1992-09-17
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Subdivision No. 10-1992
FINAL STAGE
Subdivision No. 11-1992
FINAL STAGE
Site Plan No. 41-92
Site Plan No. 39-92
Site Plan No. 42-92
Site Plan No. 43-92
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OUEBNSBURY PLANNING BOARD IIBBTING
FIRST RBGUIAR IIBBTING
SEP'l!E1IBBR 17m, 1992
INDBX
Estate of Denton - Karen Johns 1.
J. Buckley Bryan, Jr. 7.
Hugh & Karen Sinclair 8.
Dr. Kook Jung 14.
Richard & Irene Bell 25.
John Shaw/Elizabeth Gaulin 26.
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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(JUBENSBURY PLAlINING B01UlD BETING
FIRST REGULAR BETING
SEPTEllBER 17TH, 1992
7:02 P.II.
1IB1IBERS PRESENT
JAMES MARTIN, CHAIRMAN
CAROL PULVER, SECRETARY
ROGER RUEL
CRAIG MACEWAN
CORINNE TARANA
TIMOTHY BREWER
1IE1IBERS ABSENT
EDWARD LAPOINT
SENIOR PLAlINER- LEE YORK
PIANNER-SCOTT HARLICKER
'l'OIiN A'l"l'ORNEY-PAUL DUSEK
STENOGRAPHER-MARIA GAGLIARDI
MR. MARTIN-We'll follow through the agenda, with a brief deviation, here, in the
beginning. I just wanted to catch the Board up on some correspondence we've
received in the past month, or maybe I've received alone, I don't know. I like
to keep you abreast of these things. First of all, everybody got a copy from
George Zurlo tonight, representing Claude Charlebois. He's basically asking for
an extension of his approval. I think it would be best that we maybe take this
up at a meeting next week, give everybody a chance to read this, and we'll deal
with it either Tuesday or Thursday night. Does that sound good to everybody?
. Okay. So, I just wanted to call that to your attention. The other thing I call
to your attention, just to make sure you saw it, is Bob parisi's memo regarding
the conditional approvals.
MRS. PULVER-No.
MR. BREWER-I didn't see that..
MR. MARTIN-Okay. That's why I bring it up, then. I have a copy here. You're
welcome to review it. We can have some extra copies made, maybe, and distribute
them again. Okay. The other thing is, I got a memorandum from Dan Kane over
at the County Planning Office, regarding a teleconference for October 21st, November
9th and December 9th. This is a teleconference which is organized by the New
York State Office of Rural Affairs and will consist of three live two hour programs
featuring Planning and Zoning Officials from around the State and will be broadcast
via satellite from Albany to approximately 30 locations. Adirondack Community
College is hooked into the satellite linkage here and I believe they're going
to be held there. Do you have anything on this, Lee?
MRS. YORK-No. I haven't seen that.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. What it's going to consist of is a mock Zoning Board of Appeals
public hearing on area and use variances and zoning interpretation. That'll be
the 21st of October, but I think the second thing that may be more to our interest,
Planning Board review of site plan reviews and special permits, on November 9th.
So, what they'll present, I believe, is a mock site plan review.
MRS. PULVER-What time are these given?
MR. MARTIN-Will begin at 7 p.m. and end about 9 p.m. Again, I'll pass this around
for everybody's review. The third one will be consolidation of municipal services
will be discussed at December 9th. Additional information may be obtained from
the Adirondack Community College and the Office of Rural Mfairs, and I'll pass
this around for everybody to look at.
MRS. YORK-If you'd like, Mr. Chairman, I can make copies and mail them to all
the members?
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MR. MARTIN-Okay. All right. Yes. If you could do that, also, with Bob Parisi's
memo of 9/15. Some people don't have it. Okay, and then something we can also
discuss more, I've got a copy of a short memo from Bob Parisi to Mike Brandt,
regarding a potential problem with Hudson pointe P.U.D., regarding the 25 percent
open space requirement. I'll pass this along, too, and Lee, I think, can make
a copy of that, and that we can certainly, it will be part of the discussion at
our workshop next week, and that's all the correspondence I had. We have another
issue that I've talked to you briefly about last night at our site visits, Paul's
here tonight to speak to us about. It's Inspiration Park. They have a unique
situation with the construction of their infrastructure, meaning the roads, and
the general completion of the overall project, the financing of that. I guess
the thing is they want to be able to do things concurrently, rather than putting
the road all in and then starting construction. I believe that's the basic, simple
premise. Paul's here to bring us up to date on that, and we're going to deviate
slightly from the agenda, just to handle this. It shouldn't take too long. Okay.
Paul, could you?
MR. DUSEK-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Paul Dusek, for the record. Charles Adams
is also here with Adams and Rich on this project. Adams and Rich made a
presentation to the Town Board last week, whereby they indicated that, normally,
it's been the Town's practice to put in roads first before any building permits
are issued or any buildings in the subdivision lot, Inspiration Park, which would
of course be bound by that same ordinary rule. This particular case, though,
because Inspiration Park, as I understand it, Charles please correct me if I say
anything in error here, but as I understand it, because the property is being
funded in the fashion that it is, through the affordable housing state, that the
wa y the money is alloca ted is it's alloca ted all a t once, and there's an
anticipation that the entire project will be built out, and in point of fact,
the project is sold out, at this point, in terms of commitments for all of the
houses for the project. So, as a result, they came to the Town Board with a request
of, would you waive this requirement that we put in the road before building the
houses. The Town Board gave it some thought, and of course part of the thought
processes consist of the fact of the reason why we have this the way we do. There's
a very good reason in it, and that is that you don't want a subdivision going
in where a bunch of houses are built, and then the Town gets saddled with the
cost of having to put in a road, because you can believe if they put in houses
and people move into those houses, they'll be down here at the Town Board meeting
saying, you've got to now give us a Town Road, which it would have to. Also,
there's a State Law that actually prohibits the building of houses unless they're
on Town roads, or unless there's a bonding mechanism in place, and that's where
Adams & Rich has come in. They said, well, can we bond it so that we can protect
the Town's interest, and go ahead and do the whole project at once? They have
presented a bonding proposal which consisted of a roughed out performance bond
with our names added to it. They also sent me over a roughed out draft of a
contract which, today I worked on and added some more provisions and sent it back
over to their attorney, John Pohl, with a bunch of suggestions for additions to
both the performance bond and the contract. The bottom line is, the reason why
it comes to your Board is, under the law, your Board has to make three decisions
wi th regard to this particular proposal. One is whether you, in your discretion,
feel that bonding is, in fact, appropriate. The second is, is the amount of the
proposed bond appropriate, and the third issue is, is the term of the arrangement
appropriate? In this particular case, the amount of the bond has been set for,
for this part of the bond, for infrastructure completion, it was set for $308,476,
out of which, there's a breakdown of several different items, probably most
important of which are roads and parking, which constitutes $108,252, water line
improvements of $58,723, these are the amounts that are allocated, and then there's
a variety of other costs, such as layout for the site and monument, the lots,
clearing growth, excavation, backfill waste, etc., all of those types of things
are all addressed throughout this agreement. When you put this whole package
together, what it says is that if they do not do what they're supposed to under
this agreement, then the Town or the owner, in the case of Adams & Rich, can come
in and take, or proceed after the company puts out the performance bond, and say,
either you guys arrange to complete this or give us the money that we can complete
this project. Now, of course, what's critical in any of these type of arrangements
is the contract documentation and whatnot to make sure that you can exercise power
that you think you can, in the event that something goes wrong, and that's my
end of it that I'm working on, but in addition to that, what's also important
is that there's enough money there to in fact protect the Town if the project
should be in default, or the roads don't get put in, and in this regard, I sent
information to Paul Naylor and Ralph VanDusen today, requesting their input, as
far as the cost, and whether there's enough money there to protect the Town's
interest. I got a verbal report from Paul Naylor, which was in essence that he
felt, under today's prices, that the
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amount was sufficient for roads. I didn't actually talk to him. My secretary
relayed this to me, and he asked if I wanted it in writing, and I said yes. I
don't have it for you tonight, but I understand that should be coming. I have
not yet heard from Ralph VanDusen, as far as the appropriateness of the water
line cost, but it seemed to me those were logical places to check to see if the
Town interest would be protected, because Paul Naylor's knowledgeable in his area
of roads. Ralph VanDusen is knowledgeable in his area of utili ties. Now, the
other thing I should mention is the fact that, as far as these costs are concerned,
Adams & Rich already have a contract with a construction company for these amounts
that they will in fact put these in. So, that's further, I think, evidence of
the fact that, yes, in fact, that is a reasonable amount, because obviously they
were able to secure a contract for that amount. Now, we always know, of course,
contracts, the amounts can be varied somewhat between the operations. So, that's
why you do a double check, in terms of checking with our folks, which is what
we're already doing. The term of the arrangement, by the way, would be a proposal
for one year. In other words, they would have to complete everything within 365
days from the starting date of the contract, otherwise they would be in default
of the performance bond. The language that I'm proposing in that regard is to
make time of the essence, meaning in terms of law, that the minute the day comes
and goes, and they don't have it complete, then we call, we can sa y they're in
default and take them through the appropriate steps under the performance bond,
in terms of getting the project complete, but as far as the actual terminology
and the contract and all of that, that's part of the second process which, as
I say, I'm involved in, but the Town Board will ultimately approve all of that.
The first step is coming before you folks, as I mentioned, to decide the first
three issues, if you think this is a good idea, discretionary wise, second is
the amount of the bonding going to be appropriate, and in that regard, maybe you
might want to condition your responses on Paul Naylor's response and Ralph
VanDusen's, if you're not personally familiar with the necessary amounts, or any
other suggestions you may have, and last, whether or not you think the term of
one year is a reasonable time period to give them in which to complete the project.
Those are the issues that are before you.
MRS. PULVER-Paul, are you talking the entire project, including the homes, or
just the roads?
MR. DUSEK-All we're concerned about is infrastructure.
MRS. PULVER-All right. So, one year to complete the infrastructure.
MR. DUSEK-But my understanding is, Carol, and Charles, correct me if I'm wrong,
your plan is actually to have the whole project completed before a year, but you
¡.,anted a year just for the sake, because of the danger of being held.
MR. MARTIN-I also think, do you have a performance bond for the whole project?
I think you do.
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
CHARLES ADAMS
MR. ADAMS-Charles Adams. There's a performance bond and a payment bond,
guaranteeing both performance and payment on the entire project, for building,
constructing and delivering 42 houses to 42 families, but what the Town is concerned
with is what Paul has been working so hard on, is just the infrastructure portion
because that's all you're really concerned about.
MR. MARTIN-Right.
MR. ADAMS-Our zoning legislation gave us two years to do the infrastructure, and
again, the requirement being just simply the posting of a bond. The reason we're
appearing here is really not because we want to take a year to do it. We want
to do it in the next 90 days. The purpose for being here is to build these things
concurrently, so these 42 families can be in their homes this year. I think the
important thing there is that these are 42 families. Some of them are now living
with relatives, some of them are now, I think, cancelled their leases and done
this and that, something else, in anticipation of being able to. The entire project
is bonded, and I might add, too, that the other obligees on that performance bond,
it's just not the Town of Queensbury, but it's also the banks who are lending
the money on this. So, this had to go through and clear them so that they could
accept the payment of the performance bond, because they're the ones putting the
$2,700,000.
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MR. BREWER-Would there be CO's issued before the infrastructure was done?
MR. DUSEK-No. In fact, that's one of the terms that I've inserted in the contract.
It was mentioned by the Town Board as well, that, and I think, Charlie, you agreed
to it, that no CO's would be issued for any house until such time as the vote
has been accepted for dedica tion. A further protection, if you will, for the
Town's interest, is also a provision that I've requested be inserted that says
that the Town has no obligation to maintain, no obligation whatsoever regarding
the roads and infrastructure until such time as they are approved by the Town
and accepted for dedication, if that part of the process is necessary. Some of
the utilities, obviously, don't need dedication to the Town, but certainly things
like roads do need to be dedicated, water pipes have to be turned over as part
of the process. I might add this, too, just so you know, your Board is the first
part of the process, although we went to the Town Board first, they started with
that. The Town Board just gave a general feeling that, we don't have a particular
problem wi th this. Go ahead and start the process. your Board's the first step
of the process. The next step is to get the agreements and the performance bonds
in place to the liking of myself and the Town Board, if you guys give the go ahead
here toni ght .
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So, what this is, is this a change to the mylar itself or a
notation made on the mylar, or is this just a?
MR. DUSEK-I don't think that's necessary, Jim, because you're not changing any
plans. It's just a matter of exactly what order the project will be completed
in, as a security in place for the Town.
MR. MARTIN-Okay, and as a practical matter, I
infrastructure's going to go in first to allow you
construction equipment in there and whatever.
would
to get
suspect that the
your materials and
MR. ADAMS-I just want to be really very clear what it is we're not asking for,
because we're not asking for any kind of exception about people moving into houses
without infrastructure in place. We only want the opportunity to start building
the houses before the infrastructure is in place.
MR. MARTIN-It seems just like facilitating a fast track to completion.
MR. ADAMS-That's right.
MR. BREWER-Are we going to set a precedent or anything?
MR. MARTIN-I don't think so. I don't view it as a precedent, necessarily. We
have circumstances here relating to the financing of the project that is clearly
the motivating factor.
MR. DUSEK-I think, though, to answer that, in fairness, whenever !pu do something
new along this line, you do run the risk of somewhat of a precedent setting thing.
I think the Town Board is somewhat aware that that could be a possibility. I'm
certainly aware of it. Let me say this, if, in fact, this comes together the
way I envision it, and Charles saw some of my tough clauses today. He's a little
concerned about the surety company, in terms of, can we reach agreements on all
these issues, but if this comes together the way I envision it, I'm not worried
about it being a precedent, even if it is.
MR. ADAMS-That did come up at the Town Board. They asked, well, gee, if we do
it for Inspiration Park, do we do it for everybody else that meets the same terms
and conditions, and basically people nodded, yes, it's probably the right way
to do it, in order to make projects efficient.
MR. MARTIN-In that regard, we may be plowing new ground and developing alternative
methods of doing this type of a thing that may be perfectly acceptable. This
is no easy thing to do and not very cheap, I would imagine, getting a performance
bond for nearly $3,000,000.
MR. DUSEK-The other thing is, this is, of course, allowed under Town Law. It's
not like it's something that's not covered some place. The only thing I will
mention to you, which I mentioned to the Town Board, in terms of reviewing this
from a legal standpoint, just so that you have all of the facts before you on
this, there is somewhat ofa question, if you look at our own Ordinance, as to
whether or not our own Ordinance, or a t least you could argue tha t there's a
question
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of whether it would allow houses being built without the roads being dedicated.
There's a section of the Code of the Town of Queensbury that has a reading to
it that basically says, all houses to be built on public roads. Then there's
a provision in your Subdivision Regulations which maybe some of you are familiar
wi th, there's a 1i tt1e clause there tha t sa ys no house can be bui1 t except on
a Town highway, see the Zoning Ordinance. The Subdivision Regulations kind of
make it sound like the Town Law's a little tougher, or the Zoning Ordinance is
tougher than what it really is. When you go back and read the Zoning Ordinance,
to me, it doesn't say that he can't build in this fashion, with performance bonds,
especially since if you drop below, the next paragraph, it talks about private
roads, so if you could never do it except on a Town road, then you also discount
the clause that drops right below in the Zoning Ordinance that talks about private,
so you could never build on a private road. When I read all of this together,
in conjunction with State, Town law, I think the performance bonding is acceptable
legal move.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. I just want to call it to your attention, the breakdown of
infrastructure, construction, and the addendum to the contract, the total sa ys
303,476. I think that's a typo. It should be 308. Okay. What I have here is,
this is a copy that was supplied to the Board, that goes through, it's a contract
for construction between the contractor and Adams Rich, and also as the performance
bond information. So, if anybody wants to review that, it's pretty much just
as Paul summarized for us.
MR. DUSEK-To this set of documentation is the expert contract that I am drafting
that'll have to be added, ultimately, the Town Board will have to approve too,
and then also the performance bond that is there, that is what we're seeking to
amend to make sure the Town's interests are protected.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So, what you need from this Board tonight, before we get into
a general discussion, here, or take any questions, what do you need from us, a
resolution?
MR. DUSEK-I think a resolution, because it is a Board action that we'd need, and
you need to do, we need three questions answered, and that is, Number One, are
you in favor of this bonding type of arrangement? Two, do you feel that the amounts
indicated are appropriate, or would you, and as I mentioned earlier, you can
condition your response on saying, well, you ~nt Paul Naylor's approval or Ralph
VanDusen's approval on the amounts, if you don't feel comfortable in judging them
yourselves, or anything else that you ~nt, if you \il6nt a separate engineering
opinion, I think you could probably get that, and then the last question, Three,
do you think a one year timetable in which to complete the infrastructure is
appropriate?
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Now, does the Board have any questions of Paul regarding this
matter? We discussed this somewhat yesterday, during our site visits. Does anybody
have anything at all that comes to mind?
MR. BREWER-Do you think it's necessary to have an engineer look at it, Paul?
MR. DUSEK-I think, you know, Paul Naylor has, in the past, whenever we've had
letters of credit put up for the top coats on highways, he's always made the
judgement calls in those areas. He's an experienced, obvious, person with the
paving roads. I trust, I think, his view in terms of whether or not the amount
of money there is enough to finish it, because he's probably, most likely if
something goes wrong, he's the guy we're going to go see anyway and say, Paul,
wha t do you think.
MR. MARTIN-Yes, he also has to accept the finished product.
MR. DUSEK-Right. He's the one that approves the high~ys in the end, and likewise,
with the water pipes, the water Foreman has, in point of fact, laid their own
~ter pipes in the past. So, I think they're a good person to judge that one.
The other items that are in there are things like cable t.v. and things, obviously,
we don't have anybody locally in the County that would judge those, but I don't
view those as critical as I do the water and the highway.
MR. BREWER-The cable companies themselves do tha t an ywa y, don't they?
MR. DUSEK-Right.
MR. MARTIN-All right. So, we do have positive feedback from Paul Naylor, and
we have yet to hear from the water Department?
MR. DUSEK -Tha t ' s correct.
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MR. MARTIN-Okay. Well, what's everyone's feeling?
MRS. PULVER-I don't have any problem with it.
MR. BREWER-Not as long as Paul makes the contract and they come to an agreement
or whatever.
MR. MARTIN-I don't see any problem with what's been laid out here. Does anybody
have any further discussion? Did someone take notes on the form of a resolution?
NOTION TO APPROVE TIlB BOIIDING PROPœAL FOR INSPIRATION PARK ON TIlB RBCXMIIENDATION
FR(M PAUL NAYLOR mAT TIlB DOlINT OF TIlB PERFORlIANCB BOIID IS SUFFICIENT, AND
COIIDITIONAL UPON HEARING FR(M TIlB WATER DEPARDlBNT, TIlB (}UEElfSBURY 'l'OIiN PLJUfNING
BOARD WILL APPROVE AND ALLOIi ONE YEAR FOR CfMPLETION OF TIlB INFRAS7!RUC'rORE AND
ACCEPT TIlB BONDING PROPOSAL AS PRESE1f'l!ED, Introduced by Carol Pulver who moved
for its adoption, seconded by Timothy Brewer:
Duly adopted this 17th day of September, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Rue1, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (7:27 p.m.)
MR. MARTIN-Okay. I think that's all we have in terms of any special requests.
So, we can go right into the regular agenda.
OLD BUSINESS:
SUBDIVISION NO. 10-1992 FINAL STAGE TYPE: UNLIS'l!ED ESTATE OF DEN'l!ON - KAREN
JOHNS OIiNER: SHEILA HYERS LOCATION: UPR. BAY RD., 1lCR.OSS FR(M FREIICH NT. SNIIIILL
RR-SA FOR A 2 LOT SUBDIVISIUII TAX MAP NO. 28-2-6 LOT SIZE: 11.605 ACRES SECTIUII
SUBDIV. REGULATIUIIS
JEFF YORK, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT (7:27 p.m.)
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Subdivision No. 10-1992, Karen Johns, September 4, 1992, Meeting
Date: September 17, 1992 "The Board gave Preliminary approval of this subdivision
on 7-21-92. Since then APA jurisdictional wetlands have been identified on the
property. The staff has met with the applicant's agent and an APA representative
at the site. It is the staff's understanding that the applicant has agreed to
no further subdivision of the property. In this case, the wetlands issue becomes
moot. If this is indeed the applicants intent then a note should be added to
the mylar indicating that on the large lot there are APA jurisdictional wetlands.
There should also be a note indicating that no further subdivision can take place
on this lot. There should also be a deed restriction detailing this. The Board
has to make this part of their motion. If all these condi tions are agreed to
by the applicant, the staff recommends approval of this subdivision." And I do
have a letter here from Karen Johns, and she sa ys, "I, Karen Johns, purchaser
of the property on Bay Road currently owned by Sheila Hyers, do not intend to
subdivide the eight acre parcel any further."
MR. MARTIN-Okay.
with that letter.
the applicant?
So, we
Okay.
can certainly request that be put on the mylar, then,
This is at Final Stage. Do we have anyone here from
MR. yORK-Jeff York, ReMax Realty.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. This seems to be the only burning issue, was the no further
subdivision. Does anybody else have anything they saw, based on their review
of the application? So, we're at Final. We've done the SEQRA, right, Lee?
MRS. yORK-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-We've had the public hearing. Is the lot numbered or anything? Has
there been tax map numbers proposed that we can put in the motion with that, or?
MRS. yORK-I don't believe so. yoU should do that right away.
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MR. MARTIN-All right. So, we'll try our best to frame it in, then, in the context
of the resolution.
MRS. YORK-Right. It's the larger eight acre parcel.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Does anybody have any further c01lUllent, question?
MR. RUEL-Is that the 8.2?
MR. MARTIN-Yes, 8.270. Okay. I guess we're ready to move to a resolution. Does
someone want to offer a resolution?
NOTION TO APPROVE FIliAL STAGE SUBDIVISION 110. 10-1992 ESTArE OF DEII'1'01I - KAREII
JOHNS, Introduced by Timothy Brewer who moved for its adoption, seconded by Carol
Pu1 ver :
I
With the following stipulation: That ~there shall be no further subdivision on
the largest lot, being 8.27± acres. A1 0, that there should be a note indicating
such on the mylar, and a deed restrictio stating so.
,
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Duly adopted this 17th day of September, 11992, by the following vote:
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AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Rue~, Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Lapoin t
MRS. YORK-Mr. york, If I could just ask you to bring a copy of the deed with that
restriction in when it is finally done, ~nd we will, of course, see the stipulation
on the mylar before the Chairman signs i4.
MR. YORK-Okay. (7:32 p.m.)
SUBDIVISION NO. 11-1992 FINAL STAGE I 'l'YPE: UNLIS'l!ED RR-3A/1IR-5 J. BUCKLEY
BRYAN, JR. OIiIIER: SAllE AS ABOVE ~T1ON: FOX FARII ROAD FOR A 2 LO'l! SUBDIVISION
TAX MAP NO. 73-1-2 LO'l! SIZE: 24.96 AeRIfs SEC'1!ION: SUBDIVISIOlI REGS
,
LEON STEVES, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PREfENT (7:32 p.m.)
STAFF INPUT
!
Notes from Staff, Subdivision No. 11-D)92, J. Buckley Bryan, Jr., September 14,
1992, Meeting Date: September 17, 199~ "The Board approved the SEQRA and gave
preliminary approval August 11. The rt· solution stated that all engineering and
planning concerns had been addressed. S nce all concerns were previously addressed,
the staff rec01lUllends final approval be g anted."
MRS. YORK-The only outstanding condibions was a researching of significant
environmental species on site. My und~rstanding is that this has been done, but
I would like that to be verified on thF record, by Mr. Steves. I understand you
were at the site. I have verificatiOn! from some Town Board members, and I just
want it on the record. ,
!
MR. STEVES-For the record, my name' s ~eon Steves. Yes, we did. We wrote to,
A1 Koech1ein gave me the address in t1bany. We wrote to that individual down
there and asked for an identification. They came back and said their computer
indeed indicated a site there for the 1ue Carner butterfly. We then called the
other official that they rec01lUllended in Albany and have not been able to
talk to him directly, but we did write a letter. His office called back and
said that there's nothing that they ca do right at this time of the year. So,
I talked to Bett y Monahan. Bett y talk d to a, I guess an ama teur botanist, and
Tuesday we went out to the site, the five acre site and the road as well, and
searched the area for any plant 1ife,1 in particular, the Blue Carner. We did
find some areas. We identified them abd placed them on the five acre site map,
and next week when I come back with the site plan, unless you want to see them
tonight, I'll show you where they are, land what we'll do to mitigate any problems
that you might envision. We found most!: of them on the east end, in an area that
will be undisturbed.
MR.
not
,
MARTIN-Yes. Obviously, that will be a mitigation measure.
going to disturb those areas.
you're certain1 y
7
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MR. STEVES-That's correct. Well, this is kind of awkward that this comes up after
the SEQRA review.
MRS. yORK-Well, part of the stipulation during the SEQRA Review, that this would
be done prior to the subdivision approval. So, I think that they have met the
conditions. I think Mrs. Monahan is also here and can verify exactly what occurred.
I will tell the Board that it is very difficult to get someone from DEC or the
Natural Habitant Foundation to come up here because their staff is limited, and
I believe that they have done the best that they can to meet this condition.
In fact, probably a better job than we might have expected.
MR. MARTIN-Oka y.
as best you can.
So, then you've identified the habitated areas on the plat,
MR. STEVES-The plans themselves. We were able to identify the plant, in the two
areas that we found. There's only one area that's anywhere near.
MR. MARTIN-All right. Well, how does everybody feel about that? That sounds
like a reasonable measure to me.
MRS. yORK-If I could just interject here. I know that in 1988, the DEC was very
concerned because a large habitat if the Carner Blue had been destroyed at the
High School, and so I know there's excitement running through DEC as we speak,
about this new habitat that has been identified, and I thank you very much.
MR. STEVES-Yes. I was talking to A1 Koech1ein and he didn't feel that we would
find anything on site at all, because of the overgrowth, with the poplars that
are there, but with the sharp eyes of Betty Monahan, we were able to find it.
MR. MARTIN-Well, like I said, unless an ybody
that's a very reasonable mitigation measure.
and that's the best you can offer anyhow.
on the project in general?
has anything else to offer, I think
They're going to avoid these areas,
Does anybody else have any comments
MR. RUEL-It's just for senior citizens?
MR. MARTIN-Yes. This is the senior citizens. Okay.
discussion, I'll accept a motion for a disposi tion.
There being no other
MRS. PULVER-Leon, I have one question.
you coming back for?
YOU said, when you come back. What are
MR. STEVES-Next Tuesday, for site plan review.
MRS. PULVER-For site plan, because I'm looking at this.
Okay. All right.
This is Final Stage.
IIOTIai TO APPROVE FINAL STAGE SUBDIVISIai NO. 11-1992 J. BUCKLEY BRYAli, JR.,
Introduced by Carol Pulver who moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig MacEwan:
For a two lot subdivision, with all Planning and Staff concerns addressed.
Duly adopted this 17th day of September, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pu1 ver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Rue1, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (7:39 p.m.)
NBfi BUSINESS:
SITE PLAN NO. 41.-92 'lYPE: UNLISTED LI-1.A HUGH & KAREN SINCLAIR ONllER: SAllE
AS ABOVE LOCATIai: SAllE AS ABOVE LOCATION: CORIN7!1l & lIERRI7.'T RD., 1./2 llILE
fiBST OF I-B7. m USE AS EXISTS FOR SllALL OFFICES - SERVICEllASTER. ALL USES IN
TBB LI ZONE RBOUIRE SITE PLAN REVIEfi. CROSS REFERlfNCE: USE VAR. 7-1.991. APPROVED:
2-20-91. (JfARR1lN COUNTY PLANNING) TAX NAP NO. 1.46-1-10 LOT SIZE: 22,500 SO.
FT. SECTION: 179-26
HUGH SINCLAIR, PRESENT (7:39 p.m.)
8
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STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 41-92, Hugh & Karen Sinclair, September 11, 1992,
Meeting Date: September 17, 1992 "project Description: The applicant has
converted an existing single fami1 y house into a small office (900 sq. ft.).
Also on the property area a 22' x 17' garage and a 13' x 22' attached storage
area. The property is .52 acres in size. Six parking spaces are required by
code and one of them has to be a handicapped space. The applicant is not proposing
any new structures, only the conversion of the house to an office. The first
floor will be office space and the basement will be used for storage. The applicant
is in the process of renovating the exterior of the existing buildings and cleaning
up existing debris. The applicant should be encouraged to continue this work.
Review of Site Plan Standards: 1. The buildings are clustered in the northeast
quadrant of the property. They are currently single family residence in appearance
and will not be altered. No outdoor lighting is proposed other than entry lights
over the front and rear entrances. A 3' x 2' wood sign will be located in the
front yard facing Corinth Road. 2. Traffic access is a concern because of the
property's location on Corinth Road, which is designated a regional arterial road
and is included in the Travel Corridor OVerlay Zone. In consideration of the
above, the property should have a one way access off of Corinth Road and exit
onto Merritt Road. Site generated traffic should be minimal. Most customers
make arrangements by phone and do not visit the office. The company employs 2
- 4 people who usually remain at the office during the workday. The applicant
uses two vans in his business which are usually on the road during the day and
parked on the site at night. The code requires a 20' wide drive that will provide
access to the main parking area. Access to two of the parking spaces will be
via an existing gravel drive which leads to the garage." I spoke with the
applicant, and we came up with an alternative to what they propose to do for the
parking. Originally, the parking kElS kind of haphazard across the site. By doing
this, you are able to locate the parking, centralize it, more or less, near the
front of the building. "3. The Zoning COde requires one parking space for every
150 sq. ft. of office space. The existing building is 900 sq. ft. and, therefore,
needs 6 parking spaces. Two parking spaces can be provided in the existing driveway
and garage with access off of Merritt Road. The remaining 4 spaces can be provided
in the northwest quadrant of the property with access off of COrinth Road and
egress onto Merritt Road. The existing driveway off of Merritt Road is gravel.
The proposed new parking area should also be gravel." Originally, the applicant
did not have any proposal delineating where the parking should be. He has agreed
to put gravel on the parking area, instead of just leaving it as what he originally
intended it to be, and that was grass. "The handicap parking space should be
located closer to the front door in the northeast west corner. 4. Pedestrian
traffic should not be a concern at this site. There will be very little pedestrian
traffic associated with this use. What little pedestrian traffic this is should
not have any problem getting to the office because of the limited vehicular traffic.
5. Stormwater drainage should not be a problem. The majority of the site is
permeable grass and the parking and drivekElY will consist of permeable gravel.
RUnoff from the various structures will be limited and no different than if it
had remained as a residential use. 6. The property is served by Town kBter and
has on-site septic system. 7. The applicant is not proposing any new landscaping
nor is there to be any existing landscaping removed. There is existing vegetation
that provides natural screening between this property and adjacent properties.
8. The property is a corner lot. All portions of the property, along with all
the structures, appear to be accessible to emergency vehicles. 9. The site was
visited the day after an evening of thunderstorms and there was no evidence of
ponding or flooding. The area depression adjacent to Merritt Road could be an
area susceptible to ponding in the future." You can recommend approval of the
project, provided that he makes the modifications to the parking as k€ propose.
MR. MARTIN-Okay, and we have approval from Warren County, and they concur with
local conditions. Okay. Do we have someone here from the applicant?
MR. SINCLAIR-I'm Hugh Sinclair.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. you've heard all the comments here and I think you probably
had an extensive conversation with the Staff. The Board was out to see the site
yesterday, as a group. My one suggestion at the time was that the curb cut on
Corinth Road be completely eliminated, and the only access in and out of Merritt
Road, but I only offer that as, it just seems like an awful dangerous road, and
I know we're interested in limiting the curb cuts along major arterials as it
is. So, tha t was the on1 y suggestion I had, but tha t ' s a poin t of discussion.
9
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MR. RUEL-I agree wholeheartedly. It's a 55 Mile an Hour Road, two lanes. It's
quite dangerous. If somebody slows down to go into your driveway, they can't
pass, they have to stop.
MR. MARTIN-Right.
we can.
I'd just like to limit the curb cuts along corinth Road, if
MR. BREWER-I think a car coming down the road's going to see a street off Corinth
Road more so than he would a driveway. I mean, he'll see the driveway, but he'll
probably pay llIOre attention to the road.
MR. SINCLAIR-In your proposal, we have no use from Corinth Road, because right
now that's ~ere the main, front door is, there's a porch there.
MR. MARTIN-I just offer that as a point of discussion. I know it's something
we've been trying to do as a result of the lessons we've learned on Route 9 to
limi t the curb cuts, if we can.
MR. RUEL-How wide is that driveway on Merritt?
MR. SINCLAIR-Well, actually,
Road, we can pull in anywhere.
the whole thing's at the same plane.
There just have to be one sign.
On Merritt
MR. RUEL-SJ, there's no problem in having cars go in and out?
MR. SINCLAIR-No. It's just, there isn't much access going through the back door.
MR. RUEL-And then if they park in that area that you have designated, is there
enough space to turn around and go back out?
MR. SINCLAIR-The way it is, the building, as !pu saw, it's in kind of an L shape.
To pull in this ~y, it's going to be tough to turn around there, especially if
there's anybody at all parked on that same plane. When you pull in next to that
Spruce tree, and all the way across the property, there's probably 25 feet long.
That's probably not enough space to make a U turn.
MR. MARTIN-Were you intending on this being a graveled lot or paved?
MR. SINCLAIR-I don't plan on paving, and I'd leave it grass, if I could. We could
designate it some other way. If we put gravel there, we're going to be the only
property on that whole road that has gravel going through the middle of their
yard, but whatever it takes to get approved, we'd be glad to do that. My own
feeling is, coming off corinth Road, there's only one person that uses that, and
that's our Office Manager, and instead of pulling into ~ere, if you saw there's
a small paved with a garage, the people used to have a garage, she parks over
on the lawn, and then she just makes a U turn on the lawn. So, she's facing
traffic, she can see from both ways. Everybody else parks in the back.
MR. MARTIN-Well, all I was thinking, with the curb cut there off of corinth, you're
the use there now, but once we establish this as a commercial use, or a commercial
site, and establish that curb cut off of COrinth Road, now, you're not going to
be there forever. Someone else is going to come along, maybe something of a higher
intensity where they do have customers or clients coming in and out, and then
tha t curb cut's there now, and it's established, and we ha ve a time now, here,
in the beginning to nip it in the bud.
MRS. PULVER-Well, exactly for what you just said is ~y I would be against closing
the curb cut, because if he decides, later on, he doesn't want his business there,
he wants to sell it as a single family home, like the diner, remember ribs there?
They fill in the swimming pool and everything, it was a residential house that
the Planning Board now designated was going to be commercial, fill in the swimming
pool, do fencing, do this, and that. The place went out of business, and they
only had a lease, and then the people who oM1ed the home now had a home they really
couldn't sell as a home anymore because it had been site.
MR. BREWER-Doesn't that become a different use, though?
MRS. PULVER-Well, they still could have it as a home. I mean, if you can't sell
it as a home. I mean, if you can't sell it as a business, you might want to sell
it as a home, like it was originally.
MR. MARTIN-Well, they went back as a restaurant.
10
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MRS. PULVER-It did. It did go back as a restaurant, and somebody else came in.
MR. BREWER-But if he's got a spli t rail fence, he could put a spli t rail fence
across tha t, and you could easil y take a spli t rail fence down.
MR. SINCLAIR-I would agree with that part.
MR. BREWER-I mean, not totally block it off.
up.
YOU could put a spli t rail fence
MRS. PULVER-I don't have a problem with just putting a fence over, too, but I
mean, taking out.
MR. BREWER-Not necessarily making them take that driveway out.
MRS. yORK-Excuse me. Mr.
variance is for commercial
Sinclair has a use variance on this site. So, the
use. He can't go back unless he gets another variance.
MR. MARTIN-Plus, it's Light Industrial zoning anyhow.
MRS. PULVER-No, but I mean, originally, with the house, he still could go back
and get a variance for it to be a house if he couldn't sell it as a business.
MRS. yORK-But when you think of the difference in having a commercial piece of
property versus having a home, he would obviously make more effort to use it as
a commercial piece of property.
MRS. PULVER-I agree, but if you can't sell it as a commercial piece of property,
your next thought is maybe to sell it as a home, rather than to hold onto it and
not make anything.
MR. SINCLAIR-S:>, what about putting, what if we just put a split rail fence across
that part. corinth Road would be, it's permanent enough to keep people from turning
in there.
MR. MARTIN-That's fine with me.
MR. MACEWAN-IS !pur main entrance into your business the front door off of corinth
Road?
MR. SINCLAIR-Well, you know, when people come down from Revere Road and turn in
to see us once in a while, that's ~ere they would pull in is off the Corinth
Road. We're goin g to need some wa y to desi gna te , come all the wa y around the
back if you v.ant to park, and quite frankly, the whole building v.as in a shambles
~en we bought it, and the front, there's been some improvement. The back still
looks like it did when we first bought it.
MR. MACEWAN-should the possibility of that handicapped parking access be relocated
closer to that front entrance?
MRS. PULVER-Well, didn't the advisory committee for the handicap look at this
and make their recommenda tion?
MR. MARTIN-I don't know, have they, Lee?
MRS. yORK-No.
MR. SINCLAIR-If we have one person a month come to our offices.
MR. MARTIN-Right, but as a commercial entity going through the process, we should
designate handicapped parking, and we always try and make it as close as we can
to the entry.
MR. SINCLAIR-If we came in off the Merritt Road, we could still make that, we
could still get them pretty close to the front door. It's just kind of planning
on how they're going to get there.
MR. HARLICKER-Couldn't they access through the breeze-way in back there? Couldn't
that be modified to allow?
MR. SINCLAIR-My concern is just the, right now, the image that that back.
11
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MR. HARLICKER-Right, but in time, you'll, I'm assuming, fix it up.
you will.
I'm hoping
MR. SINCLAIR-I guess M:!' 11 be motivated to do something with that back.
MRS. TARANA-I would just say that I agree with Craig. I think it's good planning
to do that now, and it sounds like that wouldn't be much of a hardship on you,
because apparently it's only usually just your one employee who uses that entrance
anyway, and I would think it would be safer for her, anyway, to come out on Merritt
Road, as that whole area develops more, and I think, can't we have a little
directional sign, like on the corner, which says, entrance to, or whatever? Isn't
that an allowed sign, so that you don't have to worry about people trying to figure
out how to get into your property.
MR. SINCLAIR-Yes. That's been just about as big a concern as anything, somebody
making a turn, somebody thinking about making a turn causes more damage.
MRS. TARANA-Yes, and I think your business is such that it's mainly your own
employees that come in and out anyway, most people call you for your services,
and if you do have a little sign there for delivery people or whatever you need
there, I think that would solve that kind of a problem, and I would agree with
Craig. If you M:!re willing to do that, I think it would be a good move for the
future.
MR. SINCLAIR-Yes. I think that's fine. Now, in Scott's presentation, he mentioned
that we're eventually going to get around to putting a sign up, and that's how
this tJ101e thing came about. We thought, everything's fine, and then M:! just
asked to put up a sign. Originally, when M:! thought about applying for it, we
were going to put it in the yard, but now we've decided that it might be just
as M:!11 on that front porch, just that we've built a new porch on and just have
a sign hanging overhead.
MRS. TARANA-We11, you could have that and then a little directional sign for turning
in to your business.
MR. MARTIN-As far as I'm concerned with signs, I say it all the time. I don't
care as long as you're in conformance with the Ordinance. It's a dimensional
thing, location, size. It's all laid right out. It's fine with me.
MRS. TARANA-We11, he may just want to plan, when he puts the sign, having an arrow
or something that may change your entrance.
MR. SINCLAIR-Parking in the rear or something.
MRS. TARANA-Yes. You may change your idea about the sign.
MRS. yORK-Mr. Sinclair, were you invited to see the Beautification Committee?
MR. SINCLAIR-I'd like to see them. I think they ought to come and see our building.
We have pictures of the way it looked before we moved there, and after hauling
tons of stuff away, and we put some f10M:!rs there and things like that.
MRS. yORK-Well, they can make some suggestions to you about it. I don't know
if they intended for !pu to come, or somehow there was a miscue on this VIilo1e
thing, but it would probably be beneficial if you did meet with them. They can
make some good suggestions to you as to tJ1at p1antings ~u1d be good and hearty
and live and be a benefit to your business.
MR. SINCLAIR-When do they meet?
MRS. YORK-Wh Y don't you come, if you could call me tomorrow, or Scott, and we'll
give you the name of who to contact, and they'll be delighted to see you.
MR. SINCLAIR-sure.
MR. MARTIN-Oka y.
is there anyone
application?
All
here
right.
from
Well, I'll open the public hearing on this, and
the public wishing to address the Board on this
PUBLIC D:ARIlIIG 0PlI:IlED
NO cœJIØ'r
PUBLIC ØAJlUlIIG CUJSIi:D
12
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-'
MR. MARTIN-And, Lee, we have a SEQRA on this, Short Form?
MRS. yORK-Yes, Short Form.
RESOWTIOII fi1lEl!l DBrBRlIIlfNrION OF NO SIGNIFICANCE IS lIADB
RESOWfiON 110. 41-92, Introduced by Carol Pulver who moved for its adoption,
seconded by Timothy Brewer:
WHEREAS, the
for an office
"1 Board an application for: A use
WHEREAS, thi¿
Board action
Act,
. the proposed project and Planning
~tate Environmental Quality Review
NOW, THEREFOR.
RESOLVED:
1 . No Federal
2. The follow
NONE
3.
The propos
of En vi ronJ
Quality Review Act
/~d is unlisted in the Department
~ ..~__, ~_~ ......':/.......CI. I...LOns impl emen tin g the Sta te Environmental
and the regula tions 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 r,./Jether a project
has a significant environmental impact as the same is set forth in section
617.11 of the Official Compila tion of codes, Rules and Regula tions 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 17th day of September, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. RUel, Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Is there any further comment from the Board on the site plan?
Okay. Has someone got a resolution put together?
lIarION to APPROVJæ SIm PLM NO. 41-92 æJG. & ltARIi:N SINCLAIR, Introduced by Timothy
Brewer who moved for its adoption, seconded by corinne Tarana:
With the following stipulations: That the curb cut on Corinth Road be closed
off with split rail fence and relocate the handicap parking accessible to the
entrance in the rear. That his parking area will be gravel. COnditions being
met within a year from this date.
Dul y adopted this 17th da y of September, 1992, by the followin g vote:
MR. SINCLAIR-We'll close that entrance off that right ak6y.
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. SINCLAIR-There's gravel parked over there .It ' s just rpin g to take us a r,./Jile.
MR. MARTIN-Yes, to grade it off, and yes.
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. RUel, Mr. Martin
13
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NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (8:01 p.m.)
SIm PLAN NO. 39-92 tYPB I JlR-5 DR. lWOlC JU1lG atIII1R: lØ:LINDA SZO'.l'CJrORY
UJCMIaf: BAY RD. lfOR'ftl OF CM'l'ØUJURY NOODS DRIVE ft) caISftlUC"r A 2,000 SO.
Fr. OFFICE BUILDING MD ASSOCIA.rJED SIn: NORR'. uæ lflI!(Jl1IRBS SIm PLlIII/ REVnI.ff.
(BlWl'l'IFICArIaf CCMIIIftBB) (flMRØ' COUlff.'Y PLMNING) rAX MAP Ne. 60-1-5.1 LO!r
SIZE: 38.38 ICR§ SÆCf>.lfJllJ: 179-19
MARK LEVACK, REPRESENTING APpLICANT, PRESENT (8:01 p.m.)
S'rJIFF IlIIl!f1r
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 39-92, Dr. Kook Jung, September 15,1992, Meeting
Date: september 17, 1992 "project Description: The applicant is proposin g to
construct a 2,000 sq. ft. office building and 15 space parking lot. The project
will be built on property that is currently part of an apartment complex (Canterbury
w:>ods). Access to the site will be via the existing entrance to the apartment
complex. The project is bounded on the west and north by a small stream, on the
east by Bay Road and south by the driveway to Canterbury w:>ods. No information
has been provided concerning ~at the building will look like. Site Plan Review
Standards: 1. The applicant has not provided any information regarding the size
or location of the building. The applicant has to provide elevations of the
building in order to determine site compatibility. The applicant has not provided
any information regarding lighting on the site. The location of the building
on the site meets the setback requirements. 2. The project includes a 20' wide
drive. This drive will carry traffic both into and out of the site. The drive
will intersect with the existing drive for the apartment complex which exits onto
Bay Road. A stop sign should be placed at the intersection of the apartment
driveway and the office building drive. 3. The parking requirements for office
buildin gs is one space for every 150 sq. ft. of floor area. The proposal incl udes
15 parking spaces (14 plus 1 handicapped) which meets the code requirements.
The applicant is not proposing any loading area. The parking area includes an
area for vehicles to back into enabling them to drive forward instead of backing
out of the parking area. 4. Pedestrian traffic could be a concern with the project
as proposed. Pedestrians will have to k8lk through the actual parking area and
behind parked cars in order to get to the building. In doing this, pedestrians
are at risk to being struck by cars backing out and pulling into the parking area.
To remedy this situation a sidewalk should be placed on the eastern side of the
parking area running the length of the parking lot to the building. 5. Stormwater
from the site will be directed to tk'O retention areas. One is located near the
intersections of the apartment drive and the office drive and a larger area is
loca ted a t the northern end of the parkin g area. A stormwa ter mana gemen t plan
~s completed for this project and it's conclusion ~s that the drainage system
is adequate. It is not indicated on the plan ~ere runoff from the building will
be directed. Furthermore, there is no indication on the plan regarding how the
stormwater will reach the retention basins. There are no catch-basins indicated
on the plan nor is there any curbing shown around the parking area. Due to lack
of information, staff cannot effectively review the adequacy of the drainage
facilities. 6. The applicant is proposing to connect to an existing ~ter1ine
which services the apartment complex. An on-site se~ge disposal system is proposed
and is currently being reviewed by the town's engineer. 7. There is no vegetation,
either existing or proposed, shown on the plan. Therefore, no review can be
completed at this time. These are mature apple and pine trees currently on the
site which should be saved. 8. There is no information regarding fire protection
available for review; accessibility to emergency vehicles does not appear to be
a problem. 9. The site is listed as a significant wetlands area according to
the Town Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Special consideration should be given to
maintaining the integrity of the wetlands adjacent to the stream. 10. A major
source of concern regarding the project is the issue of 2 principal uses and
structures on one lot. Problems will arise in the future when either of these
uses are sold. Someone many want to buy the apartments but not the office or
buy the office building but not the apartments. To prevent problems down the
line, the property on ~ich the office building is to be built should be subdivided
from the larger portion of the property that contains the apartment complex.
Staff believes that the proposed office building should not be considered until
the property is subdivided."
ØGIlIØR ~
14
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Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, September 16,1992, "Dear
Mr. Parisi: Rist-Frost has reviewed the project and have the following engineering
comments. 1. The handicapped parking space needs to be 8 feet wide with an 8
foot wide access aisle. 2. The test pit data indicates depth to bedrock at 38
inches. The sewage disposal system design does not maintain the 48 inch vertical
separation between the absorption bed and bedrock as required by NYSDEC guidelines.
The sewage disposal system design needs to address the depth to bedrock issue.
Rock may also limit excavation for setting the septic tank consistent with the
grading plan. 3. Regarding the grading plan: a. The proposed 321 and 322
contours at the office entrance driveway do not tie-in to existing contours on
the grading plan. b. A proposed 320 contour that ties-in to existing contours
needs to be developed to the north of the area to be graded. The 35 foot buffer
between the stream and the limits of disturbance needs to be maintained. c.
The north SWM detention basin berm requires side slopes no steeper than 3:1 and
an eight foot minimum top width per Queensbury design standards. Proposed contours
around the SWM detention basin should reflect this. The 35 foot buffer between
the stream and the limi ts of disturbance for the SWM detention basin and outlet
culvert must remain undisturbed. 4. Regarding stormwater management: a. The
proposed inlet and outlet invert elevations of proposed culverts should be indicated
on the plan. b. construction of the auxiliary spillway should be specified.
c. It is unacceptable to deposit cleared snow in SWM basins. A note to this
effect should appear on the drawings if physical site conditions cannot be provided
that preclude improper on-site storage of cleared snow. The smaller SWM detention
basin to the south of the proposed building will be adversely impacted by snow
plowing for Canterbury woods Drive and the proposed office driveway by the nature
of basin location. This should be addressed in terms of site layout and SWM basin
location. d. The SWM basin berm construction detail should be corrected to conform
to comment 3c. e. In general, runoff projections made in the SWM report should
include anticipated increases in runoff from modifying ground cover from brush
and woods to grass or impervious surfaces. RUnoff will norma 11 y increase when
brush or woody vegetation is removed. f. Bay Road and Canterbury WOods Drive
pavements will be tributary to drainage Area 1 and should be addressed in
calculations to properly size SWM facilities. g. Time of concentration values
should be demonstrated by calculations. The values given in the SWM report appear
longer than wOuld be expected for proposed conditions with extensive impervious
surfaces. h. CD.lculations demonstrating appropriate design of principal and
auxiliary detention basin spillways should be provided."
MR. MARTIN-Okay, and we have Karren County approving upon concurrence with local
conditions. Do we have someone here from the applicant?
MR. LEVACK-Good evening. My name is Mark Levack. I'm here acting as agent on
behalf of the applicant, Dr. Kook Jung, and I'm here to address everyone of the
issues that we have before us, from Tom Yarmowich' s letter, and from the Town
of Queensbury's staff recommendations. we feel, going over these recommendations,
that we're in a position to address and answer to the Board's satisfaction answers
to these questions and to tha t purpose, I've brought Jon Lapper alon g wi th me,
and Jack Huntington, the engineer on the property, so if you have any questions
regarding the current state of the complex, or any of the engineering issues that
were brought up by Tom Yarmowich, Jack Huntington can comment on those this evening.
MR. MARTIN-aka y.
MRS. PULVER-I have a couple of questions, before we get into it. Melinda owns
the propert y?
MR. LEVACK-Correct.
MRS. PULVER-Is she leasing the property to Dr. Jung to build a building?
MR. LEVACK-No.
MRS. PULVER-She is selling the property to him?
MR. LEVACK-She is selling the entire complex, and this approval for a 2,000 square
foot office building, the sale is contingent upon the approval of the 2,000 square
foot office building.
MRS. PULVER-Contingent upon him getting this. Okay.
MRS. TARANA-She's selling the property with the apartments on it, too?
15
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MR. LEVACK-That's correct. She's selling 38.38 acres, and as a contingency to
that sale, we're requiring a 2,000 square foot office building.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Is that it, Carol?
MRS. PULVER-Yes, well that answers my question about having it subdivided, that,
I mean, it would be pointless to have her subdivide it when he wants to buy the
whole thing and put his office building on it, as well.
MR. LEVACK-Yes. It would be the purchaser's office building. He is not "ping
to be leasing this to anybody else. It is going to be his personal practice.
MRS. PULVER-Okay. Well, I was just a little unclear as to whether they were leasing
him the property and he was building it. I have no problem with what you've just
told me.
MR. LEVACK-Thank you. I'd be happy to "p down each one of these items, if you'd
like to start from Item Number One and go down through it, Item by Item, because
we feel we have the necessary people here to address satisfactory answers to every
one of these questions.
MR. MARTIN-Right. Is that all right with the Board?
pressing? Do you Kant to continue on like that?
IS there anything else
MRS. TARANA-I wanted to ask one question, just so I don't forget
Environmental Assessment Form, on Page Three, Project Description,
that it was three 8 units and two 6 unit multiple families.
it. In '.Pur
you have put
MR. LEVACK-That currently exists on the property right now. On the 38 acres down
Canterbury Drive, there are.
MRS. TARANA-I thought this Section KaS supposed to describe the project that you
were proposing? NO?
MR. LEVACK-We11, technically speaking, it is a part of the project that we're
proposin g, beca use we are not 100kin g for a subdi vi sion here. We're puttin g it
all on the same parcel.
MRS. TARANA-Yes, I realize that. I'm just wondering r.J1ere the office is described.
MRS. PULVER-I think he's only describing r.J1at's already there because the office
is not there.
MRS. TARANA-But the proposal is to construct an office there.
MRS. PULVER-Yes.
MRS. TARANA-Am I reading this wrong, Lee?
MRS. yORK-No. you are reading it absolutely correctly. The EAF is a document
designed to assist in determining kilether the action proposed may have significant
environmental impacts. So, it should be detailed in there.
MRS. TARANA-In other words, you particular project, the description of it is not
in the EAF.
JACK HUNTINGTON
MR. HUNTINGTON-My name is Jack Huntington with Morse Engineering. I believe that
it's detailed on the front, in the opening conunents of the Part I, Site Description.
MRS. TARANA-I guess my point is just that we should have this form correct, right?
MRS. yORK-I would agree with you.
MR. HUNTINGTON-In that spot where it asks for existing conditions, we put existing
condi tions .
MRS. TARANA-No. This is Project
be your office buildin g. I just
it has to have something changed
description is being described on
Description. Project Description, which would
want to make sure the form is correct. Maybe
there, but it doesn't sound like the project
there. I think it's probab1 y just a simple
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matter of changing your project and putting it on that line, but I think that
it should be done if it's not correct.
MR. LEVACK-We wanted to be sure that we covered every detail of the project, and
that means that there are currently existing office buildings on the property.
MRS. TARANA-I see what you're getting at, but I just think the project has got
to be there as ~11.
MR. HUNTINGTON-The Project Description requests, in their request, H., if
residential, the number and type of housing units. Initially, three 8 unit and
two 6 unit. Ultimately, there'll be three 8 unit and two 6 unit residential units
there. There will be, it doesn't ask for this building in that spot.
MRS. TARANA-So, that's not what you're describing as already being there? You
said, ultimately, there will be.
MR. LEVACK-Yes.
MR. HUNTINGTON-We put here wha t was asked for, oka y. It doesn't ask for informa tion
on what we're doing, at that stage. It asks, if residential, state the number
and type of housin g uni ts, and we did. Ini tia11 y, there's three 8 unit and two
6 unit apartments. Ultimately, there will still be that many. We're not changing
that. There is no place here to state what we're doing.
MRS. TARANA-My feeling is probably 8 just isn't an ans~r, because you're not
building. It looks, when you read this, like you are building three 8 units and
two 6 units, and I don't think that that's what you kBnt to have there. I think
you probably just want to take that out.
MRS. PULVER-No. I'm reading that just the opposite.
of the project.
That's already there, part
MRS. yORK-The project is not residential, is what Mrs. Tarana is saying. So,
if we could just eliminate that. Okay.
MR. MARTIN-Oka y. yes, wh y don't you take us through your items there. We have
one through ten on the Staff Ct>mments. We'll start there.
MR. LEVACK-Okay. I'm going to have Jack Huntington come up and we'll just go
through these item through item. The first item is saying that the applicant
has not provided any information regarding the size or location of the building.
Would you like to address that?
MR. HUNTINGTON-The size and the location of the building is on the plan. The
proper setbacks are noted. It's a 2,000 square foot building, that's 30 by 67,
so they are on the plan.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. I think they were probably mostly alluding to the elevations
and the building appearance. Ct>u1d you just describe what the appearance is going
to be? Are we looking at wood frame construction and?
MR. LEVACK-We are looking at wood frame construction, and we talked a little bit
about the type of building that's going to be built, and he has thrown around
a couple of different ideas. I think he's opting more tOkBrds a conservative
looking cultural professional building, something along a similar vein with Bay
Optical. He's looking to do a handsome architecturally pleasing building. Because
of the time constraints that we've been faced with, I'm trying to get this
application approved. He hasn't elected to try to hire an architect and get a
building design or choose a building at this point, but I would like to emphasize
that I think his goal for the project is to do a stately handsome cultural
professional office building.
MRS. yORK-Yes. Bay Road is a very visible corridor in the Town, and was designated
as a community center, ultimately, in the zoning. So, it is very relevant here
that the Board look at or try to define exactly what type of building and facade
it will be. So, that's why the question has come up.
MR. LEVACK-SUre. I understand the reason behind the question. I'm tr yin g to
describe why we haven't had the time to put together that, at this point in time,
and I'm trying to get a little background as to what his intentions are. Are
you asking me that, for approval this evening, we need to have elevations? If
17
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that's the case, then I can't answer that question at this point in time, but
I can address his desires and his wishes, and he'd be more than happy to sit down
with the Town to address any type of architectural plans that we might have at
a future point in time.
MRS. PULVER-The Town doesn't have an archi tectural review board.
MR. LEVACK-Well, it should, I guess.
MR. MARTIN-Well, I think Lee raises a good point. This is as close as we can
get to that under our existing mechanisms that we have. We have already an
established theme with the Hughes Development further down the street where there's
some commercial office buildings in there and I think to pick up on that same
theme would be a nice decision, in terms of what the Town would like to see, or
at least for me anyhow.
MR. LEVACK-Is it sufficient to say, at this time, that if we conform more strictly
wi th the character of cul tural professional office, wi thin the Ba y Road corridor,
specific to the Bay Road corridor.
MR. RUEL-I'd like to see a schedule, a rendering of the proposed building, rather
than just talk about it.
MRS. PULVER-We've never required that, though, of any applicant.
definitely be setting a precedent.
We would
MRS. yORK-The Board can require that, and it's something I think this Board has
been working toward, to a great extent, with some of the architect that we've
seen in the past year and a half, I think it would be a benefi t to the communi t y
if we did start looking a little harder at some of.
MR. RUEL-I highly recommend it.
MR. MACEWAN-Have any conceptual designs been done so far? Nothing on paper at
all?
MR. MARTIN-No.
MR. LEVACK-I'd like to add at this point in time that I feel that as agent on
behalf of the applicant, I feel qualified to say that we could make that a
contingency of Final approval this evening, that the Board review the architectural.
Again, I'm trying to emphasize, along the way here, the time constraint particular
to this deal, that has reall y got us under the gun for time, here, and we'd be
happy to satisfy any type of contingent approvals that may require final review
of architectural renderings.
MR. RUEL-If you can get an artist's drawing in a couple of days.
MR. LEVACK-Well, again, whether it's a couple of days or it's prior to his building
in the spring, I think as long as it's made as a contingency to final approval,
as a contingency this evening for the final approval, I think we can satisfy the
Town's request on tha t .
MR. MARTIN-All right. Would you continue on, please. The second comment regarding
the driveway and so on.
MR. BREWER-Wait
contingency that
toni ght .
a minute, Jim. I think this is important here, because the
Mark's asking for is outlined in this letter that Bob gave us
MR. LEVACK-Well, if you're trying to set a precedent by requesting us to submit
full renderings or elevations prior to an approval, I would say that we might
be able to avoid that by, again, making a contingency based on a final approval
this evening.
MR. MARTIN-Well, the only problem I have with that is if you're going to make
a contingent approval like that and then have to come back before the Board anyhow,
you're not going to, in effect, have an approval. you're going to have something
that's tabled until the Board, if that is the Board's wish to see a rendering,
then there's going to be no approval. It will be a tabling until the elevation
is looked at an accepted, if that's ultimately, what the Board decides they would
like to see.
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MR. LEVACK-Well, again, I'd just like to address that question by saying that
I feel that the doctor's desire to build something in conformance with the character
of Bay Road and his desire to build a handsome stately architecturally pleasing
building would be on a par or greater to the quality of office buildings on Bay
Road. That's my understanding of what his goal is here. I don't know what more
I can conunent on that, other than sa ying that we talked at length to the type
of quality of building he wants to put up there, and I'm satisfied that it's going
to meet or beat anyone's expectations on Bay Road.
MR. MlJRTIN-I agree, that's all you ~ say at this time, but again, if the Board
decides that they'd like to see an elevation, then that's something that's going
to kick in a tabling. I'll tell you that right now, flat out.
MR. LEVACK-Well,
us this evening.
then I would request that the Board not make that request of
I would like to proceed on.
MR. MARTIN-All right. Well, that's vi'ly, I want to go through the list here, and
I'm making notes of those things that appear to be an issue, and we'll hash those
out here at the end, but lets continue on and see how far we can get.
MR. LEVACK-SUre. The second item is the applicant has, we've gone over that.
Well, lets back up to Number One, the applicant has not provided any information
regarding lighting on the site. I will say that the lighting will be on the
building itself. That's vi'lere we're addressing that. The location of the building
on the site meets the setback requirements.
MRS. yORK-Okay. Excuse me. Will there be lighting on the signage on the site
also, and will lighting reflect into Bay Road?
MR. LEVACK-To my knowledge, he does not have any desires to light the sign on
Bay Road.
MRS. YORK-Oka y.
MR. LEVACK-He's talked a little bit about a wood sign, a wood carved sign, a wood
professional shingle, and he has not talked at all about lighting the sign on
Bay Road. He has talked about putting floodlights off of the north end of the
building to light the parking lot.
MR. MlJRTIN-Oka y.
MR. RUEL- I have a question here. On your proposed buildin g outline, there's sort
of an entrance-way in the front. Is that a separate entrance?
MR. LEVACK-That' s correct.
MR. RUEL-Well, then, Mr. Chairman, shouldn't the setback be up to that vestibule
or whatever it is, rather than up to the building?
MR. MlJRTIN-I think, typically, the setback is either the eave of the building
or the building wall itself. It's the eave of the building?
MRS. YORK-Yes.
MR. LEVACK-That' s not a vestibule.
MR. HUNTINGTON-That's just a step to get up to the.
MRS. YORK-Right. I just want to speak to the issue of floodlights, especially
along a highly traveled corridor. I can understand his desire to light a parking
lot, but we have to assure ourselves that the lights will not interfere with traffic
and traffic flow.
MR. LEVACK-Sure.
MRS. YORK-And that has to be a concern of the Board. That's why, as part of the
review process, we look at lighting.
MR. HUNTINGTON-The lighting we anticipate will be what they call a wall pack,
and it's a directional lighting. It could be directed toward the parking lot.
It wouldn't interfere with the lighting on Bay Road.
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MRS. YORK-Okay. That would have to be something that the Board would want to
stipu1a te. Thank you.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So, are we all through with Comment One? To answer !pur question,
Roger, the setback line is typically drawn from the eave of the building.
MR. RUEL-So, any structure in front of the building doesn't count?
MR. MARTIN-Not in terms of a step, a porch is different, but a.
MR. RUEL-What is this structure?
MR. MARTIN-That is a step or a stoop into the building.
MR. RUEL-Just an open area.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Lets continue on.
MR. LEVACK-Okay. The project includes a 20 foot drive. That is correct. The
drive will carry traffic flow into and out of the site. That is correct. The
drive will intersect with the existing drive for apartment complex which exists
on Bay Road. That is correct. The stop sign should be placed at the intersection
of the apartment driveway and the office building drive. We do agree with that,
and we do intend on placing a stop sign at that intersection.
MR. MARTIN-I think he's actually calling for two, one at the driveway of the
apartment and also at the driveway of the office building.
MR. LEVACK-I think that's an additional comment that's well taken, and one should
be placed there as well, so people don't just drive right out onto Bay Road.
MR. MARTIN-Okay.
MR. LEVACK-I think we've satisfied Number Two. Number Three, the
requirements for the office buildings is one space for every 150 square
floor area. That is correct. The proposal includes 15 parking spaces,
one handicapped. That is correct, which meets the code requirements.
parking
feet of
14 plus
MR. MARTIN-Yes. I don't think there's an y comments to address in Number Three.
MR. LEVACK-Okay. Then we'll just go on to Number Four. Number Four, the pedestrian
traffic could be a concern with the project as proposed. That may be correct.
pedestrians would have to walk through the actual parking area behind the parked
cars in order to get in the building. In doing this, pedestrians are at risk
of being struck by cars backing out and pulling in to the parking area. To remedy
this situation, a sidewalk should be placed on the eastern side of the parking
area, running the length of the parking lot to the building. We don't agree with
this in theory, but we wonder why buildings are being approved today without making
that a requirement, and we wondered why we're being asked to have this as a
requirement.
MRS. YORK-Maybe it's something that should be considered.
(END OF FIRST DISK)
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MR. LEVACK-I agree. It should be considered, and I guess my point is just, more
or less a point of interest. We're prepared to put a pedestrian easement along
that easterly side of the parking lot that would be separate and distinct from
the front of the cars, or the rear of the cars, so that pedestrians could have
direct access to the building without walking in the parking lot.
MRS. YORK-Right. What does Dr. Jung do?
MR. LEVACK-He's a psychiatrist.
MRS. YORK-Okay, because we were worried about patients, handicapped, wheelchairs.
I think it might be a good idea to get the flow of pedestrians away from the traffic
corridors.
MR. LEVACK-I think that's a good idea.
for a parking lots, and walkway as a
to running up to the building. So, I
parking.
As I said, he is prepared to make prov~s~ons
separate area from the parking, in addition
feel that we've mitigated that issue of the
MRS. TARANA-Mark, just to let you know, we did at least one time that I know of,
ask that a sidewalk be put in for the apartments over on Meadowbrook, remember,
it was the same type of situation. They parked their cars and had to walk to their
apartments. So, we did ask that they put a sidewalk.
MR. LEVACK-Right.
pedestrian traffic
I don't disagree with that.
concerns. We will address
I think it's a good idea to address
that satisfactory to the Board.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Item Five, I believe, is dealt with in the Engineer's letter,
and Item Six is dealt with in the Engineer's letter. I think the cozmnent in Item
Seven is there are mature apple and pine trees currently on the site which should
be saved. My question would be, to what extent are they going to be saved?
MR. LEVACK-I guess I would say that as the site is cleared for building and parking,
special attention should be paid to clearing only those areas that are necessary
for septic installation, parking and building.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Item Eight, there's no real cozmnent there. They're saying
emergency vehicle access is not a problem. Okay. I have a question to staff for
Item Nine. Special consideration should be given to maintaining the integrity
of wetlands adjacent to the stream. What kind of special consideration can we
give to, during construction or?
MRS. YORK-Right.
The erosion control standards that are stated in the Ordinance.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. you ~uld have no problem with that I assume?
MR. LEVACK-Absol utel y not.
MR. MARTIN-All right. Item Ten, the cozmnent there, I believe, is summarized in
the last sentence. The Staff believes that the proposed office building should
not be considered until the property is subdivided, and they've stated the reasoning
for that, a major source of concerning regarding the project is the issue of 2
principal uses and structures on one lot.
MR. LEVACK-Right. I'm going to let Jon Lapper address that question.
JON LAFPER
MR. LAFPER-Good evening. To clarify, I represent Melinda Szotyory, who is the
present owner of the property. She asked me to come down and answer anything the
Board needed to hear about the existing property. I did discuss this with Paul
Dusek tonight, briefly. lk1der the circumstances, because there's 38 acres, a very
large parcel, and the back is zoned for residential and the front is zoned for
professional, wha t' s proposed is totall y in accordance wi th the Ordinance, and
there's nothing in the Queensbury Ordinance that requires that you can't have two
different principal types of use on the same parcel. I think that there's valid
issues with respect to this, in that mostly that has to deal with access. The
way this KBS designed was that the existing curb cut would be used. The existing
drive is a nice wide drive, suitable for the residences and also suitable for the
professional office, and what was intended was that there wouldn't have to be a
new curb cut on Bay Road, which we felt what the Board would want, and for that
reason, in addition, Kook Jung, the purchaser, is looking to own an apartment complex
21
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and also to have his office there. He has no intention of, or no desire to subdivide
it at this time, because he wants to own both. Obviously, if at some point one
was going to be sold, there would have to be subdivision approval. I think that
the way this comment is written, and with all due respect, I think it's speculative
to say that problems will arise in the future if either of these uses are sold.
Right now, obviously, it would have to be sold as one piece of property with
professional office in front and apartment complex in the back, and there's nothing
wrong with that, and if the doctor wanted to do something else at that point he'd
have to come before this Board and asked for subdivision approval, 38 acres there's
a very big distance between the buildings, existing apartment building and the
proposed office building. There's a lot of leeway for this Board to make any kind
of conditions that it would want to make at that time. I just would argue that
it's not appropriate to require that he subdivide it at this point, since his plans
don't require it. He's lookin g to own both, and there's nothin g in the Ordinance
that mandates that you can't have two principal uses on a parcel, certainly a 38
acre parcel.
MR. MARTIN-Well, how does everyone feel about that? This is more of a philosophical
planning issue here more than it is a hard and fast.
MRS. yORK-If I could just interject. you're absolutely correct. There is nothing
in the Ordinance that prohibits this at all, and that's a given. The Staff's concern
is that, in the very recent past, we have been receiving a lot of requests for
variances for substandard lots, where principals uses, a number of principal uses
have been allowed on the same site, and ultimately it appears there becomes an
opportunity for people to divide up the different uses and sell them. In this
particular instance, that may not happen for a very long time, and 38 acres, as
g:Ju said, may not be an issue at this time, but in our review of it, we felt it
was necessary to bring it to the Board's attention, because it is happening more
and more in the Town of Queensbury, and in fact, we intend to talk to the Town
Board about maybe changing the Ordinance in this regard, simply because of what
we're seeing in substandard lots being created and variances having to be issued
because of the fact that numerous different uses are allowed on site, okay. It
was just an opportunity to bring this to the Board's attention.
MR. MARTIN-Right. So ~at you're thinking, a change to the Ordinance something
to the effect of only one principal use per lot?
MRS. yORK-Right. We would like the opportunity, at some future date to discuss
this with the Planning Board and get your thoughts on this matter, because it is
becomin g, as land gets more and more dear in the Town, it is becomin g a problem
that we're all going to have to deal with.
MR. LAFpER-Mr. Chairman, generically, theoretically, I agree that that's an issue,
and I can think of different places in the Town ~ere, here, because of the size
of the lot, there's certainly no under-size issue. There's a ~ole bunch of property
between Bay Road and this complex. What I'd like to explain to the Board, which
is not at all your problem, but my client's problem, just to tell you ~y Mark's
been pushing this thing, trying to push this thing through. Obviously, it's never
my position to hElnt to come to a Board and tell you that we've got some reasons
~y we want this thing to be done quickly. That's not a good posture for an
applicant to take. My client, Melinda Szotyory, is a widow. Her husband, Ed Grahl,
had somewhat of a notorious reputation in the Town for managing this complex.
He died of cancer about a year and a half ago, and in the last year of his life,
under the influence of a lot of drugs, it could be argued. He was just a strange
duck, got into a lot of problems with some of his tenants, people didn't pay rent,
because of how he maintained the place, there were a lot of issues that Dave Hatin
had to deal with. He passed away. Melinda had never had anything to do with
managing the complex. She was put in the position ~ere she had to become a
businessr;.t)man very quickly. There were a lot of issues, a lot of site issues that
had to be dealt with, and in the last year and a half, she managed to get the place
back on its feet. There were, I think, nine vacancies, and a ~ole bunch of tenants
that weren't paying the rent when she took over. Now, it's fully leased, everyone's
paying their rent, Dave Hatin' s satisfied. A lot of improvements had to be made,
and they have been made. At this point, because of the problems with her husband,
she's in ~rkout situation with her bank, and it's very likely that it's very
quickly going to be put into a foreclosure situation. The fact that Kook Jung
came along and was looking to build an office building in that corridor of the
Town and was in a position financially, and it was his interest in owning the
apartment complex as well, he was real stable for Melinda, and at this point, we
have a contract that's contingent upon site plan approval, and it's important that
site plan approval be granted. certainly the Board has a lot of valid issues.
It's my un derstan din g tha t Jack Hun tin gton talked in grea t detail wi th Tom Yarmowich,
and ever ythin g,
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with the exception of this issue, Number Ten, that the applicant is prepared to
make all those changes, and what we're asking for is that it would be contingent
upon Tom's review of the plan that we've submitted. We're willing to do everything
that's on the list. with respect to the first issue, as to the site elevation,
which we all know is nothing that's been required in the Town in the past, in an
effort to satisfy the Board on this issue, which is an important issue, but also
not to hold this up, and because Kook Jung doesn't intend to have this designed
until this spring, what I'd like to suggest is that you include a condition that
the architecture be compatible with the existing office park right down Bay Road,
which are those buildings that look like residences, somewhat of a colonial
residential style, that that might protect this Board. Obviously, this is my
client's problem and not this Board's problem, and you have to do what's best,
but that's my suggestion.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Well, how does everrpne feel about Comment 10?
MR. RUEL-I'd like to delete it.
MRS. PULVER-I don't believe it's an issue. He's buying the whole complex.
MR. MARTIN-I appreciate your position and I agree, philosophically, that this is
something that's got to be addressed. !!1l. belief anyhow is I don't know where we're
grounded in the Ordinance to enforce this type of thing, if enforce is the right
word, but impose this sort of measure on the applicant.
MRS. PULVER-I think Lee is right.
start with changing the Ordinance,
when this happens in the future.
Tha t ' s ~ere it shou1 d start, though. It shou1 d
and then tha t gi ves us somethin g to work wi th ,
MRS. yORK-Right.
MRS. PULVER-So we should get together and brainstorm a little bit.
MRS. yORK-I think a workshop session is really needed.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So, in terms of the engineering here, and this, again, is, for
me persona11 y, as a 1a y person on a lot of these thin gs, I'd like to see Tom
Yarmowich satisfied, because he's my defense, or my expert in this, and I see some
things here, I'm encouraged to here that you've had a conversation with him.
MR. HUNTINGTON-Yes, I have.
MR. MARTIN-And that these things can be worked out, but I would like some indication
from him about that directly, for me personally.
MR. BREWER-I would agree. I would like to see it in writing that Tom has had all
these things satisfied.
MR. MAR TIN- I know, theoretica11 y, these thin gs can be worked out and you're both
in a greemen t on tha t .
MR. BREWER-I don't think we've really done that in the past, give contingent approval
upon the engineering comments, until Tom has satisfied.
MRS. PULVER-Yes, we have, contingent upon Tom signing off that all engineering
has been addressed.
MRS. yORK-Well, what I would suggest to the Board is perhaps tabling this for a
week.
MR. BREWER-How about Tuesday.
MR. MARTIN-I was just going to say, we're in a fortunate position of having two
meetings next week, Tuesday and Thursday night. Depending on how :J2E!:... schedule
can jibe with Tom's, to have these issues addressed and a letter written back to
the Board from Tom sa yin g tha t every thin g can be addressed and you've amended your
mylar. We have several things, not only this, the engineer's, but all the things
we've talked about here in the Staff comments, maybe we can see this again next
Tuesday or Thursday, and that will help your time frame.
MR. HUNTINGTON-If we can be put on the agenda for Thursday, I would appreciate
it.
23
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MR. MARTIN-Yes, I would think that would be best. I think Tuesday would probably
be pressing them, and maybe you, for that matter.
MR. HUNTINGTON-Tom, when I talked to him today, he said, I think everything you
¡.,ant to do is feasible on the site.
MR. MARTIN-Right. Well, I think you're in the fortunate position, here, of knowing
now you have a quantitative list of what the concerns are, and we're certainly
not g:;ing to keep throwing things at you vilen you come back next time. This, I
believe, is a comprehensive list. If not, we'll make sure you have tha t before
you leave tonight.
MR. HUNTINGTON-If you have a letter that says Tom has no corranents, then I won't
have to be here.
MR. MARTIN-SO, does anybody else have anything to offer from the Board? I'll open
the public hearing. Is there anyone here from the public vilo'd wish to corranent
on this application?
1!UBLIC IÆARIf#; OPlJ.fQþ
MR. MARTIN-If not, I think I'm going to leave it open, if we're going to be looking
at a tabling, here.
MR. BREWER-Where do he stand with the side¡.,a1k? I don't know the answer to that
question.
MR. MARTIN-I'd like to see the side¡.,a1k in, myself.
MR. LEVACK-I think we've agreed to put the sidewalk in.
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. Is that the general feeling of the Board? Okay.
MR. HARLICKER-Excuse me. I'd just like to clarify something, here.
chan ges goin g to be on a revised si te plan tha t you'll submi t to us, the
and the landscaping and lighting and everything will be on a revised plan?
Are these
vegeta tion
MR. LEVACK-The vegetation and landscaping plan has already been submitted to the
Beautification Corranittee, and has been approved.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. Would you get us a copy of it?
MR. MARTIN-Yes. What we'll do, Scott, in the context of a resolution, is we'll
frame in a time for them to respond to Jl£.!:!£ office with the revised plan, by a
certain date and time.
MR. HARLICKER-Oka y.
MRS. TARANA-I'd like to see some kind of a sketch plan of the building and what
it's going to be, if that's at all possible, and the lighting.
MR. MARTIN-Okay, the lighting plan, location of lighting and notations that it
won't shine into the road and that type of thing. Can something be worked up in
terms of a general elevation or a sketch plan?
MR. LEVACK-I'll talk to him and see what I can do on that. He may be in a position
to make a decision on that between now and the next meeting.
MR. MARTIN-Even if it were somethin g of a model, an example, just somethin g for
the Board to get a general idea.
MR. LEVACK-We'll have an idea vilether it's going to be a ranch plan, a cape plan,
a colonial plan.
MR. MARTIN-Right. That type of thing kOu1d be very helpful.
MR. LEVACK-And try to make it as specific as he can, without the.
MR. MARTIN-What type of siding treatment are we looking at, color scheme, just
in general. Anything else? All right. Does someone have a resolution to offer?
24
'--
--
I think we're lookin gat a tab1in g for a week from toda y, and I'd like the reso1 ution
to site a date and time for the applicant to respond. Why don't we get that out
of the way right now. Again, how much time do you need to review?
MR. HARLICKER-If we could get it by Tuesday.
MR. HUNTINGTON-We will have our engineering ready by wednesday morning.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. If we could get everything by Wednesday morning.
MR. MARTIN-Okay, because it has to go through your office first before it goes
on to Tom.
MR. HARLICKER-Oka y.
MR. HUNTINGTON-Could I get permission to converse with Tom on this as kE go.
MR. MARTIN-Sure. you don't need permission.
MR. HUNTINGTON-And could I take a copy of what we're doing over to him to review
with him before I submit it?
MR. MARTIN-Yes. Anything you kBnt to do in a draft form or anything like that
is fine, but I definitely want it to go through the Planning Office and then they
can distribute it around to the appropriate commenting agencies.
MR. HUNTINGTON-I want to get Tom's okay on my drawing before I bring it up here.
MR. MARTIN-Right, and Scott will then confirm that it's been seen by Tom. Okay.
Does anybody have anything else? DOes someone have a resolution? I'll leave the
public hearing open, and we'll accept a resolution for tabling.
MarION ro rABLB SI'Bl PLAN NO. 39-92 DR. ROOK JURG, Introduced by Carol Pulver
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Timothy BrekEr:
Tabled until september 24th, with the Staff comments sent in by Tuesday the 22nd,
and the Engineering comments by Wednesday the 23rd, to the Planning Department,
by 2 p.m.
Duly adopted this 17th day of September, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. RUe1, Mr. BrekEr, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (8:50 p.m.)
BREAK
SIrB PLM NO. 42-92 'WM II fiR-IA R:ICa:MD & IUBB aBL amø.: S1III. AS ABCNIl
BARRIS BAY - BlJ.7JiØJl RœØt' SU1iMr 1'!RONRft' M'D YltCft CUJB. FOR A øu1'ArB MlAr
l1lJCK. USE Ræ(Jl1IØ;S SID PUllf UVDN. (fiJlRRJlJ1/ COlIWB PliAlØIII6J DIK NAP lI/lJ.
10-1-1.52 UR SlZ.~ 2.68 ICRlJfS sø:'1t~ 179-16
RICHARD BELL, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT (9:03 p.m.)
$ØiFF I1I/I!O'Il'
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 42-92, Richard & Irene Bell, September 14, 1992,
Meeting Date: September 17, 1992 "project Description: The applicant is proposing
to construct a 42' lon g 8' wide dock extendin g into Lake George. The dock will
be a combination of floating sections and span sections. site Plan Standards:
The only site plan standard that is applicable to this project is the standard
concerning site compatibility. The dock will be compatible with all existing
structures on the lot, the docks on adjacent propert y and the structures on the
adjacent property. It is very similar in construction to the dock used by the
adjacent property owners. The dock will also have a 12' section that will serve
as an access ramp to the dock. The access will help prevent unnecessary pedestrian
traffic and erosion on the shoreline adjacent to the dock."
MR. HARLICKER-It M3S difficult to tell from the site plan it's proximit y to the
propert y line, if you look on the si te plan.
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MR. MARTIN-We were at the site, and the property line, I know this ~s up before
us for subdivision just last winter or so, and the lot line goes right to the corner
of that small boat ramp there in the water, and we saw the wood posts there depicting
the boundar y of the lot. We have just, Warren Count y approves wi th no conunen t.
We have someone here from the applicant all the way from Long Island.
MR. BELL-My name is Richard Bell. We have received a permit from the Lake George
Park Conunission for the boat dock.
MR. MARTIN-The only question I had, in being there at the site, was, it was hard
to tell, there I s a wetland area there between the hard and firm shore and the wa ter
itself. Is this 12 foot ramp meant to extend over the wetland and then go on to
the dock, so it won 't disturb the wetlands?
MR. BELL-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-That was the only issue I saw. Does anybody have anything else they
want to ask? Okay. Let me open the public hearing. Is there anyone here from
the public to conunent on this application?
PflBLIC lII/J:ifRIlfG 0PllUf1
NfJ CfMKØI1f
~LIC 11IJ:IIRDIG Q¿œD
MR. MARTIN-Oka y. I guess, then, we I re ready for disposi tion .
IIMT(Jlf fa ~ SIr. PLM /110'. 42-92 RICllMlJ & DIÐIÆ ULL, Introduced by Timothy
Brewer who moved for its adoption, seconded by Crai g MacEwan:
For the construction of a dock.
Duly adopted this 17th day of september, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. RUe1, Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (9:07 p.m.)
$IU P£M Nfl'. 43-92 rYM~ ~ U-11t JfINDII SHM/ælJZamtB GM/:£D t/MlI/IJR:
n:ttU IIIClUIJIl) lif(JI:A'Ø!llJI/~ 144 1/2 .Rn'_ snœn 20 o.NRArB It 1lS$:Ð CM SM;Æ;$ ldIJr.
uæ J6IfllIr .APEtfOfl'D I/II 'llB ZCME. r.AK M» lI/f/t. 112-1-38.2 LfJ'.r .snll~ 9.15 4ICRæ
sø:1lJl!/)J¡ ~ 179-26
JOE BRENNAN, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
ST:ØI'F IlI8!Or
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 43-92, John Sha w/E1izabeth Ga. u1in, september 14,
1992, Meeting Date: September 17, 1992 "The site plan review is to operate a
used car sales lot . The Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance for this use
which is not allowable in an LI-1A zone. The variance granted was for a maximum
of 8 cars. A condition IJ1ich was agreed upon by the applicant was that there would
be no repairs or junk cars at the site. The site is on River Street and was existing
as a used car sales lot 3 years ago when the use was discontinued. The parcel
is very small and contains a garage which is +28 feet from the Right-of-Way. The
ingress and egress is directly from the street. The applicant stated at the Zoning
Board meeting that traffic should not be an issue since only a maximum of 8 cars
will be on site for sale. There is anticipated to be one employee. The only
activity will be to clean the cars and prepare them for sale, no repair or chemical
use is intended. All signage will conform to the Town of Queensbury sign ordinance.
The application ~s reviewed with regard to the criteria for site plan review.
1. All facilities are existing on the site so the location, arrangement, and size
of the structure, etc. is not an issue. Signage will conform to the Town code."
Lighting ~s not really addressed, and I think you should discuss it with the
applicant. "2. Vehicular access is a concern but there are not any alternatives.
3. Parking appears sufficient. 4. Pedestrian access is not an issue. 5. All
facilities are existing so storm drainage is not an issue. 6. Water and se~ge
facilities are not an issue. 7. The site is developed. The Beautification
Conuni ttee met
26
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with the applicant and approved his plan. 8. Fire and emergency access is off
of River Street. 9. Since everything is existing, ponding and erosion control
are not an issue."
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Thank you. The County notation is "No County Impact", and we
have minutes, I believe, from the Beautification Commi ttee, of August 10th, and
it's cited as Use Variance No. 90-1992. I believe they made a motion for approval.
Okay. All right. Do we have some here from the applicant?
MR. BRENNAN-My name is Joe Brennan. I'm an attorney here in Glens Falls, and I
represent the applicant. I believe the applicant's application has been thoroughly
stated as to the events that transpired from when the variance was granted. There's
a lease agreement in effect, here, which also limits the number of vehicles that
can be placed for sale on the lot. The variance granted was limited to the duration
of the lease or any extension to the lease. In other words, at such time as the
present applicant would in fact operate it. with regard to the lighting, as Lee
York indicated, my understanding from Mr. Shaw is that there are two lights that
are existing with regard to the building, one is actually on the building that
projects light toward River Street itself. There's a second light that is already
existing that faces generally west. Mr. Shaw has no intention to place any
additional lights or change the lighting pattern, of course, that would be subject
to your approval. Any questions that you have, I would be glad to try and answer
them.
MR. MARTIN-Thank you. Does an yone ha ve an y question they'd like to ask.
MR. RUEL-I have a question. If there will be no repairs, where will you be making
repairs to these cars?
MR. BRENNAN-Mr. Shaw has another business on Main Street in Hudson Falls where
he does the repair work and also autobody work, and anything that needed to be
done of that nature would either be done at that facility or at some other site.
This site is to be strictly used for cleaning and preparation of the vehicles for
sale, and the actual sale. There would only be one employee there.
MR. RUEL-Thank you.
MR. MARTIN-Anything else.
MR. MACEWAN-You said that his lease was restricted to having a maximum of eight
cars on the lot?
MR. BRENNAN-Eight is the number.
MR. MACEWAN-That was one of our concerns.
MR. BRENNAN-And that was also a specific condition of the granting of the variance,
that it would be limited to a maximum of eight cars.
MR. MACEWAN-And they will be parked in that sort of grassy area to the west.
MR. BRENNAN-The area would be, essentially, to the west of it, between the actual
existing structure and Zack's, yes.
MRS. PULVER-Does Mr. Shaw have any plans in the future, if his business should
rea11 y take off and he finds tha t now he's got 12 cars and not 8 cars? Has he
made a provision as to what he's going to do with the extra cars?
MR. BRENNAN-Well, I think that the limitation would be imposed under the lease
agreement, as well as the variance. I think it would be inadvisable for Mr. Shaw
to have more than eight cars on the lot. He buys the cars, generally, on a weekly
basis from the auctions. If the business should go to the extent, we'd probably
be looking for another site after the expiration of this lease, which is only two
years.
MR. MARTIN-The lease is only for two years. Okay. Does anybody have anything
else. Okay. I'll open the public hearing on this. Is there anyone from the public
wishing to address the Board on this application?
PUBLIC HEARING OPBlIED
NO C(MJŒJfT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
27
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MR. MARTIN-I think Carol's ready to take us through the SEQRA form.
RBSOW'rION fiUN DBØRJIINMIOlf OF NO SIGlfIFICNfCB IS lIAI1B
RBS(JUl'~IOlIlIO. 43-92, Introduced by Carol Pulver who moved for its adoption, seconded
by Timothy Brewer:
WHEREAS, there is presently before the the Planning Board an application for: 7lO
sell used cars on River Street:, 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 appears to be involved.
2. The following agencies are involved:
NONE
3. The proposed action considered by this Board is zm1isted in the Department
of Environmental Conservation Regulations implementing the State 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 vilether a project
has a significant environmental impact as the same is set forth in section
617.11 of the Official Compi1a tion of codes, Rules and Regula tions for the
state of New York, this Board finds that the action about to be undertaken
by the 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 17th day of September, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. pul ver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Rue1, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint
MR. MARTIN-Okay. Any further comment on the application in general? Okay. Does
someone want to offer a resolution?
lIUTION TO APPROVE SI'rE PLlUI NO. 43-92 JOHN SIUJIi/BLIZABBrB GAULIN, Introduced by
Timothy Brewer who moved for its adoption, seconded by Carol Pulver:
To operate a used car sales lot on l44~ River Street.
the amount of cars to be eight, and no repairs on site.
The only stipulation being
Du1 y adopted this 17th da y of september, 1992, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Rue1, Mr. Martin
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. LaPoint (9:16 p.m.)
On motion meeting ~s adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
James Martin, Chairman
28