda, we have some other minor items we're going to take
care of. First of all, if there's anyone here for Site Plan 49-91. Woodbury Lumber, for construction
of a fence, that has been withdrawn.
CORRECTION OF MINUTES
September 17th, 1991: Page 27, Mr. Harris' second comment from the top sIb Mr. Cartier, not Mr. Harris
MR. CARTIER-Okay. We'll hold on the 26th of September minutes. Apparently, not everybody has those.
MOTION 10 ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1991 AS AMENDED, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved
for its adoption, seconded by James Martin:
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
ABSTAINED: Mr. Caimano
MR. CARTIER-We have two minor items pending from past action, here, one minor and the other one not
so minor, necessarily. You have a letter in front of you dated October 22nd, 1991 from VanDusen and
Steves, IIDear Board Members: On April 23, 1991, we received conditional approval on Hickory Acres
Subdivision and it looks like all conditions have been satisfied. However, as it is at the end of
said six months, we are seeking a 30 day extension of your approvals to allow time for filing of said
map." Do we have anything on record that says that all of the conditions have been met?
MR. YARMOWICH-We received some revised information from the applicant. They had met all of the
stipulations, with the exception of one item regarding the stormwater management. I have prepared
a letter. The Planning Department has received it, and in there we detailed some of the outstanding
concerns, hoping that they can finalize that with us very soon.
MR. CARTIER-Is this Final approval that we're talking about, an extension of Final?
MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MRS. YORK-An extension of his ability to file his mylar.
MR. CAIMANO-But he still hasn't completed his application?
MR. CARTIER-There's still some outstanding matters, and this is a final?
MR. CAIMANO-From '88?
MR. YARMOWICH-The Final approval was April 23rd, 1991.
to file the plat. Taking care of the comments and so
regardless of whether or not they were complete as of
properly filed with the County offices.
They have six months from that date in which
forth will require them to have an extension,
tonight, in order to make sure that they were
MR. CARTIER-And his six months is up tomorrow?
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MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MR. CARTIER-Well, what we're doing, in effect then, is extending, if the Board so chooses, another
conditional approval at Final. If we do not extend it, what happens, he starts from scratch. Well,
what's the Board's pleasure, here?
MRS. PULVER-What were the outstanding?
MR. CARTIER-Just one stormwater management item is left.
MR. YARMOWICH-Just to remind the Board some of the areas that caused the project to go on were DEC
Freshwater Wetlands permits and the stormwater management system which, originally, was cited in those
wetlands and then deleted from the project and then resolved to the satisfaction of DEC. We still
had some outstanding engineering concerns, which they have submitted some information on and have yet
to satisfy all of those, but the relationship with the Freshwater permit from DEC, as well as his
complying with the Town's Stormwater Management Ordinances gave them the need to refine their design
to comply with everybody's requirements.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Well, if we extend this approval, I guess we're going to have to extend it with
stipulations.
MR. CAlMANO-Thestipulation is that we want to see a written report from you that it's completed.
MR. MARTIN-I was going to suggest that within that extension, that we maybe even set a date that they
should have these things in, prior to the 30 day expiration. Maybe, like, a couple of weeks from now
have the remaining issues resolved.
MR. CARTIER-In your awareness of the situation, does two weeks give them enough time to get this stuff
taken care of and submitted?
MR. YARMOWICH-It should.
MR. CAlMANO-Well, I don't even think that's a germane question. They've had six months.
MRS. PULVER-Well, part of it was satisfying DEC, right?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, that was the initial step, before they could even come to this Board for Final
approval. There were several tablings between the time period of December through March, in order
to make sure the DEC permit was acquired.
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. Well, what's the Board's pleasure, here?
MR. CAlMANO-Lets approve an extension with a written report by the first meeting of November. What's
the date of the first meeting, Lee?
MRS. PULVER-November's first meeting is the 19th.
MRS. YORK- Than k you.
MOTION TO EXTEND APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISION 10. 14-88 HICKORY ACRES, Introduced by Nicholas Caimano who
moved for its adoption, seconded by James Martin:
In order to allow time for filing of his map, on the condition that on or before the November 19th
Planning Board meeting, and the applicant show written proof to the Planning Department that all
outstanding items have been complied with.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
MR. CAIMANO-Just a word for the record. We talked about this at the last meeting, regarding these
conditional approvals, why we lose control of this. I mean, just to let everybody know, we lose control.
We're trying to be nice guys, but we lose control. This is a thing that started in '88 and it's still
not completed. It's kind of scary.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. The other item, going back to last week's agenda, we had Site Plan 46-91,
Dr. Al Kristensen, to construct a 28 ft. by 28 ft. addition for living room and kitchen area, no
bedrooms, on Fitzgerald Road, Glen Lake area, and we tabled this in order to get a letter of intent.
One of the things that was required was that the lots be joined and we said that we wanted a letter
of intent
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from the with regard to that joining of lots. We have that letter in front of us from Michael O'Connor,
attorney for the applicants, dated October 17th. You have that in front of you. We also have, Tom,
attached to that is a letter from you, dated October 18. This was after last Tuesday's meeting, correct?
MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Mr. Barber, you're here. Can you address Tom's letter, here, just to clear this
thing up?
DANIEL BARBER
MR. BARBER-Daniel Barber for Dr. Kristensen. Good evening. We just discussed that. I had those in
the calculations, but, do you see it, five minutes per inch, there?
MR. YARMOWICH-What's the source of that information, Mr. Barber?
MR. BARBER-Okay. That's test on site.
MR. YARMOWICH-Okay. Then that's the same as what the calculation's based on, so that the previous
comments are satisfactorily addressed.
MR. CARTIER-So, your October 18 letter is taken care of, correct?
MR. YARMOWICH-Yes, it is.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. I guess we are at a point where can entertain a motion with regard to
this application.
MR. CAIMANO-Have we completed the SEQRA?
MR. CARTIER-Yes. That was done prior to, we did the Lead Agency status for the Zoning Board. SO,
SEQRA was completed.
MR. CAlMANO-So, all you need is a motion to approve, or not?
MR. CARTIER-Correct.
MOTION TO APPROVE SITE PINt NO. 46-91 DR. AL KRISTENSEN, Introduced by Nicholas Caimano who moved
for its adoption, seconded by James Martin:
To construct a 28 ft. by 28 ft. addition for living room and kitchen areas, no bedrooms, with the
stipulation that the Little and O'Connor letter of October 17th be made a part of the motion.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
ABSTAINED: Mrs. Pulver
OLD BUSINESS:
EXPEDITED MAillR SUBDIVISION NO. 12-1991 FINAL STAGE TYPE: UNLISTED RR-3A ANDREW AND EILEEN
MARISSAL OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE MOON HILL ROAD FOR A SUBDIVISION OF INtO INTO 2 LOTS. THERE WILL
BE NO DEVELOPMENT. ALL UTILITIES ARE INSTALLED, ALL UNITS ARE EXISTIflG. THERE IS ONE MOBILE HOlE
AND ONE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON THE PROPERTY. CROSS REFERENCE: USE VARIANCE NO. 56-1991 AND AREA
VARIANCE NO. 62-1991 TAX MAP NO. 48-3-12 LOT SIZE: 2.5 ACRES SECTION: SUBDIVISION REWlATIONS
MR. CARTIER-This is for Final Stage, Expedited Matter. We've conducted a SEQRA Review and a public
hearing. Does anyone have any questions or comments? If not, we can entertain a motion on this
application.
IÐTION TO APPROVE FINAL STAGE SUBDIVISION NO. 12-1991 ANDREW AND EILEEN MARISSAL, Introduced by James
Martin who moved for its adoption, seconded by Nicholas Caimano:
For a subdivision of land into 2 lots. There will be no development.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
HOWARD KRANTZ
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MR. KRANTZ-My clients tell me that they brought the map this evening?
MRS. YORK-I have the mylar.
MR. KRANTZ-You have the mylar? So the time for signing is, how does that work, Lee?
MRS. YORK-The Chairman will sign it at his earliest convenience, and I'll call the applicant.
MR. CARTIER-What's tomorrow, Wednesday? Do you have it in the office?
MRS. YORK-I have it right here.
MR. CARTIER-I'll sign it this evening.
MR. KRANTZ-That's what I was wondering, if that would be possible.
MRS. PULVER-Howard, do they want to take it with them?
MR. KRANTZ-Well, I think they'd like to, if possible, or maybe during the break. My clients thank
you very much. It was expedited and it was appreciated, and you should get credit where it's due.
MR. MARTIN-Thank you.
MR. CARTIER-Thank you.
EXPEDITED MAmR SUBDIVISION NO. 10-1991 FINAL STAGE TYPE: UNLISTED SR-lA ALENE M. BRO'" bWNER:
SAlE AS ABOVE SOUTHEASTERLY CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF RIDGE ROAD AND CLEMENTS ROAD TO FURTHER
SUBDIVIDE LOT 3 OF PREVIOOSLY APPROVED SUBDIVISION 10. 12-1990, APPROVED ON JAflUARY 22, 1991. TAX
MAP NO. 27-3-1.2 LOT SIZE: 11.02 ACRES SECTION SUBDIVISION REGUlATIONS
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Again, this is Final Stage. We have done the SEQRA Review on this. Unless the
Board has any questions with regard to this matter, we can entertain a motion.
MRS. YORK-I would just like to mention one minor item, and I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to ~ntion
it to the applicant. Do you have your Staff Notes? Did you pick them up?
MR. CARTIER-Yes.
MRS. YORK-Just a minor item. Please add to the mylar the school district that it's in. That's one
of the conditions that is supposed to be on the mylar.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Is there somebody who is here to represent the applicant? You are here.
MRS. YORK-And if he could just do that, we will be happy to facilitate this.
MARK BOMBARD
MR. BOMBARD-My name is Mark Bombard. I work for Coulter & McCormack, and I represent the BroWns in
the situation. I don't think I have a copy of the Staff Notes.
MRS. YORK-They're right here. Mark, you can pick these up, and they're available in the offic!e the
day before the meeting, for future reference, and I'm real sorry I forgot, tonight, to mention this
to you. It's just a very minor thing, and we can still sign tomorrow.
MR. BOMBARD-Okay. I have the copies of the mylar with me, but, if this is the only change, then I
will change thi s and I wi 11 have them ready by tomorrow morning, or I coul d actually put them on the
mylar tonight, if you would like.
MR. CARTIER-If you want to put them on the mylar tonight and catch me in between, here, I'll be glad
to sign it.
MR. BOMBARD-Okay.
MR. CARTIER-Okay, and that will take care of that. So, we are at a point where we can entertain a
motion to include an addition to the mylar with regard to school district boundaries. Would somebody
care to make that motion?
MOTION TO APPROVE FINAL STAGE SUBDIVISION NO. 10-1991 ALENE M. BROWN, Introduced by Nicholas Caimano
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Carol Pulver:
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To further subdivide lot 3 of previously approved Subdivision No. 12-1990, approved on January 22nd.
1991. with the provider that the mylar be adjusted for fire and school district boundaries.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
MRS. YORK-If I may just take a moment to address the Board. The reason that, typically, we don't sign
the mylar at the meeting is because, usually, applicants do owe recreation fees and they p~y the
recreation fee and then they receive their mylar. In the case of the two previous subdivisions, that
was not the case, just to make you aware of that.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. So, the mylars, in effect, are held hostage until such time as the
recreation fees are paid?
MRS. YORK-That's correct.
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NEW BUSINESS:
SITE PLAN NO. 48-91 TYPE II WR-lA ALICE MCLEAN JAMES OWNER: SAlE AS ABOVE PILOT ICfIOB ROAD, ¡WARNER
BAY lAKE GEORGE TO RECONSTRUCT EXISTING SEASOfIAL RESIDENCE TO INCREASE 6 FT. AREA BY 500 ~. FT.
INCREASE CEILING HEIGHT IN LOFT AREA. (WARREN coum PuutNING) TAX MAP NO. 19-1-29 LOT SIZE: O.2±
ACRES SECTION 179-79 F
JOSEPH LANARO, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Senior Planner, Site Plan No. 48-91, Alice MacLean James, October 21, 1991,
Meeting Date: October 22, 1991 "The site plan is for reconstruction of an existing structure on the
same footprint. The only addition of space will be the ceiling height in a 10ft area. The Board $hould
be aware that the application and EAF show a minor inconsistency. The documents state in ona case
that the residence is to expand six feet and in others four feet. This is a Type II action under SEQRA
since it is reconstruction of a facility in kind on the same site. The applicant has supplied both
a long EAF and a short EAF. The square footage of the increase is, however, consistent at ± 500 sq.
ft. The zoning district is WR-IA, and the lot size is ± .2 acres. The applicant has installed a holding
tank on the property and has received a septic variance. Given today's regulations this property would
be difficult to develop, however, the applicant does have the right to reconstruct what is in existence.
This project was reviewed with regard to the criteria for a site plan. 1. The site is already designed
and this will be a reconstruction of existing facilities. 2. Vehicular access is off of Pilot Knob
Road. No modification of existing access is anticipated. 3. Off street parking and loading will
not be changed. 4. Pedestri an access wi 11 not be altered. 5. Storm dra i nage wi 11 not be modifi ed.
Water saving devices will be installed. A drainage swale is provided for on the property. 6. A holding
tank was recently installed. Water is taken from Lake George. 7. No new plantings are proposed.
8. Fire access will remain the same. 9. The seasonal high ground water is at a depth of 1.8 ft.
A site inspection showed that the cellar or footprint was receiving waves from the lake. This situation
appears to have been in existence for many years."
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. Engineering Comments, please, Tom.
ENGINEER REPORT
Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, October 15, 1991, "We have reviewed the project
and have the following engineering comments: 1. Calculations addressing holding tank flotation should
be provided. 2. Sediment and erosion control measures during construction should be indicated. II
MR. CARTIER-Thank you, and we have a letter from Warren County Planning, approval with no comments.
Sir, would you identify yourself, please.
MR. LANARO-Good evening. My name is Joseph Lanaro. I'm with C.1. Male Associates and I'm here
representing Alice James. The inconsistency that was described was a typographical error on the
application. It was to read, seasonal residence to increase 10ft area, not six foot area. So, I brought
some copies of that for you to pass around. I did provide four copies of the calculations for buoyancy
analysis. Considering the as built conditions in the field, two additional bals pads were provided
in a half inch strap, and, based on that analysis, we have a factor safety of approximately 2.14. and
I brought some copies of the calculations for you so you can review that. To address the soil erosion
plans, I highlighted some general notes on the site plan which indicate provisions for the contra~tors
responsibility to maintain surface runoff on the site. We didn't indicate any specific measures beçause
the area of impact and the type of disturbance that was anticipated wouldn't yield very much disturb~nce.
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MR. CARTIER-Yes. I think, also, that addresses, however, being sure that nothing, since you are so
close to the lake, in the process of re-construction, that nothing get into the lake.
MR. LANARO-Yes. I was informed that the contractor intends to do a more manual demolition of the
building than mechanical, in other words, taking it down piece by piece. So, that way we would not
impact the lake by losing any material to the lake. Special care will be placed, at the contráctor's
responsibility, to insure this during the actual construction phases of the project.
MR. CAlMANO-Which is going to be when?
MR. LANARO-Well, what we're intending on doing is demolition this fall, while the lake level i!s low.
There is intended some foundation repairs after the building has been removed. So, that's why we 'didn't
want to wait until this winter when we would have ice on the lake. It would, therefore, mi!nimize
anything going into the lake, but that would make it very difficult and costly to do the foundation
repairs. So, we're targeting, as soon as we receive our approvals, is to seek the demolition permit
and then start construction, foundation repairs, and then construction of the residence. The residence
is intended to be completed in the fall, or in spring, sorry.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. The foundation repairs are along the lake edge, too?
MR. LANARO-All the way around the perimeter, I would suppose. I'm not familiar with the structural
components of the project.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. LANARO-Would you like to review the calculations, or, I could just submit them to you now?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, a factor safety of 2.14 is pretty liberal for the type of thing being installed.
It's something that probably should be looked at.
MR. LANARO-New York State requires a minimum factor safety, for hydrostatic lift, of 1.25.
MR. YARMOWICH-It's quite a liberal allowance that's been made in the design.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. The question is, are you satisfied, or?
MR. YARMOWICH-Yes, I am.
MR. LAPOINT-Why don't you give the engineer a copy of the calculations anyway, for his records.
MR. YARMOWICH-Yes, for my records. This is not something you can really do too big of a screw up with.
It either works or it doesn't.
MR. CARTIER-Well, it sounds to me like it ought to be called anti flotation device.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, the danger, here, is they ought to construct during the winter time when there's
ice on the lake, right?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, they're anti flotation measures.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you for that clarification.
MR. LANARO-Well, the tank is actually placed in about five foot of solid rock. We had to do some
blasting to complete the excavation. So, that's also considered, the fact that there's quite a bit
of rock in that area. You're only looking at about four feet of soil over rock.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Is this building going to be higher than the present building?
MR. LANARO-It's going to be approximately four feet higher. The reason being, there's an existing
10ft area, the proposed architectural plans showed an increased pitch to accommodate a new dormer,
and increasing the 10ft area by an additional 500 square feet of living space. So, based on that
increased peak or the increased pitch, the peak is approximately four feet higher. There's elevations,
and an architectural rendition of the elevations of the building, what she intends to do. There's
some modifications to it, but I don't have that on the board.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. 1'11 open the public hearing. Is there anyone here who'd care to comment
on this application.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO COtIENT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
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MR. CARTIER-Do the Board members have any questions or cOlllllents? Okay. If not, we can entertain a
SEQRA Review on this.
MRS. YORK-It's a Type II.
MR. CARTIER-It's a Type II, so we don't have to, even though it's right on the edge of Lake George.
It's not a Critical Environmental Area?
MRS. YORK-Because it's a Type II action under SEQRA. It doesn't matter. If it was an Unlisted action
under SEQRA, then it would become a Type I.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. That being the case, if the Board has no further questions or cOlllllents, we can
entertain a motion. I think we want to stipulate in the motion Tom's last comment, with regard to
sediment and erosion control measures. Lee, have all your cOlllllents been satisfied?
MRS. YORK-Yes. There's nothing that's going to change.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Would anyone care to make a motion?
MOTION TO APPROVE SITE PINt NO. 48-91 ALICE MCLEAN JAMES, Introduced by James Martin who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Nicholas Caimano:
To reconstruct existing seasonal residence to increase 6 ft. area by 500 sq. ft. Increase ceiling
height in 10ft area, with the stipulation that sediment and erosion measures during construction be
indicated on the plat.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
MRS. YORK-If the applicant would simply bring a copy or mail a copy with the changes for sediment and
erosion control to my department, I would appreciate it, for the file. Okay? Thank you.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Woodbury's is withdrawn, as I previously mentioned.
SITE PlAN NO. 49-91 IIJODBURylS HAS BEEN WITHDRAIIf
PETITION FOR A CHANGE OF ZONE P5-91 RECOIIEfIDATION ONLY THOMS J. FAROfIE & SON, INC. OWNER: SAlE
AS ABOVE PROPERTY INVOLVED: IJ,IEENSBURY FOREST, PHASE III SOUTH SIDE OF PEGGY ANN ROAD CURRENT ZOftING:
SFR-lA PROPOSED ZONING: SR-20 TOTAL AREA: 25 ACRES TAX MAP NO. 121-11-999 (1MRREfI COUNTY P~NING)
TO PROVIDE FOR tlJDERATEL Y AFFORDABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING WITHIN AI EXISTING SUBDIVISION DEDICATED
TO THAT PURPOSE.
BOB STEWART, REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT, PRESENT
MR. CARTIER-Okay. I need some direction from the Board, here. We have a letter dated October 22nd
from Paul Naylor, Highway Superintendent, IIIn regard to the Thomas J. Farone & Son, Inc. Petition for
a Change of Zoning, the Highway Department and the Town as a whole have been effected by drainage
problems on the existing phases of Queensbury Forest. Until such time as these problems are remedied,
I would suggest no action be taken on this proposal. II What we need to do is decide whether we want
to take no action on this proposal, with regard to making a recommendation to the Town Board, until
such time as Mr. Naylor's concerns are addressed, or do we wish to go forward and look at this
application and make a recommendation to the Town Board? What's your pleasure, ladies and gentlemen?
MR. LAPOINT-Mr. Naylor's not here, but I have some question. It's implied that this development is
causing the problems, here? I mean, that's for sure?
MR. CARTIER-Lee, do you have more information beyond what's in Mr. Naylor's letter?
MRS. YORK-I really haven't discussed this in any length with Mr. Naylor. All I know is that he has
been in contact with a developer, I believe, and he feels that there are some existing drainage proþlems
on the existing two phases that should be mitigated or should be taken care of before anything else
is done on this project. I really don't know anything more than that.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. Paul?
MR. DUSEK-I think I can offer the Board some information on this, as I've been very much involved in
this situation and I also spoke to Mr. Naylor, at the time, or just before he was going to issue; this
letter. A couple of observations, fi rst of all, as part of the Phase II of the development of the
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subdivision, there is a basin that was part of the drainage project. The basin, we noted, I think
it was earlier this year or it may even be a little longer, had water in it, and the theory at the
time, at least my understanding was when the project was approved and what everybody thought was sUpposed
to happen was that the basin would not have water in it, except that for an immediate storm, then it
would infiltrate back into the ground. When this problem arose, we had meetings, negotiations with
the developer. Paul. Naylor was involved. My office was involved, and it was, basically, somewhat
of an agreement was reached that the developer would review the problem, submit it to the engineer,
Town Engineer, and then the Town Engineer, in turn, would give his thoughts back to the developer,
developer's engineer and said, come up with a solution to fix this problem, and also to make sure that
it stays consistent with the Planning Board's original design concept for the Phase II, becalilse if
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lt doesn t, then obviously, you have to come back to the Planning Board. The thought was that they
probably could remedy the situation and stay consistent with Phase II, but there may be an imp~ct on
Phase III, which is where Tom comes in. Paul is concerned, at least when I spoke to him, that he wanted
to make sure that the problem was addressed before any further, at least when I spoke to him, and the
letter surprises me a little bit, and I wonder if there's not a little bit of a misunderstanding going
on, but I think Paul's primary concern was that the problem be addressed before any new projects are
approved, not necessarily that there was no action to be taken, and I think what Paul, and of course
only Paul can tell us what he means by his letter, but I think that what he means is no action, in
terms of approval, not that the project can't be commented on by this Board, at least that's wlilat my
understanding was when I spoke to him the other day. He just doesn't want the thing approved and ahother
Phase III added in until you know what's going to happen with Phase II.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, all we have to do is turn around and look at that to find out that we make a mistake
if we do that, the building across the street. We approved the second phase before the first. phase
was taken care of. My concern, though, is that with all due respect to your knowledge and background
and intelligence and ability, here, we have a technical person who, apparently, is going to put a hold
on this and yet we have a letter which even you, as our attorney, can't interpret as to what he means.
I think that's wrong. I think that he should be here, to explain. If we're going to hold up a project,
he certainly ought to be here. I would certainly agree with him, but you bring up a question as to
what his intent was in this memo. So, we're going to hold up people for a question of intent in a
memo in which it would have been just as easy for this person or a representative to show up and tell
us what they meant.
MR. LAPOINT-I guess we have a drywell backing up? I mean, just that simple. Is that what it is?
MR. YARMOWICH-It's not quite that simple. It's an infiltration basin which was excavated to such a
depth where there's some standing water in it. In terms of what the zoning means and the way in which
the development will occur, because it's been through Sketch Plan, there isn't going to be any change
as a result of a change in zone, in terms of the amount of roadways to be constructed, because it's
already laid out by Sketch Plan. They'd have to go back to the beginning of that process if they do
change the zoning and change the roadways, but the point of view that I'm expressing is, is that the
stormwater management technique that's being employed out there is generally satisfactory. The question
has to be answered as to whether or not they can continue on the basis of the conceptual design. Any
change in zoning wouldn't change the amount of roads or the amount of drainage involved. The eventual
movement towards Phase III in this project would require the resolution of the drainage issues regardless
of the zoning, and the resolution would be the same.
MRS. YORK-Okay. Just in defense of Mr. Naylor, it is traditionally handled through Staff Review that
if a department head has something to say to the Board, they do it in the form of a memo to the 60ard.
They do not come and address the Board in person, and that's just been the historical way we do these
things.
MR. CAIMANO-Fine, and then we have to take Mr. Naylor's memo at face value. We can't try to interpret
noes and yeses and ayes and whatever. We have to take it at face value, in spite of Mr. Dusek's attempt,
rightfully so, to try and change it.
MRS. YORK-Well, let me just state this, you are not giving an approval, Mr. Caimano.
MR. CAIMANO-The question is, do we even want to discuss it. That's the question before the house,
right?
MR. CARTIER- Yes.
MRS. PULVER-I understand this drainage problem's in Phase I.
MR. YARMOWICH-It's combined in Phase I and Phase II, and they're all eventually interrelated.
MRS. PULVER-Because, I mean, I've been over there and they have the stakes and everything where they're
going to dig up a portion, there, and put in a new stormwater drain where there was not one, ¡ where
there was supposed to be one originally, but there never was one put in. I was just over there tod.y.
MR. YARMOWICH-I'm not aware of that, Carol.
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MRS. PULVER-Yes, and I mean, they have a lot of water problems, there, in the winter, because this
particular, where this turn is, the two streets kind of come together, there is no drain there, no
stormwater drain, so the water just all collects in the street and everything freezes and the water
just goes.
MR. YARMOWICH-That's not related to Phase III in any way.
MRS. PULVER-All right, well, that's in Phase I, though, and that is a problem, and it's my understanding
that drainage which was supposed to be put in by the developer was not put in. Now the problem exists,
and Paul Naylor is trying to get it corrected, however he's trying to get it corrected. I don't know
how they're correcting it.
MR. MARTIN-I think his memo was very straight forward. It's just simply saying, development is occurring
and there's problems with it, so before you allow it to occur any further, correct this.
MR. CAIMANO-And it's written to us, to the Planning Board.
MR. MARTIN-There's problems there and he's saying, before you put more homes in the middle of these
ponds, you know, that measures should be taken to correct it.
MRS. PULVER-I think the ponds only happen in the winter, though. There's none there right now.
MR. BREWER-I think we're looking at two different spots. If you go down, I think it's Ferris, right
here, where it's all fenced off.
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MR. BREWER-And there's a big gully where it goes over to the pole lines, that's where, I think, Tom's
talking about.
MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MR. BREWER-There's a big gully there and the water just lays in there.
MRS. PULVER-Okay. I'm talking about between Ferris.
MR. BREWER-There's nothing there now, except for this hole.
MRS. PULVER-Okay. I'm talking on the street, where the problem is. It's on Ferris and then whatever
that turn is. The fi rst one is Bri ggs, but the next street down. I don't know that one is,· ri ght
there. That's where they've got the stakes and everything, that they're going to put a new stormwater
drain or something in.
MR. BREWER-But I think that's the one that Paul's talking about.
MRS. PULVER-But, still, I guess the question to the Board is, do you want to discuss it when there's
problems with Phase I and Phase II?
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Lets see if I can spell out the options, here, without trying to push this Board
in one direction or the other. The option is to take no action, based on Mr. Naylor's letter. The
other option is to go ahead with our recommendation to the Town Board, with regard to this re-zoning
issue. It's as cut and dried as that, I think. What's your pleasure here?
MR. CAlMANO-Well, there's an A to the 2. The A to the 2 is we could, without taking action, simply
listen to what the applicant has to say and discuss it, without taking an action tonight, so that we
don't have to do this again another night.
MR. CARTIER-Well, the only action we're going to take is a recommendation, here. We're not doing a
subdivision or a site plan.
MR. CAIMANO-No. I just don't know, I haven't a clue, yet, as to why there needs to be a chaoge of
zone.
MR. MARTIN-That's what I'd like to know.
MR. STEWART-Might I make a suggestion? An alternative might be to hear what the applicant has to say,
and if that satisfies your concerns as to this issue, so be it, go on and vote in that fashioO. If
it does not satisfy your concerns and you feel Mr. Naylor's letter still troubles you, then vote that
way, but you'd have, maybe, a clearer picture of what's afoot.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. Mr. Naylor's letter is one issue, to be sure , but I think there's other thing~ that
need to be discussed, here, before an ultimate decision is made.
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MRS. PULVER-Well, I'm willing to listen.
MR. CAIMANO-Me, too.
MR. CARTIER-Mr. Stewart, are you referring to the engineering concern, that's been addressed?
MR. STEWART-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So, you're prepared to make comments to that effect?
MR. STEWART-Yes, I am. This was a three phase subdivision approved back in '87, '88 period of time.
Phases I and II are built and now Phase III comes to the fore. We were notified by Mr. Dusek and Mr.
Naylor two months ago, maybe, something like that, that that Town had a concern that the storm drainage
system which was designed, really, for the whole three phases, contained a retention basin, which may
be an accurate word for it, among other pipes and channels and things. The retention basin, in concept,
was to be at a depth where water would pour in and be held during heavy storms and that would go into
this soil, which something like 90 feet of sand, pretty good percolation, and would go out. After
the first two phases were developed, they began to realize that the bottom of the retention basin was
slightly higher than the water table in that particular area. So that, maybe not all times of year,
but in many times of the year there would be a standing puddle of water, the exact depth, it might
have been a foot. It might have been 18 inches, something.
MR. CARTIER-Let me interrupt you. The bottom of the retention basin was lower than the water table.
MR. CAlMANO-Lower, not higher.
MR. STEWART-Okay. Right. So, the question came up, and we met at the site, Mr. Farone, the owner
of the property, myself, Mr. Naylor, Tom, Mr. Dusek, and we looked at it, somewhere about seven, eight
weeks ago, in my best recollection, and the discussion at that time was, well, one thing to do is if
we fill the bottom of the basin which is there, readily available, to bring it up to where the water
level is, then you won't have any water. It won't be unsightly, and there won't be any risk 'that a
child might get down in there and drown or have some problems. I think when we left the meeting the
general concept is, that's probably the way to go. Lets raise that level so that the bottom of the
retention basin is dirt, not water. It won't eliminate the capacity of the retention basin to rèceive
water, because if there's a foot of water in the bottom of it all the time, that amount of retention's
eliminated anyway. We just substitute dirt for water. Tom felt, and he wrote within the ne>tt day
to all of us, that that was the concept, but that he wanted our engineers, Morse Engineering which
had done the studies, to do some recapitulation, re-studies, and so on, to make sure that, not to fill
it until some further arithmetic was done to make sure that wouldn't create some problem, but it appeared
that was the way to go. Communication back and forth. My client was out of town. Mr. Morse finally
got his authority to spend the money to do this engineering and that's going back and forth. As far
as I know, now, the basin has not been filled. I don't know that you've gotten the final calculations,
but it's my understanding that that's going back and forth between the two engineering firms. If that's
a problem, and I have no reason, right now, to think it is, but if that's a problem, or if that impacts
on how the storm drainage system for Phase III might have to be redesigned to make some accomodation
for this, then that is a problem and it will have to be accommodated as you review Phase III and decide
whether to approve it, not approve it, and under what standards and conditions. Okay. Having said
that much, what is before the Board tonight, and, incidentally, I did not see Paul Naylor's letter.
To this moment I haven't seen it and I'm a little bit disappointed. Is it dated recently? I wasn't
given the courtesy of a copy of it.
MRS. YORK-It was received at quarter of five this evening in the parking lot.
MR. STEWART-What's before the Board tonight is the concept of should we re-zone the third phase of
this subdivision to put it back the way it was; so the developer can finish this phase. As I understand
it, if you make a recommendation, it will go to the Town Board. They will decide whether the re-zoning
will or will not take place. Then we will be back before you on the details, specifics, storm drainage,
all of that. We do not have plans filed with that detail here tonight.
MR. MARTIN-Could you go back to that one statement, there, you made, to put it back the way it was.
What do you mean, put it back the way it was?
MR. STEWART-Okay. That gets into my pitch. Do you want me to do that?
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Let me ask a question, first. Does the Board feel that the engineering concerns
brought up by Mr. Naylor have been adequately addressed so that we can go on with this thing and take
a look at this?
MR. CAIMANO-I have a question to your question. Are we expected to answer, to fill a SEQRA out, or
is that the Town Board?
MR. CARTIER-No.
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MR. CAIMANO- Then I think that, my own personal feeling is that we can listen because what Mr. Stewart
says is absolutely right. All we're passing on tonight.
MR. MARTIN-Well, I just want to get a general comment from Tom.
MR. CAlMANO-Wait a minute. Let me finish what I'm saying. My feeling is what we're doing is not
technical at all. It's a matter of a recommendation of a zone, and, therefore, Mr. Stewart is right.
We don't need to necessarily know all the ins and outs until site plan review. So, I would have no
problem.
MR. MARTIN-I just have a general question. The situation down there is such that it can't be overcome
with some adjustment on the part of the developer, meaning these types of solutions that Mr. Stewart
has outlined, those type of things might well in fact take care of the situation.
MR. YARMOWICH-They may, and that's incumbent on the applicant to demonstrate that before anything happens
further with Phase III.
MR. MARTIN-Right, but all I'm trying to hear is it's not an impossible situation down there.
MR. YARMOWICH-Because of the prior zoning conditions, the densities involved, the original storlllwater
management concept is not necessarily based on what's current zoning. It was based on something more
dense, and I think that's a fact, in terms of how this whole issue of stormwater weighs and where you
make your recommendation on the zoning change.
MR. MARTIN-Okay.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So, am I correct in assuming you're willing to go ahead with this thing, in terms
of listening to or reviewing this proposed re-zoning?
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-Lets do it by the numbers, here. Do you want to take Staff Comments first?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Lee, would you take us through your Staff Comments.
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Senior Planner, Petition 5-91, Thomas J. Farone & Son, Inc., October 21, 1991,
Meeting Date: October 22, 1991 "The request is to re-zone Phase III of Queensbury forest to SR-20
from SR-IA. The justification expressed is to provide moderately affordable single family housing
in the Town. The zoning changed in 1988 and the changes were based on the environmental capacities
of the lands involved. Many areas in the community were re-zoned to less density because of soil,
slope or other limiting factors. The zoning districts around this property have also been affected,
and, are at one acre or greater. Criteria and circumstances which should be used when considering
re-zoning properties are listed in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Zoning Administrator is
submitting a letter regarding former approvals on this project. A review of the resource maps reveal
the following: Depth to High Water Table - greater than 72" which is high suitability. Percolation
Rate is 6 - 20" per hour or limited to unsuitable for development. Water Resources - Aquifer Recharge
Area. Community Service - This area is recommended for study for sewer expansion. It is within the
water district. Highway - Peggy Ann Road is a collector road and as of 1988 had free flowing traffic.
This application was reviewed with regard to the questions for review stated on the application. 1.
What need is being met by the proposed change in zone or new zone? The applicant states that llmoderately
affordable" housing is needed. The Town has recently re-zoned a site on Corinth Road for 42 affordable
single family residential units. '(Inspiration Park). A site on Sherman Avenue has recently been
re-zoned to allow for up to 100 multifamily affordable housing units (Sherman Pines). The Boards have
recently reviewed a site off of Fox Farm Road for affordable housing for Senior Citizens and those
with special needs. The requested zoning on this ± 20 acre site is requested to be MR-5 which, would
supply the town, potentially with a large number of units. The Planning Board has no real way of
assessing whether the stated need for lIaffordable housing" has been met. The re-zoning requests in
the recent past have all indicated a desire to lower the density to meet this need. 2. What existing
zones, if any, can meet the stated need? The applicant in question number 3 indicates that clustered
duplexes might be part of Phase III. If that is the case then SFR-IA would not meet the need, as
duplexes are not an allowable use in that zone. 3. How is the proposed zone compatible with adjacent
zones? The zoning in the area has all been increased to one acre since 1988 and is SR-IA. The prqposed
SR-20 zone would be an island of ± 25 acres which is zoned differently. II
MR. CAIMANO-Excuse me just for one second. Should that be SFR-1A, or was it Suburban Residential One
Acre?
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MRS. YORK-I believe is was Suburban Residential.
MR. CAIMANO-Okay.
MRS. YORK-"4. What physical characteristics of the site are suitable to the proposed zone? Please
refer to the resource map analysis. The applicant did receive Preliminary approval for the subdivision
on April 21, 1987. The Board at that time indicated that most concerns raised can be mitigated, however,
traffic was a major concern. The Planning Board wanted the Town Board and other agencies to bè made
aware of this concern. The Planning Board discussed phasing specifically. The subdivision regulations
in Section A183-37 state that subsequent phases shall comply with any new standards instituted by the
Town. The rationale being that as the Town changes and its standards take into account new information
or criteria for development, undeveloped phases will come into compliance. A good example is the h!ighway
standards which changed in 1987. The applicant requests to return to zoning standards used ill 1986
and 1987. 5. How will the proposed zone affect public facilities? As indicated above, the Planning
Board had a concern about increased traffic. Since the preliminary approval, traffic has not decreased.
The Highway Superintendent has expressed concern about drainage. Mr. Flaherty has not indicated any
concern about water facilities. 6. Why is the current zoning classification not appropriate for the
property in question? Please refer to the Resource map review. The updated resource inforlJlation
gathered in 1988 indicates that this zoning is appropriate. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan states
that when sewers are extended to this area consideration should be given to increasing the density.
7. What are the environmental impacts of the proposed change? The Planning Board in 1987 gave a
negative declaration to an environmental assessment form presented by the applicant. At that time
they mentioned traffic concerns. Since then substantially updated information has become available
and in 1988 the zoning on the site was changed given this criteria. It is difficult to determine what
the environmental impacts would be unless another long EAF is submitted and a site specific analysis
completed. 8. How is the proposal compatible with the relevant portions of the Comprehensive Land
Use Plan? The Comprehensive Land Use Plan states on Page 67 - Density Changes - The densities,
especially on the west side of the town were determined in part by thè lack of sewer facilities and
the presence of high perc soils. Once sewer facilities where high perc soils is the major determination
for density, consideration should be given to raising the permitted density levels. Since poHution
of the water table is a primary concern, the application of lawn and garden chemicals should still
influence development patterns. The creation of lawns should be discouraged in favor of the retention
of existing woodlot. Clustering or strict cutting requirements should be considered when deve10ping
these areas with higher soil percolation rates. Special Committee on Affordable Housing - The question
of providing affordable housing is complex and beyond the specific scope of this Master Plan. A special
committee should be established to identify the existing and future potential for providing affordable
housing within the Town of Queensbury for senior citizens, young couples, and other sector's of
Queensbury's population. These comments do not appear consistent with the proposed development. 9.
How are the wider interests of the Community being served by this proposal? As previously stated there
projects have been granted density changes to provide affordable housing. One acre parcels have been
successfully built and marketed in areas already developed in largely half acre density. The Board
is aware of these developments. The proposed Phase III is separated from Phase I and Phase II by a
Niagara Mohawk right-of-way and essentially would form its own neighborhood as distinct from other
phases."
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. We have comments from Warren County Planning Board, approved, with the
stipulation that no more than 35 lots be developed and a Soils Analyst must be consulted in regards
to the building footprint and sewage disposal so as not to adversely effect neighboring properties
and the aquifer recharge area. Does anybody have any questions at this point? You've done a very
thorough job, Mrs. York. Thank you. Mr. Stewart?
MR. STEWART-Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen and Lady of the Board, my name is Robert Stewart, and attorney
in Glens Falls. I'm here tonight representing the developer, Mr. Thomas J. Farone. By way of
background, back in the fall of 1987 and the spring of 1988, I represented Mr. Farone who wanted to
develop this particular area of property into a subdivision called Queensbury Forest. Simultaneously,
I was representing other developers, Veltro and Goldy and Howard, who were developing right next door
to a development called Queen Victoria's Grant. Queen Victoria's Grant was slightly different in that
that was duplexes and they were clustered and areas were left forever green. Queensbury Forest was
developed into half acre lots. Now you get into these phrases of affordable housing, and I used
llmoderately affordable" in my petition. I don't mean that to be a work of art. We're not talking
about housing which is funded by the federal government or anything of that nature. What I was trying
to suggest is to provide housing that young couples starting out, people of moderate income, older
people retiring, could afford. Queensbury Forest has been developed. You're probably familiar with
it, maybe better than I, and I'm not exactly sure what the selling price of those homes were, but they
were of the $90 to $110,000 range, I think I'm accurate, within maybe $5,000. That still doesn't seem
cheap to me, but that's maybe moderately affordable. Now, in sequence, what happened was, we came
before the Board at that time and we did environmental studies. We submitted the entire project, and
it was approved. Now, let me very careful what I mean by that phrase. Queensbury had a rule in those
days that when you wanted a project to, this Planning Board had the rule, that when you wanted the
project reviewed, you showed the whole project. You didn't come in piecemeal and get, you showed the
whole project. You did an environmental impact statement, SEQRA studies, everything for the !whole
project and then the Board indicated, yes, we like it, or no, we don't, but then they would say, and
the State Law also had a rule at that time that you
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approve the project first, but you phase the development. Nobody wanted a situation where the developer
builds one house on the east end, one house on the west end, huge road in between, and then goes broke,
walks away, and leaves a cobbled up thing for the Town to inherit. So, State Law said, approve it
as a whole, but sign the plan and let the developer build only phase at a time. I think 45, 50 lots
was the limit. Queensbury adopted the same rule, but you used a little bit different language. You
said, we will approve the subdivision in its entirety, under what you called Preliminary approval,
and then at that time, Phase I, the first 45 houses roughly, would be given Final approval, and sign
the map for Phase I and the developer could start to build. When the developer came back and reported
to you that he was 60 percent started on Phase I, and you would verify that, then you would sign the
map for Phase II and you would say, okay, you've got Final approval for Phase II. You would not go
back and re-study the project. The project had been studied to death, if you will, at least from the
developer's point of view, by then, but you only can start Phase II upon proving 60 percent stlirt up
in Phase I, and then when you come to Phase II I, you have to come back and show 60 percent stlirt in
Phase II. That was the way we proceeded, and the developer developed 50 percent in Phase I.· Came
back, got approval, and started to develop. Now we're into the midsummer, into the fall of 1988.
In the fall of 1988, as you know, the Town of Queensbury enacted a new subdivision law, and it said
that, it re-zoned, literally, the whole west side of the Town of Queensbury, and you zoned it, one
acre, three acre, five acre, I think ten acres in there. You put some pretty good breaks on what was
considered incredible growth, and everybody thought growth in Queensbury was just out of control, so
some breaks got put on. Fine. At that time, this area was re-zoned one acre instead of the half acre
zone that it had. Mr. Farone had not, at that time, come in for final approval of Phase III, and he
couldn't because he wasn't 60 percent started in Phase II when the Town re-zoned in October, I believe
it was, of 1988. Then, as you know, the economy went slow. Building slowed right down to a crawl.
Little by little, Phase II was developed, and now, to my knowledge, with the exception of maybe one
or two lots, Phase II is completely built and sold out. Now, Mr. Farone would like to start on Phase
III. He called me and said, what do I have to do to turn on the faucet and get going on Phase III,
and I looked up the law and said, you have a problem, because that old subdivision ruling, not the
new zoning, but the old subdivision ruling said, if there's any later re-zoning, subdivisions which
have final approval are grandfathered, and they can work under the old zoning, but if you don't have
final approval, you're stuck with the new zoning. Well, we didn't have final approval, as this Board
used that phrase, for Phase III. So, here we are. Now, what arguments do we have to suggest that
it would be fair to re-zone us? Number One is we went ahead in good faith, once we got those basic
approvals, Mr. Farone has this land under contract. He bought the land. He committed the money.
He put in the roads, not the roads in Phase III, but he put in the roads in Phase I and II. He developed
Phase I and II into half acre lots of the corresponding value that would be appropriate, and the only
way to get to Phase III, you have to drive through the subdivision, which is Phase I and Phase II,
to get to Phase III, now one problem, obviously, a developer has, is how can you all of a sudden go
to one acre lots and the price and the housing that would be appropriate to fit that, and think you're
going to sell those in a subdivision that's already two thirds developed into half acre, less expensive
houses. Who is goi ng to buy, and is it a wi se investment for an owner to buy where he I s buyi ng above
what is the value line if you will, or level, of a preexisting, committed subdivision. That's problem
number one and I suggest to you it's a real, legitimate problem. Problem Number Two is to develop
on the half acre lots back in 1988, we needed water. We went to the Town of Queensbury to see if the
water district could be extended to both Queen Victoria's Grant, our neighbor, and Queensbury Forest,
which is this one with Mr. Farone. An agreement was reached and a contract was entered into whereby
the two developers paid every penny of the cost of running the water lines from where the existing
water district ended, a quarter of a mile, Paul, sticks in my mind, but I'm not sure, a considerable
distance, and we brought water and we put into the ground an enormous infrastructure structure to bring
water to both of these subdivisions. In addition to paying all of that expense, the Town of Queensbury
says, you know, years ago the water plant was built and taxpayers paid a lot of money, and you are
sort of getting a free ride on the water plant, even though you have paid the cost of all the pipes
and everything. So, why don't you pay us $245,000 over and above the cost of installing the water
lines, to the Town of Queensbury. A written agreement was entered into and that was to be done over
a period of phases, as the houses were developed and sold, and both of the contractors agreed to it.
Incidentally, that's $245,000 split between the two. That's not each. They each agreed to go 60/40
or something. I think Queen Victoria's Grant was a little bit bigger, so they divided it proportionally,
but what I'm saying here is that in good faith an awful lot of money was spent and an awful lot of
money was committed, in the future, to bring the water in, to see this project through to conclusion,
and then to say, afterwards, when we've changed the rules, after you've bought the land, spent the
money, got the development committed, now we're going to change the rules and say you can't finish
off the rest of it unless you go one acre development with the cost that's involved, puts the dev~loper
in a really tough bind. So, that is, I think, the two key points of my argument, as a matter of fairness
to the developer. Another point I'd like to mention is I am not at all sure, and I really doubt that
when the Town Board amended the Ordinance in 1988, it ever meant to cut out the third phrase of
Queensbury Forest. Reference has been made, in Mrs. York's article, on the Master Plan. The Master
Plan was written and in effect at that time. It pointed to both Queen Victoria's Grant and Queensbury
Forest as being developed subdivisions that were already there to provide housing in that area. I
don't think those who drew the Master Plan ever thought that that housing was suddenly going to be
taken away. It's mentioned as being the housing that's available. I just don't think, the developer
didn't see it. I didn't see it, and I really can't speak for the Town Board, but I don't thin~ they
thought that when they changed the zoning throughout the western part of the State, they were going
to take a subdivision two thirds developed and just cut the legs right out from under it, and I will
tell you, frankly, that
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when we went before the Board the other night to file this petition which they sent to you for your
opinion, they indicated to me, at least informally, that they didn't, but we'll see, when they vote,
how that comes down. I think it was just a mistake. I don't think anybody spotted the problem. I
don't know, honestly, of any other subdivision that got caught this way. There may have been one.
I honestly don't know, but I don't know of anybody who got caught two thirds developed, but didn't
have the mythical final approval and couldn't finish its project, and maybe you do know of some, but
I honestly don't. The concept was reviewed by this Board back in 1988. Environmental impacts were
made in 1988. Soil studies were made. The project is two thirds developed. There has been no complaint
about soil or pollution or sewage or anything of that nature. It's gone smoothly. I think it's been
a very well received. I think it's a quality subdivision. It's not junk. Mrs. York made a comment,
here, about the road, somewhere, okay, she says something about, the percolation rate may not be
appropriate. Leon Steves is here tonight. He did the work on the project then and now. I'm going
to leave that to him to talk about, but I don't think he agrees with that. What I mean by IImoderately
affordable", I tried to discuss that, that it's not some sort of a subsidized project with just homes.
Something about, I indicated that clustered duplexes might be part of Phase III. I don't think I did,
and I certainly didn't intend to. We filed a proposal that shows 35 single family houses on this Phase
III. In describing the general character of the neighborhood, I said that, to the west is the first
two phases of Queensbury Forest, which is already in half acre, one family housing, and I mentioned
that next to it, on the east, was Queen Victoria's Grant, which was developed into clustered duplexes,
but I didn't mean to suggest that this project would be clustered duplexes, and it will not be. She
then mentioned that if this re-zoning were granted, this 25 acres, which is the size of Phase III,
would be, and I quote would be an island of ± 25 acres which is zoned differently. Well, this is the
third phase of a subdivision that's completely built in half acre SR-20 lots and is next door to a
project that was built on even tighter constraints. So, the concept that we would somehow be an island
that would be non-compatible with what's already there just is not true. If we tried to go one acre,
we would not be compatible with what's there, and we would have a very difficult time, I think, selling
that property. She mentions some question about traffic being a concern. Well, as far as I know,
traffic was met, reviewed, and approved at that time. I have driven up and down that road. I honestly
suggest to any of you drive up and down, morning, noon and night, I don't believe you're going to see
any staggering traffic on Peggy Ann Road. I think down near Dixon Road, there is a debate about whether
or not there are sidewalks for school children to walk in the winter, and if they have to walk out
in the road, any traffic is a legitimate concern, but I don't believe that there's any suggestion that
there's any enormous traffic on Peggy Ann Road. It's really pretty remote out there. Highway Standards
Mrs. York mentions, and she says, we want to refer to zoning standards back in '86 or '87. If that's
a suggestion that we want to go back to some highway standards that were different then, that simply
is not true. When this project was approved, the new Town Highway Standards were in effect, and that
is the developer had to develop those roads to the last inch, final coating, everything. That was
all part of the terms and conditions of your original approval. The only change in highway standards
came from me at the request of the two developers of these two projects. We met with Paul Naylor,
and then we finally met with the Town Board and Mr. Borgos and we made a suggestion, that the law at
that time required the highways to be completely finished before the developer could start to build,
which we were perfectly willing to do, but then the developer starts to build, in goes tractors,
Catapillars, bulldozers, cement trucks, in and out, back and forth, building those 45 houses in that
phase. By the time the developer walks away, the roads are just beaten up. We suggested a new thing,
that the roads would be done, everything except final code, that we would post a bond or a letter of
credit to guarantee final completion, but not complete the roads until all the construction work was
done. Then, when the last house was built, put on the finished coat, and hand the Highway Supervisor
a beautiful road, clean, polished, and Paul Naylor just thought that was the greatest thing since sliced
bread. The Town Board approved it, and that has been the rule that we have followed ever since. As
a matter of fact, Phase II of this subdivision, I think, got Final paving within the last week, as
the last houses were done. but there has been no going back and saying, we want to go back to get a
cheap shot and build cheap roads or anything like that. The whole approval that you gave us back in
'88 was, we had a build a road right to the nines. I think that is essentially my pitch. I would
ask if Leon Steves would come to the mic, just for a moment, unless you want to ask me questions, first,
to see what his feeling is as to the percolation and the soil there, which Mrs. York has raised as
an issue.
MR. CARTIER-I don't have question of Mr. Steves, and I'm very aware of the percolation rates over there.
They're extremely high. They're not extremely high?
LEON STEVES
MR. STEVES-Hi. I'm Leon Steves. I think this is something you should ask your Town Engineer to review.
There is obviously something wrong with the way that is written up. Lee has taken it perfectly the
way it is written, but I believe that it's written wrong. If you ask Tom, I think Tom will agree.
Any soils that have a percolation rate of 20 inches per hour and six inches per hour is ideal soils.
MR. CARTIER-Ideal for what?
MR. STEVES-For septic systems.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. STEVES-You're talking three minutes to ten minute soils.
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MR. CARTIER-All right. We're also talking in terms of aquifer protection, here.
MR. STEVES-I understand that, but now you're talking a different beast. You're not talking percolation.
You're talking aquifer protection. That's not the same thing.
MR. CARTIER-Well, there's certainly a connection between percolation rates and aquifer protection.
MR. STEVES-This is true, but now you're getting really into it. If you want to talk about aquifer
protection, you want to consider the type of soils that are there, not the rapidity of the soils.
For instance, if you have a gravel out there that's percolating at a one minute rate, that's a very
fast soil, and that's not cleansing anything, but if you have sands out there that are percolating
at the same rate, you have a much better condition. Sands have been used, historically, as a cleansing
too 1.
MR. CARTIER-I am under the impression, and Tom correct me if I'm wrong, that those standards have
changed, in fact, to a slower rate of percolation.
MR. YARMOWICH-The current standard for individual single family construction is a limiting rate of
one minute per inch, which is 60 minutes per hour. There are also other factors involved and they
have to do with the density. With the current guidelines, and these are not regulations and rules,
but they're good practice, suggests that on-site wastewater disposal in areas with perc rates less
than five minutes per inch should be limited to 11 persons per acre. Now, this number of 6 to 20 minutes
per inch as being excessive percolation rates may have contemplated very dense developments. In cases
where the density of development and the application of effluent nitrogen in particular, which is the
characteristic of concern for groundwater problems, all that has to be looked at in the context of,
one, the development, the density of occupancy, as well as the available percolation rates, the depth
to groundwater, and that's the reason, I think, why the soils analyst idea was brought into focus by
the Warren County Planning recommendations. I think it's too simple to say that any site given any
particular percolation rate is either suitable or unsuitable until you understand more about the
densities, the characteristics and locations of septic systems with regard to groundwater. If, in
fact, this is, in fact, an aquifer recharge area, one should know more about, if in fact, water is
being withdrawn from that aquifer and being used for consumptive purposes. There are many issues
involved. I wouldn't care to tell you whether or not 6 to 20 minutes per inch is suitable or unsuitable.
The general information that's available in the Warren County Soil Survey is a good guide, a place
to start asking those questions and the questions need to be tailored for the specifics of the
circumstance.
MR. STEVES-I couldn't agree with him more.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Lets back up, here, because we're getting into some detail that I don't think we
need to get into, in terms of this application. I think what we've got to do is go back and, you should
pardon the expression, look at this thing philosophically. Without oversimplifying Mr. Stewart's
comments, which were very thorough, what we're being asked for, here, is to re-zone this back to what
it was originally, simply because that's what it was zoned originally, and I guess the question I have
is, if we accept that rationale, what's to prevent us from accepting that rationale for anyone who
comes in and says, I want my property re-zoned back to the way it was before October '88?
MR. BREWER-Because this is an overall picture of the whole subdivision.
MRS. PULVER-Right. This was already in progress.
MR. BREWER-This was all subdivided. He just got caught in the process.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MRS. PULVER-I have a question. I want to be sure that I have this correct. You're asking to return
this development, as it was originally proposed, and we've got 25 acres, and you're asking for 35 units?
MR. STEWART-That's right.
MRS. PULVER-Okay. I just want to be sure that that's.
MR. MARTIN-Are we talking single family detached, or duplexes, or?
MR. STEWART-No. The original zoning would allow for duplexes, as is in the application. As a matter
of fact, I think back at the time we got the approval, back in '88, Mr. Farone contemplated duplexes
in the third phase, but market conditions, whatever, being what they are, we have filed an application
that we want to abandon any concept of duplexes. We will limit ourselves to 35 single family detached
residences on a 25, roughly plus or minus, acre lot, and the County Planning Board asked us to make
the commitment, they made the commitment that their approval would be contingent upon that limitation.
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MRS. PULVER-So, it's less than one and a half houses per acre. This map that I just looked at, which
has the 35 lots on it, okay, that is the map, right there. You're not going to ask for any changes
on that?
MR. STEWART-Can I fudge a little on that? We may well appear before this Board for site plan review
a month or two months from now. There will be no more than 35 lots. We may, our engineers, or Leon,
or somebody may say.
MRS. PULVER-Lot line adjustments?
MR. STEWART-Lot line adjustment to fit it into the soi 1 or something, but no, you know, I'd hate to
say, that was drawn up to show you what we have in concept. I don't want to tell you, you can't change
a lot line.
MR. CAlMANO-Paul, I think you answered this before, but I don't remember what the answer is. If we
approve a subdivision, lets assume this one, SR-20, and we put a stipulation, as the County Board says,
to this applicant, does the stipulation carry to a new owner?
MR. DUSEK-If you condition a subdivision, which I feel you can, and you make the applicant fill out
or complete a convenant and restrictions which will be filed at the County, then you have, first of
all, two things going for you. One is, yes, I think it does go to the subsequent owners, and, two,
you have adequate notice of it going to the owners, because a subdivision plat, once it's approved,
has the effect of being the Zoning Ordinance, or part of the Zoning Ordinance. They've got to comply
with what's on that plat. If they don't, we can bring a zoning enforcement action against them, just
as we could if they were violating the words of the Ordinance itself.
MR. STEWART-Even tougher than that, I can't build, develop, or sell a single lot until this Phase III
map is signed by this Board and filed, and it's filed showing 35 lots with those precise configurations.
I cannot sell a thing different from what's on that map unless I come back to this Board and say, I've
got some sort of a problem. Will you help me out, and everybody knows that. That's as solid as a
rock. It doesn't even need a restriction in the deed. You can't sell a subdivision if you violate
the map.
MR. CARTIER-Is this the map that was submitted for Phase III, previously?
MR. STEWART-No.
MR. CARTIER-This is a new map?
MR. STEWART-That's right. The map submitted for Phase III was duplexes of some, I think around 24
duplexes which would have be 48 living units. We're down, now, to 35 all single family. We've got
to come back to you for new, I'm not going to argue that if we get re-zoned, you've already approved
it the way I was. I've got to come back.
MR. CARTIER-Just one other quick thing for the Board, here. I have just been handed to me 36 copies
of a form letter addressed to us that reads, liTo Whom It May Concern: As a resident of Queensbury
Forest, I am opposed to the developing of townhouses in Phase III. Many townhouses turn into rental
property, thus are not maintained as meticulously. I feel this could potentially compromise the value
of my property in Phase I and Phase 11." Am I correct in assuming we are not talking about townhouses
here?
MR. STEWART-No.
MRS. PULVER-Single family detached.
MR. STEWART-I don't want to, in any way, mislead this Board.
as I did the Town Board, to ask for re-zoning back to SR-20.
I bel i eve.
What I have to do is come before you,
SR-20 allows single family or duplexes,
MR. CAIMANO-It does.
MR. STEWART-But I will make the commitment, here. I will make the commitment to the Town Board. I
will make it in writing, that all we want are 35 individual homes, regardless of what that zoning might
allow.
MRS. PULVER-Well, even in the recommendation, you could recommend only 35 single family detached homes.
MR. CAIMANO-I don't mind that, but Jim brought up something, too. Just for the record, Lee, while
Pete was readi ng those 36 1 etters, I had a telephone call from a Mrs. John Goral s ki who is a 1 so a
neighbor and who objects, also, to multiple family dwellings in her neighborhood. That's for the record.
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MRS. YORK-Well, let me just state that there is a statement on the front of application that says the
general area was developed when zoned SR-20 and consists entirely of single family residences on 20,000
square foot lots and clustered duplexes on 10,000 square foot lots, and the proposed zone would be
identical with existing development.
MR. CARTIER-There are clustered duplexes out there now?
MRS. YORK-So, that's where I got the opinion.
MR. STEWART-What I said, the general area was developed.
which was right next door, which was cluster duplexes.
for duplexes, clustered or otherwise.
That reference was to Queen Victoria's Grant,
We never asked then, and we don't ask now,
MR. MARTIN-All right. Well, my opinion of this is I'm someone who usually takes a very hard look at
these things. I don't, as this Board well knows, I am very much against the Town bearing the brunt
of a developer trying to keep his cost down on a per lot basis for development. I think there's a
bunch of other ways that that can occur, at his expense, rather than the Town having to increase its
densities, but I think this is an exception. He got caught up in the system, so to speak. He had
Preliminary approval and, for all practical purposes, had Final approval of this subdivision, and it
is in keeping, I think Mr. Stewart's point about the neighboring uses, it is in keeping with the
neighboring uses, in terms of the density, which is a key factor, and I'm all for the single family
detached, and I will accept that written commitment to that. I would be very much in favor of that.
I understand what this is doing. We're saying we have a little triangular piece of property out here
on its own. You don't want to call it an island with the neighboring uses, and I acknowledge that,
but in terms of the zoning map. it is an island.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. All I'm saying is, understand, at this point we are making a recommendation only.
MR. MARTIN-Right.
MR. CARTIER-All we could do to the Town Board is recommend that it be.
MR. MARTIN-Well, the reason why I say all thi s is because I don't want the appearance of there being
any inconsistencies between what I say now and what I've said in previous applications for zone changes.
MR. CAIMANO-Why don't you see if somebody else has something to say, wants to talk, Pete?
MR. CARTIER-Yes. Hang on, okay, but you understand the point I'm making. At this point, we are making
simply a recommendation.
MR. MARTIN-Right. I understand that.
MR. CARTIER-And we can recommend, only, at this point, that it be kept at 35 units within 25 acres.
,MR. MARTIN-I understand that.
MR. CARTIER-We, I think what you're trying to do, and I agree with you, is let the applicant know that
when they come back in for subdi vi sion of thi s final phase or approval of thi s final phase, that's
all this Board would be willing to accept. Is that correct?
MR. MARTIN-Right, and I would even put that in the form of a motion of recommendation, if we do, in
fact, do that, that we recommend the Town Board do obtain written commitment to that effect.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Excuse me, what did you say?
MR. CAIMANO-Why don't you see if anybody else has anything to say?
MR. CARTIER-From the audience?
MR. CAlMANO-Yes, please.
MR. CARTIER-Well, this is not a public hearing.
MR. CAIMANO-I know.
MR. CARTIER-We're not required to hold a public hearing on here, but is there anybody else who'd care
to comment at this point? Okay. Does anybody else on the Board have any comments or questions? I
guess my concern here, and I understand the argument with regard to being caught in the change, here.
I have some reservations, and my reservations are in terms of setting a precedent, here.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, let me ease your mind, here, a little bit, and I think Jim already eased it a little
bit and I think Mr. Stewart eased it a little bit. On the record, I'm not sure that we're setting
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a precedent or correcting something that was done in the past. This is a situation where the subdivision
was approved exactly for what Mr. Stewart is asking for it now. They are half acre lots. The current
residents are half acre lots. We are not recommending anything more than that. In fact, we're going
to be very adamant in requesting that it be nothing more than single family residences and that we
specifically don't want duplexes, but it isn't like, you know, truly this man was caught in the system.
I don't know Mr. Farone for all the tea in China, but he was caught in the system. He was developing
something. It stopped because of economic circumstances and now he just wants to complete it, and
as long as we're not getting into multiple family residences, I don't see where there's much of a
problem, here.
MR. CARTIER-If Mr. Farone owns other property in the Town that was re-zoned, that did not get caught
in the middle, what would be this Board's reaction, if, in fact, Mr. Farone came in and requested a
re-zoning of that other property?
MR. LAPOINT-Too hypothetical.
MRS. PULVER-I think he would have to go through this same process.
MR. CAlMANO-I'd refer him back to the minutes of this meeting, and I think Mr. Stewart would, too.
MR. LAPOINT-Again, each circumstances has.
MR. CAIMANO-It stands on it's own.
MR. LAPOINT-Exactly. I agree with Mr. Caimano, and Mr. Martin, and Mr. Brewer, that, again, this would
be consistent with what's out there.
MR. CAIMANO-I came in here prepared to turn this down on the strength of the fact that I thought you
were getting into multiple family dwellings and duplexes, and I couldn't, in good conscience, saddle
the rest of the residents with that, and I would have said no, but since it is going to continue to
be what it was, then I just don't see any reason for not recommending approval.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MRS. PULVER-And I agree with Nick. I'd like to think that we are correcting something that accidentally
got overlooked during the time of the re-zoning, and I don't think there's a whole lot of them out
there, so I'm not real worried about setting some sort of a precedent with that.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Has anybody else got a comment? What is the Board's pleasure, at this point? Are
we prepared to make a recommendation to the Town Board?
MR. CAIMANO-I am.
MOTION TO RECOIIEfID TO THE TOWN BOARD APPROVAL OF PETITION FOR A CHAflGE OF ZONE P5-91 THOMS J. FARONE
I SON, INC., Introduced by James Martin who moved for its adoption, seconded by Nicholas Caimano:
We further recommend that that the Town Board obtain written commitment from the applicant to develop
all 35 lots as indicated on the original plat as single family detached homes for moderately priced
affordable housing. That we forward a copy of Mr. Paul Naylor's letter dated 22 October 1991 to the
Town Board for its consideration, relative to the substance of Mr. Naylor's comments. That all Staff
Comments, as well as minutes of this meeting, and the action of the Warren County Planning Board at
their meeting of October 9th be forwarded on to the Town Board for their consideration in this matter.
Furthermore, it is assumed that the Town Board will be lead agent in this matter, in terms of the SEQRA
Review, and that this Board consents to that designation.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
PETITION FOR A CHAflGE OF ZONE P6-91 RECOIIENDATION ONLY GARTH ALLEN D/B/A BAY MEADOWS CORP. OWNER:
SAME AS ABOVE PROPERTY INVOLVED: BAY MEAOOWS GOLF COURSE BAY AND CRONIN ROAD CURRENT ZONING: SFR-lA
PROPOSED ZONING: SR-IA TOTAL AREA: 95± ACRES (I6\RREN COUNTY PuutNING BOARD) TAX MAP NO. 60-2-5,
10 TO PERMIT RESIDENTIAL CWSTERING AND TO MAINTAIN OPEN SPACE CHARACTER OF SITE IllILE MAINTAINING
SAME ONE ACRE DENSITY AS EXISTING ZONE.
MACK DEAN, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Thank you. Staff Comments, please. Does the Board wish to have Lee go through
her individual comments? I know you've had these in front of you.
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MR. CAlMANO-I don't need it.
MRS. PULVER-No.
MR. MARTIN-No.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-Give the applicant an opportunity to address them as we go through them.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Fine. We have comments from Warren County Planning Board with an approval and no
stipulations or conditions. What's the Board's druthers? Do you want to take comments from the
applicant, at this point?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes.
MR. DEAN-Just for the record, my name is Mack Dean representing Garth Allen and Bay Meadows Corporation.
I have also read Staff Comments, and.
MR. CARTIER-Just let me interrupt you for a second. I don't mean to shortchange Mrs. York's work by
not reading them into the record. Understand that these are very thoroughly done and I think this
questionnaire format is working very nicely. It's given us a lot more information than we've had
previously, with regard to re-zoning issues. Excuse me.
MR. DEAN-I'd like to comment on that, also, and they also help give us some direction in explaining
the purpose and intent of our project, and to go forth wi th that, in readi ng Lee York's comments, I
really have no additional comments to give the Board. I think they're very thorough and pretty well
express our position on the matter before the Board.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. I think I have just two brief comments that are on a, actually, subdivision of site
plan level, having to do with, you're obviously aware that you've got some high groundwater problems
over there that you are going to have to deal with at some point.
MR. DEAN-That's correct.
MR. CARTIER-The only comment I have on this thing is that when you come in for subdivision, site plan,
at that point, that you give some serious consideration to two entrances in there. There are a lot
of dwelling units in there that are only going to be serviced by one entrance, and it may be appropriate
to consider a second one.
MR. MARTIN-This is what used to be the back nine, right?
MR. DEAN-Yes. I thought there were some restrictions on entrances. That will certainly be taken into
consideration.
MRS. PULVER-I have a couple of questions. This whole parcel, including the golf course, is 95 acres?
MR. DEAN-The entire holdings, the entire property, consists of about 97 acres.
MRS. PULVER-And you're trying to put on how many units?
MR. DEAN-There would be a total of not in excess of 90 units.
MRS. PULVER-And you're still going to keep the golf course?
MR. DEAN- Yes.
MR. MARTIN-As a nine hole golf course.
MR. DEAN-It probably will be nine holes. Hopefully, we'll be able to redesign it into an 18 hole,
if that's possible.
MRS. PULVER-So, why are we re-zoning?
MR. CARTIER-Because it allows clustering. You're going from a single family residential that does
not allow clustering to a suburban residential which does allow clustering.
MRS. PULVER-I know, but the reason he doesn't want to cluster is because he doesn't want to give up
the golf course.
MR. CAIMANO-No. He does want to cluster.
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MR. DEAN-We do want to cluster.
MR. CARTIER-No. He wants to cluster. Changing this zone will allow him to cluster and allow him to
maintain the golf course.
MRS. PULVER-The golf course. That's what I mean, but he, without the zoning, it's one or the other.
MR. CARTIER-Without the change in zoning.
MR. DEAN-Without the zoning, we'd have individual one acre lots.
MR. CARTIER-Yes.
MR. DEAN-You can't have clustering in SFR-IA.
MR. MARTIN-It's the same density, but they can't cluster in the current zoning.
MR. DEAN-Right.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So, the plus side of this one is that we're gaining open space, here, okay, open
space is going to be maintained.
MRS. PULVER-I'm not convinced that we're gaining, here. I'm almost thinking that we're giving something
away.
MR. CAlMANO-What?
MRS. PULVER-We're allowing him to have a business there, the golf course, as well as, now, the homes.
By the re-zoning, he'll have both.
MR. DEAN-That's correct.
MR. CAIMANO-So does Gary Bowen. So what?
MRS. PULVER-But that's a PUD.
MR. CAIMANO-I know that, but I'm saying, so what? I don't understand why you're concerned with that.
MRS. PULVER-Well, I think we're re-zoning for the benefit of the applicant, not for the benefit of
Town.
MR. DEAN-Is that improper, philosophically, I mean?
MRS. PULVER-No.
MR. CAIMANO-It should be both.
MR. CARTIER-Let me answer it this way. Lee, correct me if I'm wrong. This is a parcel of land that,
in previous times. we had looked at at Sketch time, in which the golf course was completely gone.
Does that ring a bell, what I'm talking about?
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-It was Dr. Schutze, I believe.
MR. CAIMANO-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-That this was all going to be developed as a mixture of well, some of this was MR-5. It
wasn't all SFR, but the entire golf course was going to get blown away, in other words, and it would
all be residential and professional office, I believe, throughout this entire thing. I don't know
whether I'm hel ping you or not. I'm just trying to give you some background. What this thing does,
as I said, maintain open space, some open space.
MRS. PULVER-Well, I don't know. I'm just thinking, if I had ten acres and I had a garage on five of
them, but I was zoned to have five houses and I came in and said, well, look, I want to put my five
houses and cluster them on the five acres, and you said okay, you've allowed me to keep my garage and
cluster my five houses on five acres.
MR. DEAN-Well, Mrs. Pulver, we're looking at 97 acres, of which our maximum density under clustering
would be less than a quarter of the entire acreage.
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MRS. PULVER-I just wonder if this is fair to the Town and to everyone else who comes in, now? How
about Harris?
MR. CAIMANO-Well, you're assuming that everyone that comes in is altruistic. That's not so. It's
give and take on both sides. Everyone coming here is not re-zoning for the sake of the Town. They're
re-zoning, primarily, for the sake of themselves and, hopefully, we will guard the Town.
MRS. PULVER-I'm just trying to decide, Nick, whether or not the benefits to the re-zoning are, you
know, there are going to be some benefits to the Town.
MR. DEAN-Well, the benefits to the Town, also, is that you will not have, lets say, 90 developed one
acre lots with the intrinsic roadways and, you know, the pavement, fencing, stop signs, and the whole
bit.
MRS. PULVER-Yes, but I could also have 90 clustered houses and no golf course.
MR. CAlMANO-You could. Maybe they're more saleable with the golf course.
MR. CARTIER-Well, wait a minute. You've got to be careful, here, because by going to clustering, he
is committing himself to keeping the remaining property open. That's the only way he can be allowed
to cluster. In other words, we're taking 97 acres and we're putting all the housing in one area.
That does not mean, because it's clustered at one end, that he can come back later on and further develop
that open space.
MRS. PULVER-What about selling off the golf course?
MR. MARTIN-See, he's sacrificing all his developable rights, in terms of housing units, in this one
area, this entire parcel.
MR. CARTIER-If this is clustered, he can't sell off the golf course and then somebody else can come
in and develop that.
MR. BREWER-He could not sell the golf course?
MR. CARTIER-That land, once this is clustered, is committed to this development.
MR. DEAN-That's correct.
MR. CAIMANO-To this structure.
MR. DEAN-That's right. It's a one shot deal.
MR. BREWER-So, if somebody wanted to buy that, if he has that golf course and somebody, say he decides
that he doesn't want to be in the golf business anymore, he can't sell off 20 of that acreage?
MR. CARTIER-Correct.
MR. DEAN-Right.
MR. CARTIER-In other words, you are committing not just the property that the cluster development is
on, but you're committing the entire property.
MR. DEAN-Right.
MR. BREWER-So, that parcel of land will always be 97 acres, no matter who owns it.
MR. CARTIER-Unless we get a re-zoning later on, but, ignoring that.
MR. DEAN-Well, unless they pick up some additional property, but.
MR. BREWER-Well, that's what you've got to think about.
MR. DEAN-Right, but under the rules today, that's correct. It will remain as open land, whether it's
put to agricultural use or a golf course.
MR. CARTIER-Yes, that's the other thing. There could be some other uses there besides a golf course,
but it would have to be some sort of a.
MR. DEAN-I don't think agricultural's permitted in that zone, but it could go fallow, but it is
committed.
MR. CAIMANO-It is.
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MRS. PULVER-I also remember, though, Garth Allen, himself came before the Board one time, for a
re-zoning.
MR. DEAN-In 1989. He requested an MR-5 density.
MR. CARTIER-For this area?
MR. DEAN- Yes.
MRS. PULVER-Lee, do you remember what he wanted to build, then?
MRS. YORK-I believe multifamily units.
MRS. PULVER-Yes, it was multifamily, but on the whole 97 units?
MRS. YORK-It substantially took up a lot of the course.
MR. DEAN-I think at that time they were looking at 150 to 200 units.
MR. CARTIER-Yes, and I think the problem had to do with groundwater concerns and the land just wasn't
suitable for that kind of density.
MR. DEAN- Yes.
MR. CAIMANO-Make sure we don't lock ourselves in here. Farming is allowed in the Suburban Residential.
MR. CARTIER-Right.
MR. MARTIN-I think a benefit, here, is that there are a lot of environmentally sensitive areas within
this parcel, in terms of wetlands and so on. They may not be designated as such, but I think it is
a positive aspect to the environmental impact of this that he is keeping it away from those areas or
limiting the disturbance of those areas, as he is here, in this one small portion of the lot.
MR. CARTIER-Has anybody else got any questions or comments?
MR. CAIMANO-Ask the audience if they have any comments?
MR. CARTIER-I did not, but do you want me to conduct public comments on this?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes. We did last time.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Is there anybody here who would care to comment on this application? Okay. There
is none.
MRS. YORK-I have one comment. I just want to mention to the Board that I believe the Tax Map Number
changed, and you may not be aware of it. It went to 60-2-5, 10.
MR. CARTIER-60-2-5,10?
MRS. YORK-Yes.
MR. DEAN-I think that's what submitted.
MRS. YORK-I have a note that there's an error on the application, just for your information. It's
not real significant for us, here. I just did want to make that part of the record.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. DEAN-60-2-5,10, I believe, yes.
MR. DUSEK-What it was is that, maybe if I can just, on the application it was indicated as 60-1-5 and
60-1-10. In reality the Tax Map Number is 60-2-5 and 60-2-10. So, it's just a clerical error, I'm
sure. The Town Board adopted a resolution just correcting it on their own. It doesn't change anything.
We're still talking about the same parcel.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Understand, however, in whatever recommendation we're going to make, here, if I'm
reading the Board right, this thing's going to go to the Town Board with a favorable recommendation.
Understand that it's being presented to us that, we are, in fact, going to see clustering here.
MR. MARTIN-That's the stipulation.
MR. CARTIER-Yes. I think we want to stipulate that. I don't want to have the Board put in the position
where we okay this SR-l and then all of a sudden down the line we're looking at a completely different
application that does not allow clustering and gets into the kinds of things that Carol was talking
about.
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MR. MARTIN-You don't have a problem with the stipulation of?
MR. DEAN-Clustering?
MR. MARTIN- Yes.
MRS. PULVER-These are going to be duplexes?
MR. DEAN-One will be. I think the rest will be quadraplex.
MRS. PULVER-Quadraplex?
MR. DEAN-There will be fewer buildings overall.
MR. MARTIN-They're going to have to be for the number you're showing.
MR. DEAN-The intent is, there again, the moderate, not terribly expensive, senior citizen housing,
but there are a lot of older people who do play golf there and they're very excited about the prospect
of this.
MR. CARTIER-All I want to do is be sure we understand that, that we're pushing this forward with the
understanding that it's clustering. That we're accepting it on the basis of clustering. If somebody
would care to make a motion regarding a recommendation, please do so.
MOTION TO RECOtlEND TO THE TOWN BOARD APPROVAL OF PETITIOfI FOR A CHANGE OF ZOfIE P6-91 GARTH ALLEN
D/B/A BAY MEADOWS CORP., Introduced by Nicholas Caimano who moved for its adoption, seconded by Timothy
Brewer:
A change of zone from SFR-IA to SR-IA, on the stipulation that the plan presented to us is to have
a clustering of residences in order to maintain the open space character of the site while maintaining
the same one acre density as the existing zone. Further, all Staff Comments, approval from the Warren
County Planning Board, and the minutes of this meeting should be forwarded with this motion, and,
finally, it is assumed that the Town Board will take lead agency status and that this Board consents
to that designation.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
SITE PlAN NO. 50-91 TYPE II WR-lA JOYCE AND ART BUCKlEY OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE HILLMAN ROAD,
CLEVERDALE FOR THE AOOITION OF A 12 n. BY 12 n. OPEN DECK TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR THE FOT OF THE
HOUSE. (WARREN COUNTY PlANNING) TAX MAP NO. 11-1-34 I 1.2 LOT SIZE: 10,000 SQ. n. SECTIOfl 179-16,
179-60
ART BUCKLEY, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Senior Planner, Site Plan No. 50-91, Joyce and Art Buckley, October 21, 1991,
Meeting Date: October 22, 1991 liThe request is to build a 12 ft. x 12 ft. open deck. The property
is adjacent to Lake George. It is a Type II action under SEQRA since it is the addition of a minor
accessory structure. The applicant received a lake shore setback variance from the Zoning Board of
Appeals. The Warren County Planning Board stipulated that this structure cold not be enclosed in the
future. The deck will provide access to the front of the house. II Which is the lake, they are discussing
that the lake side is the front of the house, rather than the road side. liThe application was reviewed
with regard to the criteria for Site Plan review. 1. Vehicular access is off of Hi 11 man Road and
will not change. 2. Pedestrian circulation will not change. 3. Off street parking is sufficient.
4. Signage or lighting is not a concern. 5. Stormwater drainage will not be affected since this
is a permeable deck. 6. Water and sewage disposal are not an issue. 7. Arrangement of plantings
is not an issue. 8. Emergency access will not be affected. 9. Ponding and erosion are not a concern.1I
MR. CARTIER-Okay. We also have approval from the Warren County Planning Board, with the stipulation
that the deck cannot be enclosed in the future. I'll open the public hearing. Is there anyone here
who'd care to comment on this application?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
MR. BUCKLEY-For the record, I'm Arthur Buckley. I'm the husband of Mrs. Joyce Buckley. Is there any
questions that you people would care to ask me about this?
MR. CARTIER-I don't have any questions at all. I really don't.
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MR. CAIMANO-Any problem with the enclosure?
MR. BUCKLEY-Absolutely not. The fact is, I don't want it enclosed.
MR. CAIMANO-Okay.
MR. BUCKLEY-I'd be glad to sign a protocol regarding that matter, so that it can never be covered or
enclosed.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. We can stipulate that in the motion, and that it be passed on to the Building and
Codes Department. This is a Type II, so it does not require SEQRA Review. If there's no further
comments, 1'11 close the public hearing. Does the Board have any other questions or comments? If
not, we can entertain a motion on this application.
MOTIOlf TO APPROVE SITE PW NO. 50-91 JOYCE AND ART BUCKLEY, Introduced by Nicholas Caimano who moved
for its adoption, seconded by Carol Pulver:
For the addition of a 12 ft. by 12 ft. open deck to provide access for the front of the house. It
is to be stipulated that this deck could not be enclosed in the future.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caímano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
SUBDIVISIOlf NO. 13-1991 FINAL STAGE TYPE: UNLISTED SR-lA ROSAIRE GAUDREAU OIlNER: SAME AS ABOVE
NORTH SIDE OF FULLER ROAD, JUST OFF lEST NT. ROAD FOR A 2 LOT SUBDIVISION. TAX MAP NO. 88-1-20 LOT
SIZE: 2 ACRES SECTION: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
LEON STEVES, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Subdivision No. 13-1991, Rosaire Gaudreau, 10-11-91, Meeting Date: October
22, 1991 IIIf all engineering comments have been addressed and drainage easements satisfied; then the
final approval is recommended. A final plat with the easements indicated should be presented to the
Planning Department.1I
MR. CARTIER-And Engineering Comments, please.
ENGINEER REPORT
Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, October 18, 1991 IlWe have reviewed the project
and all previous engineering comments have been satisfactorily addressed."
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. Mr. Steves?
MR. STEVES-No comment.
MR. CARTIER-This is, okay, Final Stage, SEQRA has been done, public hearing's been done. If no one
has any questions or comments, we can entertain a motion, and we have a request from Staff that a Final
Plat be issued with the easements shown. You may want to make that a stipulation.
MR. STEVES-It has been done.
MR. CARTIER-It has been done already?
MR. STEVES-It has been done.
MR. CARTIER-And the Department has a copy? Thank you very much.
MOTION TO APPROVE FINAL STAGE SUBDIVISION 10. 13-1991 ROSAIRE GAUDREAU, Introduced by James Martin
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Nicholas Caimano:
For a 2 lot subdivision.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
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SITE PINt NO. 51-91 TYPE: UNLISTED LI-lA DR. RANDALL S. LOCKHART OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE FOR OFFICE
EXPANSION FOR LOCKHART CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE. (BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE) (WARREN COUNTY PLAflNING)
TAX MAP NO. 107-1-4.2, 36 LOT SIZE: 0.65 ACRES SECTION 179-79, 179-26
KURT DYBAS, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Senior Planner, Site Plan Review No. 51-91, Dr. Randall S. Lockhart, 10-21-91,
Meeting Date: October 22, 1991 "The request is for an expansion of a Chiropractic Center on Homer
Avenue. The applicant has already received an area variance to allow the expansion. The application
was reviewed with regard to the site plan criteria. 1. Vehicular access is provided from Homer Avenue.
Since there are two entrances the Board may want to consider one way in and one way out to avoid traffic
conflicts. The use would not appear to create an influx of traffic at the same time, however. II But
if there's ever future occupancy of this building, you might want to consider that. "2. Pedestrian
access appears adequate. 3. Off street parking and loading appear sufficient. Handicapped parking
has been provided for. II A consideration might be that handicapped parking be moved closer to the main
entrance. However, in this type of business, I think most of the people entering are probably in some
form handicapped. So, I didn't really get to detailed in my discussions. "4. The location, arrangement
and size of the building are not a concern. The lighting is existing. 5. The storm water drainage
will be reviewed by the engineer. 6. Sewage disposal adequacy will be reviewed by the engineer.
7. The Beautification Committee has submitted a report on the planting plans. Since this is a light
industrial zone, noise impacts of a health clinic would not appear to be a concern. 8. Fire, and
emergency access are not a problem. 9. Erosion control standards should be used during construction. II
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. Engineering Comments, please.
ENGINEERING REPORT
Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, October 15, 1991 "We have reviewed the project
and have the following engineering comments: 1. Handicapped parking should be located adjacent to
the building entrances. 2. The driveway at the west side of the site is between 10-12' wide and is
therefore only wide enough for I-way traffic. Signage and pavement marking should be provided indicating
I-way traffic direction or 20 foot wide travel lanes for 2-way traffic should be provided. 3. With
Regards to the Stormwater Management: a. The grading plan is unclear on how the paved areas will
drain to the proposed infiltration basins. Spot elevations should be provided to ensure positive
drainage from added impermeable areas to the basins. b. Test pits, indicating depths to groundwater,
at the stormwater management basins should be provided to ensure the groundwater will not interfere
with the recharge of water in the basin. Time of the year testing was performed and depth of perc
test hole should also be indicated. c. The depths of the basins used in the calculations of storage
volume indicate that the storage of stormwater would occur up to elevation of 313. However, if
stormwater were actually allowed to be stored to elevation 313 the parking and driveway areas would
become flooded. Stormwater should be contained within the limits of the basins provided. d. The
methodology used in the computation of additional stormwater runoff generated is not clear. However,
the proposed storage volume to be provided appears to be adequate. 3. The change in permeability
from crushed stone (semi-permeable) to asphalt (impermeable) should be considered in the stormwater
calculations. 4. Snow removal should be addressed. Areas other than SWM facilities should be available
for snow removal, or it should be stipulated on the plan that snow be removed from the site.1I
MR. CARTIER-We have approval from the Beautification Committee, with comments. We have approval from
Warren County Planning Board without comments. Mr. Dybas, would you care to address the Board, please.
MR. DYBAS- Yes. My name is Kurt Dybas from the fi rm of Cushi ng Dybas Assoc i ates , and I'm here to
represent Dr. Lockhart.
MR. CAIMANO-My first question is, I do use Dr. Lockhart, and the current front door of the current
building, when you have inclement weather, whether it's heavy rain or whether it's snow, is under water.
He has to use a pump to clear the sidewalk. How is this going to effect that, and what are we going
to do?
MR. DYBAS-We are aware of that problem. He has pointed that out to us, and that entire area is going
to be re-graded and that sidewalk raised.
MR. CAIMANO-Okay. Are we in a water plane of some kind, a creek bed or something?
MR. CARTIER-I think you've got shallow soils here. I think the bedrock's up pretty high here, if I
recall. Does that answer your question?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-So, you don't have a lot of place for water to go.
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MR. CAIMANO-Right. Well, there seems to be a lot of questions that the engineer has. Do you want
to address those, Kurt?
MR. DYBAS-Number One raised was the handicapped parking. I think Mrs. York addressed that. The driveway
situation, we are trying to re-use the two existing curb cuts, the east and the west, and if the Board
so desires, it can be designated one way traffic. Currently, the patient load is such that, really,
there's no problem with entrance and egress from the site.
MR. CAIMANO-But you have tenants, though, right, upstairs?
MR. DYBAS-There are tenants upstairs.
MR. CARTIER-Let me go back to handicapped, though, because that's the first thing that hit me when
I looked at this design is handicapped's way back in the corner, and given the fact that most of the
people who are going to walk in here are going to have some problems, hopefully, and when they come
out they won't, but it seems to me handicapped should be designated close to the entrances, simply
because somebody's going to show up in really tough shape and they need easy access to that.
MR. DYBAS-The Ordinance has calculated, I believe we needed 35 spaces. There's 36 show on that site
plan. By locating the handicapped in proximity to the entrance, you would, basically, lose the one
space on that one run, so you would be back down to the 35 spaces.
MR. CARTIER-Okay, but we're still within the Ordinance.
MR. DYBAS-You're still within the Ordinance.
MR. CARTIER-And it would be much more convenient for somebody with a handicapping condition to get
into and out of that building.
MRS. PULVER-But if you have two people, and that place is taken, you know, the guy's got to go, you
know, who's to say the most handicapped person is going to be in that site when the next handicapped
person comes in?
MR. CARTIER-That's true, but my point is, look at where these are. They're as far away as you can
get from the building.
MR. MARTIN-I think, if it's not much of a hardship, they should be moved closer to the building.
MR. DYBAS-Other than losing a space, I mean, they can be moved. We just tried to optimize the parking
on the site.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Engineering Comments.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. He's got to go through all the stormwater management and Number Four.
MR. DYBAS-Okay. Number Three, regarding the stormwater management. We have had a survey done. There
are spot elevations, I believe, on the two copies of Leon Steves survey that were included, just not
the middle of the drawing, we did not include all of those. The final paving will have to be spot
graded. The site is virtually flat. The primary portion of the site is 313, and to get any type of
drainage, you're going to be down to minimum slopes, but it can be made such to drainage toward the
retention basins. The rain water off the roof would be run directly into the basin adjacent to the
building to the west. Test pits, again, both on the site plan, it's noted the location that the perc
test was taken. I believe it was four minutes and so many seconds, as far as the perc. The perc was
performed when the site survey was done.
MR. CAlMANO-Which was when, what time of year?
MR. DYBAS-The date, I believe, is on that site. I don't have it.
MR. YARMOWICH-It's July '91.
MR. DYBAS-Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, is it on the drawing or not?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, no. It doesn't say when the perc test was taken. It says what the date of the
survey was.
MR. DYBAS-The date of the survey is when it was performed.
MR. YARMOWICH-And from Mr. Dybas, we can say that that's July '91.
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MR. CARTIER-Tom, does this need another go around, as far as you're concerned? Do you still need some
more information before you can sign off on this thing?
MR. YARMOWICH-The elevation of the water appears to be elevation 310, and they're looking at recharging
down at an elevation of 311, some 50 feet, 60 feet away. There's some question in my mind as to whether
or not groundwater's going to be a problem for this particular design. I think they should confirm
that. Whether or not that can be done here, maybe Mr. Dybas is prepared to answer the rest of these.
MR. DYBAS-I'm, obviously, not prepared to answer the depth to groundwater, because the perc was done
at standard depth, and no test hole was taken in the area of retention basins.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So what's your pleasure, here? Ed, feel free to comment on this, with your
engineering background, here.
MR. DYBAS-We assumed that the groundwater would be no higher than the water in the creek, or Halfway
Brook, I believe.
MR. CARTIER-Do we need another look at this, from an engineering standpoint?
MR. YARMOWICH-I think it's my opinion that the grading plan needs a little more definition with some
spot elevations to show, in fact, that the volume which is proposed for stormwater management can be
obtained without creating other problems in the parking lot. It's based on an elevation which appears
to flood some of the parking lot, and because of the use here, we're real concerned about winter time
conditions. Snow removal, also, is an element I think that maybe either now or if this project doesn't
move, should be dealt with.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. What I'm hearing is, if we go for an approval, here, we're going to attach a lot
of conditions, and I think we seem to be trying to get away from conditional approvals. Is that correct?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes, but can I ask one more question? Did you, Kurt, on this Number Two, did we decide
that we're going to go one way in, one way out, or we're going to forget that?
MR. LAPOINT-Well, it's been vague. I mean, I'm still vague on the handicapped parking.
MRS. PULVER-They will move it. They said they will move it.
MR. CARTIER-I think the direction is, we're going to move the handicapped parking to the entrances.
We're going to get it out in the corner.
MR. MARTIN-And he did consent to one way, I thought.
MR. CARTIER-If we want it.
MR. DYBAS-If the Board desires one way. I mean, the current driveway to the east serves both directions.
If the Board wants one way, it can be one way. I don't see where it's going to be a problem on the
site.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. DYBAS-I'd like to come back to the question.
MR. CARTIER-Hold on. Lets finish that one off.
MR. CARTIER-Does the Board want to see one way ingress, one way egress?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So, that answers that.
MR. CAlMANO-Well, he has to, otherwise he's got to widen the lane.
MR. CARTIER-Right. Okay.
MR. DYBAS-Or it can be widened, that's the Board's pleasure.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, it seems to me it would be easier to swing around, but it's up to you. I don't care
MR. CARTIER-I think he wants a definite answer, though.
MR. LAPOINT-Again, it's the applicant's choice whether you have one way through or widen the driveway.
We'll take either or, and you tell us.
MR. DYBAS-We'll leave the curb cuts as is and go with one way through.
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MR. CARTIER-Okay. That one's taken care of.
MR. DYBAS-Now, site elevations. I think this survey does not extend off the parcel, obviously, but
if you flood at 313, I think you're flooding a lot more than just this parking lot in this particular
area, and with the proximity to the stream and everything else, I think we're going to flood the entire
basin down there if we get to 313.
MR. YARMOWICH-No. That elevation 313, as I understand it, is based on the amount of runoff that's
going to be generated from this site. I think the way to clarify that, and what I'm seeing here is,
there is that there is more information that I would want to see, a drainage plan showing the various
drainage areas, by indicating precisely what the limits of drainage are or which direction it's going
to flow and providing spot elevations on your grading plan. Because the site is so flat, contours
alone can't reveal that to me. That's what I would like to see, a drainage basin plan, individual
small drainage basins. I'm not convinced that a lot of these additional impermeable areas are even
going to make it to the stormwater management area, in particular, the new pavement to the west of
the site. It appears as though that may drain to the west and never really go through any functional
controls.
MR. CARTIER-Do you have the direction you need from Engineering Staff?
MR. DYBAS-Other than timing, I think we just crunched it for this Fall. I'm looking for a means to
expedite the project. Obviously, this is November 1st.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay, but I'm confused again. You said a moment ago that there were some elevations, just
contours are what you're talking about, right?
MR. DYBAS-There are contours and some spot elevations. What is being requested is a detailed spot
by spot elevation through all the parking areas to plot or indicate.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, I don't think that's what he's asking for. I think he's asking for spots.
MR. DYBAS-That's what, I hear what he's asking for.
MR. YARMOWICH-I am requesting more detail. What I am requesting is a map of this site broken down
into drainage areas with enough information to show that all your impermeable areas that you're creating
are going to be dealt with by these stormwater management facilities. Because of the subtle grades
out there, I can't determine that from this plan.
MR. DYBAS-Yes. So, I understand you correctly. You're looking for detailed spot elevations.
MR. YARMOWICH-To the level necessary to show that, that's correct.
MR. DYBAS-Right.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. So, we're going to see a revised drawing showing handicapped moved, one way ingress
egress, and engineering, drainage concerns, stormwater management concerns addressed, and some statement
to the effect of how you're going to deal with snow. Have I left anything out?
MR. DYBAS-One question. We're talking about added impervious areas?
MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MR. DYBAS-Added. Okay.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Before we're finished, let me open the public hearing. Is there anyone who would
care to address this application?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
MR. CARTIER-Okay. I'll leave the public hearing open. We might as well wait and do SEQRA on this
when we get the finished product. Mr. Dybas, do you agree to table this application?
MR. CAIMANO-Well, before we go any further, are we sure, are we clear, does Mr. Dybas have, for example,
D of Three says Tom was looking for the methodology and the computations.
MRS. PULVER-Well, he's going to take them with him, so.
MR. YARMOWICH-No. I believe I've asserted to myself that the volume that they will provide, as stated
on this plan, is going to be okay for the increase in permeable area.
MR. CAIMANO-So, D is out.
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MR. YARMOWICH-The reason that that comment is there is the previous comment, which says that elevation
313 may cause other site problems, and this design is based on 313. If this volume is changed in order
to accommodate a different design condition which may be necessary based on available site grades,
it's a very flat site. I wanted them to be aware that there was some question about the methodology.
MR. CAIMANO-All right. Okay. So D is out. E, I have a question for you. We sit here on this Board,
I don't know about the other five members, but we have always gone under the assumption that crushed
stone and asphalt, for our purposes, were to be the same.
MR. YARMOWICH-That's correct.
MR. CAlMANO-You're not changing that with this?
MR. CARTIER-He couldn't change that, anyway. We would be the ones to change it.
MR. YARMOWICH-What I'm saying is that the existing condition here is crushed stone, and they're changing
it to impermeable, okay, so when you change existing from gravel to pavement, gravel to asphalt, there
is an increase in runoff as a result of that. It is the practice of the Town to require everyone to
consider new areas as asphalt, so that when they do get paved in the future, there will be an adequate
facility to accommodate that.
MR. CAIMANO-Okay.
MR. DYBAS-But that's not what that says.
MR. CAIMANO-No. I know that.
MR. DYBAS-For the means of our approach, we consider it all as the same.
MR. YARMOWICH-No, you can't. Your existing condition is a semi-pervious surface. Your proposed
condition will be an impervious surface.
MR. CARTIER-I understand what you're saying now, okay.
MR. DYBAS-I'm sorry, but I still, as far as I'm concerned, in calculations, crushed stone, concrete,
asphalt are all the same. This is the way we've done it for years in the Town of Queensbury.
MR. YARMOWICH-The existing condition is gravel in part, is that correct?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes, but he assumed it was concrete.
MR. YARMOWICH-It is not concrete. The existing condition is a semi pervious situation, and you must
manage runoff from the existing condition to the proposed condition.
MR. CAIMANO-Yes, but he's managing for worst case condition, is what he's saying.
MR. YARMOWICH-No. In his existing condition, it's assumed that it's impervious and not semi-pervious.
MRS. PULVER-But he said he figured it on the asphalt.
MR. CARTIER-We have treated crushed stone as an impermeable surface in this Town, with the full
understanding that there was some permeability to it, and I think what Tom is saying is you have to
take into account the fact that some water was draining through this semi-permeable surface, even though
you are changing it, now, to an impermeable surface, and you have to deal with that. I understand
what you're saying, Mr. Dybas. You're caught in a kind of Catch-22, here.
MR. DYBAS-I can remember, three, four years ago, this came around, and it came from the Board that,
from now on, crushed stone, a hard surface was a hard surface, it didn't matter, whether it was crushed
stone, concrete, asphalt, and this is the premise that we have designed on for three or four years
now.
MR. CARTIER-Yes, but the rationale behind that was that it would, you couldn't count crushed stone
as green space or permeable surface, okay.
MR. DYBAS-That's right.
MR. CARTIER-So, we're treating them as kind of two different situations here. I would tend to go along
with Tom, in terms of what he's, not tend, I would go along with Tom in his rationale, it says, okay,
you are, in fact, in the real world, going from a slightly permeable surface to an impermeable surface,
even though the Town considers what is in reality a slightly permeable surface to be an impermeable
surface.
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MR. CAIMANO-Having said that, the question is, so what? The sky is high.
MR. CARTIER-The point is, if I'm understanding Tom, is that Mr. Dybas has to take that into consideration
when he does a stormwater management runoff study on this.
MR. CAIMANO-But he's already done that.
MRS. PULVER-Right.
MR. DYBAS-No, but for the purpose of the calculations, it's already been taken as the same.
MR. CARTIER-I thought I was clarifying things. If I'm just confusing the issue, I'll stop. Okay,
any other questions or comments?
MR. LAPOINT-Just 20 seconds, just to simplify this whole thing, if you were to show a grading plan
for this west parking lot, that somehow brought it around the building, into that retention basin,
that covers virtually all of these engineering comments, correct?
MR. YARMOWICH-I guess, if I can just for a moment, for Mr. Caimano and Mr. Dybas, there is an area
of crushed stone involved. I want to stop and say that I concur. The addition, the increase in paved
area or building roof coverage is 5,777 square feet. In addition to that, there are several thousand
square feet of existing crushed stone that will become asphalt paving, and that is not included in
that 5,777. I feel that that additional area of crushed stone which will become paved needs to be
included in the runoff that's generated from this site. Does that clarify what I'm talking about?
MR. DYBAS-Well, I think we're talking the same thing, Tom, just different wavelengths. What I'm saying
is, in the calculations, when you go down through redeveloped site, the paved area, including walks,
includes that area which is now crushed stone and is paved over, as a hard surface in the calculations.
MR. YARMOWICH-No. it does not. I disagree with you, is what I'm trying to say. The area of the
building, plus the area of new asphalt paving totals, less the area of concrete sidewalks to be removed,
5777 square feet. In addition to that, there are several thousan.d square feet of existing crushed
stone which will become asphalt.
MR. DYBAS-But, in comparing the existing to the proposed, we addressed the crushed stone as a hard
surface, for means of calculations. Whether or not it's crushed stone now or it's paved now, we
considered it a hard surface, because it goes back to the premise that I mentioned to the Board. For
three or four years, we've been considering crushed stone and asphalt as the same thing, as far as
calculations. It's been a requirement of the zoning.
MR. YARMOWICH-I suggest that perhaps we get together and resolve precisely what the basis of the
stormwater management design is and how your methodology is going to apply, if we don't, right now,
agree on what the situation of this crushed stone and asphalt, I think that's the best way to resolve
it, if the Board would direct us that way.
MR. CARTIER-Does anybody care to sit around and listen to two engineers argue?
MR. DYBAS-No.
MR. CAIMANO-Not me.
MR. CARTIER-That being the case, I think your comment is well taken, in that you can get together and
work this out among yourselves. Okay. Mr. Dybas, would you agree to table this application?
MR. DYBAS-Yes, I would.
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. I'll leave the public hearing open, and we will conduct a SEQRA the next time
around. We need to entertain a motion to table.
MOTION TO TABLE SITE PlAN NO. 51-91 DR. RANDALL S. LOCKHART, Introduced by James Martin who moved
for its adoption, seconded by Carol Pulver:
Pending clarification of engineering issues. I further stipulate that the handicapped parking be shown
on the revised plan as closer to the entrance. Two, that one way ingress and egress be shown on the
plan, and that the snow removal situation on the site be addressed.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
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MR. MARTIN-Long.
RESOWTION NO. 14-1991, Introduced by Nicholas Caimano who moved for its adoption, seconded by James
Martin:
WHEREAS, there is presently before the Planning Board an application for: a tw lot subdivision, by
DANIEL D. LEWIS, Dream Lake, Sunnyside Road to Drea. Lake right-of-way, and
WHEREAS, this Planning Board has determined that the proposed project and Planning Board action is
subject to review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED:
1. No federal agency is involved.
2. The following agencies are involved:
NONE
3. The proposed project and Planning Board action considered by this Board is unlisted in the Department
of Environmental Quality Review Act and the regulations of the Town of Queensbury.
4. An Environmental Assessment Form has been completed by the applicant.
5. Having considered and thoroughly analyzed the relevant areas of environmental concern and having
considered the criteria for determining whether a project has a significant environmental impact
as the same is set forth in Section 617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that the action about to be undertaken
by this Board will have no significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the Planning Board
is hereby authorized to execute and sign and file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance
or a negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
MR. CARTIER-Okay. We can entertain a motion with regard to the Preliminary application. We're talking
about a waiver from two foot contours, and if you should desire, a stipulation with regard to clearing
access for emergency vehicles.
MOTION 10 APPROVE PRELIMIflARY STAGE SUBDIVISION NO. 14-1991 DANIEL D. LEWIS, Introduced by James Martin
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Nicholas Caimano:
With the following stipulation: That the proper clearance be shown for emergency vehicle access on
the final plat and also a waiver to the two foot contour requirement is hereby granted. A waiver
regarding the stormwater management report also be granted.
Duly adopted this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin, Mr. Caimano, Mr. Brewer, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Cartier
NOES: NONE
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Bits and pieces. You have a letter in front of you, I believe, from Bob Joy with
regard to Dexter Shoe, that's the one on the west side of Route 9 at the light, entertaining the idea
of an expansion. They would like to meet with us, briefly, at a workshop session for either us to
give them some direction or for them to give us some direction. I'm not sure which it is. Are you
amenable to meeting next November one half hour early? Let me back up a minute. Queensbury Factory
Outlet, have they already formally applied for variances?
MRS. YORK-Yes, they have.
MRS. PULVER-Where is the Queensbury Factory Outlet?
MR. CARTIER-The Queensbury Factory Outlet, Jon Lapper and Company, down here, across from Grand Union.
MRS. PULVER-Okay. All right. So, November 19th we're meeting at 6:30?
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SUBDIVISION NO. 14-1991 PRELIMINARY STAGE TYPE: UNLISTED RR-3A DANIEL D. LEIIIS OWNER: DANIEL
D. LEWIS DREAM lAKE, SUNNYSIDE ROAD TO DREAM lAKE (RIGHT-OF-WAY) FOR A TIIJ LOT SUBDIVISION. TAX
MP NO. 50-1-1 LOT SIZE: 9.52 ACRES SECTION: SUBDIVISION REGUlATIONS
CHARLES NACY, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Lee A. York, Senior Planner, Subdivision No. 14-1991, Daniel Lewis, 10-21-91, Meeting Date:
October 22, 1991 liThe applicant intends to subdivide a ± 9.5 acre parcel in an RR-JA zone into two
lots. The lots will be conveyed to the children of the owner. The applicant has received a variance
to subdivide without frontage on a Town Road. One lot will access a right of way which appears to
be an extension of Sunnyside North. The other lot will access a gravel drive which is a right of way
which accesses the lot adjacent to Dream Lake Road. This development should not negatively impact
the traffic. The area is substantially wooded and the plans indicate that the area cleared will be
minimal. A concern is the emergency vehicle access. That is why it is required to develop on a Town
Road. The driveway on lot 2 is ± 350 feet in length. A turn around is provided. The width appears
to be 15 feet. The Board may want to request that clearing be maintained so that snow removal will
not prohibit emergency access. There are no other planning concerns. I agree that a waiver from the
two foot contours and drainage report should be provided given the size of the lots and the limits
of clearing. II
MR. CARTIER-Thank you. Engineering Comments, please.
ENGINEER REPORT
Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, October 15, 1991 IIWe have reviewed the project
and have the following engineering comments: 1. A waiver has been requested from providing a SWM
report. Because the increase in runoff from the site will likely be minimal, it is recommended that
a SWM waiver be granted. II
MR. NACY-Good evening. My name is Charles Nacy from Scudder Associates. I am here on behalf of the
applicant, Daniel Lewis, and I think that the Staff Comments probably substantially describe this
project, two lots dividing approximately nine and a half acres. If there are any questions that the
Board might have, we'd like to address them.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Does the Board have any questions? We are at Preliminary. Is there anything beyond
the comments made by Staff with regard to clearing and the waiver request that needs to be incorporated
in a Final application?
MR. CAIMANO-What about the emergency vehicle access?
MR. CARTIER-Yes, that's what I mean, the clearance.
MR. CAIMANO-There's a question about the emergency vehicle access.
MR. NACY-Okay. Well, obviously, it's in an area which is accessed, now, basically, in the summer.
Lot One would have no problems, we believe, with access for an emergency vehicle. The road is a big
gravel road now, and with a driveway, there should be no problem. Lot Two will be accessed by the
long driveway coming off of another right-of-way, which is not quite in as good repair as the first
one we talked about. Upon the construction or prior to the construction of anything on Lot Two, it
would be, obviously, in the interest of the builder of Lot Two to do whatever is necessary to improve
the road, so that they have access themselves and maintain it in such a fashion that they will not
only have access to their own residence, but have provisions for any type of emergency vehicle.
MR. CARTIER-Not only in the summer time when it's being used, but also in the winter time.
MR. NACY-But in the winter time, that's correct, and it's understood that this would require plowing
wide enough to allow not only access but turn around areas for these particular vehicles.
MR. CARTIER-Okay. Does the Board have any other questions or comments? I'll open the publ ic hearing.
Is there anyone here who would care to comment on this application?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO COtlÅ’NT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. CARTIER-We need to do a SEQRA Review.
MR. CAIMANO-Short?
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MRS. YORK-I'm sorry, Mr. Cartier, I'm not absolutely sure they have submitted something at this point
in time.
MR. CARTIER-All right. My question was going to be, then, given the fact that they are coming in
seeking, two variances, three variances?
MRS. YORK-There would be a number of them, I believe three.
MR. CARTIER-A number of variances for that property, I wonder if this Board would be amenable to meeting
with them in workshop session to give them some direction. This is the commercial center of town.
My understanding is that they are looking for a variance with regard to permeability. They have 20
percent. They're looking for less than 20 for setbacks and I forget what else. Given the fact that
this is, in fact, the commercial center of town, it's already heavily impacted by other things. I
don't even know if these guys are willing to come in, but I sure would like to get a handle on this
thing, prior to their going through any formal process. Would you be willing to do that?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MRS. PULVER-Yes. I would just like to make one comment about the workshop session for Bob Joy, though.
I don't really like to have a workshop session prior to our normal meeting, in case there are some
complications and it goes longer than the designated half hour. Nothing gets resolved, and then it
would either put the meeting behind or add it at the end of the meeting.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, we'd have to cut him off when we start the meeting.
MRS. PULVER-Yes, but if you're going to have it, why not just have it, then, for him, rather than trying
to sandwich it all in.
MR. MARTIN-I agree. We've done this in the past, and I'd be willing to come in on a separate night
for maybe these two combined.
MRS. PULVER-Yes. I like that.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, I just want to make sure that this is a workshop with the intentions you have in
mind, Pete, because I happen to know, from another direction, this project has been kicking around
for quite some time. What I don't want to do is to have a so called workshop in which you and Jim,
especially, your intent is of the purest motives, to help these people, when in fact it is an attempt
to, potential attempt to usurp the normal meeting. That's all I want to be aware of.
MR. CARTIER-No. Let me be very up front. I'm very concerned with the fact that in the commercial
center of town, in what is already, as far as I'm concerned, a property that needs some considerable
improvement, when you drive by that, you see the backs of buildings, and I know that their previous
approval, additional buildings, you would continue to see backs of buildings from Route 9.
MR. CAIMANO-Okay.
MR. CARTIER-All I'm trying to get at is I don't want these guys to go through a very, long drawn out
process and then come to us and we say, forget it, go back and redesign it. I'm trying to get these
guys in on an informal basis, first, and make them aware of our concerns. I have some concerns and
I hope the rest of thi s Board wi 11 also have some concerns about thi s, because I know we had talked
about this in the past, the original approval that lapsed, that they failed to get unlapsed, included
things like tearing up pavement and getting it back to 30 percent perm, and putting in some trees and
redoing the parking and making that thing look decent, because it's in the middle of town. When I
hear them coming in for three variances, maybe more, my concern is, we're looking at a piece of property
that they're going to try to get maxed out again, and we've already gotten burned on a maxed out piece
of property, okay.
MR. CAlMANO-Okay.
MRS. PULVER-So, lets pick a night.
MR. LAPOINT-How about the 12th?
MRS. PULVER-Is a Tuesday okay for everybody?
MR. CARTIER-When's election day, the 5th?
MRS. PULVER-Yes. So, it's got to be the 12th.
MR. CARTIER-Tuesday the 12th, at seven o'clock?
MR. MARTIN-Fine.
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MR. CARTIER-I'll tell you what. Suppose we put Dexter Shoe on for 7 p.m. and Queensbury Factory Outlet
on for 8 p.m. Does that make sense?
MRS. PULVER-Or second.
MR. BREWER-Can we get something to remind us about it?
MR. CAIMANO-Yes.
MR. BREWER-A letter or something.
MR. LAPOINT-They ought to come at least, you know, sketches or.
MR. CARTIER-Who's "they"? Dexter or both?
MR. LAPOINT-Both. They have to come to us with some kind of concept of what they want to do, am I
correct?
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MR. CARTIER-Yes, something on paper.
MR. LAPOINT-Something on paper we can look at, maybe even in advance of.
MRS. PULVER-Maybe even two or three different concepts.
MR. CARTIER-Yes, but also, understand, as far as I'm concerned, at least with regard to the Queensbury
Factory Outlet, I want to get them in here for them to hear .!:!!., and much as, if not more, than the
other way around, okay.
MRS. PULVER-All right. So, it's November 12th.
MR. CARTIER-Lee, could you draft a letter to, and send a letter out to Queensbury Factory Outlet and
let them know our intent and that we'd like to see them. If they have already applied for variances,
that's a wash out, as far as I'm concerned.
MRS. YORK-Okay.
MR. YARMOWICH- The consul tant from the Dexter Shoe factory has already made contact wi th me, just to
go over the basic ground rules for site plan.
MR. CARTIER-Through the Planning Department?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, no, they knew of my role, and did contact me by telephone, and we've only briefly
discussed it, to this point.
MR. CAIMANO-Well, that's why I'm concerned about it, because I have already been contacted, about a
month ago, by the Marketing Department, saying that the thing is complete and that we're going to be
doing some additional advertising.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, see, again, all of us don't have that knowledge base, apparently a few guys here
know what the heck's going on. I have no idea what they want to do, absolutely none.
MR. MARTIN-I have none, either. I have no idea.
MR. CARTIER-Well, that's what the workshop session's going to do, is we'll all start with the same
basic information from that point.
MR. MARTIN-November 12th at 7 o'clock.
MRS. YORK-November 12th at 7 o'clock, and you want to see the Dexter people first and then the Queensbury
Factory Outlet at 8 o'clock.
MR. CARTIER-Lets do it this way. Get Dexter for seven. Get Queensbury Factory for seven thirty, and
if we run over seven thirty, it's no problem. Okay. December meetings have been changed. One December
meeting has been changed. They are now scheduled for 12/17 and 12/19. That's to avoid Christmas eve.
Okay. Paul, do you want to tal k to us about legal services? Do we need to go into Executive Session
for that?
MR. DUSEK-Is there anything to discuss, at this point? I don't think so.
MR. CARTIER-Well, you want to give us a date, you said.
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MR. DUSEK-I could, you know, very easily, once I get all the dates tied down, I could just contact
the Board.
MR. CARTIER-Okay.
MR. DUSEK-I thought just send a memo out to the Board, rather than tie you up tonight.
MR. MARTIN-Excellent.
MR. CARTIER-Has anybody got anything else? I guess not.
On motion meeting was adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Peter Cartier, Chairman
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