1993-02-23
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QUEENSBURY PLANNING BOARD MEETING
SECOND REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 23RD. 1993
INDEX
SEQRA Review 4-93 John L. Polk, Jr.
1.
Subdivision No. 5-1993 John L. Polk. Jr.
SKETCH PLAN
4.
Site Plan No. 50-92 Bob Buruchian
6.
Freshwater Wetlands Robert Rowe
Permit #3-92
9.
Subdivision No. 16-1992 Robert Rowe
PRELIMINARY STAGE
11.
SEQRA Review 3-93
National Realty & Development Corp. 15.
Petition 3-93
RECOMMENDATION ONLY
Stanley H. & Beverly D. Juckett
57.
Site Plan No. 3-93
Joseph Guerra
62.
Site Plan No. 7-93
Daniel & Joan Harris
66.
Site Plan No. 9-93
Douglas Petroski
70.
Subdivision No. 6-1993
SKETCH PLAN
Michael Vasiliou
72.
THESE ARE NOT OFFICIALLY ADOPTED MINUTES AND ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD
AND STAFF REVISIONS. REVISIONS WILL APPEAR IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS
MINUTES (IF ANY) AND WILL STATE SUCH APPROVAL OF SAID MINUTES.
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QUEBRSBURY PLARNING BOARD MBE~ING
SBCORD RBGULAR KBETIRG
FBBRUARY 23RD. 1993
7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
TIMOTHY BREWER, CHAIRMAN
CORINNE TARANA, SECRETARY
ROGER RUEL
CRAIG MACEWAN
EDWARD LAPOINT
KATHLEEN ROWE
EXBCUTIVB DIRBCTOR-JAMES MARTIN
PLANRER-SCOTT HARLICKER
STBROGRAPHER-MARIA GAGLIARDI
MR. BREWER-We've got a couple of things we have to do first.
Minutes.
CORRECTION OF MIRUTES
January 19th, 1993: NONE
MOTION TO APPROVE ~HB MI.U~BS OF JANUARY 19TH. 1993, Introduced by
Corinne Tarana who moved for its adoption, seconded by Edward
LaPoint:
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February t 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES. Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mr. Ruel
MR. BREWER-Do we want to wait and see if anybody else gets here
before we have the election, Ed?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess we can get right into the agenda, then.
We'll have the first order of business.
MRS. ROWE-Do you have enough to vote, because I can't vote on this.
MR. BREWER-I guess, then, we could ask the applicant if he could
wait, and do the second one. We don't have enough to do the first
item, if she's going to excuse herself. would that be a problem,
Mr. O'Connor, if we waited just for a few minutes to see if another
Board member came? Because Kathy is going to excuse herself on
this first item, and you are the first item.
MR. O'CONNOR-That's fine.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Then we'll skip right down to the second one.
OLD BUSIRESS.
SEQRA RBVIBW 4-93 JOHN L. POLK. JR. CROSS RBFERERCE AV 18-1993
MARTIN AUFFREDOU, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF IRPUT
Notes from Staff, SEQRA Review No. 4-93 Cross Reference AV '8-1993,
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John L. Polk, Jr., Meeting Date. February 23, 1993 "PROJECT
DESCRIPTION. The applicant is proposing to subdivide a 2.14 acre
parcel into two lots. Each lot will be approximately one acre in
area. The property is located off of Assembly Point Road on the
east side of Canal Bay (Lake George) and is zoned WR-1A. The
subdivision will result in two principle bUildings on the westerly
lot and one principle building on the eastern lot. The subdivision
will require several variances. The western lot will require
variances to allow more than one principle building on the lot and
to allow shoreline setbacks of less than 75' for the two bUildings.
The eastern lot will require variances to allow for less than 40'
of frontage on a Town Road and to allow a shoreline setback of less
than 75' for the eXisting bUilding. The project is located in the
Lake George Critical Environmental Area and the Adirondack Park.
PROJECT ANALYSIS. The Planning Staff reviewed Part 2 of the Long
Environmental Assessment submitted with this project and offers the
fOllowing comments: 1. Will the proposed action result in a
physical change to the project site? There should be no physical
change to the project site. No new construction should result from
this project. The variances are for existing conditions and the
subdivision does not involve a physical change to the project site.
2. Will there be an effect to any unique or unusual land forms
found on the site? There are no unique land forms on the site. 3.
Will the proposed action affect any water body designated as
protected? The project is located on Lake George and is in the
Lake George Critical Environmental Area; however, the variances and
the subdivision should not affect the lake. 4. Will the proposed
action affect any non-protected existing or new body of water? The
action should not impact any non-protected water body. 5. Will
proposed action effect surface or groundwater? The project should
not affect surface or groundwater. 6. Will proposed action alter
drainage flow or patterns or surface water runoff? The project
should not alter drainage flow and surface water runoff. 7. Will
proposed action affect air quality? The project should not impact
air quality. 8. Will proposed action affect any threatened or
endangered species? The proposed action should not affect any
threatened or endangered species. 9. Will the proposed action
substantially affect non-threatened or non-endangered species? The
project should not affect any non-threatened or non-endangered
species. 10. Will the proposed action affect agricultural land
resources? The project should not affect any agricultural land
resources. 11. Will the proposed action affect aesthetic
resources? The project should not impact any aesthetic resources.
12. Will proposed action impact any site or structure of historic,
prehistoric or paleontological importance? The project should not
have an impact on any historic structure. 13. Will proposed
action affect quantity or quality of existing or future open space
or recreational opportunities? The action should not affect open
space or recreational opportunities. 14. Will there be an affect
to existing transportation system? The project should not effect
the transportation system. 15. Will proposed action affect the
community's sources of fuel and energy? The proposal should not
impact the community's energy or fuel supply. 16. Will there be
objectionable odors, noise or vibrations as a result of the
proposed action? There should not be objectionable noise, odors or
vibrations as a result of this project. 17. Will proposed action
affect public health and safety? The project should not affect
public health or safety. 18. Will proposal affect the character
of the existing community? The project should not have a negative
impact on the character of the community. RECOMMENDATION: The
project does not appear to have any significant adverse impacts on
the environment; therefore, the staff can recommend a negative
declaration on this project for the purposes of SEQRA."
HR. BREWER-Okay, and we have someone here representing the
applicant.
HR. AUFFREDOU-Hr. Chairman, my name is Martin Auffredou, of the Law
Firm of Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart, and Rhodes, on behalf of Hr.
Polk.
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MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess, if there's no real outstanding Staff
Notes, does anybody on the Board have any questions? Would you
like to take us through SEQRA, Ed?
RESOLUTION WHER DETERHIRATION or NO SIGNIFICANCE IS HADE
RESOLUTION SEORA REVIEW NO. 4-93, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who
moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig MacEwan:
WHEREAS, there
application for:
is presently before the
JOHR L. POLK. JR., and
Planning
Board
an
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 unlisted 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 concern and having considered the criteria for determining
whether a project has a significant environmental impact as
the same is set forth in Section 617.11 of the Official
Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations for the State of
New York, this Board finds that the action about to be
undertaken by this Board will have no significant
environmental effect and the Chairman of the Planning Board is
hereby authorized to execute and sign and file as may be
necessary a statement of non-significance or a negative
declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. LaPoint. Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Okay. SEQRA's approved.
MR. AUFFREDOU-I guess, a point of procedure, as far as the
scheduling of Sketch Plan review, or Preliminary plat review. When
will that be done?
MR. BREWER-I think, you're on Sketch Plan tonight.
MR. AUFFREDOU-I'm on Sketch Plan tonight. I understand that. Were
we about to proceed to that now, or?
MR. BREWER-No. We're going to go through the agenda as it, well,
I suppose we probably could, or would you rather just follow the
agenda?
MR. LAPOINT-He's sitting right here. We can go right through it,
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if nobody has any questions.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
NEW BUSINESS:
SUBDIVISIOR RO. 5-1993 SKETCH PLAII TYPE I C.E.A. WR-1A JOHN L.
POLK. JR. OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE LOCATION: EAST SIDE OF ASSEMBLY
PT.. ON EAST SIDE or CARAL BAY HARRIS BAY PROPOSAL IS TO DIVIDE
EXISTING LOT IRTO TWO CONFORMIRG LOTS, WESTERLY LOT WILL CONTAIN
TWO EXISTIRG COTTAGES AND APPLICANT WILL CO.VEY A LOT TO DAUGHTERS
OR OTHER PARTY. EASTERLY LOT WILL BE RETAINED BY APPLICANT. CROSS
REFERENCE. AV 18-1993 (APA) TAX HAP NO. 6-3-1 LOT SIZE: 2.14
ACRES SECTION. SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
MARTIN AUFFREDOU, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUIf
Notes from Staff, Subdivision No. 5-1993 - Sketch Plan, John L.
Polk, Jr., Meeting Date: February 23,1993 "PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The applicant is proposing to subdivide a 2.14 acre parcel into two
lots. One lot will be 1.0 acres and the second will be 1.14 acres.
The property is located off of Assembly Point Rod on Harris Bay
(Lake George) and is zoned WR-1A. The subdivision will require
several variances. The smaller lot will have two principle
buildings on it where only one is allowed and will need relief to
allow for less than a 75' shoreline setback for the two principle
buildings. The larger lot will require variances to allow a lot
with less than 40' of frontage on a Town road and to allow less
than 75' shoreline setback for the principle building. PROJECT
ANAJ.,YSIS: The main issues regarding this subdivision will be
addressed during the variance proceedings. The septic system for
lot 2 has to be shown on the plan. Since lot 2 has frontage on a
Town road, access to the lot should be via the Town road. This
would eliminate the need for access easements and would make the
property more accessible for emergency vehicles. Currently the
buildings are seasonal. The applicant should indicate if there are
any intentions of converting the bUilding to a year round use as
this may affect the septic systems. On the plan it does not appear
that the building on lot 2 is hooked up to utilities. Service
seems to end at the pole located on the lot. There is also a large
irregular shape shown on lot 2 that is not labeled."
MR. LAPOINT-I'd say, if nobody has questions, we could go right
through it.
MR. BREWER-Yes. I don't have any questions with it, as far as I
can see. Does anybody have any questions?
MR. AUFFREDOU-There is one thing I'd like to point out. This was
before the Planning Board back in the fall, as a proposed three lot
subdivision. We ran into some problems with the Zoning Board on
the variance request. We were proposing to create substandard
lots. Now, with this subdivision, we're proposing conforming lots
that are certainly compatible with the neighborhood, two lots. As
I've set forth in the application, it is Mr. Polk's intention to
convey the westerly lot either to his daughters or to another
party, at some point in the future. He is retired, living on a
fixed income, and he just cannot keep up with the tax payments at
this point, and he's looking for some relief, and again, this is
the idea that we have for him. It's unfortunate that we couldn't
get the three lot subdivision, but at that time, back in the fall,
the Zoning Board of Appeals said, come back with a two lot
subdivision and we think we can give you some approval there. So,
we're back here asking for a two lot subdivision. We understand
that it's in a Critical Environmental Area. We understand that you
have a series of criteria and regulations which, if this weren't in
a CEA, you could do some expedited review. We're kind of hoping
that we can expedite this, in some fashion, so that I'm not back
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here, and the applicant is not back here, on three different
occasions. If we can't do that, that's fine, but I am making that
request tonight.
MR. BREWER-I think we may be able to accommodate you with
Preliminary the first meeting of next month, and then go on to
Final the following week, if that's any help to you.
MR. AUFFREDOU-Sure.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. MARTIN-What I might suggest, if that were the preferred case,
that upon the filing deadline, file both applications, so you're
not caught.
MR. AUFFREDOU-We've got everything filed.
MR. MARTIN-Okay.
MR. BREWER-Well, then, we can move for a motion.
MOTION TO RECOMMEND THAT THE APPLICANT IN THE CASE OF SUBDIVISION
NO. 5-1993 JOHR L. POLK. JR. AT SKETCH PLAR TO MOVE TO PRELIMIRARY
STAGE, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for its adoption,
seconded by Craig MacEwan:
Proposal is to divide existing lot into two conforming lots. The
westerly lot will contain two existing cottages, and the applicant
wil convey a lot to daughters or other party. Easterly lot will be
retained by the applicant, pending the variance approval by the
ZBA. The applicant will meet the Staff requirements for additional
information on the Preliminary site plan.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
MR. MARTIN-And I also might suggest you put that, pending variance
approval.
MR. HARLICKER-Staff would just like to offer a couple of comments,
here, before you guys take a vote on this. In reviewing the
application, we noted the lot, I'm not sure which, the one on the
easterly side, with the one house on it, does have access to a Town
road, and we were wondering why access to that property is not
proposed from that Town road, as opposed to granting the easements
across the rear lot, if that's a possibility?
MR. AUFFREDOU-I think that does go to the variance, but it's an
obvious point. I'm not surprised you brought it up. The way that
that road, I think it's about 17 or 18 feet, wide, the way that
that road approaches the property, there is a wooded area on that
part of the lot. There is a septic/leachfield area for the large
cottage in that general area of the eastern most lot, and Mr. Polk
has talked about getting access from that area, but he doesn't
really have any intention to do that right now. You're talking
about this Town road? Okay. This is a fairly wooded area through
here. Mr. Polk has stated that he could, if necessary, get access
to this lot from this road, but he doesn't intend to. The common
driveway, the easement that extends through the entire property,
has worked well through the years. He's not intending to change
that, and he's comfortable with that. Remember, he's going to keep
this lot.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. AUFFREDOU-If, at some point in time, a future owner wishes to
have his or her own access, and not have to be worried or concerned
about the easement access, I suppose at that point they could clear
this area and get access from this Town road.
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MR. HARLICKER-Okay. As long as you're up there, there also appears
to be a large, irregularly shaped feature outlined on that parcel
you were just pOinting at. I was wondering what that was.
MR. AUFFREDOU-I think, if I'm not mistaken, and Leon Steves is
here, and I didn't want to bring him in, but I think that is the
leachfield area for this, the septic system that services the large
cottage.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. For the Preliminary, then, maybe, if the Board
agrees with this, you might want to show just where the septic
system is for that.
MR. AUFFREDOU-We could do that. Sure.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. Also, it does not appear that the bUilding on
Lot 2 is hooked up to utili ties. It seemed to just end in the
middle of the property there. I'm assuming that's a pole?
MR. AUFFREDOU-Yes. It's fully serviced by utilities.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. Okay.
MR. AUFFREDOU-It is seasonal use, though.
MR. HARLICKER-Right. So all three buildings are gOing to be
converted to year round use?
MR. AUFFREDOU-Well, I don't know. Certainly, that's not Mr. Polk's
intention, for this building, which is the oldest bUilding. It's
a two story structure. It's been there for a very long time.
These two cottages are seasonal, and I suppose it's a fair
statement to say that a future owner could come forward and attempt
to convert these buildings to year round use. It's not Mr. Polk's
intention to do that, if the variances and subdivision applications
are approved. His intention is only to change ownership.
MR. HARLICKER-Those are all the issues that I had, at this level of
review.
AYES: Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Mr. O'Connor, Jim just went to see if he could get a
hold of another Board member, just so you know. We'll proceed
until someone else gets here, and then we'll get right to you.
OLD BUSINBSS:
SITE PLAN RO. 50-92 TYPE I (LK. GBORGE C.B.A.) LC-42A BOB
BURUCHIAN OWNBR: SAMB AS ABOVE LOCATION: EAS...... SIDB OF R....... 9L ON
DUNHAM'S BAY (OLD HOUN......AIRSIDE GRANGB HALL). RIGHT ABOVE DURRAH'S
BAY LODGE ACROSS FROM BOAT. CO. SITB PLAR REVIEW TO OPERATE A BED
& BRBAKFAS...... FOR UP TO 4 PBRSORS. (WARRBN COUR......Y PLARNIRG) (APA)
TAX HAP NO. 10-1-22 LOT SIZE: + 1/2 ACRB SECTION: 179-13
SHARON DAVIES, REPRESENTING APPLICANT. PRESENT
MR. BREWER-Okay, Scott, do you have any Notes? I have none here
from you.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. If you recall, we reviewed, this was back on
the agenda, back in, I think it was December, December 15th. The
reason it was brought back was because it had not been sent to
County. It has, since, been sent to the County, and we got stuff
back from them today, and they indicated that it would be approved.
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MR. BREWER-They approved, and we have a copy of that?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes, we do.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess the major issue was, all the neighbors
were taken care of, and then it had to go to Warren County, and now
you're back, and you're just, did we leave the public hearing open
on this?
MRS. DAVIES-Yes.
MR. BREWER-We did?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
this application?
Does anybody on the Board have any comments to
I know we had some stipulations.
MR. LAPOINT-I just had one question for Scott, because I don't have
this in front of me. The Warren County Planning approval, that was
unconditional, there's no comments there?
MR. HARLICKER-Correct.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay.
MR. HARLICKER-We just got them late this afternoon.
MR. BREWER-Do we have them here?
MR. HARLICKER-No, you don't.
MR. LAPOINT-No. They're not in our packets. That's why I asked.
It was just a straight check, unconditional approval?
MR. HARLICKER-Correct.
MR. LAPOINT-That's what I wanted to know. Thank you.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Is there anybody else? Okay. I'll ask, is there
anybody here from the public who'd like to comment?
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN
RO COHHERT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. BREWER-Does anybody care to make a motion. and I would like to
know, do you have a copy of the minutes, that we had some
stipulations, I thought, we put in there for this. Because we have
no information.
MR. HARLICKER-That I s just what I was looking for.
appear that we do, no.
It doesn't
MRS. DAVIES-I have the minutes.
MR. BREWER-There was no motion made, though.
about lights and.
I think we talked
MRS. DAVIES-Right. That's mentioned in there.
MR. BREWER-And the parking should be limited to a certain amount
of people, as I remember, wasn't it?
MR. DAVIES-I don't think they put a limit on that.
technically, have four cars.
You could,
MRS. ROWE-Well. if I remember right, he had cars that he kept on
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the property, that were older cars, that.
MRS. DAVIES-Right. We had a discussion about that, and I think
that we didn't put a limit on the numbers.
MR. BREWER-This just says as to whether everybody was notified.
That's the only thing on here. That was our motion at the last
meeting. Okay. Would somebody care to make a motion, then? As
long as we have no.
MR. HARLICKER-This was a Type I Action. So there was a Long
Environmental Assessment Form for this project.
MR. BREWER-We didn't do that?
MR. HARLICKER-You might want to. the motion's you rescinded at that
last meeting, I don't recall. I think you might have rescinded
everything. So, you might want to go back through and do the SEQRA
again.
MR. MACEWAN-I think what we did, we rescinded our approval, pending
what we found out from the County.
MR. BREWER-What Warren County did.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. MACEWAN-And everything. if we approved it, was going to be
contingent upon the County approving it.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
MR. BREWER-I'm sure that's what we did.
MRS. CORINNE-Yes. Well, was there any discussion on that? Were
they under a blanket approval, did you say?
MR. HARLICKER-No. It was an individual. There was no comments at
all issued with the paperwork we got.
MRS. DAVIES-I was at the meeting. The parking issue did come up.
I mean, they just wanted to see, I basically gave them these
pictures that showed that 'it could accommodate the cars.
MRS. TARANA-Okay.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess with that, then, we can make a motion.
Does someone care to make a motion?
MR. LAPOINT-Lets be careful, because this one's bounced back to us
twice on technicalities already. Did we do and complete the SEQRA
Review? Are we done with that? Are we satisfied that we're done?
Because if we're not, it's easy to go through it and be done with
it.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. To be on the safe side, I'd recommend taking
the couple of minutes to go back through it again.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. If this comes back again.
MR. BREWER-It wouldn't hurt to go through it again, I guess. Lets
do it again.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay.
RBSOLUTIOR WHEN DB~ERKINATIOK OF NO SIGKlrICAKCE IS MADB
RBSOLU~IOK RO. 50-92, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Craig MacEwan:
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WHEREAS, there is presently before the Planning Board an
application fori BOB BURUCHIAN. for a site plan to operate a Bed
& Breakfast for up to four persons., 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 unlisted 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 whether a project has a significant
environmental impact as the same is set forth in Section
617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the
Planning Board is hereby authorized to execute and sign and
file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance or a
negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES: Mr. MacEwan, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT. Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess now we can make a motion.
MOTION TO APPROVB SITB PLAN NO. 50-92 BOB BURUCHIAR. Introduced by
Edward LaPoint who moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig
MacEwan:
To operate a Bed & Breakfast for up to four persons.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES. Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Mr. O'Connor, we did get a hold of Mr. Ruel, and he will
be here.
FRESHWATBR WBTLARDS PERMIT 13-92
G 26 SW 313 WBST MOURTAIH ROAD
ZONBI SR-1A AERA OF PROPBRTY:
45-1992 1124-1992 SUB 116-1992
ROBERT ROWB PROPBRTY INVOLVED.
TAX HAP NO. 123-1-34 CURRENT
2 ACRBS CROSS RBFBRENCE. AV 1
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ROBERT ROWE, PRESENT
HR. HARLICKER-He got his wetland permit.
MR. BREWER-He does, and we have it?
HR. HARLICKER-He got it, faxed to us, today.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
other.
Great.
We can do these one right after the
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Freshwater Wetlands Permit '3-92, Robert Rowe,
Meeting Date I February 16, 1993 "The applicant is before the
Board for a wetlands permit. The applicant also requested an area
variance to allow construction within 75' of a wetlands. Hr. Rowe
is also applying for a two lot subdivision. Hr. Rowe received the
needed variance to build within 75' of a wetlands on 11/18/92. The
wetland is jurisdictional to the APA. The applicant was told by
the staff about the Board's policy of allowing the other agency to
issue a permit prior to the Town." Today, I received a fax from
the APA, and Mr. Rowe now has his wetlands permit. "Mr. Rowe has
applied to the APA and is awaiting their determination. The APA
had to wait until the applicant received the variance to begin
processing the wetlands application. The staff contacted the APA
on 2/1/93 to see where the application was in their review. They
indicated that they are processing the application and did not see
any problems with it. They should have a copy of the approval to
the Town by 2/19 or 2/22. If for some reason the Planning
Department has not received a copy of the approval by the day of
the meeting, staff recommends granting approval conditioned on the
receipt of the APA approval."
MR. BREWER-Okay. Do we have an updated map of this property?
MR. ROWE-Well, my son-in-law brought nine of them up on Friday.
Scott said he can't find them. I've got mine.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. We don't have copies of it any place. He's got
one with him.
HR. BREWER-Could we look at the one you have with you?
MR. ROWE-Sure.
MR. BREWER-It's a pretty simple subdivision. Ed, do you want to
look at this?
MR. LAPOINT-I remember it from the last time.
HR. BREWER-There may have been a couple of things that may have
changed.
HRS. ROWE-I was curious about something. Your fill that you're
going to put in for the house, is there an attached garage?
HR. ROWE-No.
MRS. ROWE-NO. So, it's just going to be the house? And is some
fill going to be put in the back behind the house, like for a play
area or something?
MR. ROWE-No.
MRS. ROWE-No?
MR. ROWE-The house is going down in a hole, and the dirt we've got
up there is going to be in front of the house.
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MRS. ROWE-Okay.
Thank you.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
Anybody else?
MR. LAPOINT-What is it exactly we do with a Wetlands Permit? We're
not approving or anything, are we? I mean. for the first item.
The first item of business, here, is a Wetlands Permit. What are
we doing, as a Board?
MR. MARTIN-You're actually just issuing the permit.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. LAPOINT-They already have that, though.
MR. MARTIN-Which allows for the activity to occur as planned.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay.
MR. BREWER-Okay. With no further comments, does anybody care to
make a motion?
MOTION TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT AND MAKE THE FRESHWATER WETLANDS
PERMIT NO. 3-92 ROBERT ROWE AS ISSUED BY THE ADIRONDACK PARK
AGENCY, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for its adoption,
seconded by Corinne Tarana:
Which binds the applicant to the terms and conditions of that
permit.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993. by the fOllowing
vote:
AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Okay. That's approved. You've got your permit. Now we
can go right to the subdivision.
MR. MARTIN-Just to make a note, in that motion. The motion was to
accept. I think it should be, accept the permit, it should be to
make the permit.
MR. LAPOINT-To accept and approve and make the permit.
MR. MARTIN-Just as a technicality.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. See, we're not issuing the permit.
MR. MARTIN-No. We have a permit as well, the Town does.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. Fine, then the Town shall issue that permit.
MR. MARTIN-The APA already has theirs.
SUBDIVISION NO. 16-1992 PRELIMINARY STAGE TYPE: UNLISTED SR-1A
ROBERT ROWE OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE LOCATION: WEST MT. RD., SOUTH
OF SHERMAN AVENUE INTERSECTION. SUBDIVISION OF PROPERTY INTO 2
LOTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. CROSS REFERENCE: AV' 124-1992
FRESHWATER WETLANDS PERMIT 3-92 (APA) TAX MAP NO. 123-1-34 LOT
SIZE: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
ROBERT ROWE. PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Subdivision No. 16-1992 - Preliminary Stage,
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Robert Rowe, Meeting Date: February 23, 1993 "Proiect
DescriÞtion: The applicant is seeking preliminary approval to
subdivide a 4.63 acre parcel into two lots. The new lot will be
1.95 acres and the remaining lot will be 2.58 acres. The property
is located in the Adirondack Park on West Mountain Road just south
of Clendon Brook Road and is known as tax parcel 121-1-34. The
rear of the property is bounded by Clendon Brook and there is a
freshwater wetlands on the property. The property is zoned SR-1A.
The applicant is also required to get a freshwater wetlands permit
and a variance to build within 75 feet of a wetland. The applicant
is proposing to build a house on the second parcel only 22' from
the wetland. Pro1ect Analvsis: The project was reviewed with
consideration given to the provisions found in Section A183-10E.
(1) of the Zoning Code: The applicant is not proposing any streets
in his proposal; it is a simple two lot subdivision. Both of the
lots will be hooked up to Town water. The lots will have
individual septic systems. Since lot two is in a low lying area
adjacent to a wetland, information should be provided to ensure
that the proposed lot is able to support a septic system. The
eXisting lot, which has a dwelling on it, has it's own septic
system. Drainage could be a problem with the proposed new lot. It
is located in a hollow and appears to be a natural catch basin for
stormwater runoff and snowmelt in the spring. Because of the steep
slope at the front of the property and along the side, access to
the parcel could be a problem. Grading information should be
provided showing how the problem of the steep slope will be
mitigated. The lots are both over one acre and, therefore, meet
the lot size requirement of the Zoning Code, as well as the other
dimensional requirements. The proposed structure on lot two is
located so it meets the setbacks for front, rear and side yards.
The applicant received a variance for the house to be located 50
feet from the wetlands; the code requires 75 feet setback from a
wetland. Since that time the applicant has revised his plans and
will locate the house 60 feet from the wetlands. According to
Section 179-30 C of the Zoning Code, all residential lots fronting
on a collector or arterial road shall have two times the lot width
permitted in the zone unless the ingress and egress are limited to
one common driveway. In order to gain an exception to the two
times the lot width requirement, the applicant has to show the
common driveway on the subdivision plat and in a written legal
document. There is a slim possibility that lot one, which has 2.58
acres, could be further subdivided in the future. The limiting
factors to this possibility appear to be wetlands. and the road
frontage requirements for arterial and collector roads.
Recommendation: The Planning Staff believes that there are certain
issues that need special consideration. Because of the nature of
the property drainage, the septic system and the impact of
development on the wetlands all have to be carefully examined.
Because of the steep slope and frontage on an arterial road, access
also should be looked at closely. If the applicant can show that
the low elevation will not cause drainage problems, the property
can support an up to code septic system, the development will not
have a negative impact on the wetlands and safe access to the site
can be provided. the Staff can recommend preliminary subdivision
approval."
MR. BREWER-Okay.
comments?
Would you like to make any comment to these
MR. ROWE-I'll answer'any question you want to ask of me.
MR. BREWER-Do you have any of the information that is being asked
for, as far as drainage?
MR. ROWE-I have a blueprint that was approved by the Adirondack
Park for the septic system.
MR. BREWER-Okay, and you'll have that for Final.
MR. ROWE-I have the blueprints right here.
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HR. BREWER-NO, the blueprints, but I
have some kind of report saying that
be a problem. We have to prove that
be a problem on your property.
would say that you'd have to
the drainage is not going to
the drainage is not going to
MR. ROWE-I've owned this land for 33 years and I never had any
problem. We eliminated at least 30 feet, by fill already, and by
putting a 56 foot house in there, you're eliminating 56 more.
MR. BREWER-I understand that, but.
MR. HARLICKER-I think part of it, too, is if you look the
elevations that I gave you, it gives you some idea as to the
grading that's going to be proposed for the project.
MR. BREWER-But don't we have to have some documentation that says
this is gOing to happen, rather than a piece of paper saying that
it's going to?
MR. HARLICKER-You can request it, but normally on a subdivision
like this, it's not a required, on a simple two lot subdivision, we
don't require full grading plans for it. Normally, we waive that.
MR. ROWE-This land has all been surveyed, and the topo numbers are
right there, on the road and the house.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Does anyone else on the Board have any questions?
HR. LAPOINT-No. He could just, when he submits your Final Stage
subdivision, just include the drawings with the septic attached.
MR. ROWE-They're awful big drawings.
HR. LAPOINT-NO. I understand. I'm just trying to make it easy so
you get approval. I want you to get approval as quickly and
smoothly as possible.
MR. ROWE-So do I.
MR. LAPOINT-I don't want to sit here, at Final, and debate whether
or not your septic system's going to be okay. The best way for you
to do that is for you to attach a set of those drawings to what you
submit at Final, showing that they're engineered, and we'll go
right over them and say, okay, it demonstrates there's an
approvable septic system, Code septic system.
MR. ROWE-The Adirondack Park wouldn't even give me approval on the
wetlands, until they.
MR. LAPOINT-I understand that, but our Staff is bringing this up to
us. I would overlook it. I don't know about the rest of the
people on the Board. I believe you.
MR. ROWE-It'll be attached.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. Some of the conditions in the APA Wetlands
Permits do relate to location of the septic system. So that's
addressed partially that way. The one outstanding issue that we
discussed, also, is he's in the process, right now, of getting the
legal documentation for the easements for access to the two lots,
and that should be, hopefully, in place, or you should hopefully
have it by the time Final approval comes around.
MR. BREWER-The only other question that I had, and I don't have a
problem with it, I just was curious, your driveway comes in, and
then comes back around to the back of the house.
MR. ROWE-Well, I gave my daughter a 20 foot right-of-way on my
property. I have a big wide driveway now, and she's going to have
a 20 foot easement on my property. She'll be coming almost into my
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garage and making a U-turn.
cellar.
Her garage is gOing to be in her
MR. BREWER-It's going to be in the cellar in the back? Okay.
MRS. CORINNE-This is the correct drawing that we have here?
MR. ROWE-Yes.
MRS. CORINNE-With the shared driveway, do we have to have some
statement about responsibility for the driveway and all that?
MR. MARTIN-I think that's what Scott was referring to.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
along with it.
We need the legal documentation that goes
MR. MARTIN-The actual easement language.
MR. BREWER-Okay. We left the public hearing open on this. Is
there anyone here from the pUblic that would like to speak on this
matter?
PUBLIC HBARIHG OPBR
)to COHNBHIf
PUBLIC HBARIHG CLOSBD
MR. BREWER-Okay. We have to go through the Short Form?
MR. LAPOINT-Long Form, right?
MR. HARLICKER-Long Form.
MR. BREWER-Long Form.
RBSOLUTIOH _HBH DBTBRHI_ATIO_ or _0 SIG_IrICARCB IS HAD.
RBSOLUTIOR BO. 16-1992, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Craig MacEwan.
WHEREAS, there is presently before the Planning Board an
application for. ROBBRT ROWB, at Preliainary Stage, for the
subdivision of property into two lots for residential purposes, and
WHEREAS, this Planning Board has determined that the proposed
project and Planning Board action is sUbject to review under the
State Environaental Quality Review Act,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED.
1. No federal agency appears to be involved.
2. The following agencies are involved.
Adirondack Park Agency
3. The proposed action considered by this Board is unlisted 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 Fora has been completed by the
applicant.
5. Having considered and thoroughly analyzed the relevant areas
of environmental concern and having considered the criteria
for determining whether a project has a significant
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environmental impact as the same is set forth in Section
617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the
Planning Board is hereby authorized to execute and sign and
file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance or a
negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote.
AYES. Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Hr. LaPoint, Hrs. Tarana, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Okay. Now, would somebody care to make a motion?
MRS. TARAHA-Excuse me, before you do that, was the Staff satisfied
with the things that you brought up, regarding the slope of the
property, safe access onto the?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. That information given to you there, in light
of the com.ents from the APA. addressed everything.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. I'm going to make my motion, so that you can add
in the septic tank and show that, and if it's easy, and you talk to
the Staff before you get to Final with this, and if there's still
any question about the grades, just put a few spot elevations on
the plan. that ought to do it, right? Okay.
MO~IOR ~O APPROVE SUBDIVISIO. RO. 16-1992 ROBBR~ ROWI, Introduced
by Edward LaPoint who moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig
MacEwan.
Subdivision of property into two lots, with the applicant's
understanding that he'll meet the Staff's requirements for final,
with respect to a Code septic system and spot elevations as
required, and include the easements.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February. 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES: Hr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Hr. Ruel, Mrs. Pulver
MR. BREWER-Okay. Now, we want to go back to the first item on the
agenda, now that Roger's here.
SEORA REVIBW 3-93 RA~IORAL RBALTY & DBVBLOPMBR~ CORP. - CROSS
RBFERBRCB AV '11-1993. SUBDIVISIOR '3-1993. ARD FU~URB SI~B PLAR
APPLICA~IORS
MICHAEL O'CONNOR, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, SEQRA Review 3-93 National Realty & Development
Corp., Cross Reference. AV'11-1993, Subdiv. '3-1993, National
Realty & Development Corp., Meeting Date: February 23, 1993 "I.
Project Description. The project involves the re-development of
approximately 17.74 acres of commercial property. The proeprty is
located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Weeks Road
and Rt. 9. It is currently zoned HC-1A and contains 102,000 square
feet of mixed commercial, retail and office space. This proposal
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will remove 29,000 square feet of the existing bUilding and
necessitate the re-location of four businesses. New construction
will consist of a 116,097 square foot Wal-Mart stor with 621
parking spaces. The project includes minor peripheral landscaping
in the parking area and the planting of trees and the placement of
a stockade fence to provide screening and a buffer for the
residential property to the south. The proposal also includes the
subdivision of the 17.74 acre parcel into two lots. Lot one, which
will contain the Wal-Mart store, is to be 11.28 acres; lot two,
which will contain the remaining Ames store, will be 6.45 acres.
In order to receive subdivision approval, the applicant will need
several variances including permeability, side yard setback, buffer
zone and parking lot landscaping. The project also involves the
extension of the sewer district to allow the two stores to hook up.
II. Review of Part I After reviewing Part I Project
Information, the Planning Staff would like to see the answers to
several questions clarified or modified to reflect staff's
concerns. Most of the changes are clerical in nature but need to
be completed prior to accepting the EAF as complete. Section A.
Question 4a; What is the depth to bedrock? The answer given has to
be substantiated by listing it's source. Section A. Question 8:
What is the depth of the water table? As with the above question,
the source of the answer has to be given. Section B. Question 2.
How much natural material will be removed from the site? This
question has to be answered. Section B. Question 16. Will the
project generate solid waste? The answer yes requires a follow up
answer regarding quantity generated. The answer should also list
solid waste generated during the demolition and construction
process. Section B. Question 19. Will the project routinely
produce odors? The project will probably routinely produce odors
during construction. Exhaust and dust will be created as a result
of the construction process. Diesel fumes from trucks as well as
exhaust from customer's vehicles will also be produced as a result
of this project. Section B. Question 20. Will the project produce
operating noise exceeding the local ambient noise levels? During
construction the project will probably produce noise levels that
exceed the aabient noise level. The noise from delivery trucks
will also probably exceed ambient levels if those deliveries are
made during the evenings. Section B. Question 23: Total
anticipated water usage per day? The source of this answer should
be given. It should also be clarified if the answer includes the
water used by Ames. Section C. Question 7. What are the
predominant land uses and zoning classifications within 1/4 mile
radius of proposed action? Single family residential as well as
plaza commercial are located within 1/4 mile of the project.
Section C. Question 8. Is the proposed action compatible with
adjoining/surrounding land uses? It is the staff's belief that a
116,000 square foot retail store is not compatible with the
adjacent single family residences. III. Review of Part 2 After
reviewing Part 2 - Project Impacts and Their Magnitude, and Part 3
- Evaluation of the Importance of Impacts, the Planning Staff has
the following comments and concerns regarding the environmental
impacts of this project. A. EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF LAND There
will be some impact on the land as a result of this project. Even
though much of the site is vacant, it can not be considered
undisturbed property. The topography of the site will be altered,
and there will be the removal of most of the existing vegetation.
The existing vegetation will remain in the buffer areas that abut
the residential zones. The greatest impact on the land will be the
creation of a large area of impermeability. This issue of large
areas of impermeability has to be addressed. B. EVALUATION OF
IMPACT ON WATER In reviewing the project's impacts on water the
main concern centers on the expansion of impervious space. The
site is currently mostly covered by either the existing building or
the parking area. Of the existing 17.74 acres which comprise the
project site, approximately 7.0 acres (39%) is permeable surface
covered by some type of vegetation. When the project is is
complete 2.48 acres (13.9%) will be permeable. It is possible that
the large decrease in permeable area will affect groundwater.
Pollution from the runoff and recharge of the aquifer are issues
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that need further review. Soil erosion and changes in the drainage
patterns are also possible problem areas. Erosion, especially
during construction, will have to be controlled through a proper
erosion control plan. The drainage report, created to help
mitigate stormwater management and drainage concerns, is currently
being reviewed by Rist-Frost Associates. C. EVALUATION OF IMPACT
ON AIR In reviewing the project's impact on air the main concern
centers on exhaust from the vehicle trips generated by this
project, from the delivery vehicles and from the odor created in
the garden center and auto repair areas. The traffic study
indicated that there will be over 1,000 trips generated by this
project during peak hours on Saturday. Their impact on local air
quality, particularly the adjacent residential neighborhoods, has
to be addressed. The delivery trucks will access the loading dock
by driving very close to the adjacent residential areas and the
diesel exhaust generated by these vehicles is particularly
offensive. The smells generated by the auto repair area and garden
center and their impact on the residences has to be examined. D.
EVALUATION OF IMPACT ON AESTHETIC RESOURCES In reviewing the
project's impact on aesthetics the dominant concern relates to the
parking lot and the lack of landscaping. A 10.8 acre, 975 space
parking lot will be a visual horror without landscaping. The site
is extremely visible from a heavily traveled street and adjacent
properties; therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the
parking area is more than just acres of blacktop and white lines.
Landscaped islands with trees will be pleasing aesthetically,
improve air quality and provide shade. The project's impact on the
adjacent residences can also be mitigated by adding landscaping and
screening to the buffer areas to the west and south. The applicant
should complete the Visual EAF Addendum. E. EVALUATION OF IMPACT
ON TRANSPORTATION According to the traffic study completed by
Transportation Concepts the project will not have a negative impact
on the signalized intersections located at Aviation Road/Rt. 9 and
Northway Plaza/Rt. 9. The level of service at these intersections
will remain unchanged. However, traffic at the unsignalized
intersections near the project will be negatively affected by the
project. The applicant proposes to signalize the intersection of
the southern access to the site off Rt. 9. Vehicles from Weeks
Road that will cut through the parking area to avoid the
unsignalized intersection should be added to the study as should
alternative designs of access and parking layout. Furthermore, by
signalizing the Montray Road/Rt. 9 intersection, traffic from Sweet
Road will be induced to use Montray as an access point to Rt. 9 and
it is questionable if Hontray will be able to handle the increase
in traffic. Since the project has a major impact on a state
highway, the study should be sent to Department of Transportation
for their review and comments." DOT did comment on the project, in
a letter dated February 10th. It states that, 'We have begun our
review of the Traffic Impact Study for the proposed 122,000 gross
square foot retail development to be located on US Route 9 in the
town of Queensbury, NY. The background traffic, growth rate, pass-
by credit and trip distributions in the report are all acceptable.
However, based on an investigation of the trip generation
characteristics of some similar developments in the region, we have
concluded that the potential trip generation for this project would
best be estimated by using the ITE .815 Discount Store category,
rather than the ITE '820 Shopping Center category used in the
Traffic Impact Study. The Traffic Impact Study should be revised
accordingly. We will resume our review of this project as soon as
we receive the revised report. If you have any questions or require
further information, please call me at 473-0494. Sincerely, Ken
Carlson Senior Transportation Analyst' "F. EVALUATION OF IMPACT
ON ENERGY The project will have a minor impact on the energy
supply system. The project will require the extension of energy
transmission to serve a major commercial use . Utilities, gas,
electric, phone and water are all available to the site and should
not require any major extensions or expansions. G. EVALUATION OF
NOISE AND ODOR IMPACTS The project will create noise and odors.
These impacts will be generated both during and after construction.
The impact of noise and odors generated during construction on the
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adjacent residences has to be addressed as well as the noise and
odors generated by delivery trucks and general traffic uSing the
si te. H. EVALUATION OF IMPACT ON GROWTH AND CHARACTER OF
COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD The project will create a demand for
additional community services. Additional police and fire service
will be required by the project. The project will also require the
extension of the sewer service area to accommodate this site. The
project's impact on the adjacent residences has to be addressed.
The existing food store and dentist probably serve the residential
areas; the impact of their forced relocation, as well as several
other businesses, should be examined. IV. SUMMARY AND
RECOMMENDATIONS A. IMPACT ON LAND The main concern regarding the
project's impact on the land is the vast areas of impermeability.
Measures that will mitigate the adverse impacts that large amounts
of asphalt and pavement and bUilding area have on the land should
be outlined. The large amount of acreage covered by asphalt will
serve as an energy sponge and act as a large hot plate during hot
summer days. One way to mitigate this would be to plant trees in
landscaped islands. These trees would both cool the parking area
and provide shaded areas to park cars and for customers to walk.
Erosion is another concern that has to be addressed. An erosion
control plan has to be developed that addresses erosion problems
both during and after construction. B. IMPACT ON WATER The
project could have an impact on ground water. The large amount of
impervious area could impact groundwater recharge and quality.
Pollution from the parking lot could seep in through the drainage
system. A stormwater management plan should be developed as well
as the drainage report, which is currently being reviewed by Rist-
Frost Associates. Measures also have to be developed that will
provide for the safe removal of the known septic system and any
possible second systems. C. IMPACT ON AIß The main impact on the
air will come from the exhaust from customers cars and diesel fumes
from the delivery trucks. The adjacent residential areas will be
the most affected. A means of mitigating this might be to route
delivery trucks away from the residential property and around the
end of the bUilding by Weeks Road. Odors created during
construction will also impact the adjacent residences. The dust
and smells associated with construction can be mitigated with
proper measures and by limiting the hours when construction can
take place. The odors associated with automobile repair and garden
centers should also be addressed. D. IMPACT ON AESTHETIC
RESOURCES It appears that the building will be sufficiently
screened from the residential properties. However, the remainder
of the site, particularly the parking lot, could use additional
landscaping. The applicant is proposing 41 more spaces than
required. This area could very easily be used to create landscaped
islands throughout the parking lot. The possibility of a berm
created along the Rt. 9 frontage as a means of mitigating the
aesthetic impacts of the vast parking lot should be explored. ~
IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION The impact that the traffic signal will
have on Montray Road has to be addressed as does the probability of
traffic cutting through the parking lot to avoid the unsignalized
Weeks Rd./Rt. 9 intersection. Since the project is on a main state
highway, DOT should review the traffic study for comments and
recommendations. Alternative designs for parking layout and access
should also be presented. F. IMPACT ON ENERGY The proposal will
have a slight impact on the community's energy. This can be
mitigated by ensuring that all construction be energy efficient and
uses the best technology available to heat and cool the buildings.
G. NOISE AND ODOR IMPACTS Noise is unavoidable during
construction but its impact can be mitigated by limiting the hours
of construction. Noise and odors generated by delivery trucks and
customer traffic can be mitigated by routing traffic away from the
residential areas. H. IMPACT ON GROWTH AND CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY
OR NEIGHBORHOOD The project will require the extension of the
sewer district so that the site can be hooked up to sewer service.
The impact that the extension will have on the area should be
looked at. Items such as which properties will be included in the
extension, its cost and the increased development intensity which
could result from this extension should be examined. The impact of
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the forced relocation of businesses that served the neighboring
residences should also be addressed. The project's physical impact
on the adjacent residences should also be looked at. A 116,000
square foot retail store will impact the adjacent neighborhood. In
light of the above concerns, there is sufficient information
available to make a recommendation regarding a declaration of
potential environmental impacts."
MR. BREWER-Sufficient, or insufficient?
MR. HARLICKER-Insufficient. There was a typo.
MR. MACEWAN-A pretty significant one.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. I've really got to understand that one. In
light of the above concerns, there is, insufficient, is what you
want that?
MR. HARLICKER-Correct.
MR. BREWER-Right.
typo.
That's not what was submitted to us.
It's a
MR. HARTIN-I wasn't aware of that typo.
MR. HARLICKER-I wasn't either, until now.
MR. O'CONNOR-I'd like to see if we could talk our way through some
of the concerns.
MR. BREWER-Well, we've got to go through Rist-Frost, and then we'll
go through them, if you'd like, one at a time. Okay. Tom?
BIIGIIIEER REPORIf
Notes from Tom Yarmowich, Rist-Frost, Town Engineer, dated February
23, 1993 "Rist-Frost has reviewed the project data and has
discussed the project with the applicant's engineer. Our review,
at this stage of the project, is limited to the engineering aspects
of proposed site development as related to Planning Board SEQRA
determinations. The areas covered by our review are potential
impacts from drainage/stormwater, traffic, sewage disposal, and
erosion/ sedimentation. 1. The stormwater management concept
provides for infiltration of increases in stormwater runoff. The
project data reviewed discusses stormwater quality control but is
not clear if stormwater quality will be controlled for all
impervious areas. Site conditions are such that potential
stormwater impacts can be mitigated. 2. The traffic study
utilized existing traffic counts at the plaza. The traffic study
characterizes the counts as typical peak hours. The existing
traffic volumes used to project intersection levels of service
(LOS) may not represent maximum peak hours due to seasonal
fluctuations. Operational analysis conclusions made in the study
address the typical peak hour condition. The projected traffic
conditions during maximum peak hour should also be considered. 3.
The traffic study demonstrates that a new traffic signal at the
plaza entrance can maintain good levels of service for Route 9
through traffic. Diminished levels of service are projected for
nearby side street intersections. The traffic study analysis is
based upon a to snapshot H projection for 1993. The traffic study
does not address the impact of the proposed retail development as
background traffic continues to grow in the future. 4. Extension
of a public sewer is proposed only to the Wal-Mart store lot."
HR. BREWER-Tom, I'm sorry, but I don't have what you're reading.
MR. YARHOWICH-Do you have earlier correspondence between?
MR. BREWER-I've got a letter dated February 16th.
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MR. YARMOWICH-Okay. The letter that I'm reading is dated February
23rd, today's date.
MR. MACEWAN-The February 23rd letter.
MR. BREWER-I don't have it.
MR. YARMOWICH-Did you receive some additional drawings showing
sewer alignments, hilighted in green?
MR. RUEL-Yes, these.
MR. YARMOWICH-And with that was there a letter of our engineering
review?
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. I've got that.
MR. BREWER-I've got the map. I've got no letter.
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, the letter which you do have was a letter which
was given to the engineer in an initial stage of review. The
opening remark of the letter which I was reading from tonight
alluded to the fact that I had discussed the project with Mr. Bill
White of Flint Engineers. I've also discussed the project with
their transportation consultant, and as a result of some of those
discussions, a revised traffic analysis was submitted to me last
week, and that's another item I don't know whether or not you're in
receipt of. One of the pieces of information that was generated,
as a result of the pre-review, was the request for the sewer
alignment information, which was given to you, so that you could
assess the potential impacts of that sewer construction as well.
That was information not included in the original packet, and
thought to be pertinent. So, what I'm reading from tonight is a
letter which supersedes previous comments, because certain things
in the letter which you have have been adequately addressed, from
an engineerinq standpoint.
MR. HARLICKER-We've got extra copies, here.
MR. BREWER-The only reason I say that, is because when I look at
this, it says, stormwater management concept is satisfactory, and
then it goes down to say other thinqs, and you're reading
something. I would just like to have a copy of what you're
reading, so I know what you're reading.
MR. YARMOWICH-I believe you'll be getting a copy.
23rd, 1993 letter supersedes other engineering
directly to the applicant's engineer.
This February
comments made
MR. BREWER-Okay. Thank you.
MR. YARMOWICH-Shall I continue?
MR. BREWER-Sure.
MR. YARMOWICH-Okay. "Sewer should be extended to serve all
wastewater sources on the site (Ames, Queen Diner, Wal-Mart)
because suitable permeable areas for on-site sewage disposal
systems for Ames or the Queen Diner will not remain. 5. The
proposed sewer extensions appear feasible from a design standpoint.
The selected alignment relies upon easements needed over four
developed and one vacant parcel abutting the west side of Route 9.
There will be off-site impacts from the sewer extension of this
project. 6. Long term erosion and sedimentation does not appear
to be an issue. Permanent stabilization of construction
disturbances should be routine. Construction related impacts can
be minimized through faithful installation and maintenance of
standard practices."
MR. BREWER-Okay.
20
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MR. MARTIN-You have the Beautification Committee minutes, right?
MR. BREWER-That's right here. Yes.
MR. MARTIN-And also Warren County, they looked at the variances,
and approved all four variances. You wouldn't have that. That's
for the ZBA tomorrow night, but that's just as a matter of
information.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Should this be read into the record,
Beautification, or not?
MR. MARTIN-It's just. really, a description of the project.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Mr. O'Connor, would you like to go through Staff
Comments one at a time?
MR. O'CONNOR-For the purpose of your record, I'm Michael O'Connor
from the law firm of Little & 0' Connor, here representing the
applicant, National Realty & Development Corporation. With me is
Bill White from Flint Engineering who is the engineer for the
project, and Shelly Johnston, who is the traffic consultant from
Transportation Concepts. Bill is going to go through Staff
Comments with you and try and explain where we are at, and where
we've been since we last met. We met about a month ago and you
determined that you would be Lead Agency, and gave notice to all
other involved agencies. Since that time, we've been involved with
various, a number of meetings, and Bill will run through those.
The one thing that I had was Mr. LaPoint asked at the last meeting,
as to the extent of the lease that's on the Ames retail store,
that's part of this site. We have a letter that we will submit for
your record, which states that the lease expires April 3rd, 2003,
with three twelve year options. So it runs to 2,015, so
approximately 25 years, 22 years, 22 years that still remains on
the Ames lease, as a valid lease. I'd submit that at this point.
I think maybe it's more appropriate when we get into the actual
site plan, than when we get into the SEQRA, trying to distinguish,
at this point, some of the comments of Staff, from Site Plan as to
SEQRA, although I think we can address everything, if we go from A
to Z, which is what we have to go through here, because if you have
to go from here to the ZBA to get the variances that we need, the
area variances, in order to come back to this Board with a
subdivision application and a site plan application, and once we do
get the variances in place, which we're hopefully that we're going
to get, from the responses that we've had from different people
that are reviewing it. We will start working on the sewer
easements, that would mean the extension of the sewer district,
with the Town Board, and then try and put it all in one package and
present it to you as part of our site plan review. At the same
time, we're working with the DOT, and Shelly will indicate. when
she makes her presentation, for the traffic and the traffic
signalization that we add to the project. So, I think we've got
quite a bit to do, and we can do it on a line by line type basis,
we'll go back to those Staff Comments and start with those.
MR. BREWER-I don't have any objections.
BILL WHITE
MR. WHITE-I just want to go through some of the meetings that we
have had since we were last at the Planning Board. There's been a
total of six of them, four with other various involved groups, and
two with the County Planning. Our first meeting after we had been
to the Planning Board the last time was with County Planning. We
had a workshop meeting with County Planning. We reviewed the
project in detail with them, and received their comments on the
application. That same night we met with some of the residents
along the south property line who had been at a previous meeting
and expressed their concern that their properties be adequately
buffered from the development. We sat down with Mrs. Rowe, Mr.
21
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Olson, I believe, Mrs. West's son, three of the four or five people
that abut the property on the south, and came to an agreement with
them that we would provide a stockade fence along and parallel to
the existing chainlink fence that's on the property. We will
provide some additional plantings along that area. We would wrap
that around the west property line, to a certain area,
approximately about 50 feet, so that we also would buffer the
people that are on the various southwest corner of the site, and I
think we have an agreement with the residents, as far as a
mi tigating plan for them that will help alleviate some of the
potential impacts to their property. We've also met, as Mike
mentioned, with the Queensbury Beautification Committee. We've
prepared a detailed landscaping plan and presented that to them to
review the types of materials and plantings that we propose, as
well as the location of those plantings, and as you see from their
correspondence, they've also made a favorable recommendation on the
application. In addition, we met with Mike Shaw on the sewer
district formation, and had some discussions with him about the
alignment of the sewer and how he would like to see that done, and
from that we developed a concept plan that we submitted to the Town
Engineer, and your Town Engineer has now indicated that he feels
that that's a, from a design standpoint, a feasible solution.
We've also met with the Fire Marshall, to get his input and
comments on the plan. He's in agreement with the plan as well. He
had one small recommendation on a turning radius that we're going
to comply with, and I think we've worked well with him, and I think
we're going to come up with an acceptable plan that meets his
concerns as well. Then our final meeting was, again, last night,
wi th the County. We talked with them and got their formal
recommendation and approvals on the variances. We received some
correspondence, as well, in addition to our meetings. We've talked
a little bit about the New York State DOT letter of February 10th,
and we've resubmitted a revised traffic impact study to DOT. The
DOT comments were that we use a different planned use category,
which is a lesser generater of traffic than our previous analysis.
Our previous analysis was probably more conservative, and Shelly
will explain the details of that. So the actual traffic that will
be generated from the site will be a little bit less than we had
initially asked for, using this different data. We've also talked
about the information that we've submitted to the Town Engineer,
and correspondence, and I feel we've developed an adequate
conceptual drainage plan. I'd like to now go into, and probably
the best way is to go step by step through this Queensbury Planning
Office "Note To File". The first issue that I see here is Depth To
Bedrock. As I mentioned during my first presentation to the Board,
we hired a geotechnical engineer from Rochester. They've done a
fairly extensive soil prevention program on this site, consisting
of approximately 24 different test pits and borings throughout the
site, and we did that for two reasons. One, we want to make sure
that we have adequate soils, so that we can design conventional
foundations for the building that will support that, and we found,
in fact, we do have soil materials that we can construct a
conventional foundation system on, and secondly we asked them to
look at the subsurface soils so that we could get a better handle
on the types of materials we had and how permeable they might be to
support an infiltration system for the stormwater, and what we've
found is that we have very sandy soils out on the site, and they
will support the type of infiltration basin that we were proposing.
All that study that was done by the geotechnical engineer was
compiled in a report. That report was presented to the Town
Engineer as part of our drainage analysis. It's a fairly lengthy
and fairly detailed report that was submitted. In that report,
going back to the issue here, the Depth To Bedrock, the average
depth of the borings was approximately 20 feet deep. He hit no
bedrock in any of those borings, and that's typical of the soils
that you would find. I think in the EAF I reported five to six
feet plus, based on the information we had. Knowing that we had no
excavation deeper than five or six feet, we knew that rock wasn't
going to be a problem. Having now done a more detailed subsurface
exploration program, we've found that it's, in fact, 20 feet deep.
22
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We had a similar situation with the water table depth. Of those 24
borings that were taken, we noted groundwater in only one of those
borings. It was at a depth of 12 and a half feet, and again, the
deepest excavation that we're going to have on this site is
probably in the four to six foot range. So, quite a bit above the
water table depth. The geotechnical engineer, in his report,
didn't note that the groundwater table will fluctuate, as it does
throughout several in there. Now there's a question on how much
natural material is to be removed on the site. Now I take the
definition of natural material to be soils or that, and we intend
to not remove any native soils from the site. Now, if you
interpret that as to the existing vegetation that would be removed,
probably the trees that would be removed, we would mulch them, and
use the mulch that we can for the landscaped islands. If there's
excess mulch, that would be removed from the site. Whether the
Board would consider that natural material or not, I guess, is up
to you, but that's the situation we have as far as natural
material. The existing asphalt pavement that's out there would be
reconstructed entirely, and what we would propose to do with that
asphalt pavement is to take it and mill it up, rather than remove
it and haul it off to a landfill or a waste disposal site. The
intent would be to grind up that material and reuse it as subbase
material, not the actual asphalt, but the stone type aggregate
material underneath the asphalt course, and that's a concept that's
used quite often, and one that we've used quite a bit on other
similar type developments. The issue of solid waste, will the
project generate solid waste. Some of the solid waste that would
be generated would be during the construction process, and that
would be during the demolition of the building, and typically what
would happen in a case like this is a contractor will come in and
salvage all the buildings materials that he can, that have any
value. They would be removed from the buildings that are going to
be demolished, taken off site, and reused on other construction
projects. The more, things like concrete block, other concrete
materials, steel materials would not necessarily go to a landfill.
Ir would generate solid waste, yes. Would it go to a landfill?
Maybe, maybe not. It could be used as general fill material for
other construction projects. It could be crushed, reused. I
wouldn't say it would necessarily go to a landfill, but it is
probably the contractor's option, how he wishes to handle the
demolition debris.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. MACEWAN-How would you use them for other construction projects?
MR. WHITE-As general fill material.
HR. MACEWAN-Your own projects, or someone else, like selling it
off, or someone else?
MR. WHITE-It would be the contractor's option. It's really up to
the contractor to remove it in the most economical and efficient
way. One of the things that maybe I didn't explain well enough is
Wal-Mart's recycling program, and how they do recycle cardboard,
plastic, and glass materials, and to that reason, this is now out
of the construction phase and into the actual store operation.
They generate a solid waste rate of approximately 20 tons per
month, which is considerably lower than a typical retail store of
this size, only because they do have a very impressive recycling
and are environmentally conscious in that regard. So that's the
rate, 20 tons per month, as far natural, as far as the solid waste
that the project would actually generate.
MR. LAPOINT-You put that right in here. That was in here already,
wasn't it, or no?
MR. WHITE-I think that was left blank.
HR. LAPOINT-Left blank. Okay. So we can just fill that right in,
23
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20 tons per month, right?
MR. WHITE-Yes. In 19, will the project routinely produce odors.
The during the actual operation of the store, the project will not
produce any odors. The tire, battery, and oil area, as explained
before, is not an area where a car pulls in, it runs while, and
it's being tested and general maintenance is being done on it.
It's an area where you pull a car in. You take the tires off,
change their tires, change the oil, change the battery. It's not
an auto repair area. So, it's no di fferent a situation than
pulling in to a parking space, going in and shopping, and going out
of the parking space. You're just pulling in to the tire, battery,
and oil, having your battery changed, and pulling out of the tire,
battery, and oil.
MR. MACEWAN-What kind of a roofing system was proposed for the
building?
MR. WHITE-It's a flat roof.
MR. MACEWAN-Asphalt roof? So there's odors.
MR. WHITE-During the construction of the roof?
MR. MACEWAN-Yes.
MR. WHITE-Yes, and also during construction, as we pave the
asphalt, if they smell the asphalt, the asphalt pavement smell, but
I'm not sure that this is different from any other type of
construction.
MR. BREWER-I think any type of construction, you're going to have
odors, no matter what you do.
MR. LAPOINT-The question is, will the project routinelY produce
odors, and the answer is no. I mean, when you put an asphalt roof
on, that creates an odor, and it's gone. You've got to keep in
mind the question, will the project produce routinelY.
MR. BREWER-The project itself routinely continue to produce odors.
MR. MACEWAN-During construction, where it's asking.
MR. BREWER-No. It's not aSking that.
routinely produce odors.
It says, will the project
MR. MACEWAN-During construction, the very first line, the very
first question.
MR. LAPOINT-In the SEQRA?
MR. MACEWAN-No. Question B. It says, the first line it says, the
project will probably produce routine odors during construction.
That's what I'm getting at.
MR. O'CONNOR-That's in the Staff Comments?
MR. MACEWAN-Yes.
MR. HARLICKER-During the construction phase of the project.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, see, again, working from the
have to answer the question, will the project
odors, and the answer to that's no. I mean,
about construction, it's not going to be
construction.
SEQRA itself, you
routinely produce
if you're talking
routinely under
MR. MACEWAN-I understand what you're saying.
24
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MR. WHITE-As far as, during the operation, as I mentioned, the
garden center produces no, I mean, it's an open area. There's
plant materials there. They produce no odors. In fact, they
probably help purify the air, with the plant materials that are
actually out there. Diesel fumes from trucks. We've tried to
locate the dock area for the proposed Wal-Mart store in an area
furthest away from the residents and people that could potentially
be impacted by it. It's a situation where a truck comes in, docks
it, and turns itself off, at a loading dock. There's not, and you
can see there's no provision for a storage or staging area for
trucks. So they don't sit there and wait for a long period of time
to use the dock. It's a two bay dock. So it has the capacity to
handle two trucks. So the intent is not for a truck to arrive,
wai t for another truck to unload and leave, and one truck be
sitting there and idling while another truck pUlls in. So, it does
have the provisions for that second dock.
MR. HARLICKER-Could you outline the route that the trucks will
take. as they come into the site?
MR. WHITE-Sure. To the Wal-Mart store, the truck would use this
entrance here, to come along here, back in to the dock, and exit
out through Weeks Road. For the Ames store, the dock would be in
this direction, where a truck would come in this way, back in this
way, and then if it's a small truck, and it can meet the turning
radiuses within the pavement area, it would come out back, and exit
out Weeks Road. The larger semi tractor trailers that can't make
this turn. would come back out this way, sort of the reverse
direction as truck that would deliver to a Wal-Mart store would do.
I think I had stated in my previous recitations that the amount of
delivery vehicles that we will have, that was no more than three to
five per day. The timing of the delivery vehicles are generally
consistent with the store hours, which are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during
the week, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
MRS. TARANA-Would trucks deliver on Sunday, is that what you're
saying?
MR. WHITE-No, ma'am, that's the store hours.
MRS. TARANA-But trucks wouldn't be delivering on Sundays?
MR. WHITE-Not on Sundays, no.
centers.
They deliver from distribution
MR. BREWER-Wal-Mart has their own trucks?
MR. WHITE-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-And when we talk about the next thing, which is the noise
impact, the trucks that go to the Wal-Mart store, and to the Ames
store, as well, are not refrigerated trucks, and the refrigeration
unit on the truck is a very noisey type thing. We've had that
concern with some other projects I've worked on on Wal-Mart stores,
about refrigerated trucks being there idling over night. That's
not the case of what we have here. I would say that we're removing
a grocery store that does have refrigerated trucks. We're removing
that from the site. So I would think, from a noise standpoint,
that noises from delivery vehicles would actually be less. The
only other thing I would point out, and I guess I would lump both
the odors and the noise issue into this, is, when you consider
these potential impacts, I think that goes back to reason why
there's a 50 foot buffer in here. I would think that the reason
that that 50 foot buffer's in the Ordinance is so that you have a
buffer to help mitigate some of the neighbors, at least on the
south side of this project, where the greatest impact would
potentially be, maintain that 50 foot buffer area so that the noise
and the short term odor impacts would be mi tiqated as much as
25
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possible.
MR. BREWER-Would you say, routinely, the trucks ~ould be there at
night, though, or not?
MR. WHITE-No.
MR. BREWER-Mostly during the day?
MR. WHITE-Almost exclusively.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
HR. WHITE-They would be at or within an hour or two of the opening,
actual store hours. I believe the next question relates to water
usage, anticipated water useage per day. We had noted, in the
Environmental Assessment, that they estimated 5,250 gallons per
day. That is for the Wal-Mart store only, and that is based on
historical data that Wal-Mart has, and it's approximately .05
gallons per day per square foot. It's a number that Wal-Mart has
found, based on historical data and developing these stores across
the country.
MR. MACEWAN-What was that number again, please?
MR. WHITE-.05, approximately.
MR. MACEWAN-For the whole day?
MR. WHITE-.05 gallons per day per square foot. Now, the Ames
store, and that's based on actual data that Mr. Shaw provided, that
he has for actually measuring water flows, I believe he reported at
4,615 gallons per day. Now that was for the entire shopping center
with the grocery store now.
HR. BREWER-Was that the same number we had the last time? I
remember we talked about the water usage.
MR. WHITE-Yes. That was Mr. Shaw's plan.
MR. RUEL-Do those figures include air conditioning, water tower?
HR. WHITE-Yes. That water's actually recycled throughout the
building. It's not waste water.
HR. RUEL-Some of it is.
HR. WHITE-Some of it is. So we're looking at a total of probably
in the range, and it's going to fluctuate seasonally, of nine to
ten thousand gallons per day of water use.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-The next question relates to the predominant land uses
and zoning classifications within a 1/4 mile radius of proposed
action.
HR. BREWER-I think, I don't mean to interrupt you, but if we've got
questions that are already answered, I don't know why we're
answering them again. Is that crazy to me?
HR. WHITE-I'm not sure which ones are already answered.
MR. BREWER-Well, I'm saying, like, this one here, what are
predominant land uses and zoning classifications within a quarter
mile radius of the proposed action, and then he answers the
question.
MR. WHITE-Okay.
26
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MR. 0' CONNOR-You seem to take out multi-family residential and
apartments for some reason.
MR. BREWER-If there's something that you have to add, or you want
to discuss, that's fine, but I just don't want to be here until two
o'clock in the morning.
MR. WHITE-Okay. Then lets jump right down to the next one, then.
MR. BREWER-Or if anybody on the Board wants to know about any of
the questions, I'd just as soon keep right on going with it.
MR. WHITE-All right. I believe the next one, though, Section C.
Question 8, and it's Staff's comments, belief, that a 116,000
square foot retail store is not compatible with the adjacent single
family residences. I guess my only comment to that is that we're
on a parcel of land that's zoned commercial, and we're developed.
and we're staying out of the 50 foot residential buffer area, and
the reason that there's a 50 foot buffer area there is to buffer
this project from them, and if the Town of Queensbury did not
intend the parcel to be developed commercial, then I would think
the zoning classification would be somewhat different than it is
today. That's also an existing use of the site, as a commercial
si te, and I guess I would disagree with the comment that it's
really not. that it's incompatible with the property.
MR. MACEWAN-I just want to go back, just quickly, to Section C,
Question 7, on the zoning around it. Scott, did you have something
else in mind when you were asking that question?
MR. HARLICKER-Well, no. I just thought that the single family
residential and the plaza commercial also within the quarter mile,
they weren't listed on the list, that's all. Just add those two to
them.
MR. BREWER-I didn't mean to try to ignore what you're asking, but
I thought the question was answered.
MR. HARLICKER-I didn't feel it was answered completely.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-I guess we're into Part Two, now, Evaluation of Impact of
Land. I guess I'm not, I don't understand the comment, it cannot
be considered undisturbed property. The main, the area that's
fairly undisturbed, much of the eXisting site is paved, but what is
not and what's being developed appears, to me, to be undisturbed
property, and, again, I think the comment says here, the greatest
impact on the land is the creation of the large areas of
impermeability, and that I believe we have addressed in that, come
up with a stormwater management plan where we can provide
stormwater infiltration and handle the increase in stormwater
runoff. We've provided a landscaped plan with a greater quality of
landscaped plantings that is typical of a commercial development.
We've tried to compensate for not meeting the Town Code requirement
by providing those types of drainage system and quality plantings,
and that's something that we'll get into more with the Zoning
Board, with the variances, tomorrow, and something I hope we'll
discuss in the site plan review process, but, to me, I think we've
looked at the concepts, and we believe that we can develop a
project without a major environmental impact, and that's, I think,
what we need to consider tonight, when we just review the SEQRA
application. When we go to the site plan review process, we can
talk about that a little bit further.
MRS. TARANA-If we haven't seen that plan, though, how do we know
that it would mitigate any environmental impact?
MR. WHITE-I have submitted a concept on storwater drainage to the
Town Engineer for his review.
27
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MRS. TARANA-And what about the landscaping plan?
MR. WHITE-The plan was submitted to the Beautification Committee.
MRS. TARANA-That's what you had originally, that's what originally
came to us?
MR. WHITE-No. It's not that plan there. It's another plan that
was submitted to the Beautification Committee.
MRS. TARANA-I guess my question is, how are we gOing to do a SEQRA
Review, if we don't know what these plans look like?
MR. O'CONNOR-The landscaping plan?
MRS. TARANA-Yes.
MR. O'CONNOR-Okay. We've submitted copies of that to Mr. Martin
and he's distributed some to the Beautification Committee.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. They were distributed out to the Beautification
Committee. That's as far as I went with them, though. I didn't
present them to this Board.
MR. BREWER-Is it not necessary that we should look at them?
MR. MARTIN-I figured it was an item at site plan.
MR. O'CONNOR-I thought we would get to it at site plan, and
typically we also thought that the Beautification Committee is the
one that concerns itself mostly with the green effect.
MR. WHITE-To me, the intent of gOing through the SEQRA is to go
through, evaluate all the environmental impacts, and determine, can
they be mitigated, and we feel they can be mitigated by putting
plantings on the site.
MRS. TARANA-But if we don't see it, how do we know it can be
mitigated?
MR. O'CONNOR-You will see it at site plan review.
MRS. TARANA-But we're doing the SEQRA tonight.
MR. MACEWAN-But we need to know that information before we do the
SEQRA.
MR. WHITE-But we've indicated we're going to put plantings in the
end aisle. We've indicated that we're going to increase the
plantings in the buffer area.
MR. BREWER-Well, if you feel you want something, you have to ask
him for it, if we don't feel we can do it without, what we think we
need.
MRS. TARANA-I don't know how anybody else feels. I'm not ready to
say the project's mitigated by a plan that I haven't seen.
MR. WHITE-Well, to me, the intent is to provide the environmental
information, so that the applicant doesn't have to go through and
prepare a detailed engineering and landscaping drawing. To ask an
applicant to go through and prepare a detailed set of engineering
drawings and landscaped plans, and then come back and have the
Board say, gee, maybe we don't have a project that we can mitigate,
here, is not consistent with the intent of the SEQRA law.
MR. LAPOINT-I've got a suggestion. I think we should be working
from the Rist-Frost letter, going through those items, One through
Six, those that are real substantive issues, that are related to
28
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SEQRA, stop working from Staff Notes, work from the engineering
comments on SEQRA, iron those out, and then we can chat about
landscaping or whatever. I mean, these are the significant issues
right here. That's my suggestion. I think it would really move
things along. We could go item by item.
MR. BREWER-Okay, but what Corinne is suggesting to me, that these
are directly from SEQRA themselves. I mean, I don't have a problem
with what you're saying.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, the thing is, all the Staff Comments, except for
the l,i ttle that's going to be dealt with in Rist-Frost' s Item
Number One on stormwater management, I mean, then you get into, I
mean, they don't get into the landscaping until you get into
Question Four, where they talk about sui table permeable areas,
which are going to be, like, synonymous with impermeable areas. We
can talk about it there. It's just, it's laid out, I think, a
little more succinctly, I think, in their letter.
MRS. TARANA-What's the date of that letter?
MR. LAPOINT-23 February. With all due respect to the Staff, they
are editorializing a lot, in their SEQRA Review. I mean, and I'll
go back to what I was making a point to Craig with. The question
does not ask, if the proposed action will produce odors during
construction. That's not the intent. That's not what was asked.
MR. HARLICKER-Isn't construction one aspect of the project?
MR. LAPOINT-It says, I'm just telling you, Scott, the question
says, will project routinely produce odors.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. LAPOINT-If they wanted to say, will produce odors during
construction, they would have said that. They don't. So, when you
add all that extra stuff into the comments, it's tough to clear
those, because, I mean, here's what the State wants us to go
through, and determine if there's environmental impact. When you
add stuff to that, you circumvent that.
MR. HARLICKER-I don't believe it's adding. Construction is part of
the project.
MR. LAPOINT-Construction is not routine.
MR. HARLICKER-Well, sure it is.
MR. LAPOINT-Routinely produce odors, okay, but it's all through the
whole thing, which I why we should go from this letter, where we're
succinct and to the point.
MR. HARLICKER-I don't have a problem with going through the
comments that way, not at all.
MR. MACEWAN-What do you think, Tim?
MR. BREWER-Well. my opinion is, I think we should go through
everything.
MR. MACEWAN-I think we should continue going on through the letter,
I mean that's what we have the Staff for.
MR. BREWER-I mean, like I said a minute ago, I don't want to be
here until two o'clock, any more than anybody else does, but.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, then, lets go through the letter.
MR. BREWER-Well, there's six of us here. If everybody feels that
we want to go through everything, we'll go through everything. If
29
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not, we'll go through Rist-Frost's letter.
How does everybody else feel?
I'm only one person.
MR. MACEWAN-I agree with you.
MR. RUEL-Okay. Yes. Lets do it your way.
MR. LAPOINT-Keep going.
MR. WHITE-I'll try not to be as long winded. I think we've dealt
with review of Part 2, Section A, Evaluation of the Impact of Land,
the impermeability issue. I'm moving on to B, if everyone is
satisfied. It talks about the Impact on Water.
PAUL DUSEK
MR. DUSEK-Before you go on, for your record, Paul Dusek, the Town
Attorney for the Town of Queensbury. Corinne had raised a question
concerning the Impact on Land, and the maps that are available on
that, and I think it's mY understanding there are maps available,
and I just wanted to point out that I heard something mentioned
about the law, or the law of SEQRA, and I think the Board should
know that if you want to see those maps, I think you're certainly
entitled to see those maps, as part of the SEQRA Review, because
part of what you do have to evaluate is the land impact, and
determine whether or not there will be, or may be a significant
impact on the land, and if you, and also SEQRA provides that you
can request such information as you deem appropriate and necessary
to make that determination. Since they're available, if you want
them, I just thought I'd mention that you are entitled to those.
MR. MARTIN-We have the landscaping plan in the office, I mean the
map of it. I can go over and get it and bring it back. We have
one copy of it.
MRS. TARANA-Well, quite honestly, I'm not ready to vote on the
SEQRA and say all these things, we have all these impacts and
they're all going to be mitigated. I'm not ready to do that
without seeing whatever's been presented in total.
MR. MARTIN-I'll go get it.
MR. O'CONNOR-I think we can continue.
MR. BREWER-Sure.
MR. WHITE-Part 2, Section B. Evaluation of Impact on Water. As I
mentioned, we are proposing a system of infiltration basins, for
groundwater, and there's a little bit of discussion in here about
pollution. We have designed a system that has actual sumps in the
catchbasin. So there's an area below the outfall for the
catchbasin, where any type of materials that you would want to
recharge back into the groundwater could settle out, and actually
that water would sit there, and through periodic maintenance, that
would be cleaned out. We're going to recharge all the stormwater
that comes off this site. We're going to put it back into the
ground, and there's a concern about, here, that we possibly would
decrease the amount of groundwater and affect the aquifer. That's
not the case, because what we are doing is recharging the water
back in, versus a detention pond type system where it goes into a
pond and out through a storm pipe and eventually off the site.
We're recharging this water back into the ground.
MRS. TARANA-Off the site to where?
MR. YARMOWICH-Excuse me, Bill. You're saying it's your intention
that this stormwater control concept infiltrate all the stormwater?
MR. WHITE-No. The intent is that it not increase the runoff from
the site.
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MR. YARMOWICH-Okay. So there won't be any increase in runoff, but
there will be some stormwater leaving the site?
MR. WHITE-Yes.
MR. YARMOWICH-But no more than predevelopment, or no more than is
there now?
MR. WHITE-Right.
MR. YARMOWICH-Okay. There would be a difference in potential
impact between the two. If one were to control all the stormwater
and allow no stormwater to leave the site, obviously, there's no
potential for off site impact. There èurrently is a great deal of
stormwater leaving that site, which you can't control without the
project.
MR. WHITE-We hope to achieve, and we can't tell you the answer to
this until we do a detailed engineering design, but what we hope to
achieve is to potentially reduce the amount of runoff that we have
on the site, and those calculations will be during the site design
for the project, submitted to your Town Engineer for his review,
and I think it's gOing to be an improvement over the eXisting
conditions. There's some talk, in here, about erosion control, in
reference to an erosion control plan. I'm not sure that it's
appropriate to develop an erosion control plan at this point, but
we do mention in the Environmental Assessment Form that the site
can be controlled with standard erosion control measures from the
throughout the various infiltration basins, and I believe your Town
Engineer, in his letter, agrees that the site has no unique
features to it, such that potential erosion could be a problem that
could not be mitigated on the site.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-I'll move down to C. Evaluation of Impact on Air. I
think that, given that some discussion in the last 10 minutes or so
here, I think, I don't know if there's anything here I can say to
you to address any of these.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-Section D. The Evaluation of Impact on Aesthetic
Resources. I guess I would disagree with the statement the site is
extremely visible. My observations are the site, driving in both
the north and south bound direction, it's quite unvisible,
actually. There's the large steep area near the highway that
screens a lot of this site, but it's not really the visible site.
It's more so from the northbound than it is from southbound
traffic, but I would disagree with the statement that it's an
extremely visible site. Irregardless, we are planning on keeping
that raised area in the front of the store. We are landscaping the
islands, as it recommends it be done, and we are beefing up the
landscaping in the buffer area, for the residents to the south. I
think we're providing landscaping where it's available on the site.
I think we do have adequate areas for shade throughout the
perimeter of the site, and along the front of the site.
MR. MACEWAN-I think what he was saying, regarding it being an
extremely visible site, Scott, was that you were referring to,
maybe, Weeks Road, next to it, and the adjacent apartments, and
other buildings over there.
MR. HARLICKER-From Weeks Road, and also if you're going to extend
the parking lot all the way down to the front of the, you know.
down to Route 9 there, what sort of grading is gOing to be involved
to allow parking in there? It's got to be leveled off somewhat, so
that rest of the site will be more visible, right?
MR. WHITE-More visible than it is today?
31
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MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. WHITE-I don't think so.
MR. BREWER-Are you going to change the grade?
MR. WHITE-Yes, not necessarily along the front of the site. We're
gOing to change the grade of the parking lot in the middle of the
site. We're going to lower it there, so that it's more.
MR. BREWER-Like you drive up and then down.
MR. RUEL-Do you have an illustration to show the side view, the
slope of the parking lot?
MR. WHITE-The slope of the parking lot would be a three percent
slope.
MR. RUEL-Do you have an illustration showing that, with the
landscaping, etc.?
MR. WHITE-No, we haven't developed a conceptual. We have the
landscaping plan developed.
MR. RUEL-Yes, but everything you have is a top view. You don't
have a side view?
MR. WHITE-No, not of the parking lot right now.
MR. RUEL-Well, I'm only concerned about whether it was visible or
not, and that would indicate to me whether it was, because it's a
steep slope now, and it's not very visible from the road, but if
you reduce that slope, then the parking lot will be more visible
from the road.
MR. WHITE-Yes. Maybe I can do it better standing. The steep area
that we're discussing is this area right in here, and that's an
area that we're going to enhance with Flowering Crab type trees
that we reviewed with the Beautification Committee. This area is
right now a lot lower than this area here, and what we're going to
do is change the slope of this part here, down, and hold the grade
here, so that this doesn't change, and we're going to slant this
more, so you're actually flatter in here, but this area would
remain pretty much close to the same grade that it is now.
MRS. TARANA-And that driveway as well, the driveway to the left of
the Flowering Crabs, that's going to have the same slope as it has
right now?
MR. WHITE-No. Well, there's a pretty steep hump in this thing, if
you've ever driven up it. It comes pretty flat, and then it humps.
We're going go take that hump out of it, again, by reducing this
area in here, and lowering it mostly to this site, not by changing
the grade in here, again, along the front, or by changing the grade
and dropping the middle area of the site.
MR. RUEL-What you propose to do. change the grade in the parking
lot, will, in fact, make the parking lot much more visible from
that road than it is today, and you mentioned a moment ago that you
thought it was not visible.
MR. WHITE-I've driven in this direction many times, and especially
with the snow piled up there, like I saw today, I couldn't even see
the stores.
MR. RUEL-From the road?
MR. WHITE-From this point here.
MR. RUEL-Yes. You couldn't see the parking lot either, now.
32
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HR. WHITE-No.
MR. RUEL-But you will see it after you get done.
MR. WHITE-I think a combination of lowering the grade in the
middle, not changing it here, and providing this landscaping along
here.
HR. RUEL-Okay, the landscaping, yes.
MR. WHITE-Yes. It's probably a little bit hard to see for you that
far away, but we have a group of hardwood trees, and these are in
the end islands, on the side of the parking lot.
HR. RUEL-Do you propose to put any trees in the center of the
parking lot, like islands in there somewhere?
HR. WHITE-In this general area here?
MR. RUEL-Yes.
MR. WHITE-Right, the way the plan stands right now, we don't have
any in there, and we're trying to find a way to provide another
island in this area.
MR. RUEL-Yes. It would break it up.
MR. WHITE-Yes, to try to help break that up a little bit.
HR. BREWER-Yes. I think we can do that at site plan review.
MR. WHITE-Yes. That's what I hoped.
MR. RUEL-All right. I have another question.
building is, what, 28 feet tall?
The Wal-Mart
MR. WHITE-Yes.
HR. RUEL-Do you know what the height of the Ames building is?
HR. WHITE-It's somewhat less than that. I think it's around 22,
23.
MR. RUEL-Twenty?
MR. WHITE-Twenty.
HR. RUEL-Okay. Thank you.
HR. WHITE-Do you want me to come back to the landscaping plan, to
address those, so we can settle that?
HR. LAPOINT-Yes. You've got to get to the visual horror part of
the.
MR. 0' CONNOR-I think that's why we went to the Beautification
Committee up front, because we wanted to see if we could address
that question, or that possibility of a question, and get their
input.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes, because I mean, we have a conclusion in here that
we have a visual horror, or potential for a visual horror, and then
we have to complete a visual EAF addendum?
HR. O'CONNOR-You also have a report from the Beautification
Committee before you, which is the Board that that is normally
referred to, that says they found our landscaping plan to be
acceptable.
HR. BREWER-That's right here, Ed.
33
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MR. LAPOINT-I've got that.
MR. O'CONNOR-We think that their conclusion is closer to the facts
than the Staff Comment is, on that particular point.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. Again, because I don't think,
through a lot of these, we ~ren't resolving a darn
we have to do is get to what the meat of this is.
else think we need a visual EAF addendum to this?
as we're going
thing, and what
Does everybody
MR. BREWER-I think what he's talking about here, in my mind, is the
inner parking lot?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. You've got over 900 parking spaces there
without any landscaping inside it.
MR. BREWER-The inner parking lot, I think, is what's addressed
here.
MR. HARLICKER-From Staff's position, that's unacceptable.
MR. LAPOINT-It's a horror, I know, but to some of us, it may not
be.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-And that's, see, I just want to get down to whether or
not we're gOing to need a visual EAF from us.
MR. BREWER-I also think that if we feel, and I agree with Scott,
that there should be something in the middle of the parking lot,
but I think, in my mind, we can address that at site plan review,
and if he's got more parking spaces than he needs, we can make him
put some islands in there, and that can address that, I think, and
that will be on my mind, when it comes to that.
MR. RUEL-How does that answer the SEQRA question?
anticipation of something, right?
This is in
MR. LAPOINT-Correct.
MR. RUEL-And we must assume that it will be done, in order to meet
the requirements of SEQRA, or do we answer SEQRA as though it
doesn't exist?
MR. O'CONNOR-If you say, impact is small to moderate, it can be
mitigated.
MR. MACEWAN-I'm satisfied with that.
MR. BREWER-If we think that there's a large impact, then we can't
do that, in my mind.
MR. MACEWAN-Right.
MR. BREWER-I don't know, legally, if we can, but if we say it's a
small to moderate impact, it can be mitigated.
MR. DUSEK-What was the question, Tim?
MR. BREWER-Roger said, do we go on the presumption it's going to be
taken care of, and I said, no. If we make, lets say, small to
moderate impact and it can be mitigated, we can address it at site
plan review, the internal plantings.
MR. DUSEK-Well, I think the first thing you want to do is determine
whether it's a small to moderate or a large impact. I think you
can make that decision, and then you can also check the box as to
whether or not you feel, regardless of whether it's a small or
moderate or large, you could then check the box as to mitigated.
34
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What happens if you check a large box, though, is that you will
then have to complete Part 3 of the EAF, which addresses that large
impact as to its importance. Just because a large impact is
checked doesn't necessarily mean that it's gOing to be an EIS. It
just means that you have to address it further to see whether or
not you'd need one.
MR. O'CONNOR-I'm hopeful that we will be able to complete Part 2
this evening.
MR. BREWER-I'm hopeful we are, too. Well, we'll just keep plodding
along and see what happens.
MR. WHITE-Would you like move on to the next topic, the Evaluation
of Impact on Transportation?
MR. BREWER-I would.
MR. WHITE-Shelly, maybe it would be best if I just turn that over
to you, to answer some of the Staff Comments.
SHELLY JOHNSTON
MS. JOHNSTON-I will condense what my response to those comments
are. Indeed we did get an initial letter of review from the DOT,
in response to our first traffic impact study, of which everyone on
the Planning Board has gotten a copy of. In addition, we got a
comment letter from Rist-Frost, based on their preliminary review.
The two letters of review have one thing in common. They both
suggested that we use the ITE Category 815 Discount Store, instead
of ITE Category 820 Shopping Center, and revise Traffic Impact
Study accordingly. The first Traffic Impact Study is at, as Bill
said, a more conservative evaluation of the potential impacts of
this project. After speaking with DOT and understanding that they
had collected local data at discount stores that is comparable to
the ITE trip data, together those two sources of data has provided
enough substantiation that we feel that discount rates may now be
used. The reason they weren't used to begin with is because there
wasn't a lot of historical data. That's why we went with a more
conservative shopping center. Nonetheless, the result is a revised
Traffic Impact Study, which I have just submitted to Jim Martin.
I've also submitted to Rist-Frost last week, which I'll submit to
DOT for their review. The result is a reduction in the peak hour
trip generation estimate from Wal-Mart. It is now estimated that
during Saturday peak hour, there will be approximately 658, as
opposed to the over 1,000 trip, as referred to in Staff's Comment
on air quality. Secondly, there was a comment on the impact on the
unsignalized intersections of Weeks Road, Sweet Road, and Montray
Road. Based on further investigation of the area, the driveway
that intersects Route 9 in the vicinity of the project site, the
grade and different geometry of Route 9, we revised our proposal to
signalize the northern entrance of the site, across from Ponderosa.
That is different than our initial proposal to signalize the
intersection across from Montray Road. By signalizing the
intersection across from Ponderosa, we will be able to provide a
300 foot long left turn lane. That left turn lane will be able to
accommodate a 40 percent increase in what is typically the
afternoon peak hour trip generation on this site. That left turn
lane, we believe, will mitigate the impact that may be realized
during this peak shopping season, and Christmas time. If there's
going to be proposed a left turn lane at the southern driveway,
minimal length, but in order to accommodate any traffic that may be
turning at that southern driveway, during what we project would be
probably most off peak time.
MR. BREWER-So, before there was only one entrance/exit. Now
there's going to be two?
MS. JOHNSTON-There were two.
35
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MR. BREWER-There were two?
MS. JOHNSTON-Potentially.
MR. BREWER-But the other exit or entrance was the road?
MS. JOHNSTON-This was primarily going to be the main entrance and
exit. Now we propose to signal this. and by signaling this, we
believe it will attract most of the left turners up to this
intersection, just because it'll be easier to make a left turn
there, but we also propose to reconstruct this median to provide a
designated left turn lane, so in case there are people that turn
left into this southern driveway, those impacts will be mitigated,
any potential impact of traffic waiting in that center median will
be mitigated. In addition, the 300 foot long left turn lane that
will be provided here will accommodate peak shopping trips.
Furthermore, the traffic signal here will create gaps in the flow
of traffic that's proceeding on Route 9, which right now, as
everyone knows, there's no traffic signal there. The traffic
continues at a pretty good clip, 45 miles an hour, 40 miles an
hour. By introducing a traffic signal there, it would create gaps
in the flow of traffic that would help facilitate turning off from
these side streets. Also, another comment that was made was the
impact on those unsignalized intersections and the change in Level
of Service and reserve capacity. However, the reduced trip
generation by using discount stores is going to sUbsequently reduce
the impact on those unsignalized intersections. They would
continue to remain the existing Level of Service D.
MR. RUEL-I have a question for you. Have you been in on other
traffic studies for other Wal-Hart locations?
HS. JOHNSTON-Yes.
MR. RUEL-Are you aware of before and after percentage figures on
the traffic, peak traffic, at Wal-Mart locations, what it was
before Wal-Hart was there and what's the percentage increase after
Wal-Hart is built, regardless of time period?
MS. JOHNSTON-No. I don't have exposure to, and in the northeast
region there are very few Wal-Marts that have been in business for
any established period of time, so that the traffic patterns are,
again, typical of p.m. peak hours and Saturday peak hours. Right
now there's just not a lot of trip generation data for existing
Wal-Marts. That's why DOT has gone out and counted discount stores
that they feel are representative of Wal-Mart, because there simply
isn't trip generation information available for Wal-Hart's in the
northeastern region, just because it's a relatively new land use in
this area.
HR. RUEL-I'd like to have some sort of a figure, does it increase
20 percent, 30 percent? What is the average increase in traffic?
MS. JOHNSTON-Obviously, the percentage would be depending on what
the volume was on the adjacent street.
MR. RUEL-That shouldn't have any bearing on it.
MS. JOHNSTON-You're asking for a percentage increase in the volume
of the traffic on that road, is that correct?
MR. RUEL-Yes. Correct, at any time.
MS. JOHNSTON-So the percentage increase would depend on what the
initial traffic on whatever the adjacent highway would be.
MR. RUEL-No. If there was a certain traffic number, does it
increase, does it double and become 100 percent, or? You have no
feel for it?
36
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MS. JOHNSTON-No, to answer your question, no, we don't, and we're
trying to get information from Wal-Mart directly to provide that
information.
MR. RUEL-It would be pretty good information to have, should you
try this again somewhere else.
MS. JOHNSTON-It sure would. DOT is looking forward to this
information that Wal-Mart will hopefully provide soon, and so are
different municipalities, and also a consultant.
MR. MARTIN-Roger, you're just asking for the impossible.
asking for a traffic engineer to talk in layman's terms.
doesn't happen.
You're
It just
MS. JOHNSTON-I apologize.
MR. YARMOWICH-Maybe I can put in perspective for you, Roger. It's
like you go to, an interstate, if you put a truckstop with an
enormous volume of traffic, there's no impact, because the
percentage of volume increase next to an interstate is minor. If
you put a truckstop on a small two lane road, and you all of a
sudden add hundreds and hundreds of trips of traffic, the
percentage of increase is a thousand fold. So, the answer to your
question is, you can't characterize it, on a percentage increase
basis. It has a lot to do with the road coming in. That's why
intense trip generation developments make good sense, where
transportation corridors are highly developed, interstate exchanges
and things.
MR. RUEL-How else can you evaluate it, though?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, the point that's being made is that if you have
a high capacity system getting to the development, the potential
for an impact is usually reduced. If you have a low capacity
system, the potential is higher. I don't know what Wal-Mart' s
policy is, but most developers look for high capacity
transportation systems. Route 9 is one of those. The general
conclusion, by the revised traffic study, and I want to say that
what was presented in the revised traffic study made a lot of
sense, in terms of intersection relocation, because it prevents
people from wanting to use Montray Road. It also prevents people
from wanting to migrate as far through the parking lot, if they
should so choose, from Weeks Road to get to that traffic light, but
the point is, because Route 9 is a very high capacity road. It's
a very high capacity road. There's four lanes there. The amount
of change that this store is going to generate is less than if it
were on a lesser capacity road.
MR. RUEL-This is like Meet the Press, you know, I'm not getting an
answer.
MR. YARMOWICH-The answer is, is that the traffic study says that.
in this case. given conservative values, the Level Of Service and
the traffic flow on Route 9 will remain highly acceptable.
MR. BREWER-Not a lot more cars, Roger.
MR. YARMOWICH-You won't notice it much.
MR. BREWER-You won't notice it.
MR. RUEL-I don't believe that.
MR. YARMOWICH-On Route 9 you won't notice it. Now, you will notice
it on Weeks Road, Montray Road. You will notice it in the parking
lot of the store.
MR. RUEL-Where are all these people coming from, going to Wal-
Marts?
37
MR. YARMOWICH-A lot of them are coming down Route 9. A lot of them
are new destinations.
MR. RUEL-Coming in the back roads?
MR. YARMOWICH-No, but Route 9 has . the capacity to handle it.
That's the point.
MR. RUEL-I give up. Okay.
MR. BREWER-You won't notice the amount of impact that it will have.
MR. MACEWAN-I guess if you could turn around and say, if Route 9
was like Bay Street. a two lane highway, then you'd see a
significant increase. Am I right on that?
MR. YARHOWICH-If it were located on Bay Street, you wouldn't be
able to get in and out at all.
HR. RUEL-All right.
HR. YARHOWICH-But because there's going to be a left turn lane and
two through lanes, you can make it through there pretty easily.
HR. RUEL-Okay. All right. I like that.
MR. YAHMOWICH-Okay. I hope that helps.
HRS. TARANA-Has the State approved that traffic light there?
MS. JOHNSTON-No. The State, and in the letter that was submitted
to the Staff, the State has approved, I'm going to tell you exactly
what they have approved, the background traffic, growth rate, the
pass- by credit, and the trip distribution. Right now the State is
now in the process' of reevaluating the impacts based on the new
trip generations. It will then go from the Planning section of DOT
to the Traffic section of DOT. The Traffic section, they are the
ones that determine if they like the traffic signal, our proposed
mitigation measures, and the exact operation and design of that
traffic light, but no, to answer your question, we haven't gotten
any response back from the Traffic section of DOT.
MR. BREWER-What happens if they say you can't put a light there,
just hypothetically?
MS. JOHN·STON-We would have to rethink, serious 1 y rethink, our
strategy.
MR. BREWER-Would you go back to the original plan that you had?
MS. JOHNSTON-No.
still the same.
The original plan, the original site plan, is
MR. BREWER-No. I don't mean the site plan. I mean the traffic.
MS. JOHNSTON-No. If they don't give us a traffic signal at that
location? Yes. We'll begin a dialogue and try and figure out how
we're going to get access to that site. I thought you meant if we
didn't have a traffic signal at all.
MR. BREWER-No, no. I mean, if they say you can't put the signal
there. You can just move it back down?
MS. JOHNSTON-No. Right. That will be open for discussion, that we
have to resolve many design.
MR. WHITE-And another reason, too, why we propose that now at this
other intersection is because that was the recommendation of the
County people. They said you ought to take a look at that, and
with the new numbers, we did take a harder look at it, and the
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numbers justify it, but I think the bottom line here is if we can't
mitigate the traffic, DOT's not going to approve it, and if DOT
doesn't approve the plans, we don't have a plan. So, when you look
at it from the environmental impact standpoint, you guys have, in
this case, you've got the DOT behind you that says, we're not going
to approve anything.
MR. BREWER-It has gone back to DOT, and they are reviewing it.
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, I'd caution this Board, even before, is to not
necessarily rely sOlely on DOT. If you feel you need information
and projections that DOT wouldn't solely require, for instance,
right now, DOT is not requiring projections into the future.
They're looking at today's conditions, because their mandate is a
little different. They deal with traffic today. DOT is not in a
planning mode, as far as traffic improvements on Route 9 and
Aviation Road. You know that.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. MACEWAN-When do you expect to hear back from the State,
regarding the new information you sent them?
MS. JOHNSTON-They called me today, and they are obviously reviewing
the revised traffic study. I don't expect them to be very long.
I would say maybe two weeks.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MRS. TARANA-I guess I would want to ask why you chose to go at that
spot rather than up at Weeks Road? Weeks, and Sweet, and Route 9
are a major problem. I don't think coming out of the Ponderosa is
a major problem.
MS. JOHNSTON-That's probably true. The Ponderosa isn't a major
problem. Coming out of the development would be. Right now, most
of the traffic that's going to turn left into the site is going to
see the traffic signal here, or if it's up here, the geometry at
this intersection wouldn't be sufficient to allow people to get out
of Sweet Road. If there was one signal at Weeks Road, the backup
that would be caused by the traffic signal there would block Sweet
Road. If both intersections were somehow signalized, with a split
phasing and coordinated signal system somehow, the delay that would
be caused to Route 9 would be excessive. So I doubt if DOT would
approve that. We're trying to mitigate the impact that it has on
the adjacent street traffic.
MRS. TARANA-None of it makes any sense to me, because this
conversation came up before, and you said the State wouldn't even
consider that site, where you want to put the light now.
MS. JOHNSTON-No. I don't believe I said that.
MR. YARMOWICH-Warren County suggested that the traffic signal be
moved.
MRS. TARANA-No.
project.
I'm talking about the first time we saw this
MR. BREWER-I think it was at Sweet Road.
MS. JOHNSTON-I said the State, I didn't believe the State would
consider putting a traffic signal at Weeks and Sweet Road.
MRS. TARANA-Right, but then again we had another meeting, I said,
why wouldn't you put a traffic light right opposite, because you've
got your driveway right opposite Ponderosa, putting the light
there? And you said that there wasn't enough traffic or something,
the State wouldn't consider that there. Right?
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MR. BREWER-I don't recall exactly where it was, but I think we're
arguing a point that if they don't approve it, we're gOing to know.
So I don't think we should just keep, we're gOing nowhere if we
just sit here and argue about where they were gOing to put the
light.
MR. O'CONNOR-The State is going to actually be the one to dictate
what we do or don't do.
MR. BREWER-Right. Okay.
MR. WHITE-Evaluation of Impact on Energy. There will be a minor
impact on energy supply systems. The project will not require an
extension of the energy transmission to service this. There is
electric service and gas service to the existing buildings that are
going to be demolished, for the Wal-Mart building. Evaluation of
Noise and Odor Impacts. I don't know if I can tell you anything
new that hasn't been discussed. If you see something there, I'd be
glad to address it, but I think we've hit the noise and the odor
quite a bit. The Impact on Growth of Character or Community. I
guess I had a couple of things on this. I don't agree that this is
a forced relocation. This is a business decision by the people
that own the Plaza, not to renew the leases that are currently
their tenants, and bring in a new tenant. Wal-Mart's not forcing
anybody to relocate. What's got to happen with these people, if
they chose to continue their business, they'll have to find a
suitable space, but it's not an impact created by Wal-Mart. It's
something, the developer could go in tomorrow and tell Wal-Mart,
your lease. You're leaving. It's not something solely created by
this.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. WHITE-The additional fire and police service, I think it's so
minimal, and hopefully, it's nonexistent. Hopefully, we'd have no
need for a fire service. I think it's such an nonimpact that I'm
not going to even spend a lot of time on it. I think the Summary
and Recommendations are pretty much a recap of everything we've
talked about. I'm not sure that I see anything there. This
summarizes everything that we have discussed tonight. so I'm not
sure that there's anything else I can add, other than starting out
with the Rist-Frost comments.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Is there anything from anybody else here that
you'd want to know, pertaining to these? If not, we'll go to Tom's
letter.
MR. WHITE-This is the letter of today, February 23rd?
MR. BREWER-Today.
MR. WHITE-I think we've addressed the stormwater quality issue,
anything we need to during the design, address stormwater quality.
As I mentioned, we've provided a concept plan that provides a sump
in the catchbasins, and it will require some regular maintenance.
Wal-Mart, just so you know, this is just background information.
has a fairly extensive program of parking lot maintenance, sweeping
of the parking lots, cleaning with the washing street machines of
their parking lots, because they want to maintain a clean image,
and they work very strongly at that.
MR. HARLICKER-Does that include, also, the Ames parking lot, or
would you just be doing the parking lot associated with Wal-Mart?
MR. WHITE-Wal-Mart will maintain their own property.
maintain their property.
Ames will
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
parking lot for Ames?
So, you
Okay.
won't be doing anything with the
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MR. YARMOWICH-Well, that parkinq lot will be reconstructed, right?
MR. WHITE-Yes. It will be reconstructed, and we'll be installing
catchbasins to collect the stormwater from their parking lot.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay, but once that's done, it's up to them to do
what they want with it.
MR. WHITE-Once it's constructed, Ames owns that side of the parcel,
and Wal-Mart owns the other side. Ames can maintain it. I do
feel, though, I guess we could certainly come up with something
acceptable for the Town Engineer on the stormwater quality control,
and there's also new New York State DEC Requlations on stormwater
runoff, and a new SPDES Permit is required for stormwater runoff
that DEC takes a pretty hard look at that type of stuff right now.
We'll have to certainly come up with a plan acceptable to them as
well. Number Two and Three are traffic items that I believe we
discussed, unless, Tom, you think there's somethinq that maybe
Shelly hasn't addressed in her previous statements?
MR. YARMOWICH-I guess what we're talkinq about, in fact, are there,
your traffic study is based upon what's characterized as typical
traffic counts because of the time of year in which you took them.
The question is. and this goes beyond normal design practices,
because we're not talking a design arena here. If this Board is
interested, and I suggested that they might be, what kind of
traffic would be expected beyond a typical day. What you have is
a normal, typical day, every day rush hour in Queensbury, which I
think is what the traffic study is saying this, the baseline is
taken from. Is it of interest what happens to our transportation
systems on a worse than typical day? And I raise the issue only so
that the Board would feel whether or not they feel whether or not
they've covered that ground sUfficiently in their determination,
and it's up to the Board if they feel that that's been properly
answered or not, or are they interested in that, even.
MS. JOHNSTON-As I stated before, the way that we tried to address
those potential increases in peak demands at this site during
Christmas season is to make sure that we provide enough storage
space for the left turning vehicles into the site. It's possible
that we could develop alternative signal timinq plans for this
signal that could be activated during peak season times, during
summer, for example. Other than those, we haven't addressed future
development potential in the corridor, if that's what.
MR. YARMOWICH-The reason being, we're strictly talking in the SEQRA
environment. Normally, I'd agree entirely with the concept behind
transportation engineering. You can't design for 99.9 percent
success in your transportation systems. It's just not practical,
from a cost perspective. However, the SEQRA is aSkinq you to look
at, what's the worst case going to be, and I'm suggesting that this
traffic study may not really identify that for you. Now it also
should be understood that, in reality, we're not able to develop
cost effective transportation systems that can deal with the worst
case. We all know that we have reasonably good transportation
systems in Queensbury, and yet sometimes they fail, but how often
are they going to fail, and what's qoing to be the failure mode?
Is it going to be Route 9? Is it going to be the parking lot of
the shopping center? Everyone who does responsible transportation
planning wants to see Route 9 stay in good shape and let the side
streets fail if they may, or the store, the development fail before
Route 9 fails. That's the desirable effect, and if the consultants
who are doing the traffic study generate that kind of picture,
maybe the Board will feel more comfortable with making their
detemination on whether or not the project is insignificant, in
terms of traffic impacts, and I think that that may be missinq.
MR. BREWER-So, what do you think? You agree with Tom?
MRS. TARANA-Yes. There are certain days you can just visually see
41
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that the traffic
question about it.
is much worse than other days. There's no
I don't know what can be done about it, but.
MR. BREWER-I guess what you have to take into consideration is the
overall picture of two or three days out of a year, is that?
MRS. TARANA-It's not two or three days out of a year.
MR. BREWER-How many days is it?
MRS. TARANA-A good part of the summer. Probably all of July and
August, people literally cannot get out of Weeks Road, Sweet Road,
and you see them going down. trying to get out of Montray. They
can't get out of Montray, be~ause they can't see to take a left
turn to go south. I think the traffic there is much worse than
anybody knows, unless you're there all the time.
MR. O'CONNOR-This design that we're looking at, as I understand it,
may, from a layman's purpose. and what I've heard a couple of
times, presented allows for some intervals, because of the
signalization of the entrance that's going to be opposite this
site, because it will allow some breaks in traffic, where, right
now, you don't have a signal to give you the break, and it's just
preventing flow, and that's why the people sit there. The traffic
on Route 9 is going to have to pause from time to time. It's like
you didn't used to be able to get out of Country Club Road, which
is unsignalized, but now because Glenwood Avenue is signalized,
when you come down Country Club Road, you sit there, you can get
out. You've got to wait for that light to either change one way or
another, but you get a pause between the one that's on Glenwood
Avenue, and the one that's, Lafayette Street extension, between the
two of those, because of the way it breaks up, and maybe I'm
oversimplifying it. because I'm doing it as a layman, but that's
going to help those side streets to some degree, and it's the
reason that they moved this away from, or the County suggested
strongly that we move away from Montray Road, because you had an
incline coming up into that intersection, and you have a problem
kind of like the Greenway North Extension, where you're coming up
a banked intersection to get to a traffic light. They said go back
there. You've got a better approach to it, and they encouraged the
people to go back there. So, you may have this side effect to some
access to Route 9 from those side streets, simply by putting the
signal in there.
MR. YARMOWICH-Some of these Board members would remember that in
the Route 149 corridor between the Municipal Center and Route 149,
eastbound, there was a great deal of study done on synchronization
so that traffic would platoon, that's a pretty good term. In fact,
that's what this analysis is based on, that concept where platoons
of traffic are formed, they move out the highway, they clear the
zone, and then people can leave the side streets. That's an
effective tool, and it's done up and down Bay Road. What you
experience and are accustomed to at this site is free movement of
traffic up and down Route 9. There will be a traffic light
installed with this project, and that's going to change things.
The amount of delay would typically be minimal, up to, they're
projecting 30 seconds maximum on a typical day, peak rush hours,
which isn't a significant delay, but in easy terms, the concept of
platooning, and it got through problems before, is what this whole
approach to mitigation and traffic is about, whether or not that's
an adequate, if that performed adequately, because I've been
looking at the real, maximum, hours. It's something that we may
want to ask of them.
MR. BREWER-We can ask her that.
MR. YARMOWICH-I mean, in many cases, it's not a big deal, but we're
talking about a brand new signal, here, something that's never
really. nobody's had any experience with. We're not just talking
about adding a lane, and a left turn movement. We're talking about
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adding a whole new signal.
MR. BREWER-Are we correct in saying that we can ask him for someone
else to look at this, to see if it's the right concept to do?
MR. O'CONNOR-I thought that Rist-Frost had done that?
MR. YARMOWICH-Well, if this Board is comfortable in saying that, if
typical traffic patterns around Queensbury would be insignificant,
or not significant to you, the deviation between peak maximum
traffic patterns and typical traffic patterns are not significant
to you as Board members, you don't need the additional data.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. YARMOWICH-I guess that boils it down to the perspective that I
have.
MS. JOHNSTON-I think it's also important to note that we're not, in
the traffic impact study, we didn't analyze an average hour of a
day. We analyzed the peak hour when generally the traffic volumes
on Route 9 are high, and the traffic generated by the site would be
high, and the combination of the two is generally considered a
higher impact than all other hours of the day, of typical
operation. So, just to clarify so the Board doesn't think we've
analyzed just an average hour, this is a peak hour. on a daily
basis, of potential impacts generated by this site. At other hours
during the day, the impacts would be less. None of us, we do
recognize that there will be seasonal influences, but just so you
know, we have analyzed the peak hours.
MR. BREWER-I'm satisfied.
MR. MACEWAN-Does that satisify you, Corinne?
MRS. TARANA-I'm not sure, if I am or not, to tell you the truth.
I think one of the problems that we're looking at with traffic in
Queensbury now, like at the Aviation project we're looking at, at
the intersection of Aviation and Route 9, Quaker and Route 9, we're
looking at that for peak hours, basically. That's the kind of
thing you're getting at, aren't you?
MR. YARMOWICH-That happens to be an influence of maximum peak
hours, where maximum peak hours have become a significant issue, at
that location.
MRS. TARANA-And couldn't this also impact that? It's only a short
ways up the road.
MR. YARMOWICH-Maybe the people who are familiar with traffic counts
and have analyzed traffic situations there can shed some light on
that. I don't work with the data, as this traffic consultant has.
MR. O'CONNOR-There is a traffic study underway by, I think, the
County.
MS. JOHNSTON-Underway by our firm, Transportation Concepts, to
evaluate that Aviation Road corridor, if that's what you're
alluding to.
MR. O'CONNOR-Yes. I don't know if that answers all the questions
or not, but that not a simple process. It's an involved process.
MRS. TARANA-Is this the one that's been going on for a year and a
half?
MS. JOHNSTON-Not a year and a half, several months.
MRS. TARANA-Yes.
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MR. O'CONNOR-What we're basically talking about is adding, roughly,
50,000 square feet of retail space. I don't know if that's going
to have that significant an impact by trip generation. Right along
that same corridor, I think we just recently, not too long ago,
approved the plaza up over the hill, which I don't know total
square footage.
MR. MACEWAN-It was pretty significant, wasn't it, size wise?
MR. MARTIN-I think it was in the neighborhood of 64,000 square
feet.
MR. LAPOINT-Sixty-eight thousand.
MR. BREWER-Sixty-eight thousand?
MR. LAPOINT-The Dexter.
MR. BREWER-Mt. Royal?
MR. MARTIN-Mt. Royal.
MR. BREWER-Is that the one you're talking about, where the Mt.
Royal was?
MR. O'CONNOR-Yes. I don't think you, and I don't necessarily say
that you don't do this, but I don't think that we have, with this
size project, asked somebody to do a corridor study on the road.
MR. MACEWAN-Ed, do you have any thoughts, comments?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. Failure is when you've got empty roads and empty
parking lots and nobody out. That's failure. If you've got peak
traffic, that's a good thing, in my opinion.
MR. BREWER-Okay. We can move on then.
MR. WHITE-We're done with the transportation issue?
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. WHITE-Number Four, extension of public sewer is proposed only
to the Wal-Mart store. I've discussed this with Mr. Yarmowich, and
we would propose to now extend the sewer along the frontage of the
entire site, provide sewer service to the Queen Diner, the Ames,
and the Wal-Mart store. He says that the proposed sewer extensions
appear feasible from a design standpoint. The selected alignment
relies upon easments needed. There will be off-site impacts from
the sewer extension of this project. That's true. The alignment
that we presented to Rist-Frost for their review did show an
extension of the sewer outside the right-of-way, which would
require easements from the property owners. Our desire would be to
extend the sewer wi thin the right-of-way and not require the
easements, and we're going to meet with Mr. Shaw, and hopefully,
again, with the Town Engineer, and talk and come up with the best
alignment, but I think the key, here, for the purposes of SEQRA, is
that it is a feasible thing from a design standpoint, and that the
details of it, if you go outside the right-of-way, and have to get
the easements, or if we can stay within the right-of-way, it can
certainly be worked out when we reach the design phase of the
project, and I believe the last comment is sort of an agreement
that the erosion and sediment is not going to be an issue.
MR. BREWER-Right.
through this?
Okay.
How does everybody feel about going
MR. LAPOINT-I'm ready.
MR. WHITE-Would you like to look at the landscaping plan again?
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MRS. TARAHA-Just qUickly, yes.
MR. WHITE-You can see here where we've shown on our concept plan,
our concept of providing plantings in the end islands, the
perimeter here. We have shown existing vegetation here and also
some plantings up in front, and the more detailed plans that we
presented to the Beautification Committee followed that same
concept of plantings in the end islands. The spots you can see
here and here throughout the site are plantings in the end islands,
with deciduous trees that are smaller type trees, Sea Green
Junipers, also low lying bushes in this end island. So we put a
combination of a large deciduous trees and smaller plantings in the
islands. Here's where we show the eight foot high stockade fence,
and also added in here a mixture of pines and maples, deciduous and
coniferous trees in here. We wanted to put the pines in there for
the fOilage. The plantings that are landscape architect has chosen
along the front here are a Flowering Crab type, some different
colors. These island areas in here, we propose some Sea Green
Junipers in this area, to add some more greenery to the site.
MRS. TARANA-And with the amount of parking that you need, you'll be
able to put some plantings in the middle somehow? Is that your
plan to do that, to break up the middle parking area?
MR. WHITE-Well, as far as, what we're going to, and work with you
on the site plan review process, is to provide some type of islands
in this area here so we can provide some additional landscaping in
this area to break this parking lot up a little bit.
MRS. TARAHA-And you have room to do that with the number of parking
spots you need?
MR. WHITE-I think what we can do is shift a couple of these bays
over, and make them a little bit tighter. We don't want to make
them too tight, because I want to make sure the cars can circulate
around here, not that landscaping isn't a legal concern, but I
don't want them banging their doors and hitting each other.
MR. O'CONNOR-There are a couple of strips there that show 61 feet
from toe to toe, and Jim Martin has suggested that we try very hard
to pick up that one foot and utilize it together. There are, like,
three stalls, and we'll work it into the grading plan and come up
with a plan that works.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Lets go through SEQRA.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. What we want to do is we go through this, and if
you have objections to what we summarized, let us know, because
this turns into a motion, at the end, I think.
MR. RUEL-Do you have another copy of that? I don't have one.
MR. BREWER-Don't we have to go down through each of these here?
MR. LAPOINT-That's what I'm doing.
MR. BREWER-All right.
MR. MARTIN-I think only if you have a real concern, Tim, then you
can start looking at those examples of thresholds.
MR. LAPOINT-For example, we just said yes, so we can go down
through, and things that would apply to yes are construction grades
over 15 percent, which is no, depth to water table of less than,
that's not it, a thousand vehicles or more, that's not it. Do you
know what I'm saying?
MR. WHITE-We checked it, because it says to check Column Two if it
exceeds that amount. It doesn't exceed that amount, but it is a
small to moderate impact.
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MR. LAPOINT-You see, I usually read through these really fast, but
there's all these little sub-bullets.
MR. RUEL-Right. There's no column for No Impact.
MR. LAPOINT-Well, no. You say no.
MR. BREWER-We say no if there's no impact.
MR. RUEL-Okay. There's no column. Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-So, we're going to say, yes, but small to moderate
impact on the physical change to the project site. Do we all
agree?
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay.
MR. MARTIN-Lets go back to Number One. If you're going to say,
Will the proposed action result in a physical change to the project
site, yes, then what of those sub-categories or thresholds?
MR. LAPOINT-Exactly. I disagree with everybody else, and I would
have just went through and said no. but I'm not going to argue with
everybody else.
MR. BREWER-If it's going to have a physical change.
MR. MARTIN-Well, if you say yes, then you have to indicate where in
those thresholds are they having this small to moderate impact.
MR. O'CONNOR-At one time or another, we might have had more than
1,000 vehicles. Right now, we have 971 vehicles. Maybe we misled
you.
MR. BREWER-Just on your parcel?
MR. O'CONNOR-On both parcels.
MR. DUSEK-I might make just one other comment on that. If you
don't find a category that's under one, you can add your own.
MR. LAPOINT-You can add your own? Okay. We'll do that.
MR. MACEWAN-Right at the end.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. Lets go back to Number One again, okay. Will
the proposed action result in a physical change to the project
site? Now, I'd say, no, it doesn't, because it doesn't meet any of
those bullets. So, if somebody else wants to say yes, you've got
to come up with another.
MR. BREWER-I would say yes, small to moderate, because they're
eliminating and reconstructing a much larger building. I mean,
it's a small to moderate impact, but they are doing it.
MR. MARTIN-That's a reasonable comment under Other Impacts, if you
want to, if that's the consensus of the Board, that's a fair
statement, then.
MR. YARMOWICH-No would be a change in use. You're going from a car
wash to a restaurant. That's no impact on the land.
MR. LAPOINT-Right. This is from a department store to a department
store, right?
MR. YARMOWICH-That's from no parking to a lot of parking.
MR. LAPOINT-There's a lot of parking there.
46
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MR. HARTIN-Tim's talking about the southernly most portion of the
site. there, that's currently undisturbed.
MR. BREWER-How big is that bUilding right now?
MR. O'CONNOR-Twenty-nine thousand square feet.
MR. BREWER-Twenty-nine thousand?
MR. O'CONNOR-Yes, that's being removed.
MR. BREWER-That's being removed, and you're adding how much?
MR. O'CONNOR-One hundred and sixteen and some change.
MR. BREWER-That's a substantial amount of a building that you're
putting up. To me it is.
MR. HARTIN-It's certainly within the Board's review, here, to make
that comment.
MR. O'CONNOR-So, you're just gOing to say, under Other Impacts,
you're going to say constructing larger bUildings?
MR. BREWER-Yes. That's all.
MR. O'CONNOR-Small to moderate?
MR. BREWER-Small to moderate impact.
MR. MARTIN-So you want to indicate that phrase, then, under Other
Impacts?
MR. LAPOINT-Well, lets get Roger's question in. Go ahead, Roger.
MR. RUEL-The word impact is definitely negative, right?
HR. MARTIN-No, they're saying yes.
MR. RUEL-The word impact, here, in the columns, is neqati ve,
correct?
MR. YARMOWICH-Right. Yes.
HR. RUEL-All right. You could have a positive impact, but these
impacts are neqative?
MR. YARMOWICH-Right. Potential significant negative impact.
MR. RUEL-It doesn't say that.
MR. DUSEK-I don't know that I would agree with that. I think what
they're trying to say there is that, is there going to be an
impact, any kind of impact. Later on you'll determine whether it's
a negative or positive impact.
MR. RUEL-I don't think you would indicate that as a postive impact.
There's no room for it here. Everything here is neqative.
MR. O'CONNOR-Under SEQRA, you're suppose to indicate either
negative or positive.
HR. MARTIN-Yes. I think you would indicate it under Other Impacts.
If you came across one of these items here, and this particular
project, in your view, had a positive impact. then you could put it
under Other Impacts.
MR. RUEL-Under Other?
HR. HARTIN-Yes.
47
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MR. DUSEK-When you go through this, you're just looking for
impacts, any kind of impacts.
MR. RUEL-Yes. Okay.
MR. MARTIN-So, just to be in agreement here, so we know, because
we're going to have the one, here, for Tim to sign. This is yes,
in reply to Number One, and then under Other Impacts, we're going
to use Tim's phrase there regarding the increased building size and
all that, and list it as small to moderate.
MR. LAPOINT-Agreed. Okay. Will proposed action affect surface or
groundwater quality or quantity?
MR. MARTIN-Did you say you're going to need a SPDES Permit?
MR. YARMOWICH-Not now.
MR. WHITE-Under the new regulations, yes, there are SPDES Permits
required for stormwater. They're not issuing the permits, but you
need to know this.
MR. YARMOWICH-As far as this Board is concerned, the answer is no.
MR. WHITE-At this point, no.
MR. YARMOWICH-The rules are there. but the program's vacant.
MR. RUEL-You have stated there will be no increase in groundwater,
right?
MR. WHITE-No increase in the surface water runoff.
MR. RUEL-That's what you said, right?
MR. WHITE-Over what presently exists on the site.
MR. RUEL-Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-They have to design this so they don't increase surface
water runoff over what's already there, correct?
MR. YARMOWICH-The institution of any infiltration system will have
a significant positive impact on what's already there, regardless
of whether or not it increases a design rate, because all the
little storms get caught and taken care of, where they don't now.
So, it will be positive. There will be an impact. It will be
positive.
MR. O'CONNOR-Under Other Impacts would you add, off site drainage
would be decreased?
MR. YARMOWICH-Right. It will improve off site drainage.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay, Improve off site runoff conditions, and that'll
be small to moderate.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. I agree with you.
MR. LAPOINT-I would say there's no Impact on Air.
MR. BREWER-I'll agree.
MRS. TARANA-I agree.
MR. MACEWAN-I agree.
MR. RUEL-How many vehicles per hour have they indicated?
MR. BREWER-They're hoping 10,000 an hour, Roger. They don't know
48
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for sure.
MR. RUEL-Yes, I know. With the Clinton Administration there, it's
going to hit over 1,000.
MS. JOHNSTON-The Saturday peak hour, 658 trips.
MR. RUEL-Six fifty eight? So it's definitely under 1,000? Okay.
Yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Impact On Aesthetic Resources. Will proposed action
affect Aesthetic Resources? I say no.
MR. BREWER-I would say, no.
HR. RUEL-I say no.
MR. HACEWAN-I agree.
MR. LAPOINT-Impact on Transportation. Will there be an affect to
the existing transportation systems?
HR. RUEL-There is no existing transportation systems.
HR. BREWER-Yes, there is.
isn't it?
The road is a transportation system,
MS. JOHNSTON-Yes, it is.
MR. BREWER-And they're altering it by putting a light in.
MS. JOHNSTON-The transportation system consists of Route 9 and
Weeks Road and Sweet Road and Montray Road.
MR. RUEL-I thought they meant trains or buses.
MR. O'CONNOR-If you say, yes, and you say, alteration of present
patterns, small to moderate.
MR. BREWER-Yes, that's what I would say.
MR. LAPOINT-Small to moderate. I've got two votes there.
MR. RUEL-Small impact?
MR. LAPOINT-Small to moderate impact, on the alteration of present
patterns of movement of people and/or goods.
MR. BREWER-Now, wait a minute. I think we might be doing something
wrong. Don't we have to?
MRS. TARANA-Yes.
that?
Doesn't that go in Column Two, if you answer
MR. RUEL-What Number are you on, Ed?
MR. BREWER-Fourteen.
HR. LAPOINT-Fourteen.
MRS. TARANA-Examples that would apply to Column Two, alteration of
present patterns of movement. We're saying yes.
MR. YARMOWICH-It could be. It could also be small to moderate.
HR. BREWER-Small to moderate. Right.
MRS. TARANA-I don't know that I'm convinced that it's small to
moderate. I think the alteration patterns have changed
significantly. I think people could start moving from Bay Road to
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Glenwood to Country Club, to Sweet and allover trying to avoid the
whole intersection at Quaker and Aviation.
MR. BREWER-They do that now, don't they?
MRS. TARANA-Yes, and there's no Wal-Mart there.
MR. BREWER-So how would that change? How's that going to change,
if they do that now?
MRS. TARANA-Well, I think the impact would be greater. People
would be cutting through there to go to that store. I'm not sure
of what small to moderate and potentially large, what the
difference is?
MR. O'CONNOR-It doesn't affect the level of service on Route 9, and
the Level Of Service on the side streets make impact. increased a
little bit, be improved, not increased.
MRS. TARANA-I think they could be increased a lot.
MR. O'CONNOR-But I mean, it may be improved, also, because of this,
as I said, the pauses and the platoonings of the traffic.
MR. LAPOINT-I think it's small. I think you have to go with what
the traffic engineer shows and what our consultant says. It
doesn't look like we're going to change the Level of Service
anywhere. So, it has to be small to moderate, and I would have
said, no all together, but I'll go with small to moderate.
MR. RUEL-Transportation Impact? Small.
MR. MACEWAN-Small to moderate.
MR. BREWER-Small to moderate it is.
MR. O'CONNOR-Mr. LaPoint, could I just get you go to go back to 15?
If you go to the second category there. I don't know whether you'd
say this is a major commercial use.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. Let me read that, then. Okay. Back to Number
15. Proposed action will require the creation or extension of an
energy transmission or supply system to serve more than 50 single
or two family residences to serve a major commercial or industrial
use. I can't imagine you're going to be pulling in, the gas main's
going to say the same. The gas main's there.
MR. YARMOWICH-The service is already there.
MR. MARTIN-You shouldn't confuse this with the pUblic sewer system.
This is clearly energy transmission.
MR. LAPOINT-No, it's not. Gas and electricity.
MR. YARMOWICH-Right.
MR. MACEWAN-Anything that's stored would be more efficient than
what's there now.
MR. O'CONNOR-All right. I just wanted to discuss it.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. I still say no.
MR. BREWER-I agree.
MR. RUEL-I agree.
MR. LAPOINT-Back to Noise and Odor Impacts. Will there be
objectionable odors, noise, or vibration as a result of the
project? Proposed Action will remove natural barriers that would
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act as noise screens.
MR. BREWER-I see the opposite. They're adding barriers. They're
adding trees and the fence. I mean. they are removing some, but
they're putting more in, correct?
MRS. TARANA-What about the large trucks going down Weeks Road? Do
they make a vibration?
MR. BREWER-They do now.
MRS. TARANA-Yes, but there are not five or six trucks going in
there a day.
MR. BREWER-There probably are, with the Sysco, and Ames.
MRS. TARANA-I don't think there are. I doubt it.
MR. BREWER-I think that there are. Our small business, that I work
at, we have.
MRS. TARANA-But you're talking ~ trucks, right?
MR. WHITE-The trucks that would service the Wal-Mart store are
large, yes.
MRS. TARANA-Yes. The Sysco trucks are not, I mean, they might have
one or two big trucks.
MR. O'CONNOR-You're not talking about refrigerated trucks. The big
trucks probably will make less noise than the smaller box trucks
that Sysco uses.
MRS. TARANA-I'm just wondering about the vibration on the road.
There's none of that? Those houses are right along there.
MR. RUEL-This question assumes that we know what the local ambient
noise level is.
MR. MARTIN-Do you have any idea what the existing deliveries are to
the site? Is it a matter of smaller trucks of a greater quantity
and number of deliveries, as opposed to a Wal-Mart, which has
organized delivery days and times and schedules on larger trucks,
requiring less trips?
MR. WHITE-No. I don't have any real data on the existing site. I
can just relate to my experiences on the maybe six or seven times
I've actually been to the site and have stayed there for a half an
hour and observed what's going on, and I've seen both the larger
trucks and the smaller trucks come to the Ames. I've seen mostly
the smaller trucks go to the Sysco, definitely smaller trucks go to
the smaller shops that are there. So, Ames does get some of the
larger deliveries.
MR. MARTIN-The other question I would have is how much of the
undeveloped area south of the existing parking lot, how many acres
exists there, or what's the square footage, of that open area on
the southern edge, today? What's that dimension?
MRS. TARANA-You mean between Ray Supply and this property?
MR. MARTIN-well,
the pavement now.
of area?
between, like, the neighborhood and the edge of
What's that area measure? What's the quantity
MR. WHITE-I could scale it exactly for you, but I would say it's
approximately 150, 200 feet.
MR. MARTIN-One hundred and fifty by?
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MR. YARMOWICH-Two hundred and thirty feet.
MR. MARTIN-By how deep, how long?
MR. YARMOWICH-Along this way?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. YARMOWICH-Six hundred and fifty.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So you've got a little over two acres now, right,
essentially?
MR. WHITE-That is open space and isn't paved.
MR. MARTIN-Right, and it's going, now, to an area that's 50 feet
wide. So. I don't want to influence the Board, but I would just
draw your attention to the proposed action will remove natural
barriers that would act as a noise screen. I'm not saying of a
large magnitude, but I think you might want to consider that as a
small to moderate.
MR. RUEL-Where's the loading platform, on the west side?
MR. WHITE-The dock area is this area right here.
MR. BREWER-Are there trees, there, that's taken out, Jim?
MR. RUEL-I thought there was the Ames building there?
MR. BREWER-I understand what you're saying, and what I'm saying is
if that's just a meadow, with just grass in there, there's no
trees.
MR. YARMOWICH-It's mostly wooded, scrubby kind of stuff.
MR. BREWER-I don't recall a lot of it being wooded.
MRS. TARANA-Scrubby little short skinny things.
MR. MARTIN-There's a lot of poplar trees, as I recall, of maybe 20,
30 feet in height.
MR. 0' CONNOR-The tree line is probably a portion, the southern
boundary, it's going to be 50 feet from the southerly boundary.
So, there will be a removal on some of it, probably of 150 feet of
shrub pine, some of it to the west side of the site will be less
than that. It might be 125 feet of scrub pine. On the
topographical map that was part of the kit. it wasn't shown, the
existing tree line.
MR. MARTIN-I'll grant that the applicant's going to replace and
replant, put the fence up, and that type of thing, but I just
wanted to point out that dimensional reduction, there.
MR. O'CONNOR-When we met with the neighbors, we talked about, at
one time we had larger trees proposed on the south boundary, but
because we were going to build the stockade fence, what they
suggested, and what we ended up agreeing to was putting more trees
on the lower level, that actually fill in the existing bigger
trees, to make a more natural buffer in front of the fencing, as it
presently exists. So there's a little bit of a trade off.
MR. RUEL-It depends on the type of trees. It doesn't do any good
in the winter.
MR. WHITE-Yes. That's why we proposed a combination of pines and
coniferous trees.
MR. BREWER-All right. So, what do we want to do? Do we want to
52
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answer that yes, in the small to moderate, near that, or do we not?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. Small to moderate.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. LAPOINT-Impact on Growth and Character of Community or
Neighborhood. Will proposed action affect the character of the
existing community? I guess my vote is I don't see it as beinq any
different from what's there now. I'd say, no.
MR. BREWER-I'll agree with you.
MRS. TARANA-I think I would say, yes, but very small, small to
moderate. Well, I think there could be an additional demand on the
police and fire and ambulance and that, realistically speaking.
The building's larqer.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. RUEL-Small. Create demand for additional community services.
MR. MACEWAN-I guess small to moderate.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes, and under one area for sure, that it will create
opportunities in the construction trades. That's for sure.
MR. BREWER-I don't see that it's goinq to create additional police
and fire, because there's an existing bUilding there that the
police patrol now.
MR. MACEWAN-Would the sewer district fall under a community
service?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes, but, aqain, the overall headinq on this is Impact
on Growth and Character of community or neighborhood.
MR. MARTIN-You're doinq a SEQRA Review of the entire project, not
seqmenting it. So you're looking at the variances and all that.
The proposed action will set an important precedent for future
projects. What's considered here is a variance on permeability.
MR. LAPOINT-I'd add that, under Other, we're goinq to say that
we're.
MR. BREWER-No. I would say it would set a precedent.
MR. MARTIN-Well, that right there, the proposed action will set an
important precedent for future projects, the third bullet up.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. Good. I agree with that. We'd have one box
checked small to moderate, and then under Other, we'd have creation
of construction opportunities, or under employment.
MR. BREWER-Proposed action will create employment.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. Is there or is there likely to be pUblic
controversy related to potential adverse environmental impacts?
MR. RUEL-No.
MR. BREWER-No.
MR. LAPOINT-No.
MRS. TARANA-I thought there was?
MR. BREWER-We haven't said that there was any potential adverse
environmental impacts, thouqh?
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MR. LAPOINT-Well, it's in the eye of the beholder.
MR. MARTIN-I think you'd want to consider their meetings they've
had with the neighbors, in looking at this question.
MR. MACEWAN-Have the neighbor's concerns really been environmental?
MR. MARTIN-Well, you're looking at public controversy.
MR. 0' CONNOR-I think we had a very successful meeting with the
neighbors. We met with Mrs. Rowe and with Dan Olson, and with the
son of the other immediate owner in the area where the building is
going to adjoin the residential area, and we seemed to satisfy
their concerns, their potential impact, and questions that they had
as to the privacy.
MR. MACEWAN-I don't think Mrs. Rowe's satisfied.
MR. O'CONNOR-Well, she left us with the feeling that she understood
that we were trying to be reasonable with her, that we had a right
to utilize our property in a commercial nature, the same as she had
a right to use it, in effect that because she's residential, her
pri vacy would be left as much to her as it could be, and she
understood there was a balancing. I think she would be much
,happier if this was a total park next to her, and not a commercial
site, and that she wasn't bombarded, because she's gone through all
the problems that she's gone through on the other side of the site,
and now this is on this end of the site, but I honestly think, and
I'm sorry she left. She left with the idea we were trying to be
reasonable with her.
MR. MARTIN-The other item I would point out is this was, although
not a public hearing scheduled and notified, this was a part of
your regularly noticed agenda, and as some members of this Board
know, SEQRA Reviews, even, will turn out the public, right, Tim?
MR. BREWER-They certainly will.
MR. O'CONNOR-And we did tell Mr. Olson, and as I understood it Mr.
Olson and Mrs. Rowe were gOing to act as spokesmen for that
neighborhood, and advise them of the specific meetings. In fact,
we told them of all the meetings. We told them of the meeting with
the Beautification Committee. We told them of the meeting with the
County Planning Board meeting, as well as with you, and I really
have not had anybody in attendance. I think, Dan Olson's opinion
was he was very happy with what he was going to see coming in here,
compared, and maybe this is a poor comparison, to what they
presently have. They have a little, site. He doesn't like the
refrigerated vehicles that are left there unattended for a long
period of time. I think we really have satisfied those few that we
have spoken to. To the extent that you do, you always have a
little bit of conflict. There's a balancing act between
residential and commercial, when they abut each other.
MR. MACEWAN-I was just asking a question. I'm satisifed with what
he's saying. I was asking it from an environmental standpoint. I
guess the way I was wording it was that everybody who's spoken
against this thing from the neighborhood haven't really said it
from any environmental issues. They just flat out didn't want it.
That was mY interpretation, and I guess the question I'm asking,
are there any public controversies due to an environmental
standpoint, right? And I'm saying I don't think there are.
MR. RUEL-You could take almost any complaint and make it
environmental, very easily, especially after you review this.
MR. BREWER-Right. What's your answer?
MR. RUEL-No.
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MR. LAPOINT-I make three.
MR. BREWER-I make four. No.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. I'm going to move on, now. Okay. Now based
upon what I just went through, I'm ready to make a motion for a
negative declaration or no significant environmental effect.
Before I do that, are we going to talk, or what? Does anybody else
want to do it? Are we ready now?
MRS. TARANA-What are you going to do?
MR. LAPOINT-I'm going to make a motion for a negative declaration.
MR. MARTIN-We have a prepared resolution from the Town Attorney,
regarding your acceptance of Lead Agency Status, and also at the
end, there's a statement that if you're going to find a negative
declaration. I think Paul could probably take us through this, the
prepared resolution accepting Lead Agency Status, and then. I
don't think they've formally done that yet.
MR. DUSEK-They haven't done this?
MR. MARTIN-No.
HR. DUSEK-Do they have a copy of this resolution?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. DUSEK-Okay. Is it filled out, like it is for me, in terms of
putting the names in?
MR. HARLICKER-No. It's just blank.
MR. DUSEK-Just blank? I think it's just a matter of reading
through the resolution, Ed, as you were about to do so. You can
use this instead of your other form that you normally use.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. You've got one that's filled out, because I've
just got a blank one.
MR. DUSEK-It should have, here, let me take a look at it.
MR. LAPOINT-It was in tonight's package.
HR. DUSEK-Yes. This is it. All you have to do, you're just going
to put their name in there.
MR. LAPOINT-Right.
MR. DUSEK-When you get down to Resolved, you hereby recognize
yourself as lead agent. That's easy. Resolved that you have
determined that the information determined as follows. Now there's
two parts of this. This one here says that there will not, an
environmental impact statement will not be required. This one here
says that you do need one. So you're only going to pick one of
those.
MR. LAPOINT-Right.
MR. DUSEK-And you have to state your reasons, at the very end,
which you'll add verbally, based on what you have here, and then
that's it.
HR. LAPOINT-Okay. Great. Let me start again.
RBSOLU'lIOR ACKROWLBDGIRG LBAD AGBRCY S'lA'lUS IN CORRBCi'IOR WI'lH
SBORA RBVIBW RO. 3-93 RA'lIORAL RBAL'lY & DBVBLOPHBR'l CORP.
RBSOLU'lIOR RO..
55
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INTRODUCBD BY. Bdward LaPoint
WHO MOVBD ITS ADOPTIOR
SBCORDBD BY.
Crai<r MacEwan
WHEREAS, in connection with the SEORA REVIEW FOR SUBDIVISION
NO. 3-93 NATIONAL REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. CROSS
REFERENCE AREA VARIANCE NO. 11-1993, AND CROSS REFERENCE
SUBDIVISION NO. 3-1993 AND ALL FUTURE SITE PLAN APPLICATIONS, the
Town of Queensbury Planning Board, by resolution, previously
authorized the Executive Director to notify other involved agencies
of the désire of the Planning Board to conduct a coordinated SEQRA
review, and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director has advised that other
involved agencies have been notified and have consented to the Town
of Queensbury Planning Board being lead agent,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury Planning Board hereby
recognizes itself as lead agent for purposes of SEQRA review, and
BE IT FURTHER.
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury Planning Board hereby
determines that it has sufficient information and determines the
significance of the project in accordance with SEQRA as followsr
1) An Environmental Impact Statement will not be required
for the action, as the Planning Board has determined that
there will be no significant effect or that identified
environmental effects will not be significant for the
following reasons. As outlined in our previous Part II
review for this evening,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Executive Director is hereby authorized to
give such notifications and make such filings as may be required
under 5617 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations of the State of New York.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES. Hr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
MR. O'CONNOR-Is there anything specific, off hand, that you want us
to try to address, in the site plan, that we haven't touched on?
MRS. TARANA-The parking lot.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. Something more definitive on the parking lot.
MRS. TARANA-And if there's any way you can keep, I think people are
going to be rushing to get out of that light. I think they're
going to be coming from the Weeks Road project. I think they're
all gOing to be trying to get over to that light, unless it works
that there's a gap, like you say, and they can get out.
MR. O'CONNOR-Thank you very much.
56
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MR. BREWER-Thank you.
MRS. TARANA-Will we have an architectural site plan when you come
to site plan? That would be good.
RIM BUSIRISS.
PI~I~IOR 3-93 RBCOKMIRDA~IOM ORLY S~AØLIY H. & BIVIRLY D. JUCKB~~
OMRIR. SAHI AS AeOn CURRBR~ ZORI. srR-1A PROPOSID ZOMI. RC-1A
(MARRIM COUR~Y PLARRIMG) ~AX HAP RO. 109-1-6 LO~ SIZI. 36.000
SQ. rT.
JOHN WYNN, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STArr IRPU-r
Notes from Staff, Petition 3-93 Stanley H. & Beverly D. Juckett,
Meeting Date. February 23, 1993 "A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. The
applicant is seeking to re-zone a 36,000 square foot lot from SFR-
1A to NC-1A. The property currently has a use variance that allows
a real estate and insurance office. The tax parcel is number 109-
1-6. A site visit was made to the property on 2/11/93. Access to
the site is from Ridge Road. The property appeared to be well
maintained. There were no outstanding physical characteristics to
the site; it is a level lot with mature trees behind the existing
structure. B. EXISTING LAND USE CHARACTERISTICS: The parcel is
part of a small subdivision that was done along the east side of
Ridge Road just north of Quaker Road. (see Map 1) The property is
made up of three original lots that have been combined into one
lot. The parcel has commercial uses on both the north and south
sides. To the rear are large tracts of vacant land that is zoned
for single family residential and land conservation; across the
street, on the west side of Ridge Road, are single family homes.
C. ZONE CHANGE ANALYSIS. 1. What need is met by the proposed
change in zone or new zone? It appears that the applicant is
seeking a zone change to allow a more reasonable use of the
property that is compatible with the residential uses across the
street. Because of the adjacent commercial uses, the traffic on
Ridge Road, the proximity to Quaker Road and its inclusion in the
sewer district, a more reasonable use of the property would be
commercial or office. 2. What proposed zones, if any, can meet
the stated need? Commercial Residential and Neighborhood
Commercial are the zones that would allow commercial and offices
uses that would be compatible with single family residential uses.
3. How is the proposed zone compatible with adjacent zones? The
property is bounded on the south by highway commercial to the east,
west and north by single family residential. Any re-zoning would
have to be compatible with the residential zones. Both the
commercial residential and neighborhood commercial would be
compatible. 4. What physical characteristics of the site are
suitable to the proposed zone? The property is flat and should not
present any developmental constraints. The existing structure is
used as office space with parking available in front. There is
room on the property for expansion of both the structure and
parking area. 5. How will the proposed zoning affect public
facilities? The proposed re-zoning should have little affect on
public facilities. The property is located in the Quaker Ridge
Sewer District and is serviced by town water. 6. Why is the
current zoning classification not appropriate for the property in
question? The property has commercial uses on both the north and
south and fronts a regional arterial road. Even though the
property is across the street from a residential zone, the above
factor and the property's proximity to the Quaker Road/Ridge Road
intersection would seem to justify a re-zoning to allow a
commercial or office use." And just an aside on that one. A
recent drive-by the site, I would try to notice how many of the
properties across the street actually have access, access their
property from Ridge Road across the street from the proposed re-
zoning, and I think there was just one property that had actual
access off of Ridge Road, across the street. The rest of them had
57
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access off the side roads to the rear back in there. "7. What are
the environmental impacts of the change? The environmental impact
of the change would be minimal. The site is currently serviced by
sewer and water and could accommodate a more intense use without
any significant environmental impacts. An increase in traffic to
the site, that would result from a re-zoning to commercial, could
require site modifications to ensure that there will not be any
traffic problems relating to ingress and egress. 8. How is the
proposal compatible with the relevant portions of the Comprehensive
Land Use Master Plan? The re-zoning is compatible in that it
allows commercial or office uses in an area that is served by sewer
and water and located on a regional arterial road. 9. How are the
wider interests of the community being served by this proposal?
Because of the traffic, sewer and water service, adjacent
commercial uses, and the proximity to Quaker Road, a more
reasonable use of the site would be a low intensity
commercial/office use. This would make the best use of a parcel
that is located within the sewer district. D. SUMMARY AND
CONCLUSION The proposal for a zone change for this particular
piece of property from SFR-1A to NC-1A requires careful
consideration. The change will allow for commercial and office
uses adjacent to residential property. Therefore, any uses allowed
in the zone should be compatible with residential uses. There does
not appear to be any physical constraints on the site. The fact
that it is serviced by sewer and water enhances its desirability as
a commercial site. The applicant is requesting a re-zoning to HC-
lA. The Zoning Code states that the purpose of the neighborhood
commercial zone is to service outlying areas and enabling residents
to purchase staples without traveling to a major commercial center.
Staff believes that this zone does not really fit the situation of
this particular parcel. This property appears to be in an area of
transition that is adjacent to a residential zone and major
arterial roads. Therefore, a more applicable re-zoning would be to
Commercial Residential (CR-15). The purpose of the CR-15 zone is
to service residential zones that are in transition from
residential to commercial on narrow arterial roads. This zone
allows for both single family residential uses and some commercial
uses whereas the NC-1A zone does not. The smaller sizes allowed in
the CR-15 zone would also make better use of the site's inclusion
in the sewer district. The current situation affecting the Juckett
property also affects several other adjacent and nearby properties
on the east side of Ridge Road. (see map 2) Consideration should
be given to including these parcels in the re-zoning. It is the
sensible action to undertake. The logical extension of that action
would be to include the four other adjacent and nearby properties
on the east side of Ridge Road. The development pressures and
constraints that are currently causing the applicant's to seek a
re-zoning of their property will soon be affecting the neighboring
parcels. A proper re-zoning of the applicant's property would be
to CR-15 instead of the HC-1A that the applicant requested. The
CR-15 zone is better suited to this particular situation than NC-
lA. The property is not in an outlying area, it is in an area of
transition; the property is serviced by water and sewer and can
therefore handle more intense development than the NC-1A allows.
The site's location on a regional arterial, as well as its
proximity to Quaker Road, also supports a re-zoning of the property
to CR-15."
MR. HARLICKER-Warren County had comments on this, and I tend to
agree with their comments, or Staff does, I guess, which would be
me. They disapprove of the re-zoning, and their comment is that it
would seem to be spot zoning, the re-zoning of this particular
parcel and not any of the adjacent parcels. So, any vote on the
Board's part, I believe, would require a majority plus one, on
this.
·MRS. TARANA-They denied it, you mean?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. They denied it, because they felt it was spot
zoning. just that one particular. the re-zoning of just the Juckett
58
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property in particular.
MRS. TARANA-Can we make a motion or a resolution or something to
extend that?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. Your decision tonight is a recommendation to
the Town Board on this re-zoning, and if you wish to recommend that
the adjacent properties be included in the re-zoning, I would
suspect that's your prerogative to do that.
MR. BREWER-Yes, but wouldn't that mean that the adjacent property
owners would have to apply also?
MR. HARLICKER-Not necessarily. No. The Town, on its own, can
decide to undertake a re-zoning. They'll have to be notified that
they'll be involved in the process. We can't just say, hey, we're
re-zoning your property, but the Town on its own can undertake a
re-zoning.
MR. BREWER-Well, they applied for re-zoning.
MR. HARLICKER-No. Just the Juckett's applied for the re-zoning.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Would the applicant like to respond to any of
these items?
MR. WYNN-My name is John Wynn. I'm an attorney for the applicant.
Well. the question of spot zoning is a particular objection. The
question of spot zoning is one that you can agree with and
appropriately say that it's all a good idea and would be
appropriate, be that you don't necessarily want to get involved in
spot zoning, it would be questionable from a legal point of view,
but as far as changing several other lots in the area, I think yes,
it is a zone that should be changed. As far as whether its
commercial residential or neighborhood commercial, I think probably
commercial residential is more appropriate. As far as your
question, could otber lots be cbanged also, yes, I tbink. in that
particular area, if you look on Page One of the application, you'll
see the property immediately to tbe south of the Juckett property
is commercial as well.
MR. BREWER-Was it by variance thougb, right?
MR. WYNN-Right, and of course the Juckett variance bas been in
effect for almost 20 years, and in essence wbat you have is Quaker
Road followed by Conklin Plumbing, and then a real estate and
insurance office. So, it's really semi commercial there.
MR. BREWER-I guess tbe only thing I would say to that is where does
it stop? I mean, you can stop at the last single family lot there,
and then you've got vacant residential, and they say, well, I want
to be included, and tbe next guy says, well. I want to be included,
you can go all the way to 149 with it.
MR. WYNN-Well, that's what you've done witb Quaker Road. It's all
commercial now. The same tbing' s bappening with Route 9 and
Aviation Road. I mean, as an area becomes commercial and attracts
shoppers from Granville and other areas.
MR. BREWER-I agree with you, but beyond tbat point of the Beauty
Parlor, or wbatever it is tbere, on botb sides of the road it's all
residential, isn't it?
MR. WYNN-Well, I tbink the Staff had a good point, that on the
other side of tbe road, both tbose bouses going up are accessed
from the side road. so that they don't bave driveways leading on to
Ridge Road. I think tbey set it up that way just because of the
high traffic on Ridge Road.
MR. RUEL-You sbow commercial properties on both sides of the
59
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Juckett property.
MR. WYNN-That's correct.
MR. RUEL-And what is the zoning across the street?
MR. BREWER-Single family residential.
MR. WYNN-This is single family residential, but as the staff said,
most of them don't front towards this property. Although they have
land that borders on Ridge Road, it's accessed separately.
MR. BREWER-Well, I don't know. I'm looking at the uses allowed in.
MR. MACEWAN-What's the difference in uses allowed between NC-1A.
and CR?
MR. HARLICKER-Well, one of the big things is that the CR zone
allows for single family houses, so the existing houses there would
not become nonconforming, whereas neighborhood commercial doesn't
allow, it allows for apartments above the buildings, but not for
single families. Neighborhood Commercial, I think, is a zone that
was set up to service areas typically in the northern end of the
township, where general commercial facilities aren't usually
available. They can set up a drugstore. a pharmacy, and a small
grocery market to service the immediate area. I don't think that's
the case, that fits the bill with this area of the Town. I think
it's more an area of transition, at least that little section there
is. To the north of these four lots or so is a rather large
parcel. almost 11 and a third acres. I believe that's owned by, I
have it noted here as Earle Town. So, I think it was part of the
PUD proposal that's floating around some place.
MR. RUEL-Are you saying that CR zoning is part of the Master Plan?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. It's purpose is to, you know, certain areas,
residential zones.
MR. RUEL-This is recommended in the Master Plan, for the northern
part?
MR. HARLICKER-NO, not the specific CR zone, I'm saying commercial
uses in general are encouraged to locate in areas that have sewer
and water along major arterial roads, in areas adjacent to a major
intersection, that sort of thing.
MR. RUEL-Is the Planning Staff recommending CR?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. RUEL-Over NC?
MR. HARLICKER-Correct.
MR. BREWER-So what does that do to his application, if we make a
recommendation to the Town Board to re-zone this as CR-15? We
would deny his application and he'd have to go through it again?
MR. WYNN-No. It's granted as amended.
MR. BREWER-Can we do that, Scott, grant the application as amended?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. You could make, essentially, you could make
pretty much whatever recommendation you'd like to make.
">";
HR. BREWER-But then comes the problem, does it have to go back to
the Warren County for CR-15?
MR. HARLICKER-Well, they denied it anyway.
60
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MR. BREWER-Yes, but it's not the same application.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. RUEL-This application is definitely NC, right?
MR. HARLICKER-Right. That was the zone they applied for.
MR. BREWER-Right. So we can deny this or approve this.
MR. RUEL-Just NC?
MR. BREWER-Right, NC. That's the way we've got to look at it.
That's what the application is.
MR. RUEL-If we go CR, he has to start over again.
MR. LAPOINT-No. This is just a recommendation.
MR. BREWER-Right. So we could just make a recommendation whether
he should go to NC-1A, or.
MR. WYNN-Mr. Chairman, I think what the application says is that
this particular area is not necessarily compatible with single
family residences.
MR. BREWER-Right.
MR. WYNN-It's based on the answer to Number Three, that it's a
transi tion zone between Highway Com.ercial and Single Family.
What's requested is, in Paragraph Two, what would meet the need.
Well, it says Neighborhood Commercial would. That doesn't mean
that this Board can't say, we think that Commercial Residential is
more appropriate, and that's what we go along with.
MRS. TARANA-Is the Beauty Shop Highway Commercial?
MR. BREWER-That's just a variance to operate a business.
MRS. TARANA-It's Single Family?
MR. BREWER-Right.
MR. WYNN-I don't think there's a family living in it.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes, but the zoning is Single Family Residential.
MR. WYNN-The zoning is Single Family Residential. Mr. Juckett had
residential towards the back.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I guess, then, what I'm looking for is if
somebody wants to make a resolution, or a recommendation, not a
resolution. You can make a recommendation not to re-zone it
Neighborhood Commercial, but we would recollmend to re-zone, if
that's what you want to do.
MRS. TARANA-I agree with Scott.
appropriate.
I think the CR is more
MR. MACEWAN-I agree.
MR. LAPOINT-Go ahead and make a motion.
recommendation.
I mean, it's just a
"0'11011 '10 RBCOIIHBIID A CHUGB III 'BB ZOIlB I'RO" SIIIGLB I'AHILY
RBSIDBII'IIAL '10 CR-15 I'OR PB'II'IIOII I'OR 3-93 S'IAIILBY B. & BBVBRLY D.
JUCKB'I'I, Introduced by Corinne Tarana who moved for its adoption,
seconded by Craig MacEwan.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
61
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vote:
AYES. Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
SIlfB PLAR RO. 3-93 IfYPB I DR. JOSBPH GUBRRA ZORB, WR-1A. C.B.A.
OWRBR, J. GUBRRA. A. CAHPIBLLO LOCAlfIOII, SBBLYB RD. CLBVBRDALB
If 0 CORSlfRUC,. A SBCOIID SlfORY ON All BJ:ISlfIIIG SIIIGLB SlfORY HONB.
(WARRBII COUlllfY PLAIIIIIIIG) (APA) IfAJ: NAP 110. 16-1-32 LOIf SIZB,
28.000 SQ. FIf. SBClfIOII, 179-79F
JOSEPH ROULIER, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
SlfAFF INPUIf
Notes from Staff. Site Plan No. 3-93, Dr. Joseph Guerra, Meeting
Date. January 26, 1993 "Pro1ect Description. The applicant is
proposing to construct a second floor addition to a single family
house. The addition is approximately 950 square feet for a total
of approximately 3,250 square feet. The property is located on
Seelye Road in Cleverdale. The lot is zoned WR-1A with frontage on
Lake George. The project is located in the Lake George Critical
Environmental Area, and therefore, is a Type I action for the
purposes of SEQRA and requires a long environmental assessment
form. Project Analvsis. The project was compared to the following
standards found in Section 179-38 E. of the Zoning Code. 1. The
location, arrangement. size, design and general site compatibility
of buildings, lighting and signs; The applicant has not provided
elevation of the proposed addition at this time; therefore,
compatibility can not be reviewed at this time. The applicant's
agent indicated that elevation will be provided at the meeting for
the Board's review. 2. The adequacy and arrangement of vehicular
traffic access and circulation, including intersections, road
widths, pavement surfaces, dividers and traffic controls; The
project should not impact vehicular traffic access. 3. The
location, arrangement, appearance and sUfficiency of off-street
parking and loading; The project should not impact parking. The
existing parking is sufficient as its arrangement. 4. The
adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and
circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with
vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian convenience; The project
should not impact pedestrian access. 5. The adequacy of
stormwater drainage facilities; The project is not creating any
additional impervious area and should not impact stormwater
drainage. 6. The adequacy of water supply and sewage disposal
facilities; The site is currently served by a private water supply
and on site septic system, these will remain unchanged. 7. The
adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other suitable
plantings, landscaping and screening constituting a visual and/or
noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining lands, including
the maximum retention of existing vegetation and maintenance
including replacement of dead plants; The project will not require
any landscaping nor should it remove any existing vegetation. 8.
The adequacy of fire lanes and other emergency zones and the
provision of fire hydrants; The project should not impact
emergency access or require additional hydrants. 9. The adequacy
and impact of structures. roadways and landscaping in areas with
susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion. The project
should not be impacted by areas that are susceptible to flooding,
ponding, or erosion. Recommendation. The Planning Staff
recommends approval of this application."
MR. HARLICKER-If you want to give us a little breakdown of the
elevations there.
MR. ROULIER-Yes. I'. Joe Roulier. I'm representing Dr. Guerra.
Just to give you a little background on this, over the last, two.
62
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three years, we've made two applications for a variance, one was
for an expansion to the left side of the house as you look at it
right now, to increase two bedrooms on the first floor, and that
was denied, and then another proposal was made to expand two
bedrooms in the rear of house, and that was subsequently tabled.
Now, recommendations were made at both of those meetings to
consider a second story on the house. After several discussions
with Dr. Guerra and his wife, we finally came up with this plan,
and that's the current proposal.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. HARLICKER-I'm looking at it from here. It looks like it's
compatible with the existing structure. So Staff doesn't have a
problem with the way it looks. That's assuming that colors are
going to match, and siding, or whatever. Are there gOing to be any
modifications done to the eXisting structure?
MR. ROULIER-What I'm hoping to, the current structure is a blue
trim white vynal house. What I'm hoping will be done when the
project is completed is that we'll probably go to a natural type of
siding, that may be more compatible, but at this particular time,
I cannot say with 100 percent assurity what the exterior will be.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. Is this going to remain a seasonal residence?
MR. ROULIER-The property is a year round home on Lake George.
MR. HARLICKER-It is?
MR. ROULIER-It's used on the weekends and for vacations, but the
doctor has indicated to me that within the next two to three years,
he may be retiring, and if he does, then he would be using it on a
year round basis.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. Now, what's incorporated into the addition, is
it extra bedrooms upstairs there?
MR. ROULIER-Well, I'll tell you what' 11 happen to the house itself.
Where you see the middle floor, the window area to the left and in
the back of that are two bedrooms. Those two bedrooms will be
consolidated into one bedroom, the two very small bedrooms will be
consolidated into one, so that the entire addition upstairs will
consist of one bedroom, one additional bathroom, and a sitting room
to the right.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. So as of now there's two bedrooms, and after
the addition, there'll still only be two bedrooms?
MR. ROULIER-There's, right now, there's four bedrooms in the house.
MR. HARLICKER-Four bedrooms? Okay.
MR. ROULIER-There's four very small bedrooms on the main floor of
the house. Two of them will be consolidated into one bedroom.
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. ROULIER-And the additional bedroom will be upstairs, so that we
will still have four.
MR. HARLICKER-So there's no increase. I was going to ask about the
problem with the septic system, but since the bedrooms are the
same.
MR. ROULIER-Yes. No, we're not gOing to five, and we're not going
to three. It will remain the same.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. He just answered my question regarding
adeqaucy of sewage disposal. I would like some assurances, maybe,
63
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RBSOLU~IOM MO. 3-93, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Timothy Brewer.
WHEREAS, there is presently before the Planning Board an
application for. DR. JOSBPH GUBRRA. to construct a second story on
an existing boae, 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.
The Adirondack Park Agency
3. The proposed action considered by this Board is a Type I 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 whether a project has a significant
environmental impact as the same is set forth in Section
617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the
Planning Board is hereby authorized to execute and sign and
file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance or a
negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote.
AYES. Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
MR. BREWER-Okay. Would someone care to make a motion?
MO~IOM ~O APPROVB SI~B PLAM MO. 3-93 DR. JOSBPH GUBRRA, Introduced
by Corinne Tarana who moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig
MacEwan.
Seelye Road, Cleverdale, to construct a second story on an existing
single story home, conditions regarding a septic system as proposed
by Warren County Planning Board should be met.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote.
AYES. Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
SI~B PLAM MO. 7-93 ~YPB. UMLIS~BD DAMIBL & JOAM HARRIS ZOMBa
HC-1A OWMBR. SAMB AS ABOVB LOCA~IO.. 128 LAXB GBORGB ROAD
65
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that the existing system is adequate to service the four bedrooms
that are there now. I mean, we were up there over the weekend, or
over the week.
MR. BREWER-Tbat's in Warren County, Scott, Warren County has that
condition in their approval, tbat tbe septic system conforms to
Town Code, or be brought up to Code, rigbt?
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. BREWER-So we can put that in our motion.
MR. HARLICKER-There's also a long form EAF tbat was submitted with
this, because of its location within tbe Critical Environmental
Area.
MR. BREWER-Okay, and we do have Warren County Planning Board
approved with the condition that the septic system conforms to tbe
Town Code, or tbat it be brought up to Code.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Does anybody on tbe Board bave questions?
MR. RUEL-How many square feet in tbe existing structure?
MR. ROULIER-The existing structure, I believe tbat I indicated that
on tbe application. It's 2850 square feet.
MR. RUEL-And you're adding?
MR. ROULIER-We'll be increasing the structure by approximately 950
square feet.
MR. RUEL-Thirty-seven?
MR. ROULIER-Approximately.
MR. RUEL-The septic system will be taken care of?
MR. BREWER-We'll make it a condition of the motion.
MR. RUEL-Okay.
MR. ROULIER-I don't know if you bad an opportunity to visit the
property?
MR. RUEL-No.
MR. ROULIER-If you look tbe main portion of the house, the middle
area of the house right now, and then you look at the second story
addition, what we're really doing is just taking the existing roof
that is now on the main portion of the house and just literally
raising that up. That's wbat we're doing. Scott has been to the
property to confirm that.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I'll open the public hearing.
PUBLIC HBARIRG OPBRBD
RO COMMBR'f
PUBLIC HBARIRG CLOSBD
MR. BREWER-Okay. Ed, do you want to go through SEORA?
RESOLU'fIOR VHBR DB'fBRMIRA'fIOR OP RO SIGRIPICARCB IS MADB
64
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(SUBSBIf MOlfBL) PROPOSAL IS If 0 RBLOCA,.B BXISlfIBG MODBRB 4 UBllf MOOD
fRAME MOlfBL BUILDIBG fROM ADJACBB,. PROPBRlfY. CROSS RBfBRBBCB. UV
'7-1992 (MARRB. COUBlfY PLABBIBG) (BBAUlflfICAlfIOR COMMI,.lfBB) If AX
MAP BO. 7.-1-8 LOIf SIZB. 2.79 ACRBS SBClfIO. 179-23(D)(3)(b)[22]
BOB HARRIS, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRBSENT
MRS. TARANA-And could I just say something to these people? This
was the best application I think I've ever seen presented to us.
You did a good job.
HR. HARRIS-I was an engineer before I retired, so you're seeing
some of the effects.
MRS. TARANA-I saw somebody who knew what he was doing filling this
out.
STAFf IBPUIf
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 7-93, Daniel & Joan Harris, Meeting
Date. February 23, 1993 "PROJECT DESCRIPTION. The applicant is
proposing to relocate a modern four unit motel building from
adjacent property. The project site is located on Route 9
approximately .6 miles north of Quaker Road, is zoned HC-1A and is
2.79 acres in size. On 2/17/93 the applicant received a variance
to allow a third principal building on a lot where there is only
enough acres to permit two principal buildings. PROJECT ABALYSIS.
The project was compared to the following standards found in
Section 179-38 E of the Zoning Code. 1. The location,
arrangement, size, design and general site compatibility of
buildings, lighting and signs: The new motel units are wood and
should be compatible with the existing bUildings. Lighting on the
new building will be similar to what is on the eXisting buildings
and no new signs are proposed. 2. The adequacy and arrangement of
vehicular traffic access and circulation, including intersections,
road widths, pavement surfaces, dividers and traffic controls: The
proposed building will not impact vehicular traffic access. The
existing traffic patterns will not be changed. 3. The location,
arrangement, appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and
loading: The applicant is proposing six new spaces and one
handicapped space for a total of 32 spaces. The code requires 1
space for each room: there are a total of 20 rooms requiring 20
parking spaces. The proposal exceeds the required number of spaces
by 12. Four of the new spaces will be located adjacent to the
relocated building and 14 will be in front of the existing units.
4. The adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and
circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with
vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian convenience: The proposal
should not impact pedestrian accessbility. The new units will have
sufficient parking adjacent to them so that customers will not have
to walk far to their rooms. 5. The adequacy of stormwater
drainage facilities: The project should not impact stormwater
drainage. The minor increase in impervious surface should not
impact stormwater drainage. The additional 6 parking spaces should
not significantly affect drainage. The parking area will be stone
and should allow for some water to seep through. 6. The adequacy
of water supply and sewage disposal facilities: The site is
serviced by Town water which should be adequate to service the 4
new units. The sewage disposal for the new units will be through
an on site system of seepage tanks. The system, which includes 3
tanks, is subject to permit review by the building department. 7.
The adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other
suitable plantings, landscaping and screening constituting a visual
and/or noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining lands,
including the maximum retention of existing vegetation and
maintenance including replacement of dead plants: No additional
landscaping is proposed. Some type of evergreen screening could be
planted between the new units and the property line to the north.
This would help screen the units from future commercial development
that will occur on the adjacent property. 8. The adequacy of fire
66
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lanes and other emergency zones and the provision of fire hydrants;
The fire hydrant is located on the south end of the site and
emergency access should be adequate. 9. The adequacy and impact
of structures, roadways and landscaping in areas with
susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion. There does not
appear to be areas that are susceptible to ponding, flooding or
erosion. RECOMMENDATION I The Planning Staff recommends approval
of this site plan and that evergreen screening be placed between
the north property line and the new units."
MR. BREWER-Okay, and we have the ZBA Area Variance approved.
MR. HARRIS-I'. Bob Harris. I'm Dan's father. The area that
they're talking putting shrubbery has a lot of talk trees in there
right now. It's very densely wooded, and I don't think shrubs
would do too well.
MR. HARLICKER-If you'd get some sort of, what I'm just suggesting
is that it's going to commercial development going on to the north
of that, and I don't know, are there windows off the back of the
units, so that they're going to be overlooking this?
MR. HARRIS-No. There's no rear windows.
MR. HARLICKER-There isn't? Okay.
MR. HARRIS-It would not benefit us any, and at the moment the other
area's heavily wooded. I don't know what they're going to do
eventually, but we left all the shurbs and trees purposely.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. Right. People aren't going to be looking out
the back of the units, because there aren't any windows there.
right?
MR. HARRIS-Right.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
HR. BREWER-Okay. Does anybody on the Board have any questions?
MR. RUEL-What does the word "relocate" mean?
MR. HARRIS-It means a very expensive bringing a mover in and
dragging it across the ground.
HR. RUEL-And how far are you moving it?
HR. HARRIS-A thousand feet.
MR. MARTIN-It's there on the previous site plan.
HR. HARRIS-The site right next door, where the old Mount Royale
was.
MR. MARTIN-You can see it from the road.
MR. RUEL-It was next door?
MR. HARRIS-Yes.
MR. RUEL-Guido Passarelli's?
HR. HARRIS-Yes. It turns out that we formerly owned the property
and we built that particular building. So we know it's built well.
MR. RUEL-So you just had to put a foundation in?
HR. HARRIS-Right.
MR. RUEL-I see, and you have adequate water in your existing place,
67
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water pressure, for four more rooms?
MR. HARRIS-Yes.
MR. RUEL-And hot water?
MR. HARRIS-There's going to be a heater in this particular
building.
MR. RUEL-It'll have it's own heater?
MR. HARRIS-Yes. It's going to be a fire heater, yes.
MR. RUEL-Because most motels I've been in always run out of hot
water.
MR. HARRIS-We've had problems with flames blowing out the side of
the heater.
MR. BREWER-Okay. I'll open the public hearing. Anyone from the
public.
PUBLIC HBARIBG OPB.BD
NO COHHBNIf
PUBLIC HBARI.G CLOSBD
MR. BREWER-Ed, we've got a Short Form for this, right?
MR. LAPOINT-Yes.
RBSOLUlfIO. BO. 7-93, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Craig MacEwan.
WHEREAS, there is presently before the Planning Board an
application for. DA.IBL & JOAN HARRIS. the proposal is to relocate
an existing modern four unit wood frame motel building from an
adjacent property, 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 unlisted 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 whether a project has a significant
environmental impact as the same is set forth in Section
617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the
Planning Board is hereby authorized to execute and sign and
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file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance or a
negative declaration that may be required by law.
Dul y adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote.
AYES. Hr. Ruel, Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
MR. BREWER-Okay. Would someone care to make a motion?
MO'l'IOR '1'0 APPROVI SIT. PLAII RO. 7-93 DARIIL & JOAR HARRIS,
Introduced by Craig HacEwan who moved for its adoption, seconded by
Corinne Tarana.
Location 120 Lake George Road, for proposal to relocate an existing
modern 4 unit wood frame motel bUilding from adjacent property, in
accordance with Use Variance No. 7-1992.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the following
vote:
AYES: Hr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT. Hrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
SI'I'I PLAR RO. 9-93 'I'YPB II WR-1A DOUGLAS PB'I'ROSKI OWRBR. SAMI
AS ABOVB C.I.A. LOCA'I'IOR. PI'I'ZGBRALD RD., GLIR LK. PROPOSAL IS
TO BUILD A DOCK AS A BOAT SLIP 8' X 22'. (WAaRBR COUR'I'Y PLANRIRG)
TAX MAP RO. 41-1-17 LOT SIZB. .434 ACRBS SBC'I'IOR 179-16 D(3)A[2]
CHARLES BARBER, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAPF IRPU'I'
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 9-93, Douglas Petroski, Meeting
Date. February 23, 1993 "Project Description. The applicant is
proposing to construct a U-shaped dock. The property is located on
Glen Lake off of Fitzgerald Road and has 117 feet of shoreline.
The dock will consist of one slip located 20 feet froll the
northeastern property line. There is approximately 440 square feet
of dock surface area and it extends 20 feet into the lake. Pro1ect
Analysis. The project was compared to the criteria listed in
Section 179-60 (b) which pertains to docks and moorings. It was
determined that the proposal complies with the criteria of Section
179-60 (b). Recommendation. The Planning Staff recommends
approval of this application."
MR. HARLICKER-There are a couple of letters from the neighbors I
think should be noted here. One from the Kims, which state they
have no objections to Dr. Petroski's proposal, and one from, I
believe it's the Kanes, Margaret Kane. "As neighbors of the
applicant, we are familiar with the proposed projects. We have no
objections to your granting approval of both these issues." I say
that because the County reviewed this and they disapproved the site
plan, and they stated that the Board believes that it is
overbuilding of docks on a parcel that size. It is over use of the
property.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Do you have a lIap or something you'd like to put
up, Mr. Barber?
MR. BARBER-I have Tax Haps.
MR. BREWER-I've got two applications here, one for a porch and one
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for a dock.
We're just doing the dock tonight?
MR. HARLICKER-Just the dock.
MR. BREWER-Just the dock tonight?
MR. BARBER-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Is there any existing? I mean, we could not get
to the, we got to the house. We couldn't get down to the water to
see what was there. Is there a dock there now?
MR. BARBER-Yes. There's an existing dock right there now which
will be torn out, and replaced with the U-shaped dock, which
actually is probably smaller than the two new docks. It's an L-
shaped pretty large wood dock that's there.
MR. HARLICKER-I wasn't able to get down either. On the site plan
there's a dock existing on the, that's north. I guess it would be
the west property line, or the opposite side?
MR. BARBER-Yes, to the west.
MR. HARLICKER-That's going to remain?
MR. BARBER-Yes.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. That's what I thought, and I think that might
have been what the County's concern was relating to.
MR. BREWER-This dock right here that you're talking about, Scott?
That's going to remain?
MR. HARLICKER-Right.
MR. BREWER-Well, if he's got 117 feet?
MR. HARLICKER-He's allowed two docks.
MR. BREWER-Is he allowed two docks.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. BARBER-We meet the requirement.
MR. MACEWAN-And you said Warren County denied it?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. MACEWAN-For what reason? Was there a reason?
MR. HARLICKER-The Board believes that it is overbuilding of docks
on a parcel that size, and it is overuse of the property.
MRS. TARANA-But he meets the requirements.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. He meets the requirements.
MR. HARLICKER-That's what their comments were.
MR. BARBER-We've done this to other properties within the last year
and a half. the same situation with the docks.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Well, you're willing to make precautions as to
when you're doing this, that you won't spill anything into the lake
and all that?
MR. BARBER-There's actually no machinery involved. It's all going
to be done by hand.
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MR. BREWER-You're going to build the dock and tben just put it into
the water?
MR. BARBER-Yes, witb the radon steel, as tbe prints show. There's
concrete, but it's behind the mean water line. We've been through
that here before. It does not effect any kind of engineering.
MRS. TARANA-Do the people next door to this property, Gordon's I
guess, do tbey have a dock? Is it near a dock that they have?
MR. BARBER-There is a dock, but I'm not sure, I tbink it's like 30
feet away.
MRS. TARANA-I'm just trying to figure out why Warren County would
say that.
MR. HARTIN-I think it's like Scott says. The one dock is eXisting
there, and they just felt that another one is too much.
MR. MACEWAN-Tbat's all you can have? You can't have any more?
MR. BARBER-Well, we had approval, two years ago we got approval on
a similar situation, just down tbe lake, in front of Warren County.
MR. BREWER-Okay. Does anybody else bave any questions witb it?
MR. MARTIN-It's a Type II Action.
MR. HARLICKER-No SEORA.
MR. BREWER-Wby wouldn't that bave a SEORA at Glen Lake?
HR. LAPOINT-It's stupid. The law is so stupid. You do it for a,
you put a second story on a building, and you need a SEORA, and you
go put something in a lake, and you don't need a SEQRA.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. It's replacing, it's an accessory use. The
only time uses are Type I in tbe Critical Environmental Areas is if
they're an Unlisted Action.
MR. BREWER-You're saying tbere are two docks there now?
MR. BARBER-On Petroski's property. There's a boathouse and another
dock, yes.
MR. BREWER-Well, that's not a replacement, if you're taking a
boathouse out and putting a dock in.
MR. HARTIN-No, no. Tbe boatbouse is staying.
MR. BREWER-Tbat's the one here. So what was bere?
MR. BARBER-An L-shaped. Here's the boathouse. Here's tbe proposed
right bere. Now tbere's an L-shaped.
MR. BREWER-So, you're taking the L-shaped out and putting the U-
shaped in?
MR. BARBER-Yes, rigbt in tbe same place, yes, wbicb is about tbe
same size or a little bit bigger. probably.
MR. BREWER-You said smaller before.
MR. BARBER-No. These are smaller, tbe new ones. Tbe big wood dock
is a little bit bigger.
MR. BREWER-Tbe L is bigger?
MR. BARBER-Yes.
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MR. BREWER-All right. All right. We'll open the pUblic hearing.
Anybody here?
PUBLIC HEARIRG OPBRBD
110 COHNBII'f
PUBLIC HBARIIIG CLOSBD
MR. BREWER-Does anybody care to make a motion?
MO'fION 'f0 APPROVB SI'fB PLAII 110. 9-93 DOUGLAS PB'fROSKI, Introduced
by Edward LaPoint who moved for its adoption, seconded by Craig
MacEwan.
The proposal is to build a dock as a boat slip, 8 foot by 22 foot.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the fOllowing
vote.
AYES: Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. LaPoint, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
MR. BARBER-I don't think they realized there was an existing dock
there.
MR. BREWER-Well, to be honest with you, we couldn't get to it to
see what was there.
MR. BARBER-All right. Thank you.
MR. BREWER-Thank you.
SUBDIVISIOR 110. 6-1993 SKB'fCH PLAII 'fYPB, URLIS'fBD SR-1A
MICHABL VASILIOU OWIIBR. SAMB AS ABOVB LOCA'fIOII, BAS'f SIDB O~
WBS'f H'f. RD.. ABOU'f 1/4 MILB SOU'fH O~ SHBIUlAR AVBRUB WI'fH
APPROXIMA'fBLY a88' O~ ~ROR'fAGB 011 WBS'f M'f. RD. PROPOSAL IS ~OR A
10 LO'f SUBDIVISIOR. RBQUBS'fIRG CLUS'fBR DBVILOPMBR'f. (APA) 'fAX MAP
110. 121-1-60.1. 60.2 SIC'fIOII, SUBDIVISIOR RBGULA'fIOIIS
MICHAEL O'CONNOR, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT; LEON STEVES,
PRESENT
S'fAl'~ IRPU'f
Notes from Staff. Subdivision No. 6-1993 - Sketch Plan, Michael
Vasiliou, Meeting Date: February 23, 1993 "Project DescriPtion:
The applicant is proposing to subdivide an 11.62 acre parcel in to
10 lots. The project contains a .614 acre wetland and involves the
construction of a road. The property is located on the east side
of West Mountain Road and is zoned SR-1A. The applicant is seeking
to use the clustering provision to allow for the creation of
undersized lots. The lots will range in size from .65 acres to
1.48 acres. The wetlands will be on a separate lot. The lots will
be serviced by Town water and will have individual on site septic
systems. Project Analysis. In order to allow for the maximum
number of lots on the property and to allow for half of them to be
undersized, the applicant is seeking to utilize the clustering
provision. The objectives of clustering are to allow a development
pattern which preserves outstanding natural features. provides an
efficient use of landing, resulting in a saall network of streets
and utilities and allows for a development pattern in harmony with
the land use intensity, transportation and community facilities
objectives of the Coaprehensive Plan. It does not appear that this
proposal fulfills these objectives. It does not preserve any
outstanding natural or geological features or prevent the
disruption of natural drainage features. It does not result in a
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smaller street or utility network. It is the Staff's opinion that
the main purpose of the clustering provision is to allow for the
clustering of units in a smaller area than would be allowed by a
conventional subdivision; thereby allowing for the preservation of
open space for the community and the saving of infrastructure cost
to the developer. It is the staff's view that the applicant is
seeking to use the clustering provision to get the maximum number
of units on this parcel not to meet any of the objectives as
outlined in Section A183-33 of the Zoning Code. The applicant also
submitted an alternate sketch plan with lots meeting the minimum
lot area and width. This plan results with 2 very odd shaped
parcels and one lot with frontage and access on West Mountain Road.
Because of the shape of the lots, which result in large areas of
narrow and useless acreage, and the lot with access from West
Mountain Road, staff finds this alternative design undesirable. A
better alternative would be for nine lots all with frontage and
access on Stephanie Circle. It is possible that even though the
property is zoned SR-1A, it is not shaped in a way that would
support a ten lot subdivision and therefore, a nine lot subdivision
would be preferable for this particular property."
MR. BREWER-Okay. Do we have someone here for the applicant?
MR. 0' CONNOR-Yes. Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Tarana, Gentlemen, I'm
Michael O'Connor from the Law Firm of Little and O'Connor, and I'm
here representing the applicant, Michael J. Vasiliou, and Mr.
Vasiliou is with me, on my right, and with us also is Leon Steves,
from VanDusen and Steves, who are the surveyors for this particular
project. We do take issue with Staff's co.ments. What we have
proposed under the clustering, we do think very efficiently does
use the land, and it does result in a smaller network of utilities
and streets, and we do think it's in harmony wi th the land use
intensity. It's a one acre zone. I think even since the one acre
zone was developed, there have been very few developments that have
come through with one acre zoning, that have actually come in with
one acre zoning in that particular area. I've got a small portion
of the Tax Map area, and there's an area i.mediately to the east of
the property that's a significant wet area that probably is never
going to be developed. It's the back of Bill Potvin's property.
Those lots that are in Clendon Ridge are not significantly
different than what lots we've proposed. If you look across West
Mountain Road, the only area that's actually developed into a
subdivision area is much smaller lots than we propose. I'll pass
that out so you get an idea.
MR. STEVES-You're second sheet should show that.
MR. O'CONNOR-I'm kind of glad that we're last on the agenda because
we can maybe talk a little bit more frankly than what we would if
we had a whole bunch of pUblic out there. Mr. Vasiliou paid
$105,000 for his property. By the time he actually has it ready to
start building houses on there, he probably is going to have
another $80,000 development, that's going to cover survey. It's
going to cover legal. It's going to cover the road construction,
and have a number of lots ready to go, and if you just look at that
particular part of it, and you talk about 10 lots, you're talking
about a pass through cost of $18,500 per lot. If you talk about
nine lots, you're talking about a pass through cost of $20,500
plus. So, it may be nice to say, for one reason or another, it
would be good, preferred, nine lots as opposed to ten lots. You're
talking about an additional $2,000 if you're going to pass through
to those other nine lot owners, without adding anything in there
for add ons for cost, some type of return based upon folding lots
over some period of time. The objectives of clustering are set
forth, I think, in Page 47, and I think we fall within that. It is
going to be a little bit. It is going to be a little bit
subjective whether or not we fall entirely, the one that we might
not have a problem with is, we might have a problem with, is
outstanding natural topographical geological features and scenic
vistas. They just aren't on that site. I believe Leon could lead
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you through a little bit, this is not haphazard as to what we
propose. There are two or three other scenarios that were looked
upon before we came up with these to as what we'd like to suggest
to you as what our proposal is.
MR. BREWER-Just for the record. and I'll speak for myself, the
economics of a project, I don't think, falls within the boundaries
of the Planning Board's decision. Whether he can afford to do it
or not afford to do it, or whether it's gOing to put another $1,000
or $2,000 in the lot, I don't think is our concern.
MR. 0' CONNOR-I think it does, if you look specifically under
clustering, because under Section C2, it says, an efficient use of
land resulting in smaller networks of utili ties and streets.
That's talking about an efficient use of the land, that refers to,
I think, the economic impact. That's not relying solely upon that.
MR. BREWER-Right.
MR. 0' CONNOR-I rely more upon the density that it's zoned, the
cluster information that's provided for. We're not asking for a
variance. We're simply asking for a utilization of what's there.
MR. BREWER-And I agree with what you're saying, but I just don't
think that.
MR. STEVES-If I could go through my scenario, I don't mean to
interrupt you, but if I could go through my scenario, perhaps you
could see what we're talking about on the costs, which relate to
this.
MR. BREWER-Okay.
MR. STEVES-I hear what you're saying, too.
MR. O'CONNOR-I'. not trying to argue hardship.
MR. BREWER-No. I'm not saying a hardship, but I'm just saying that
if he bought this property for $20.000, and he still wanted to do
this, that wouldn't be entered into the picture, but because he
paid more money for it, it should be entered into the picture, and
I don't think it has any relevance to it. The price that he paid
for that property shouldn't be our concern.
MR. O'CONNOR-It could still be relative in the same relationship,
whether you paid $20,000 or $105,000, you're still going to have
the same relationship. by dividing by nine or dividing by ten.
MR. BREWER-And I'm not trying to give you a hard time.
MR. STEVES-This is Mike's map, so I'm going to mark it up. One of
the scenarios that we considered in this development is a series of
cul-de-sac, which would have, in this case, two cul-de-sacs, one on
each side of the property, which would allow five half acre size
lots, if you will, around it. One of the problems with that is
that although this road that you see here appears to be longer, it
actually, in essence, is shorter, because if you take the cul-de-
sac itself, you have 500 feet of road leading to it, plus 400 feet
of cul-de-sac, that's 900 feet. Each of these are 800 feet, plus
100 feet in length leading to it, much longer. So there's the
economics of it there. We also considered another option would be
putting in a knuckle along here and here, which would give us a
similar effect to a cul-de-sac. reducing the cul-de-sac length and
road frontage, but it would give us perhaps a series of lots around
the knuckle, but the problem with it is you're building it on West
Mountain Road, which we're trying to get away from. I wouldn't
want to live on West Mountain Road myself. I don't know anybody
that would. The traffic is like the thru-way. We'd get away from,
with the knuckle we'd get away from the double lot width. We'd get
into a similar development on the road. So that with the cul-de-
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sac arrangement is a better arrangement, but it still creates a
greater expense than a single entry road would.
MR. O'CONNOR-If you look. too, we could show the standard, the
standard one doesn't make a lot of sense.
MR. BREWER-And I'm not saying that I don't agree with what you're
doing there, because when we went and looked at it, I thought it
was an excellent plan. I'll just tell you that so, I don't want
you to think that I'm.
MR. STEVES-This is the scenario here that we went through to show
10 one acre sized lots, each of them having 1 50 foot of actual
width, double lot width on the lot that borders West Mountain Road,
all others would border the internal road. Each of them would be
one acre in size, with odd configurations of three acre and one
acre. As part of the traditions of clustering, this is the
condi tion you could ask for. and we would supply it to you.
Anticipating that you would ask for it. This is the plan that we
prefer because it gives us internalization. It gets all the houses
off of West Mountain Road.
MR. MARTIN-Is that on Town water there, Leon?
MR. STEVES-Yes. It is. I believe we show a hydrant right off the
front, right there.
MR. MARTIN-Yes, okay.
MRS. TARANA-Where's the tenth lot? Have I got the right one? Is
this the good plan?
MR. O'CONNOR-No.
MRS. TARANA-That's got nine lots on it, right?
MR. STEVES-No. That's the one. That's not the good one, but
that's the one that shows the conventional subdivision.
MRS. TARANA-But that's Stephanie Circle behind it, right?
MR. STEVES-Yes. The old one has Stephanie Circle.
MRS. TARANA-Yes. but this is the one that we should be looking at.
MR. STEVES-The one that has Stephanie Circle here, has all 10 lots,
the other plan that's the conventional subdivision has the lots.
MRS. TARANA-The one lot on West Mountain Road.
MR. STEVES-Right, with nine lots within Stephanie Lane.
MR. RUEL-I have a question about the circle. That radius, is it 75
feet?
MR. STEVES-Yes. sir.
MR. RUEL-Does that meet the latest requirements? I thought there
were some changes in that size of radius?
MR. STEVES-Are there any published changes? I haven't seen any.
MR. RUEL-No?
MR. MARTIN-No, not that I'm aware of.
MR. STEVES-In fact I think this exceeds the minimum standard, I
think it's 70 feet, and this is 75.
MR. RUEL-Yes. I have one near where I live, and they have a hell
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of a time with the snow plow, they can't make the circle.
MR. STEVES-I don't know where you live, but these they can make the
circle.
MR. RUEL-Yes. Okay. I want to ask you about the central part of
that circle, who's responsible for it, the maintenance of that
property?
MR. STEVES-The Town of Oueensbury.
MR. RUEL-The Town?
MR. STEVES-Yes.
MR. RUEL-And another question, couldn't you buy the land from
Springer and Maille? What's he going to do with 40 feet? It's
right there on West Mountain Road.
MR. O'CONNOR-I don't know what's there. What's there Mike?
MR. STEVES-Nothing. That's just.
MICHAEL VASILIOU
MR. VASILIOU-Nothing's on that property.
MR. LAPOINT-How many square feet, range of houses?
MR. VASILIOU-We're looking at about 1800 and up, in that range.
We're looking at house prices at about $160 to $200.000, somewhere
in that neighborhood.
MR. LAPOINT-This is the same sized cul-de-sac that you live on,
right at the end of, I've looked at your house.
MR. VASILIOU-Phase III of The Pines.
MR. LAPOINT-Right.
bigger.
Yes.
That's a 75 foot cul-de-sac?
That's
MR. VASILIOU-No. I think that's a smaller one.
MR. LAPOINT-That's smaller?
MR. VASILIOU-Yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. That's fine.
MR. RUEL-Does anyone here know what blazed and painted trees are?
MR. STEVES-I'll explain it to you.
MR. RUEL-What are blazed and painted trees? You've got it on your
map here.
MR. STEVES-Yes. When you go into the woods, particularly in the
woods, you mark a line, you don't have any fences or anything like
that, you blaze a tree, you scar it, and you scar a tree, if it
were a line tree, you'd scar it on two sides. If it was a tree
that was just off the line, you would scar it on three sides, and
then paint it.
MR. RUEL-Okay.
MR. STEVES-In surveying, that's what we do. We do it for DEC all
the time. You've seen their lines in the woods, all painted up,
only they do it 40 or 50 apart.
MR. RUEL-What's that block building to be removed? What is that
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anyway?
MR. STEVES-That's a single family house right there.
MR. RUEL-What is it?
MR. STEVES-A single family house.
MR. VASILIOU-It's quite old. quite dilapidated.
MR. RUEL-Is it vacant?
MR. VASILIOU-It's vacant.
MRS. TARANA-What is this little piece of property right here, lands
of Maynard Springer? Do they own a little strip right in here? Is
there a house there?
MR. BREWER-No.
HRS. TARANA-Nothing there?
MR. BREWER-How big is that, 40 by what?
MR. VASILIOU-By 60.
MR. STEVES-Sixty, yes.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay. We're just at Sketch Plan. What we ought to be
doing is hustling up our comments to let them know if we can
proceed to Preliminary, and if they can, what they should change
about this.
MR. HARTIN-And if you're in agreement with this concept.
MR. LAPOINT-That's right.
MR. MACEWAN-I don't have any problems with the concept at all.
MR. BREWER-There's no way you could adjust any of the lines to
make. like that 28,000 square foot lot a little bigger? Like if
you cOile over into here, over in this corner is 64,000, well over
an acre, 45,000, you don't have a problem. Here you've got 55,
over here.
MR. STEVES-We could do that by dog legging the lot, but if you go
back to the similar configuration of that lot right there.
MR. BREWER-You would never end up with 10 inside here?
MR. STEVES-No. Well, no. I don't see how you could.
MR. HARLICKER-Maybe this site was not meant to hold 10 lots.
They've got the wetlands on there. They've got that other little
intrusion there off of West Mountain Road.
MR. LAPOINT-Didn't you grow up in Boston or sOlie place, where
there's 50, 60,000 people per acre.
MR. HARLICKER-Actually suburban Minnesota, quarter acre lots.
MR. BREWER-Well, no, I'm just looking at it. seeing if it's
possible that you could do it.
MR. HARLICKER-They presented this scheme where they did do it.
It's just that they've got some rather odd shaped lots, and the one
wi th frontage on West Mountain Road, which I think should be
avoided if at all possible.
MR. VASILIOU-And we feel that the odd shaped lot should be avoided,
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if at all possible, too.
MR. O'CONNOR-That would kind of isolate that lot from the
neighborhood. The idea is to try to make it all part of one
neighborhood. We do have two curb cuts right now, because we do
have two tax maps, two parcels.
MR. RUEL-I have a question for Planning Staff. Is there a minimum
road frontage?
MR. MARTIN-Forty feet.
MR. HARLICKER-Forty feet.
MR. BREWER-Forty feet.
MR. RUEL-Forty? To put a driveway in there.
MR. HARTIN-Driveways may be 12, 15 feet wide. Yes.
MR. RUEL-Where is Clendon Brook, in relation to this property?
MR. STEVES-The actual Brook itself?
MR. RUEL-Yes.
MR. STEVES-Is to the east of this property.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. It's off where the wetlands is.
HR. RUEL-I see. The wetlands are part of it?
MR. STEVES-Yes.
MR. RUEL-I see, and this wetlands is. what. just dedicated land?
MR. HARTIN-This is in the APA, right?
MR. O'CONNOR-Yes. This is in the APA.
MR. BREWER-I thought the Hountain was the line for that?
MR. STEVES-No.
MR. MARTIN-No. That's why Mr. Rowe, who you talked to earlier
tonight, he's in the APA.
MR. BREWER-That's right across the street from this, pretty much.
MR. HARTIN-Yes. Now was that flagging of the wetlands done by you,
Leon, or was that done by the APA?
MR. STEVES-No, by the APA.
MR. MARTIN-Good.
MR. BREWER-Okay. How does everybody feel about it? Do you want to
let him go on through?
MR. RUEL-I have no objections to anything that I've seen so far.
MR. MACEWAN-Me neither.
MR. LAPOINT-I'm ready.
MR. BREWER-I guess we're ready. I'll just note my objection, not
against the plan, but I would like to see that he could get 10 lots
out of there. I won't try to hold you up or anything, but I would
like to see 10 lots, if it's at all possible, an acre each.
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MR. 0' CONNOR-Do we need a specific resolution authorizing the
clustered?
MR. MARTIH-No, a recommendation, at this point. moving it on to
Preliminary, including the cluster provision, I think would be
sufficient.
MR. LAPOINT-Okay.
HO~ION ~O RBCOHHBND WI~H RBSPBC~ ~O SUBDIVISION NO. 6-1993 SKB~CH
PLAN HXCKABL VASILIOU ~HA~ HB PROCBBD ~O ~HB PRBLIHINARY S~AGB or
~HB PROCBSS. CONSIDBRING S~Arr'S COHHB.~S A.D COHHB.~S HADB HBRB
~ONIGH~ BY ~HB BOARD, Introduced by Edward LaPoint who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Corinne Tarana.
Requesting a cluster development.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of February, 1993, by the fOllowing
vote.
AYES. Mr. LaPoint, Mrs. Tarana, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer
NOES. NONE
ABSENT. Mrs. Pulver, Mrs. Rowe
MR. O'CONNOR-When we do come in for Final, you do have to make a
notation, by resolution I think, make a notation on the Zoning Map,
that this particular parcel has been approved on the subdivision
map.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. That's what would allow the substandard lots.
MR. LAPOINT-Yes. You'll make that real easy for us. You'll have
it all set right up so that we can make such a siaple.
MR. O'CONNOR-Tim raised the point, I'm not sure where you stood,
with Wal-Mart. Last month we came in and asked for Sketch Plan
approval of their subdivision proposal. Jim has the recollection
that maybe it was tabled at that time for SEQRA to be taken.
MR. HARTIN-I'm fairly sure that you just tabled it.
MR. O'CONNOR-And I have the recollection that we didn't, and took
your comments, because I had a general discussion with him that on
Sketch Plan you really don't make approval. you just make your
comments known
MR. BREWER-Yes, but we still have to make an approval to let it go
to Preliminary.
HR. MARTIN-Just like you just did, a recommendation to approve.
MR. O'CONNOR-I would like to ask, then, so that I have an
understanding that you indicate that you have given Sketch Plan
approval, so that our next submittal, on the subdivision portion of
Wal-Mart, can be for Preliminary subdivision, along with the site
plan.
MR. LAPOINT-You've got to check the record to make sure that's what
we did.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. I wouldn't want to say anything like that until
we check the minutes.
MR. BREWER-If we have a meeting the second, if it's not done, can
we do it then?
MR. HARTIN-Yes. It's not a public hearing or anything like that.
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MR. LAPOINT-I'm pretty sure, because I made the motion. I think we
did.
MR. BREWER-If we didn't, we can tie it up at the second, and if we
did, then we can give them an extension to file.
HR. HARTIN-No. You can do it the second if you didn't, because
there's no public hearing or anything.
MR. BREWER-I guess I'm trying to understand what you're saying, is
if we didn't, then you'll have to come back at Sketch, and then we
have to do it again.
MR. O'CONNOR-I'm saying that, for safety sake, I'd rather presume
you didn't and ask you to make a motion right now.
MR. BREWER-If we didn't, we can do it the second.
MR. O'CONNOR-Okay.
MR. VASILIOU-Thank you, folks.
MR. MARTIN-There was a letter written to the Chairman of the
Planning Board. They weren't aware that I'd been removed, from
William Backus, regarding the Raynor's Clearview Estates
subdivision. Remember that on Clearview Lane, off of Haviland
Road, next to Hiland Park?
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-Remember there was the issue of those two small 10 foot
strips of land?
MR. BREWER-Yes. I can remember. There was one here and one there.
MR. MARTIN-Right. I just bring this to you because it was written
to the Chairman. It was, I think, included in your packets.
There's a concern over the fact that Raynor, in the deed that
they're proposing for conveyance of the property was part of the
Planning Board resolution. They're restricting the deed by saying
no access off of C1earview Lane directly through their property.
MR. BREWER-I thought that they were going to deed that to somebody,
or something?
MR. MARTIN-Yes, they were, the Frieghbergers.
HR. BREWER-Both pieces. Remember the long strip on the right, and
then there was one at the end?
MR. MARTIN-Across the top, that was gOing to some guy that lived in
England, literally?
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. HARTIN-Well, they're restricting the 10 foot piece along
Clearview Lane, next to Frieberger, by no access through.
MR. BREWER-And that's what we were afraid of at the time, I
remember, if they gave it to him or sold it to him, that they
wouldn't let him go over it.
MR. HARTIN-So this is a matter of, I see it as a matter of private,
between the two property owners, and I referred this on to Paul, to
get his opinion on it as well, but I just wanted to bring it up to
you.
HR. LAPOINT-I agree with you that they've got to work it out. We
did the best we could, when we subdivided that, to make sure it was
the best thing possible, and it was the best thing possible, and if
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the people want to screw themselves afterwards.
MR. BREWER-Then they can't do anything with that subdivision, if
they don't straighten that mess out, can they? Because I think, if
I remember. that they didn't want to deed that to them, and they
own that property or something, then they wouldn't have any access
to the property.
HR. MARTIN-He went on the record. I recall, Hr. Raynor did, that he
made those two 10 foot strips because he wanted to get money back
for his cost of putting Clearview Lane in, a road.
MR. BREWER-Right.
MR. MARTIN-So he thought he would sell those two 10 foot strips to
recoop some of his cost of the road. because he didn't want other
people taking advantage of the road that he'd built.
MR. BREWER-Right.
HR. MARTIN-My question to Paul, I mean, what involvement does the
Town have in this? I see this as a matter between two private
individuals.
MR. LAPOINT-That's right.
HR. BREWER-Right. Our motion stands, and that's.
HR. MARTIN-It could effect the subdivision. I believe it was a
condition of approval, that the conveyance occur.
MR. HARLICKER-So if they don't buy it, you've got two undersized
lots.
MR. HARTIN-Well, they were in existence. We didn't create the 10
foot strips in the new subdivision.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
MR. MARTIN-They were there. We were trying to clean it up.
MR. BREWER-Right. There was even some talk of giving it to the
Town, and they didn't want to do that. The Town didn't want it.
MR. MARTIN-So that's what that's all about, in case you saw it and
you were wondering. I referred it on to Paul, and I'm going to
wait and see what his reply is, but I think it's an issue between
two private property owners.
On motion meeting was adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Timothy Brewer, Chairman
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