1986-03-25 r
TOWN BOARD MEETING
MARCH 25, 1986
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs. Frances Walter- Supervisor
Mr. George Kurosaka - Councilman
Mr. Stephen Borgos - Councilman
Mr. Ronald Montesi - Councilman
Mrs. Betty Monahan - Councilman
Mr. Wilson Mathias-Town Counsel
_ PRESS: G.F. Post Star, WBZA
GUESTS: Mr. Woodbury, Mr. Carusone, Mr. Carr, Mr. Bryant, Mr. Farone
Mr. Mains, Mr. Morton, Mr. Adamson, Mr. Krebs, Mr. Ingalls, Mr. Morrisey,
Mr. & Mrs. Alexy, Mr. Greeno
TOWN OFFICIALS: Mr. Naylor, Mr. Flaherty
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA
MEETING OPENED 7:33 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING
SUPERVISOR WALTER - We would like to go a little bit out of sink here
this evening and would like the board if they would please handle
resolution I. which is very near the end of your packet. Agreed to by
the board.
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION
Number 89 of 1986
— Introduced and Seconded by Entire Town Board
WHEREAS,Donald A. Chase has faithfully served the people of the Town
of Queensbury as the elected Town Clerk for sixteen years, and
WHEREAS,Donald A. Chase performed the duties of his position with
thoroughness, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and devotion, and
WHEREAS, Donald A. Chase, in the dispatch of these duties earned the
respect and admiration of the people of the Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS, Donald A. Chase will be missed by his colleagues and
constituency alike,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury, on behalf of
its constituency, wishes to express to Donald A.Chase its appreciation
for his years of excellent service and further extends to Donald A.
Chase the very best wishes for success in his new career.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
r
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent: None
SUPERVISOR WALTER: We have a framed copy of the resolution of appreciation
presented to you Mr. Chase, and good luck.
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PUBLIC HEARING
7:36 P.M.
Public Hearing on amending subdivision regulations. Notice shown. . .
We have two public hearings this evening, one is to amend the subdivision
regulations and one is a proposed local law relative to the same subject.
Basically what the town is proposing to do is to effect a policy of standards
for preserving recreation areas in the town or to ask developers who
are appearing before the planning board in the town to provide monies
or a piece of their land. As we come before the public the town board
is determined that recreation space be provided by the subdivider on ?
a basis of at least a 1000 feet of usable land for each lot on the plot d
drawings or if that is not practical, that the subdivider be required
to make a payment of a $1000.00, per lot. Hearing opened. . .
MR. JOSEPH CARUSONE: I am here as a private citizen and in my capacity
as Northern Homes developer of Bedford Close in the Town of Queensbury.
While we recognize that there is certainly a need for additional recreation
space in the town but certainly in a controlled way. We feel the proposed
fee on the developer is certainly not the way it should proceed. You
are asking for us to greatly increase the cost of each lot we sell by
doing so and this is a considerable increase in expense. This is going
to have to be ultimately borne by the potential home owner who is going
to be looking for a new house in the Town of Queensbury. You are going
to be raising cost which by raising cost you are going to be taking a
percentage of the potential buyers out of the market place who are mostly
young couples who would no longer be able to afford a lot and build a
new house in the Town of Queensbury. This would slow building in the
Town of Queensbury which would mean many of the people who are directly
and indirectly involved in that industry which is finally doing well
as you know after a prolonged slump would be taking people out of this
industry. You are going to cause people to be certainly having to lose
their jobs or to go into other industries and I think you are also asking
just one very small segment of our entire society to bare the cost what
I feel is the need for the entire community. You are talking about recreation
areas which I assume for all the citizens for our fine community to use
and if you are asking all of them to use them and take advantage of them,
wouldn't it be realistic that the cost be shared by all of the citizens.
There are certainly other industries in our town besides the building
industry, besides the developers, and there are certainly many other
citizens in this town who are paying taxes and if we find this is a social
need and we find that this is something that the citizens of the Town
of Queensbury sincerely desire, shouldn' t we all share in the expense.
I think you are placing the burden on one very small area of our society
and you will be damaging this industry which has finally recovered and
finally doing well after many difficult years when I think there is certainly
an alternate source for financing this program. This is basically why
we are objecting to this change in the subdivision regulation.
MR. MICHAEL WOODBURY-We are in the development as well Ps in the building.
My basic question would be if the amount that is brought out, there is
,presently a large part of the town that has not been developed and is
zoned as 5000 or 10,000 square foot lots which I presume were originally
intended for lesser value homes and if you are proposing to take a 1000
sq. feet out of a 5000 sq. foot lot that is an awfully large percentage
even if it is a 1000 out of 10,000.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-There is a state of prevention for making 5000 sq. —`
foot lot anyway. I think the minimum is 10,000.
MR. WOODBURY- Are there not some already approved at 5000.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- There are some 5000 on States Avenue.
MR. WOODBURY- There are a great number of 10,000 sq. foot though, a large
portion of the area that is zoned for multi-family.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- For 10,000 sq. feet you would have to have both
municipal water and sewer which we do not have.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- As far as the subdivision regulation which is what
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we are having the public hearing on now, concerns only subdivision but
the local law will then go over into other multifamily dwellings.
MR. WOODBURY- Well my point was for instance we have a proposal before
one of the boards where it is zoned for 10,000 sq. foot lots which are
permitted with a variance from the State Health Department. You are
proposing to take 10% of that land which seems to me to be an unreasonable
amount of land in addition to which it would seem if there is to be a
fee it should be somewhat in line with what has been adopted in a few
places around the state and to the very best of our research about $250.00
a lot is the highest we found. The third point we would ask is what
portion of the recreation of the budget are you looking at to fund.
Some quick research we did is the Queensbury School District and the
enrollment is down about 10% over the last ten years. This could lead
one to believe that there are that many fewer children and that much
— less recreation area needed. If you say in argument to that, that we
didn't have anywhere enough to begin with, that's a possible argument,
but whether you need to continue to increase the recreation area by that
much when in fact the amount of people using it, is going down.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- We are looking for recreation sites, Mr. Woodbury,
we are not looking at only children, recreation is for senior citizens,
middle aged people and also children. . . it is for all the residents of
the Town.
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-So we may get an idea of the impact, of the development
you have in the works right now, how many units?
MR. WOODBURY-156 units. . .
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-Under this proposal you would have to put up $156,000.00
for recreation. . .
MR. WOODBURY-Right now, there are approximately 500 lots from various
people, if you count all the multi-family that is coming in the next
three or four years you could be talking seven to eight hundred thousand
dollars. You are asking just a specific portion of, the population to
bear. . . .most of the cost will be past on to the buyer. In fact you are
placing a special tax on a special area to be used by the entire town.
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-Would you go as far to say, if this fee were passed,
this would prohibit you from going ahead with the project?
MR. WOODBURY-Unfortunately, it would change the numbers, prohibit, I
would not use that word, the next project we are proposing is one we
could build houses for the first time buyer. Once you add a thousand
dollars to that you are beginning to work some of those people out.
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-You would be required to pay this up front, how long
would be to recover that?
MR. WOODBURY-In the range we are talking, if we stayed at this level
of activity, it might be a five year development. There is nothing
to say that times are going to stay good for the development.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-Are you saying that two hundred and fifty to three
hundred dollars would not be objectionable, compared to a thousand?
MR. WOODBURY-I am saying it is a more reasonable number. It has been
my impression that the Town did not want to get land in developments
_ to use as recreation because of the headache of who maintained it. If
you do a condominium or townhouse where there is an association they
can maintain tennis courts with their own money. In a development where
there is no townhouse and just dedicate to the town an acre of land and
you do this twenty five places around the town I am not sure the Town
wants the natural burden of maintaining it.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-That is why we have the discretionary activity to go
either way.
MR. WOODBURY-Is there an envisionment that you might want land?
IDIOM
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SUPERVISOR WALTER-Yes. There is going to have to be a lot of communication
within the Town as to which we would be looking for in a particular development.
MR. WOODBURY-In Bedford Close if they had two acres of land would that
be a closed recreational area?
SUPERVISOR WALTER-No. The Town is trying to establish the park system
and in some areas of town small area parks. The Town of Queensbury is
interested in reflecting open space, in the last few years the amount
of development that we have been experiencing, we have the feeling that
we have to look out for the acquisition of properties for recreation
uses. . .if we can have the in lieu of payment we can purchase parcels
of land in areas of town where a development is
p going forward and it —�
looks like we could use green areas there for a park or passive park.
We will have to deal with the Planning Board, the Recreation Commission
and the Town Board will work closely in the future in determining which
will be in the best interest of the town. This is not an uncommon practice
to do this. . .I think that the research that has been done in the Town
has brought to light the fact that some charge $200 but we have seen
the fee as high as $750, $800. Dollars.
MR. WOODBURY-The best interest would be in lieu of payment so you could
plan your pieces exactly where you wanted them and make them large enough.
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-There is one part of this proposal that bothers me,
according to this the location, size and type of park, playground or
open space shall be determined by the Planning Board. How do you feel
about that?
MR. WOODBURY-I think Mrs. Walter's idea is better, that there is joint
communication someplace at the town level be it the Planning Board, Recreation
Dept. or the Town Board, they would have to decide where the development
is going to be and what is needed in those areas. There are some areas
where maybe it is not needed.
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-Would you be comfortable with the Town Planning Board
telling you where to put the 7
p park in your subdivision.
MR. WOODBURY-No. I think you will get to a point where its in lieu of.
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-In the seven years that I sat on the Planning Board
there were probably three developers, subdividers, that felt some social
responsibility for the land that they were developing and included a
green area or a recreational area in that subdivision, it is really the
exception rather than the rule. On the other hand there have been some
developments, apartment complexes feel the need for a pool and tennis
court or field for baseball, maybe because the density is closer. There
is a responsibility, and I do not think we are trying to force it, I
think we are looking at it and saying if our town continues to develop
the dollars that are necessary for the new five hundred homes that are
coming into the town where do we develop that we can put some of the
burden of that on the people that want to develop. On the same token,
as an individual I look at some lots that a few years ago in some subdivisions
were selling for eight,ten or twelve thousand now are up to eighteen
or twenty, I guess that developer is not too concerned about stymied
growth because the market place shows that is what the market will bear.
On a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollar house if you add a thousand
dollars to the cost of that house or lot that argument we put forth a
few years ago when the Town Board made a stand and said we will no longer
pave the roads for subdevelopers, they will have to pave their own roads.
The taxpayers of the town should not be obligated to do that. That added
a thousand to twelve hundred dollars to the cost of each lot I am sure.
That has given us a nicer system, our highway department can take care
of the needs of the community and not know that Helen Drive just filled
up and now we have to pave that road to get through the winter. That
responsibility we transferred to the subdivider. I think in a way we
are asking the subdividers to take some responsibility on in recreation
too. As to the figure, I think the concept is OK but we are here to
find out from you is that figure too high, too low what your thoughts
are. I know for a fact that if we took four acres from Bedford Close
for a park to service all the people in the area if the people that lived
across the street in the mobile home park knew that at the other end
of Bedford Close there was the town park we would have range war. A
lot of people driving down Churchill Road or Old Lantern Road to get
to a park, in that case I think the Town Board or the Planning Board
or Recreation Commission has to look at if they are going to take land,
where is it going to be and who is it going to hurt.
MR. WOODBURY-By addressing it now there is still enough land out there
as evidenced by your acquisition last year that you can acquire land
which at this point is not designated for development. The paving of
the roads was something that the developers realized, not only would
help sell their development but it moved the developments along a little
bit faster and it was a direct benefit to the people that bought the
houses. The problem is not so much at the upper range but when you get
— into the small developments and some of the small sites where you service
the first time home owner, he has been really short changed in the last
few years because the market has moved away from them. Now the hundred
and twenty thousand dollar house range is filling up and I think we will
be back into the eighty thousand, seventy thousand dollar market, there
are at least three of us addressing that now. I think that the fee that
you have proposed may be too steep in that area. This becomes more of
a burden if you say that this is all monies that have to be paid up front.
If this money was spread so that possibly everybody took the risk, if
you proposed a 150 lot subdivision maybe it sells in two years maybe
in ten, if it does not sell in ten then you do not have 150 families
that need recreation, yet you have provided for them. It could be a
CO type of fee, maybe some up front and some with a CO might be more
acceptable. At least until some budget numbers can be worked up, that
is another thing we do not have information on here, is exactly how the
money is going to be used, what percentage of the current budget that
is whether in fact, how much more recreation land we need and how much
it will cost and how much all ready is being provided by the overall
tax base.
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-To answer one question, if we had purchased Round
Pond, at $900,000 cost and probably another million and a half dollars
in terms of development that would have taken a tremendous amount of
dollars out of the tax treasury of the Town. It would have been a major
recreational area just as Ridge Road will be a major recreational area
but it is big dollars.
MR. EDWARD CARR-Woodchuck Hill Road-President of Northern N.Y. Home Builders
Association. . .According to Section 277 of Town Law this does not give
blanket authority for Town Boards to impose subdivision extractions. . .what
I have here is a listing from the N.Y. Home Builders Association of ways
in which the proposed law does not meet Town Law.
LETTERS SUBMITTED:
March 21, 1986
Edward P. Carr, Jr. , President
Builders Association of Northern New York
RR 1, Box 1374
Lake George, New York 12845
Re: Town of Queensbury Proposed Law
Dear Mr. Carr,
In reviewing proposed Town of Queensbury Local Law No. 5 of 1986(site
plan exactions ) and article III, section 10 of the local code (subdivision
exactions), I find that there are significant legal problems that should
be brought to the town's attention as soon as possible.
Proposed Site Plan Exactions
Proposed Local Law No. 5 would require developers of multifamily
dwelling units to reserve recreational areas or post money-in-lieu-of-
parks as a condition of site plan approval. The exaction would be at
least 1,000 square feet of usable space per unit or, at the Planning
Board's option,$1,000 per unit. The money-in-lieu fund would be used
70.
to purchase or enlarge recreational lands or improvements "to serve the
inhabitants of the Town's residential neighborhoods."
This local law is clearly beyond the power of the town to enforce.
The highest court in the state, the New York Court of Appeals, squarely
held several years ago that exactions cannot be imposed on site plan
approvals. In a case called Riegert Apartments Corp. V. Planning Board
of the Town of Clarkstown, 57 NY2d 206 (decided October 14, 1982), the
court unanimously said that "although a town may require that, before
approving a plat, either land or money-in-lieu-of-land be delivered to
the municipality for developing parks, no such conditions may be imposed
on the approval of a site plan."
y
In Riegert, the Clarkstown Planning Board conditioned final site
plan approval for a 40-unit multifamily development upon the developer's
depositing with the town $16,800. In the courts, Clarkstown argued that
it had authority to impose the exaction under section 274-a of the Town
Law and also under a special law for Clarkstown enacted by home rule
message in 1974 (L-1974, ch 787). The Court of Appeals was not persuaded.
The court held that section 274-a of the Town Law creates a uniform state-
wide rule for the approval of site plans, and this rule does to include
the power to condition site plan approvals on parkland set-asides or
payments of money-in-lieu. The state legislature specifically restricted
these exactions to subdivision approvals. To allow a town to enforce
regulations in the site plan context, the court said, would give the
town "two bites at the apple;" contrary to the plain intent of the state
legislature.
The Town of Clarkstown also argued that it had inherent power to
regulate land use. The court rejected this argument, noting that "a
town and other municipalities derive no power to regulate land use other
than through legislative grant." Any other approach would make nonsense
of the provisions of the Town Law and balkanize the state into a confederation
of towns.
Although the proposed Queensbury local law purports to rest on the
authority of section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, that section
expressly authorizes only those local laws that are "not inconsistent
with any general law." Obviously, the Town Law is general law, and the
Court of Appeals has said that the kind of local law being proposed by
Queensbury is inconsistent with the Town Law.
My conclusion is that proposed local law number 5 of 1986 is unlawful,and
any developer challenging it would prevail in having it annulled. Further,be-
cause the law would take some of the developer's property or money, and
likewise because it is imposed unequally on multifamily developments
alone, the developer would also have grounds for a civil rights action
under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution and section
1983 of Title 42 of the Unites States Code. Such an action could state
claims for money damages and attorneys fees.
Proposed Subdivision Exactions
The proposed addition of article III, section 10 of the Queensbury
code would require subdividers to contribute at least 1,000 square feet
of usable land or $1,000 per lot, in the case of major subdivisions.
Broad discretion would be given to the Planning Board to determine the
location size and type of park, playground or open space facilities to
be exacted, and to assure that these lands will be maintained for recreational
uses only. The money-in-lieu fund would be dedicated to the purchase
or enlargement of parks, playgrounds, open spaces or improvements "which
serve the town's residential neighborhoods."
Unlike Queensbury's site plan proposal, this subdivision proposal
generally has a statutory point of reference, section 277 of the Town
Law. The outcome of litigation here is very likely depend on the particular
facts of the case, rather than the general jurisdiction of the town to
adopt regulation.
Town Law section 277 does not give blanket authority to towns to
impose subdivision exactions. The language and legislative history of
the statute itself, as well as numerous Comptroller's Opinions and court
opinions, establish limits that the Planning Board and the town must
observe including:
*every determination of the Planning Board must have a basis in
the record and must not be arbitrary or capricious; for example, an exaction
imposed where there is no demonstrated need for additional parkland would
not withstand the scrutiny of the courts;
* any parkland set aside must be located within the subdivision
development itself;
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* no subdivider may be required to make off-site improvements;
* no subdivider can be required to convey land to the town or to
any governmental agency;
* money-in-lieu cannot be exacted where the developer sets aside
park area under cluster zoning (1967 State Comptroller 713) :
*use of the money-in-lieu fund must be strictly limited to capital
expense items and not diverted to other items such as maintenance;
* use of the money-in-lieu fund to acquire parkland distant from
the contributing subdivisions may only be made if the town board decides
that there is no other alternative, since the intent is to provide parks
for the residents of the contributing subdivisions, not for the whole
town.
For an indication of how narrowly the Court of Appeals is reading
section 277, see Kahmi v Planning Board of Town of Yorktown, 59 NY2d
385 (decided July 7, 1983). In that case, the court unanimously said
that towns cannot require dedication of parkland under sections 277 since
the statute only permits them to establish "conditions on ownership"
of the parkland. Because the statute presents serious constitutional
problems under the Fifth Amendment "taking" clause, the Court has been
interpreting the section in a narrow fashion to avoid possible taking
of property without just compensation.
If I can be of further service in this matter, please do not hesitate
to let me know. The issues posed by local development exactions obviously
hold great importance for all of our members statewide.
Very Truly Your,
Gary H. Gutchess,
Staff Counsel
TOWN COUNSEL-I am very comfortable with the subdivision regulation code
in terms of the format there is always a question of fee, what's reasonable
but this issue was decided initially in 1966 by the court of appeals
which upheld a very similar stature in the Village of Scarsdale and on
that point twenty years ago the village down there was asking for $250.00
a lot. I think that the state upheld this constitutionally for its rule
in the taking , it is a valid method of community planning and I would
simple say that I disagree with what the writer wrote in that, what we've
got here is enforceable and would be upheld should anybody want to take
us on a court decision.
MR. CARR-According to this County vs Town Planning Board of Yorktown
59 NY 2D 385 - decided July 7, 1983, in that case the Court unanimously
said that towns could not require dedication of park lands under section
277 since the statue only permits them to establish conditions of ownership
of the park land because the statue presents serious constitutional
problems under the fifth amendment taking clause the court has been interpreting
the section in a narrow fashion to avoid possible taking of property
without just compensation. Obviously there is two sides the New York
State Home Builders and Northern New York Home Builders who are not against
any plan for recreation , however, having researched this and I just
received this letter today so I haven't really had a chance to go over
it in depth. As a town resident I would wish that the Town Board would
research all the ramification of this law as a tax payer I do not wish
to see the Town Board involved in long drawn out legal proceedings and
consequently I would like to submit this letter in its entirety to the
92 ninutes of the meeting.
TOWN COUNSEL- I would just like to point out to the Town Board that case
deals specifically with the other issue that is going to be coming up
tonight which is in the nature under Planning Board review of multifamily
dwelling and it is my understanding what that case stands for is that
under the site plan review section of the Town enabling legislation,
a planning board would not be permitted to impose this kind of fee in
lieu of in case apartments and condominiums, to me, being a lawyer,
this is a bad decision.How can you uphold a decision which says we are
going to require this be in lieu of for individuals homes within a subdivision
and not permit the same type of requirement for condominium. You are
still going to get people using up space. What I have tried to do and
is going to come up in the section is we are trying to bring those types
of developments into parity and with using the sites plan review provision
for condominiums and multifamily dwelling is based on the municipal home
rule law which gives town, villages and cities a great deal of power
to enact both legislatures so we are not grounding the matter that isn't --
before you on a public hearing, on the enabling legislature of the Town
Law so that again I recognize Mr. Carr's case . I don' t believe that
it is applicable in this, at least not at this Public Hearing.
MR. CARR- I would like you to accept this and put it in the minutes and
interpret it because we are not attorneys.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- I can understand that but I would have to tell you
and for the benefit of the public who are here tonight or who hear about
this meeting that we do employ or seek counsel so that when we put together
these kinds of amendments to our subdivision or go ahead with a local
law, our counsel in what has been drawn up in discussion with the board
feels very firm as he has stated that he can stand behind what he has
written and can defend it on behalf of the Town. We can certainly read
a whole lot of cases but I think that Mr. Mathias already has and we
have talked about this but what he has presented to the Town Board in
legal language after they have told him what we would like to do , it
is something that is defensible and that is what we feel comfortable
very comfortable with taking it into court. We can discuss the law all
evening , but I can only tell you that which ever court you are in you
get a decision from that particular judge. I understand and appreciate
as a resident of the town you don't like to see the town go into law
suits. I also do not like to see the town go into law suits but this
was not just drawn up on a whim. There has been legal research done
and we would certainly have these minutes to reflect your feelings and —
Lhe Northern New York Builders Assoc. and how they feel about this
situation.
MR. CARR-Secondly as a resident of the town, I think a few years ago
we passed this blue book of zoning ordinances. As you go through that
you will see the smaller lots that Mike is talking about but it also
goes up to 10 and 42 acre lots. Are you to tell me that someone that
decides to locate in an area of the town where they have to purchase
42 acres of property which the zoning ordinance was derived with the
of the Adirondack Park Agency to keep a scenic New York State, these
people are buying 42 acres of land to build a house on and now they're
also supposed to be paying a $1000.00.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-This deals with subdivision, not individual lots.
MR. CARR-Depending on the area of town that would be subdivided it would
take five 42 acre lots and have a subdivision of 10 acre lots. The area
I am in the zoning has gone to 10 acre lots. There has been no mention
of if you decide to say buy a 1000 acres of property and cluster your
development and the rest of it is green space is that to relieve you
from the recreation requirements.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-The Planning Board would be reviewing all the subdivisions
and according to what we put together as far as subdivision regulations
are concerned they would be reviewing the lots you would have in your
plot plan to see just exactly what could be used for recreation or as
you said in that particular case in lieu of, it is the Planning Board
that generally requires the green area. There are not too many developers
that come in with them. There are some but I will tell you they are
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also the ones - most developers take a plot of land and have a surveyor
whack it up into the most lots and they make a subdivision out of it
and it is just that way and I can see developers coming through the town
and appearing before the Planning Board with these very substantial developments
and essentially we could have wall to wall developments in the Town of
Queensbury and that is what we are looking to not have.
MR. CARR-I think that why many of the developers are here tonight who
chose to live in Queensbury. We are a little bit concerned. I guess
what it comes down to is we realize that the Town Board is elected but
somewhere we have to think of the new people that are coming into to
town because they are the future voter and as proposed just guessing
at the thing with present mortgage rates if we are going to be tacking
on a $1000.00 per lot for these new home owners coming in, it is going
to end up ultimately costing these people $5000.00 over the course of
their mortgage, because these people aren't putting up cash to buy the
home and to buy the lot and everything. I guess I don't think the recreation
for the whole Town of Queensbury should be payed for by those that move
in after a certain date. I think the recreation for the Town of Queensbury
should be payed for by the Town of Queensbury on a whole and to say to
one group of the Town's economy which is developers or the builders,
well we are going to use you to finance our Recreation Dept. , I can't
agree with that. I think there are other methods to arrive at funding
Town Recreation. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Does anyone else wish to speak.
MR. BUCK BRYANT- I am the owner of Queensbury Arms Apartments, 60 residential
units, west of the Queensbury High School. In addition I have seven
unit commercial building on Bay Road near Glenwood. Last summer I purchased
twenty-two acres behind the apartment complex and the zoning for that
is 198 units. I had no immediate plans then or now for any development
but I do realize that there is a definite demand for residential rental,
particularly single bedroom units. There are approximately 350 to 400
square feet in the area, at least that's what our market reports show.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-That is the wrong law, we are talking subdivision
not rental apartments or multiple dwellings.
MR. BRYANT-Well isn't this part of it.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-we are talking subdivision not rental, apartments
or multidwelling.
MR. BRYANT- I was given two this afternoon and they indicated that this
came under this law. Is the second one contingent upon the first.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-No, it has nothing to do with it, one is a subdivision
regulation and one is a local law, which is an entirely different thing.
MR. BRYANT-Would that $1000.00 per unit apply to the second one as well.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Yes
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-It is on there but it is irrelevant to this particular
hearing.
MR. BRYANT-So I should mention it later on, thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Is there anyone here who wishes to address the subdivision
on the recreation land for fee in lieu of?
MR. MORTON-I represent the Queensbury Association for outdoor recreation
— environment. I just like to make some brief remarks about this proposal.
In discussing this proposal with staff from the Dept. of State I have
been led to believe in less then ten years they anticipated that nearly
75% of the community of New York State will have made in lieu of provisions
of their localities. What we are talking about you might say is to pass
the cost on to new home owners and the Town would be asking them to invest
in recreation in open space if they want to buy a home in Queensbury.
So what this involves is to ask them to invest with up front money in
the community. I have also been asked to believe that this may be comparing
apples and oranges but down in Long Island they are charging as much
94
as $15,000.00 per lot, course that is not up state. But I guess one
thing that seems to have come clear from my discussions with people from
the Dept. of State, that the community needs to set standards in the
Subdivision regulations for administration of this law. Also I think
it is advisable to have an open space plan and recreation plan, in other
words, if a subdivision is to exist with the open space plan, or recreation
plan for example a piece of say 100 acres subdivision, and 10% of that
land would be dedicated for recreational use. The recreational plan
calls for recreation in that particular location or if an open space
plan, for example, calls for open space preservation in the particular
location where the developer wants to dedicate that land then what the
developers wishes for example dedicating 10% of the land to the open
space to be consistent with the open space land. Now it is not consistent
with the open space plan or recreation plan for that area then
it is my understanding that there would be payment in lieu of. I think
that it would be desirable as this evolves to have developed an open
space plan and recreational plan that identifies these areas that would
be desirable to have this land dedicated for if not payment in lieu of.
I would like to say that the Queensbury Assoc. for outdoor recreation
environment fully supports this provision .
Mr. Farone .- I have been a builder in the area for the past 15 years.
I purchased some land up here recently. I am familiar with park and
recreation fees. I developed large subdivision in the Town of Wilton,
in Saratoga Springs. I've paid as little as $50.00 a lot. I've paid
as much as $200.00 a lot. The $200.00 lot fee is the most recent, it
was this year in the City of Saratoga Springs on a 125 Townhouse subdivision.
The way they work it down there is the $200.00 fee was paid on CO it
wasn't paid up front. A $1000.00 a lot, I don't really know where you
got that figure from but I think personally it is awfully high. To ask
the builders and developers to put the streets before you get a building
permit and come up with a $1000.00 a lot and like Mr. Woodbury
said 125 /150 subdivision, by the time building and economy changes
in the interim you could put them out of business. I have had a lot
of experience with park recreations fees, 10% of the land has been added
to at one time and they wound up with little tiny parcels all over the
area and it didn't work out so they went to a fee. I don't disagree
with this fee but $1000.00. The most I have ever heard around the area
is in Colony $400.00 but then your land value is a lot higher down there
The houses you get a $100,000.00 for up here would be $175,000.00 or
$185,000.00 down there. I've been in areas where they don't charge anything
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-When they do it on the certificate of occupancy, how
is the mechanics, is it a big administrative problem.
Mr. Farone-No, it is between the building inspector and the builder developer.
I am sure when it is time for CO, the builder inspector
comes down when you pick up your CO you pay the fee. If it is $200.00
and you are closing on ten houses, that is $2000.00. You know it doesn't
hurt anybody that way. But to ask for it up front, you are going to
put a lot of people out of business. It could hurt a lot of people also.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-A $1,000.00 is a nice round figure to put in to start
with, we can go up or down.
Mr. Farone- Where does he get the number from.? I would like to be the
collector, I'd get out of the building business. I love your town and
I am very interested in it but for myself and I would like to live here
myself. I have been in three towns and I have done a lot of building
and a lot of developing and I have never paid $400.00. The highest I've
paid is $200.00. If this will help you out in any way, I 'am going to
do a lot of developing up here and I think this figure is too high, I
don't mind paying a fee. Any questions I would be glad to answer them.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Thank you very much Mr. Voroom.
Is there anyone else who wishes to speak during the public hearing relative
to the recreation fee and subdivisions.
MR. Mains -Really, I don't feel this fee on subdividers is really the
way to go and I am all for recreation but for the Town should really
have a plan for setting aside recreation areas in the Town but really
now days they are requesting more and more recreation. Cross country
skiing,skatin.g ponds, tennis courts etc. So please don't think just
for children because if you do you are approaching our problem in the
wrong way.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Have you had your question answered?
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Yes.
COUNCILMAN MONTESI- The Town of Queensbury has for years worked on a
gentlemen's agreement which has been beneficial and financially advantageous
to us in the Town as taxpayers and administrators in that it is with
the Queensbury Central School District, we have used their facilities
here, their baseball diamonds for our recreational softball league, soccer
leagues etc. We use their swimming pool for summer swim lessons and
with the liability cost going up, suppose that gentlemanly agreement
next year was severed because the school didn't want to have that exposure
any longer we'd be in a real fix. In some respects the Queensbury Central
School District is the hub of Queensbury recreational activities around
town now and if were looking as good planners down the road we are going
to need some more recreational facilities.
MR. WOODBURY- I think in answer to that the taxpayers would have to bear
the liability cost and I don't think we can accept the situation. What
we have is a fine recreation facility open to the people of Queensbury
who are paying school taxes,for some insurance reason that facility is
no longer available, I do not think the answer is to go out and find
more land in which you will have to pay more insurance. . .you have to
find ways to keep the recreation we have available now in use.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-That is at the discretion of the School Board, I would
like to point out for two summers we did not have the use of the school
pool because it was down due to repairs. I would also like to point
out that right now we are unable to provide playing time for as many
soft ball teams that would like to play. We do not have the kind of
area, between us or the school, there is no place in this town are we
equipped to put on the field as many soft ball teams as have requested
to be part of a league. Mr. Hansen, how many teams have we turned down?
MR. HANSEN-Rec. Director- Between ten and twelve teams a year.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-This is with the present population and just adults.
MR. CARUSONE-I do not think that any of us disagree with the need, we
are very concerned over the fee, we think that the fees are too high.
In Bedford Close we have a green area now, they are not officially designated
as recreation areas we have encouraged our homeowners association to
take them over, they will have no part of it. As a developer, sometime
in the future we will be out of the development, will the Town be willing
to take over the green areas of the developments? Not only maintain
the park but take the liability?
SUPERVISOR WALTER-The answer is no. We have had green area in subdivisions
in which the planning board had indicated that they wanted to remain
green and we have had problems with that. The developer held on to them,
the developer has since past away, the green areas are now part of the
estate, this is just an example. The several green areas which are lots
within the subdivisions just cannot be used for anything not even a neighborhood
park. We have learned by the mistakes of the past, these little house
lot size parcel of green areas are almost useless, what we are looking
for is a little bit more acreage, whether it is an active or passive
park or green area, we would have some use out of it. We have a couple
_- of acres in W.G.F. in the west end park which has turned out to be an
excellent park, that is what we are looking for.
MR. CARUSONE-In our area we have large green areas that is the point
we are trying to make these are not just small lots, they are large green
areas which the residents do not want to take over.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-There is a difference between green areas and recreation
lands in the recreation lands that we are looking for, that we can put
tennis courts, we can have baseball fields depending on what we need.
96
I don't feel it is a fair way to go. Looking at it from the builders
or home owners stand point, it seems to me that they are always getting
it in the neck. First you have the highways and roads, we had to raise
the fee for them, now you come along with this fee and we will have to
raise it for them. Now we have many other things that is going up also
that we are going to have to increase also. Niagara Mohawk has just raised
their fees, the truckers are going to be charging higher prices because
they can't carry as much weight as they used to, so there are a lot of
other things you should be carrying into this and to me the homeowner
is the one getting it in the neck, so I wish you would reconsider this
and give it a good deal of thought.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Anyone else who wishes to address the board relative
to subdivisions. I was going to ask the board if they had any comments
to make at this time.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- I worked on something where the developers has put —'
aside 10 acres or somewhat green area for the rest of the subdivision
even though he doesn't want to turn the property over to the town he
wants closed recreation for his people of his own subdivision, could
he do that.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- He could do that.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- Or has he going to have to cough up another $1000.00
a lot to.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Well George, perhaps that isn' t a question - the regulation
were left open so that if the town found that in that particular subdivision
they didn't need a green area and they wanted the fees in lieu of for
a site that would be five blocks away that would take care of a little
more of the population. I think that they wanted the discretion in order
to make the decision. In other words why should it be the developers
decision as to where the green areas in the town are, if in fact the
town is a well planned town, the town is the one who is going to be doing
the planning not the developers.
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- I am sitting on both sides of the fence, I am sitting
on this side as elected official as status of appointed official on the
zoning board but I am also sitting on the other side as representing
the developer where the developer would like to take and develop a playground
as a closed playground for the people in his own subdivision so as not
to have these people go out and crowd other public facilities, such as
swimming pools, tennis courts similar to what you would find in a multifamily
development and there are many cases of this. I have seen them in Florida,
down in the south quite a bit where they are closed to themselves, with
a little pond or something. Would the Planning Board accept that in
lieu of. I think it is something the Town has to control, because I
don't know if you took 10 acres out of the middle of an area similar
to Bedford Close and you open it to the whole town, like Ron says you
are going to have a boarder war over there.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Well I think the Town planners would understand that
would in fact happen
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA- Then I would assume that the Homeowners Assoc. would
own it and they would maintain it and they would carry the insurance
and everything else but it would be recreation primarily for the people
for that division. Would this regulation allow this? I am asking this
question because I have sat on the other side of the fence before.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN- I would just like to ask Mr. Woodbury a question
so we can have some numbers to play with. You are contemplating a subdivision
of a 156 unit what would you be contemplating the bedroom size of those
houses will be?
MR. WOODBURY- Approximately 1200 square foot housing. I would guess,
two to three bedrooms also are 1200.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-So you would say 500 people give or take a few. Recreation
is not just for children, we must get that theory out of our head. Recreation
is for every age in this town and you will find as people are retiring
� 1
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Asked for further comments, hearing none the public
hearing was closed . . .8:45 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING
8:46 P.M.
Notice Shown
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Second public hearing which is a proposed law. This
local law provides for the preservation of recreation land or monies
in lieu thereof as a condition precedent to sight plan of approval.
MR. BRYANT-Picking up halfway down through page one here, the land I
purchased was selling for a 198 units but I have no immediate plans then
or now to develop, but I do realize there is definite demand for resident
rental in the Queensbury area and particular in the single bedroom department.
With approximately 300 to 400 square feet and probably I would like to
build some rentals there in a phased way as the demand warrants it as
a private investment. Residential rentals are fast being placed beyond
the reach of the man on the street. We have already seen a tremendous
price increase this year in the Town of Queensbury. Just as a little
bit of background here, all the rental developments are primarily tax
advantage shelter operations and show little if any return on investment
up front. The return is generated down the road when the properties
are eventually sold. Of course the federal tax laws are changing, depreciation
rates are changing they are going up to thirty years, probably. We have
no investment tax credit for residential rental as does apply to some
commercial things but not perhaps this year but it did last year, and
the capital gain rate is going up also. I point this out to indicate
the extreme thin margin that the people in the rental business operate
under. New York State taxes are of course are largely contingent on
real taxable income and then about two years ago the coupe-de-grace was
when Cuomo passed a ten percent transfer tax on property tranfers of
one million dollars or better. Ten percent right off the top to the
State of New York that really hinders any profitability of residential
rentals or anything similar to it and now we have a possibility of a
$1000.00 per unit up front proposal for developments of this nature.
All of this leads to less residential rentals because of the decrease
return on investment for the owner and then of course that has to be
past on to the consumer as has been pointed out here by other gentlemen
in the form of higher rents. Now additional taxes or money generated
for the community that this might be called, I think should be more properly
supplied by increases in property taxes throughout Queensbury or by bond
issues. These taxes would then be generated by the whole town rather
than just from realistate developers. I think that is a more fair and
equitable way of applying this. I feel that the pros method of taxation
current or money generation here is highly descriminatory. Along other
lines we might want to address an apparent disparity here. We are looking
at a thousand dollars per house or lot with almost unlimited living capacity
in it with a small unit, a single bedroom unit say, single occupancy
of say 400 or 500 square feet that when according to this regulation
would be assessed the same rate of a $1000.00. I feel that might be
looked at as a chain in the residential rental rate here and be based
on square footage rather than per unit. Also there might be a change
in there for developers of apartment complexes in as much as it has already
been pointed out to those complex apartment and owners and developers
do already supply recreation facilities in the way of swimming pools
playgrounds, etc. I also feel that something in the nature of building
say a 100 or 200 rental units that we could look at this from the point
of phase development which I understand the Town of Queensbury is more
interested in seeing the tremendous number of units go in at once. It
would be more convenient for someone like myself who would build on the
bases of demand to make the thing viable, so if we were to look at something,
say a hundred rentals to go in immediately that would be a $100,000.00
up front, that is quite a chunk of change. Where as if this were phased
in over a period of years say more fairly administrated, when the certificate
of occupancy is issued, it might be a better way of approaching something
of this nature, then the increased rents which have to be increased to
support something like this, as the cost do go to the consumers,whether
they be for sale units or for rent units, they go on to the consumer
who pays the bill in a more timely fashion. Summing up if the intent
of this regulation and the one that preceded it is to stop the development
of residential and residential rental units or increase the amount of
98
and locate those facilities throughout the Town.
MR. CARUSONE-We are looking for clarification, would it be the intent
of the Town, if the developer designs large green areas in a development
would you discourage us from doing that. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-I would never want to discourage you from doing that.
MR. CARUSONE-If we did that the land would still not be taken over as
recreation area.
SUPERVISOR WALTER-This would be something that would go before the Planning
Board, there would be some communication within the Town, if in fact
it would be a good place to have lands for recreation it would have to
be for the Town's recreation and not for the people in that particular
subdivision.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I would assume the green area that you are referring
to really is an inducement for people to buy lots in that area, because
they like the looks of having green areas. I would think the property
would belong to the homeowners association to control it and keep it
in the condition that they wanted it.
MR. CARUSONE-They are reluctant to take over the land because of liability.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Would you be more comfortable with a sliding scale,
with perhaps the areas with -big lots and expensive houses would pay one
fee and the area where you are trying to put up a basic house and on
a smaller lot would be paying a different fee? They may both have the
same number of people that would require recreation. . .
MR. WOODBURY-There is a basis for discussion there, that is for sure.
MR. FRANK DESANTIS-Resident of Butternut Hill-I am in favor of the concept
however I have heard it stated by several individuals that the cost is
being passed on to the new owner, I think that is the intent of the law,
however the language that is used in the proposal the law is not truly
passed on to the owner. By making the developer pay the fee up front I
and I have heard a proposal by several individuals, at least part of
the fee be made payable at a later date at the time of the CO, I think
that is a fine idea. We have heard of the impact on the larger subdivisions
brought up of 150-160 units I think it would be fair to say it effects
more on the fellow who wants to put up 5-10-20 lots subdivisions who
has to come up with twenty thousand dollars up front and pay it at that
time not knowing he has his lots sold, not knowing how long it is going
to take him to be sold, effectively you are taking that fellow out of
the business at that time. I think it would be fairer to have some fee
at that time when you can fund what your plans are and then have him
at the time of CO before he can close and pass it on to the buyer directly.
What you are doing in the first instance is passing it on to the developer
and it maybe the smaller developer who is even less able to handle the
up front costs due to his financial circumstances than the larger developers
who are more than adequately represented this evening. This would apply
not only to the proposed local law but also the subdivision regulations. . .
MR. CARUSONE-Primarily development in Queensbury has been done by people
who are living and working here and making their living in the Queensbury
area. Mr. Woodbury and the Carusone family are good examples, when you
make it an up front costs you are encouraging outside developers coming
in. It could reach a point where some of us could no longer afford a
developer but the land is still desirable and the development could still
take place. I think because we have the best interests in Queensbury
at heart because we are people who live here and lived here all our lives,
you are going to miss that if outside developers come in and develop
where people have no interest other than the investment they can get
out. We may at times seem difficult to deal with but you have not seen
anything yet if the developer from out of states they will come in and
make life miserable as they can, we still have in interest here. If
you drive people like us out of the development business who have a local
long term family interest I think your problems are nothing compared
at what they will be.
rentals charged then I feel it will do that but if the intended is to
supply Queensbury with more recreational areas then I feel it should
be done with increases in broadly administrated realistate taxes or by
bond issues, both of these are far less discriminatory in the proposed
plan.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Does anyone else wish to speak relative to the local
law and recreation fees. Mr. Carusone and Mr. Woodbury would you care
to say ditto to that.
MR. WOODBURY-I would say ditto is ok
SUPERVISOR WALTER- I would have to say one thing in the discussion of
how to put together these subdivision on local law, the Town is looking
for the least amount of administration in order to collect the fee so
if it is stated that we were looking at before approval of the dollars
you can see that its great to get a check in one scoop and you do not
have to do very much book work in keeping track of that. Needless to
say that in the discussion of the board that may be modified, but no
way do we want to take on more administrative procedures that would really
defeat the purpose. We would certainly be running up the expenditures
iii the building department while we were putting aside recreation money,
so what ever we decide to do in the long run based on some of your comments
here it is still going to be the least path to administrative cost.
Does any else want to make any comments relative to the recreation fees.
MR. CARR- I would like to reiterate on the letter I did submit before
and ask Mr. Montesi to review it as not being a lawyer and admittedly
so as I understand the fees collected, the town will have to show that
those fees are being used in the immediate neighborhood, possibly
I am interpreting this wrong but if you are looking for relieving yourselves
of administration with this law you might be in for a whole new act there.
If you are collecting funds in West Glens Falls, my interpretation
that you are going to have to show that they were being used in that
neighborhood and it could constitute an accounting nightmare. The other
things that I think, the consensus, correct me if I am wrong, I gather
that it is the opinion of the Town Board that this is being enacted to
pay for recreational facilities that are lacking in the Town now. It
would seem that you are asking anyone who is yet to come into the Town
of Queensbury to pay for something that is now lacking. My last comment
is that as Mr. Morton had said before, he is requesting new people into
the Town to put up front money, I guess I have to put it before the Town
Board and everyone in this room how much up front money do we have to
put up to move into Queensbury? Is it an attitude that we are here now,
and to hell with everyone else or are we still a growing community
receptive to new people.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- I do have to say though that those of us, Mrs. Monahan
I, don't know whether any of the other members of the board has been
a life long resident of Queensbury, Queensbury has changed. What we may
have done twenty years ago, because Queensbury was as it was, we can
no longer do twenty years from now, because Queensbury will be something
else and it is our responsibility to look out for the future. The Town
Board makes the decisions on a day to day policies and procedures but
I think we are charged with the responsibility to what happens to Queensbury
in the future and we are concerned about the open spaces to be used for
recreation and there is certainly is concern. The public hearings we
have this evening and there are three of them and they are all related
to development in the Town and I don't think speaking for the whole board
here and maybe I shouldn't be, but we certainly are not against development.
We all understand that is the way it works. We want to make sure
that the Town develops properly, so that Queensbury is still a good place
to live twenty-five or fifty years down the road. I don' t think we are
directly looking at a particular group, although maybe it seems like
that except with additional development in the Town it is putting a strain
on what already. is and what other people who have been here and they
have already paid for and this is why the ideas and direction of the
board has tried to put together these amendments and also a local law
to bring it before the public this evening.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-We have heard other people say in the Town isn' t it
too bad the boards before us didn't recognize what was going to happen
in the town and pick up on land in Lake George while it could be done.
I think that this Town Board feels its responsibilities to the future
generation very much and if we don't, in the very next few years, we
can't put this off twenty-five years down the line. In the very next
few years if we don't pick up some of the really good open space, it's
going to be too late and I think we all have a responsibility.I think
unless we are in union with the developers that if we don' t keep Queensbury
a good looking place, if we don't keep a good place to live because of
what we are offering we may see this town turn around. If we have just
wall to wall developments and we won't have people moving in for resale
of houses and so on, we will see people moving out so we will have empty
houses and this is one other thing that this board is trying very hard
to prevent. In this instance I think we are working in conjunction with
the developers. '
MR. WOODBURY- I have no question about that but if that is the case it
may require another public hearing.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- If it is changed substantially, yes, if it is changed
not too substantially no, it is very subjective and I would say that
all of the Town Board members do not agree to figures in both the local
law and the subdivision regulation this evening. I think I can be candid
in saying that if we had a public hearing relative to these figures and
the public was able to respond to these figures we could in discussion
lower the figures if the board chose to do so and not have another public
hearing. Had we gone with fifty dollars a lot and it was determined that
it should be a lot more than the law says we cannot present the public
with fifty dollars and make it a lot more. We can make it a lot less
and people are generally pleased with that aspect of that and we have
the leeway to do that but its been this board and the past board if a
local law or if the regulation or any kind of amendments changed substantial
we generally go back to the public and let them know what we are dealing
with the second or third time.
COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I do want to say this the Town Boards in the past
didn't know if this money was going to be used for recreation or what
We have through the years set aside funds and it has been ear marked
strictly for recreation and we have not tampered with it. We are not
like some of the levels of government if you need it for something else
like the social security or something like that. What we have put in
for recreation, those funds have stayed and used only for recreation.
We have sold land wet lands to the State of New York, we purposely earmarked
that money for recreation so it has been the policy of this board to
try get recreation funds and to use them strictly for that.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Any kind of funds like this or with the sale of land
where with a resolution the Town Board says it must go for recreation
it goes into a capital account and the funds are segregated from the
general funds.
MR. MORTON-I would just like to make a suggestion, I know that Supervisor
Walter has already concluded that these funds could be used for passive
recreation as well as active recreation, I would like to suggest that
they be used for acquiring open space lands which could be used for a
open space plan. For example, it might be a scenic easement, something
along those lines, scenic vista that should be included as open space
and funds could be used to acquire conservation easement for example
along a stream, or looking over from a road or something of that nature,
they call it passive recreation. Does the law as it is presently drafted
provide for that kind of provision.
SUPERVISOR WALTER- Yes it does, the purchase of land is suitable for
renewal, large playgrounds or open space.Is there anyone else who wishes
to speak during this public hearing relative to local law that relates
to multidwelling.
UNKNOWN-Does the Town realize that they own property on the Hudson River?
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Yes. . .As soon as the snow goes out we will be walking
that property. . . (Town Board and Recreation Commission)
MR. GLEN GREGORY-Luzerne Road-noted that Mr. Lester Baird gave drawings
YK
to the Town' oid a' proposed park on the River Property. . .noted that he
felt if fees and taxes continued to go up he would have to move from
the Town. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-As the fiscal Officer for the Town of Queensbury your
taxes have not been going up, they have gone down you now pay 94C per
thousand for town taxes it was $1.53 last year and $2.07 the year before.
Asked for further input. . .hearing none the public hearing was closed
9:14 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING
9:14 P.M.
NOTICE SHOWN
A proposed Local Law Establishing Water District Connection Regulations
SUPERVISOR WALTER-the intent of this law is to require the connection
of residential major subdivisions and multi family dwelling units within
2000 feet of an existing water district in order to permit the planned
and orderly extension of municipal water and provide for economical and
efficient municipal water distribution to the residents of the Town of
Queensbury. We are requiring that new subdivisions of residential major,
anything five lots or more or multiple family dwelling units, connect
to the municipal water supply. The reason for the local law is the areas
in the western section of the Town of Queensbury where there has been
substantial development and where we have had water problems. We have
had people who have bought into a subdivision only on wells and several
years later petitioned the Town Board for public water. We had to bring
civil defense equipment to those people because the wells and water table
in a particular area where they bought houses were not substantial enough
to carry them for more than one or two years. The Town has planned its
extensions to the water district, it is our purpose to get public water
to as many people as we can we have a plant that has the capability of
producing and transmitting to a lot more people in the Town. We would
like to minimize those people's problems that buy in subdivisions and
also be able to plan our construction. Asked for public input. . .
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-It is my understanding that if the property being developed
is within 2000 feet of the district and then the developer would pay
the cost of the improvements from the district line, is that correct?
So if, we have to extend it for 2000 feet to get to the end of the district
so then the builder will pick up the cost from that point on?
SUPERVISOR WALTER-We just had a particular case in front of the Planning
Board where a subdivider was abutting a water district and wished to
have water at a location further down and other people also were interested
in public water we are going forward. I think we have the resolution
this evening, retaining an engineer to do the map, plan and report on
the district. We made deal with that subdivider in order that he not
bear the full cost, we would create a district and he would substantially
help with the district costs and it would not be prohibited. The State
Comptroller is the decision maker on the establishment of a water or
sewer district. Asked for further comments. . .hearing none the public
hearing was closed 9:16 P.M.
OPEN FORUM
9:16 P.M.
MR. CARL KREBS-Cleverdale-Requested that the Town Board look into a situation
at Cleverdale that had come before the Zoning Board—noted that new
houses on the Lake must conform to sewer regulations in placing a septic
system. . .the problem in question is when an existing system is left and
a new dwelling is placed on a lot is there any checking of the sewage
system to see if it is failing or large enough to hold the usage of a
larger dwelling. . .noted that the residents in the area are worried about
this situation. . . Any new house on a lot should have a good check of
the sewage system even if it was an existing system. . .asked that the
zoning laws be changed to reflect this. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-We will look into the facts of the situation. . .we also
concerned about Lake George. . . if the present laws are not doing what
they are supposed to do the Town Board has the authority to change the
laws. . .
MR. JIM INGALLS-Cleverdale-Requested that the wording of the law be changed
to read an adequately operating sewage system not an existing system.
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-. . .the original intent was if you have a home in the
lake areas and you were going to remodel and put a bigger house up we
originally put in the ordinance you had to bring the septic system up
to date, that was prohibitive cost wise. . .reviewed the history of the
septic ordinance. . .
MR. CHARLES ADAMSON-Asked if Queensbury was making an effort in solving
Lake George's problems? Three areas require action 1. milfoil 2. sewering
3. pollution control 1. Milfoil-Warren Co. is pressing for approval
to use chemicals to treat milfoil. . .the failure of Mr. Williams, Commissioner
of DEC to commit himself to action right away. . .I believe DEC is responsible
for the deterioration of Lake George. . .The Town needs to make it clear
to Mr. Williams than anything less than action this spring is unacceptable.
2. Sewering-The efforts of the Lake George Association to change the
Lake George Law has come to a stand still, the town has not lifted a
finger in support of the LGA 's efforts so far. 3. Pollution control
we need to find and eliminate and reduce any and all pollution . . .the
town needs a systematic survey this year to find the sources of urban
run-off and septic pollution . . . The ZBA and the Building Inspector should
deal more directly with septic system, not wait until they fail. . .
SUPERVISOR. WALTER-I cannot support the Lake George legislation, this
is one of the reasons why the Lake George Association Legislation relative
to the change in the Lake George Law was not successful several years
ago. The Lake George Association went ahead without consulting with
the local municipalities took their own people who did their own research
and went on their way without the support of the local government. The
sewer is a lot larger than the Town of Queensbury. Queensbury has in
its budget monies to retain an engineer to study the situation or to
prepare a map plan report for a district, but the town is not going to
retain an engineer until we can send an engineer in a particular direction
and until the Lake George law is changed. We are not going to be able
to do that and the fact that Fran Walter, the Supervisor here has not
done anything is totally ridiculous. The problem here is not with the
local governments in what they are trying to do, to address the problem,
we felt that with the way Encon could look at the situation with the
report that Mr. Russell James come up with that we would probably have
a permit sometime in the beginning of June. We have met our responsibilities
as far as milfoil. It was Mr. Williams statement who is the commissioner
of Encon who does have to permit this activity in the lake because the
towns do not have ownership of the lake and so therefore we are beholding
to this gentlemen to make the ultimate decisions. So what are we going
to do about milfoil, we are not going to do anything. We are going to
be extremely supportive of the efforts on the part of all the communities
around the lake. The county is committed to funds for this particular
project and that is more than the State of New York or Encon would do,
that is more than Lake George wanted to do, that is more than the Park
Commission can do. The counties have taken the bull by the horn, the
counties have suggested an inspector to inspect the septic system to
see where there is any kind of problem. As to whether the county has
the authority to have a person go on peoples property and do those kind
of things and then it has been discussed with the County attorney as
to how we can proceed in that manner. What we are doing is monitoring
what is being done by a larger government but being a part of that larger
government and trying to make something happen but I don't think we have
shirked our responsibility. I think the State Agencies have. I have talked
with Mr. Leombruno about it, the Supervisor of Bolton, and Mr. Tessier
and we are all in concert in our agreement that the LGA has gone off
many times without talking with the local political entities to see what
is best for the municipalities. I said I would do my best to have the
Lake George Law changed and I have talked with Ron Stafford with just
that kind of thing. I will tell you what is wrong with it. This law
is so specific that its placing standard in it. Do you know what happens
when the standards change, when research is done, and you find that the
standard have been written in the law? Just like the Lake George law
was changed in 1977 or'78 relative to the Warren County sewer district.
Now its been since that sewer district has been on the down hill that
there has been efforts to have the law changed. This is extremely difficult
because Encon was one of the people unhappy with the law the way it was
drafted from the Lake George Association and I agreed with Encon, you
cannot put standards in the law. Queensbury has got to work with our
neighbors. I think these things are county matters.
MR. DONALD MORRISSEY-(Regarding the situation on Cleverdale) noted in
his area there seems to be a problem with cars parking on both sides
of the road, requested that the Town look into a no parking zone on Cleverdale
Road. . .voiced concern over emergency vehicles traveling this congested
area. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-We will have the Highway Supt. look at the situation
and report to the Board and also at times we also request the input of
the Sheriff's Dept. . . .we will then set a public hearing on a proposed
local law for no-parking on Cleverdale Road. . .we would like to hear from
the residents of the area in writing that they would like such a local
law proposed. . .
MR. FRED ALEXY-Cleverdale-(Regarding the new structure on Cleverdale)
historically in the past five years he rents the property which is adjacent
to his house as a summer residence to numerous people who occupy the
building at the same time. What he is doing is increasing the size of
the building, our concern is that if the septic system as it exists now,
which is probably inadequate to take care of the summer time surge, what
is going to happen to it when he triples the size of the building.
MRS. JANE ALEXY-Spoke to the Board regarding the new structure on Cleverdale,
I do not believe that this structure will be a one family dwelling. . .
MR. CARR-Asked that the Town Board check into the regulating of the No-Parking
on Assembly Point. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Friday I wrote to Sheriff Tripp and asked him why are
his deputies ignoring the Queensbury Local Law for no-parking. . .I have
not had a response. . .
MR. AL GREENO-Corinth Road-Spoke to the Board about West Side Auto-concerned
over the condition of the existing junk yard under the name of West Side
Auto. . .noted that the fence did not appear to meet the ordinance, also
sections of the fencing are down. . .he does not keep his stuff inside
the junk yard, how can we expect anything different in the future. With
him leaving Glens Falls and coming up there and building a new building
and there is now a trailer on the property, I have not heard anything
about the trailer. . .we have enough trailers up there without putting
up another one. Why isn't this ordinance being enforced, why was a permit
for a new building given to West Side Auto when he is not living up to
the regulations of existing laws. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-If there is on file the fact that this town by it's
representatives have given approval to the junk yard it would be very
difficult to revoke the permit until the next time around. . .now that
you have pointed it out we can find out how they got the permit the last
time based on the inspection. Each year the junk yards are reinspected
L before they get their permit renewed. . .
COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-I have been doing some investigation on this. . . I
spoke to Mr. Britton about the junk yard. . .regarding the fence it also
says natural features, like dense woods swamps can be used in place of
fences. . . .as soon as it clears we will walk the property. . .
UNKNOWN-Questioned if a junk yard will devaluate their assessment?
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Noted that any questions regarding assessment should
be answered by the assessors office. . .
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-Noted that grievance day is forthcoming. . .
I C COUNCILMAN KUROSAKA-Asked permission to continue his investigation of
�.0'Cest Side Auto. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-Agreed that Mr. Kurosaka should pursue the matter. .Asked
for further input, hearing none the open forum was closed. . .
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER FUNDS
RESOLUTION NO. 90, Introduced by Mr. Stephen Borgos who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. George Kurosaka:
RESOLVED, to transfer $18,035.00 from A3320909 Fund Balance to A2359955900
Interfund transfer Capital Reserve, Recreation for purchase of land.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent:None
RESOLUTION TO SET PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION
REGULATION INCREASING THE TIME REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING APPLICATION MATERIAL
WITH THE PLANNING BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 91, Introduced by Mr. Stephen Borgos who moved for its
adoption, seconded Mrs. Betty Monahan:
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury has determined the
need to revise and modernize the regulations concerning the subdivision
regulations and particularly the areas regarding the time for filing
application material and supporting documents with the Planning Board,
and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has recognized the importance of the need for
an orderly and timely review of application materials prior to Planning
Board hearings or action, and
WHEREAS, the proposed amended regulations above captioned have been prepared,
a copy of which are annexed hereto, and
WHEREAS, the proposed amended regulations are worthy of consideration
for legislative action,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held concerning the proposed adoption
of said local law and that said public hearing be held at 7:30 P.M. in
the meeting room of the Town of Queensbury Office Building, Bay & Haviland
Roads in the Town of Queensbury, Warren County, New York on the 8th day
of April, 1986 at which time all persons interested in the subject thereof
will be heard, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be hereby directed and authorized to publish
and provide notice of said public hearing as may be required by law.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent:None
SUPERVISOR WALTER-This has to do with the filing of application material,
where ever it says ten days in the subdivision regulations increasing
it to 21 days. This gives ample time for a developer to file the material
for it to be placed on the agenda and to give the Planning Board Members
additional time to take a look at the projects. This has been requested
by the majority of the members of the Planning Board. . .
RESOLUTION TO INCORPORATE TWO STREET LIGHTS IN QUEENSBURY LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO. 92, Introduced by Mr. Stephen Borgos who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. George Kurosaka:
WHEREAS, there exists two street lights on Route 9 adjacent to the King
Hendrick Motel and
WHEREAS, it would be in the best interests of the Town to incorporate
these street lights into the Queensbury Lighting District,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby incorporate
into the Queensbury Lighting District the two northernmost street lights
in front of the King Hendricks Motel and be it further
RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be sent to Niagara
Mohawk Corporation.
DISCUSSION HELD-COUNCILMAN MONTESI-At the King Hendrick there are three
street lights paid for by the Motel facing their property. . .the motel
would like the two northern lights on Route 9 turned over the road. . .the
motel would continue to pay for the third light. . .
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-Do you feel there is a need for both lights there. . .
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-Yes, the first one you come to going North would light
the driveways going in. . .The second one handles the second driveway where
their office is. . .that light does nothing for the motel, it does nothing
for the driveway. . .route nine is a main throughfare and we have an obligation
. . .COUNCILMAN BORGOS-I wonder if the lighting problem in on the state
road does the state have the responsibility. . .
SUPERVISOR WALTER-The state does not pay for any of these services.
COUNCILMAN MONTESI-Requested Councilman Monahan to also look into the
situation as that is her district.
RESOLUTION #92 TABLED (for further information)
RESOLUTION TO RETAIN ENGINEER
RESOLUTION NO. 93, Introduced by Mr. George Kurosaka who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. Stephen Borgos:
WHEREAS, Queensbury Town Board is interested in extending the Sherman
Avenue Water District and
WHEREAS, Charles H. Scudder, P.E. has proposed to perform engineering
services consisting of a map, plan and report for the aforesaid extension
at a fee not to exceed $3,000.00,and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to pursue the formation of a water district,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board will retain the engineering services of
Charles H Scudder, P.E. for an amount not exceeding $3,000.00 in
the preparation of a map, plans, and report for said district, and be
it further
RESOLVED, in accordance with Section 209-b of Town Law the foregoing
resolution is subject to permissive referendum in accordance with Article
7 of Town Law.
The following vote was taken:
AYES: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
25t—
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION TO APPOINT PLANNING BOARD MEMBER
RESOLUTION NO. 94, Introduced by Mrs. Betty Monahan who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mrs. Frances Walter
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Queensbury Planning Board and
WHEREAS, theQue.ensbury Town Board wishes to fill this current vacancy
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT r
RESOLVED,that the Queensbury Town Board hereby appoints Frank V. DeSantis
of Butternut Hill, Queensbury to fill the unexpired term on the Queensbury
Planning Board, term to expire September 30, 1991.
The following vote was taken:
AYES: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION TO SET PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL LAW REGULATING PARKING ON PORTION
OF GLENWOOD AVENUE
RESOLUTION NO. 95, Introduced by Mrs. Betty Monahan who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. Stephen Borgos
WHEREAS, a proposed Local Law to establish No-Parking regulations
on a portion of Glenwood Avenue and designated on the Town of Queensbury
Tax Map in Section 61 and 62, Block 1, has been prepared and
WHEREAS, the proposed Local Law is worthy of consideration for legislative
action,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held concerning the proposed adoption
of a Local Law and that said public hearing be held at 7:30 p.m. in the
Meeting Room of the Town of Queensbury Office Building, Bay and Haviland
Roads, Queensbury, New York on the 22nd day of April., 1986 at which time
all persons will be heard both in favor of and opposed to said Local
Law, and it is further
RESOLVED,that the Town Clerk be hereby directed and authorized to publish
and provide notice of said public hearing as may be required by law.
The following vote was taken:
AYES: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DISCUSSION HELD f
COUNCILMAN BORGOS-recommended that the Local Law state that the no parking
regulation will run on both sides of Glenwood Avenue from Bay to Quaker(exact
footage measurement will be provided by the Highway Department) .
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LEAD AGENCY AND ADOPTING DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGHFICANCE
OF ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES
RESOLUTION NO. 96, Introduced by Mr. GEORGE KUROSAKA, who moved its
r�
adoption seconded by Mr. Ronald Montesi:
WHEREAS, Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law established
the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and
WHEREAS, such act requires environmental review'of certain actions undertaken
by local governments, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board proposes to enact certain changes in the Town
Ordinance Permitting individual mobile homes in the States Avenue and
Howard Street, Leo Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Dawn Road after a public
meeting on March 11, 1986 after hearing testimony and public comment
on the pro;proposed changes, and after reviewing the Environmental Assessment
Form prepared in connection with the review of the proposed change, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury is duly qualified as
lead agency with respect to the zoning ordinance changes proposed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury is hereby designated
lead agency for purposes of SEQRA compliance in the adoption of the zoning
ordinance amendment permitting individual mobile homes in the States
Avenues and Howard street, Leo Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Dawn Road,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury adopt the annexed
notice of determination of non-significance, and that copies of this
resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental
Conservation and the Region 5 offices of the D.E.C.
AYES: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: None
SEQRA
Negative Declaration
Notice of Determination of Non-Significance
This notice is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations
pertaining to Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review) of the Environmental
Conservation Law.
The Town Board of the Town of Queensbury has determined that the
proposed action described below will not have a significant effect on
the environment.
1. Title of Action: Amendment to the Town of Queensbury Zoning
Ordinance authorizing individual mobile homes as a use as of right in
certain urban residential 5,000 sq. feet and suburban residential 20,000
sq. ft.
2. SEQRA Status: Unlisted action.
3. Description of Action: Permit the sitting of individual mobile
homes in certain areas without administrative body review.
The general areas proposed are as follows:
Re-zone - Single Mobile Home Sites
Portion Queensbury Tax Map Section 120 - Howard Street, Leo
Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Dawn Road
Portion Queensbury Tax Map Section 127 & 128 - South of Luzerne
Road known as States Avenues.
Detailed maps of the areas affected were made available for inspection
at the Town Clerk's Office from February 26, 1986 to March 11, 1986 during
normal business hours.
4. Reasons Supporting Determination: Based upon the documents
submitted in connection with the application for re-zoning including
an environmental assessment form for the proposed zone changes, the evidence
and public comments submitted at the March 11, 1986 meeting on the proposed
action, and upon the knowledge of the members of the Town of Queensbury
Board, no significant environmental effects were identified.
The single unit mobile home area was provided to revise and modernize
the Queensbury Ordinance No. 12. In the past, individual mobile home
owners were required to prove hardship in order to obtain a permit from
the Town Board. The permit was personal to the applicant, therefore
creating a problem when transfer to the mobile home was considered. '
The proposed zone would permit individual mobile homes as a of right;
the only requirement imposed would be the need to obtain a building permit.
Density would not be increased.
The areas affected have numerous existing mobile homes, and the
proposed change would not adversely affect the character of the neighborhood.
By establishing reasonable criteria for the issuance of a building permit
it is believed that future housing will be upgraded.
5. For Further Information:
Contact Person: Frances J. Walter
Town Supervisor
Town of Queensbury
Bay & Haviland Rds.
Queensbury, N.Y. 12801
(518) 792-5832
6. The Town of Queensbury maintains a file of its proceedings and
determination and the supporting reasons therein which file is available
for public inspection
TOWN COUNSEL-Wilson Mathias. . .There are really two steps that you have
to do in terms of applying to the provisions of 99, (1) you have to establish
yourself as an agency which the resolution does, (2) you need in writing
compare a negative declaration in otherwords a statement that your opinion
after taking a hard look at the proceedings, as Mrs. Walter probably
detailed some of the provisions under the homes test but you need to
specify what the proposed action. Take a look at it in terms what kinds
of impact that it might have, should you enact it, (3) if make some kind
of reason elaboration of why you determine why there is no environmental
significance in the action. Briefly, what this simply does, is identify
the fact that we are talking about the permission really resulting of
certain areas of the states avenues, Dawn, Eisenhower, Leo Street area,
which are also reference to the maps that were filed in the Town Clerks
office. We detailed the area without having to give a legal description
of it through reference which I think is permissable. Whether there is
a permit per individual mobile homes, and now what has been placed here
is a reason for making such a determination. That this doesn't have an
environmental impact primarily, in that the area is zoned for residential
without permitting any increase in the density of the types of uses authorized
here. With being no change in that area, further in the process you are
going to adopt some criteria presumably based on the same criteria for
the mobile home parks which will regulate the mobile home as they come
on so that any kind of questions of impossible impact with respect to
character in the neighborhood or assessment. Or any that will depreciate
the value or anything like that are really going to be controlled on
an individual basis so that to me that it is a very legal defensible
position based on all the factors. You can say that this particular zoning
change does not have an environmental impact. You have talked about
several different questions here and I thought it would be a good idea
to deal with each one of them separately.
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LEAD AGENCY AND ADOPTING DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE
OF ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES
RESOLUTION NO. 97, Introduced by Mr. Ronald Montesi who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. Stephen Borgos:
WHEREAS, Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law established
the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and
WHEREAS, such act requires environmental review of certain actions undertaken
by local governments, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board proposes to enact certain changes in the Town
Ordinance permitting mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions in
certain zones north of Route 149 after a public meeting on March 11,
1986 after hearing testimony and public comment on the proposed changes,
and after reviewing the Environmental Assessment Form prepared in connection
with the review of the proposed change, and
v WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury is duly qualified as
lead agency with respect to the zoning ordinance changes proposed.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury is hereby designated
lead agency for purposes of SEQRA compliance in the adoption of the zoning
ordinance amendment permitting mobile home parks and mobile home subdivision
in certain zones north of Route 149, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury adopt the annexed
notice of determination of non-significance, and that copies of this
resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental
Conservation and the Region 5 offices of the D.E.C.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent:None
SEQRA
NEGATIVE DECLARATION
NOTICE OF DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE
This notice is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations
pertaining to Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review) of the Environmental
Conservation Law.
The Town Board of the Town of Queensbury has determined that the
proposed action described below will not have a significant effect on
the environment.
I. Title of Action: Amendments to the Town of Queensbury Zoning
Ordinance authorizing individual mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions
within certain suburban residential 20,000 sq. ft. and 30,000 square
feet zones.
2. SEQRA Status: Unlisted action.
3. Description of Action: To allow, after site plan review, mobile
home parks and subdivisions in certain zones north of Route 149.
The general area proposed is as follows:
Portion Queensbury Tax Map Section 30 - North of Route 149,
South of Adirondack Park Boundary Line
Detailed maps of the areas affected were made available for inspection
at the Town Clerk's Office from February 26, 1986 to March 11, 1986 during
normal business hours.
4. Reasons Supporting Determination: Based upon the documents
submitted in connection with the application for re-zoning including
an environmental assessment forms for the proposed zone changes, the
evidence and public comments submitted at the March 11, 1986 meeting
can the proposed action, and upon the knowledge of the members of the
Town of Queensbury Board, no significant environmental effects were identified.
The addition of mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions as
permissible uses after appropriate administrative body review was made
in recognition of the need to provide the opportunity for a wider variety
of housing types within the Town.
The public hearing adduced numerous negative comments regarding
this use in the Clendon Brook area. There were little or no negative
comments regarding the Route 149 area. Further, this area adjoins an
existing mobile home park which has been developed in a well planned
manner and which adds to the tax base without adversely affecting the
neighborhood quality. Although density would be increased, the requirements
for mobile home parks will permit reviewing bodies to impose regulations
to avoid undue environmental impacts. Finally, the SEQRA review process
would continue to apply on a site specific basis.
5. For Further Information:
Contact Person: Frances J. Walter
Town Supervisor
Town of Queensbury
Bay & Haviland Roads
Queensbury, N.Y. 12801
(518) 792-5832
6. The Town of Queensbury maintains a file of its proceedings and
determination and the supporting reasons therein, which file is available
for public inspection.
RESOLUTION APPOINTING DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING
RESOLUTION NO. 98, Introduced by Mrs. Betty Monahan who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. George Kurosaka:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 20, Subdivision 3 (E) Darleen M. Dougher
is hereby appointed Director of Purchasing, term to expire on December Y
31, 1986 and be it further
RESOLVED, that the salary for such position is as listed in Resolution
23, of 1986.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent:None
SUPERVISOR WALTER-The Town held three public hearings this evening the
first one was to amend the subdivision regulations relative to recreation
fees and a related proposed local law relative to recreation fees, does
the Board wish to take any action as the result of those pub,l.ic hearing?
DISCUSSION: Councilman Monahan-It is my feeling that w-sif�ced-to do more
work on them. . .It was agreed upon by the Board Members that a workshop
will be held . . .Councilman Borgos, invited those developers that spoke
at the hearing to come to the workshop session for further input. . .
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING WATER DISTRICT CONNECTION --
REGULATIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 99, Introduced by Mrs. Betty Monahan who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mr. Stephen Borgos:
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury wishes to establish
Water District connection regulations, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing duly published in accordance with the law by
the Town Clerk was held on March 25th 1986 at 7:30 P.M. at the Queensbury
Town Office Building at which time all persons were heard both in favor
of and opposed to said law, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that a local law entitled "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING WATER DISTRICT
CONNECTION REGULATIONS" is hereby approved and said local law becomes
effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of New York.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
Absent:None
LOCAL LAW NUMBER 4, 1986
A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING WATER DISTRICT CONNECTION REGULATIONS
SECTION 1. Legislative Intent. Is it the purpose of this section
to require the connection of residential major subdivisions and multiple
family dwelling units within 2000 feet of an existing water district
in order to permit the planned and orderly extension of municipal water
and to provide for economical and efficient municipal water distribution
to the residents of the Town of Queensbury.
SECTION 2. Authority. This local law is enacted pursuant to the
provisions of Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State
of New York.
SECTION 3. Definitions. The term "subdivider" shall have the same
meaning set forth in Section 2.24 of the town of Queensbury Subdivision
Regulations. The term "major subdivision" shall have the same meaning
set forth in Section 2.23 of the Town of Queensbury Subdivision Regulations.
' the term "multiple family dwelling" shall have the same meaning
set forth in Section 2.020 (a) (73) of the Town of Queensbury Zoning
Ordinance.
SECTION 4. Requirements. The subdivider of a residential major
subdivision or developer of multiple family dwelling units situated within
2000 feet of an existing water district shall be required to connect
to the water district as a condition precedent to subdivision or site
plan approval by the Town Planning 'Board.
SECTION 5. Regulations.
a. All water supply materials proposed for connection with
the existing water district shall comply with the current
standards and specifications of the American Water Works
Association.
b. Plans and specifications for water supply facilities shall
be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, bear his
seal, and be submitted to the New York State Department
of Health and the Queensbury Planning Board for review
and approval.
C. All work performed in the connections to the Town of Queensbury
municipal water district shall be inspected by the Queensbury
Water Superintendent or his designated representative,
and written approval shall be provided to the subdivider.
SECTION 6. Costs. The cost of connecting to the existing water
district shall be borne by the developer.
SECTION 7. Penalties. Any person convicted of a violation of this
local law shall be deemed to have committed a violation and shall be
subject to a fine not exceeding $250.00 or imprisonment for a period
not exceeding 15 days.
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Failure to comply with this section shall constitute grounds for
denial of subdivision or site plan approval by the Town Planning Board.
SECTION 8. This local law shall take effect immediately.
COMMUNICATIONS
-Mobile Home Application of Craig and Barbara Meade of Sunnyside North
to occupy a mobile home on the first left of Rockwell Road 1969 mobile
home existing on lot, owner of property Paul and Betty Lampson. . .
DISCUSSION: Town Counsel-If you enact the criteria and adopt the amendment
to the zoning ordinance, this unit will be grandfathered and there would
be no need for an application. . .Councilman Kurosaka- questioned the applications,
do you have a time problem. . .Mr. Meade-we can wait. . . It is the consensus
of the Board that we will take no action on this application. . .
Ltr.-Town Clerk-announced the appointment of Mrs. Jean Purnei as Deputy
Town Clerk and Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics. . .on file
Ltr.-Recreation Commission-The Recreation Commission Meeting Dates will
now be the second mondays of each month. . .on file
RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIAL AUDIT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 100, Introduced by Mr. George Kurosaka who moved for its
adoption, seconded by Mrs. Betty Monahan:
RESOLVED, that Audit of Bills as appears on Abstract 3-25-1986 and numbered
846 through 890 and totaling $16,102.66 be and hereby is approved.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Mr. Kurosaka, Mr. Borgos, Mr. Montesi, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter
Noes: None
+
Absent:None ,
ON MOTION THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
DARLEEN DOUGHER, TOWN CLERK
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