1995-07-18
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QUEENSBURY PLANNING BOARD MEETING
FIRST REGULAR MEETING
JUL Y 18, 1995
INDEX
Freshwater Wetlands Permit
No. 3-95
(Cont'd on Page 61)
Marvin & Janet Hautala
1 .
Subdivision No. 9-1995
PRELIMINARY STAGE
(Cont'd on Page 61)
Marvin & Janet Hautala
L
site Plan No. 35-95
site Plan No. 37-95
Dave & Chr is Stewart 3.
Mary E. Shearer 19.
East Coast Tire & Service 22.
Frank Adamo, Jr. 30.
Colgate Phillips Estatel 5L
Leigh Beeman
Site Plan No. 36-95
Site Plan No. 38-95
subdivision No. 8-1995
PRELIMINARY STAGE
THESE ARE NOT OFFICIALLY ADOPTED MINUTES AND ARE SUBJËCT TO BOARD
AND STAFF REVISIONS. REVISIONS WILL APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING
MONTHS MINUTES (IF ANY) AND WILL STATE SUCH APPROVAL OF SAID
MINUTES.
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QUEENSBURY PLANNING. BOARD
FIRST REGULAR MEETING
JULY 18, 1995
7:00 P.M.
MEETING
MEMBERS PRESENT
ROBERT PALING, CHAIRMAN
CATHERINE LABOMBARD, SECRETARY
ROGER RUEL
JAMES OBERMAYER
CRAIG MACEWAN
TIMOTHY BREWER
MEMBERS ABSENT
GEORGE STARK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-JAMES MARTIN
PLANNER-SCOTT HARLICKER
PLANNING BOARD ATTORNEY-MARK SCHACHNER
STENOGRAPHER-MARIA GAGLIARDI
CORRECTION OF MINUTES
May 16, 1995: NONE
May 25, 1995: NONE
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES DATED 5/16 AND 5/25, Introduced by
Roger Ruel who moved for its adoption, seconded by Catherine
LaBombard:
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Obermayer, Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer,
Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSTAINED: Mr. MacEwan
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
OLD BUSINESS:
FRESHWATER WETLANDS PERMIT NO. 3-95 MARVIN & JANET HAUTALA
OWNERS: SAME AS ABOVE ZONE: SFR-20 LOCATION: PART OF CLINE
MEADOW DEV., ON WEST SIDE OF MEADOWBROOK RD., SOUTH OF QUAKER RD.
WETLAND PROPERTY INVOLVED: GF-19 PROPOSAL IS TO SUBDIVIDE A
15.66 ACRE PARCEL INTO 2 LOTS WHICH INVOLVES A DEC REGULATED
WETLAND. A SUBDIVISION IS CONSIDERED A REGULATED ACTIVITY
REQUIRING A WETLAND PERMIT. CROSS REFERENCE: SUB. 8-1989, FW1-
89 SUB. 9-1995 TAX MAP NO. 108-1-4.1 LOT SIZE: 15.66
SECTION: WETLANDS REGULATIONS
MRS. LABOMBARD-The public hearing that was scheduled for June
20th was left open.
MR. PALING-Okay. There were two of us absent at that meeting,
but there's six of us here tonight. So I trust that we can bring
this to a conclusion, and I've read the minutes of the last
meeting and feel pretty much up to date on this. Tim, are yOU
okay, too, you'll be voting on it?
MR. BREWER-Yes. I was here the first meeting.
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MR. PALING-Right, but we both missed the last meeting. Okay.
Now I'm goi n'g to make a recommendation, and wi th the concurrence
of the Board, in an effort to move this along so there won't be a
lot of delays. There seemed to be two questions left over from
the last meeting. One was, in the SEQRA process, should we use
the Long or the Short Form, and that has yet to be decided.
We'll have to decide that tonight, and then on6ethat's decided,
we'll have to decide, if it's a Long Form, who's responsible for
filling it out, be it the applicant or the Town. Okay. I think
those are the two basic items left.
MR. BREWER-Well, I think, on the SEQRA, we always do part II.
Part I, is'that the question?
MR. PALING-Yes, Part I.
MR. OBERMAYER-What happened, Tim, is they filled out the Short
Form and we couldn~t reach an agreement.
MR. BREWER-Yes, I read the minutes, but I thought it was, they
were going to fill out Part I, as I read the minutes.
MR. MART:IN-The applicant is always responsible for Part I .
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. PALING-Well then is it Part II that's left OPe o? . ; !.::) , ;
,MR. BREWE,R-Yes.
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MR. PALIN,G~All r i,9ht': '. ;r.qÿn :w:~ 're~:a,Ik~ nè ßbóut't,0~~~,;:L:q:T)~ò' w~ll,
first we've got to' decld~ ,Long <;>1", ,S1ort,F,or,ro.,., If ,1 t 'sl,..:QI)~ Form,
it's goi'ng to be pait' II;t,hát w,ehå'1l~ ~c{:,dec.i'de 'wh,?:..~~,;;~oing to
db the'f î 11 i ng . ' ' . ' . . ;. , .¡.
MR. BREWER-Well, we do Þ~}t 11 anyway.
about that, Bob.
So there's 'no question
MR. MARTIN-You need Part I to be completed. That gives you the
information on which you go through your review of Part II as
Lead Agent. You're responsible for the second p~rt, but you
can't undertake that until you have all thè informatlon from Part
I completed.
MR. PALING-But Part I, then, it can't be completed, based upon
what I read in th~ minutes,
MR. HARLICKER-It's not done yet
determined that it's requiyed yet.
the last meeting.
because the
You reached
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Board hasn't
a stalemate at
MR~ PALING~~kay. We~ije ~ot to determine that first, and then I
bel ievé,'1 f I read the' mi nutéลก rtght.,· ther'Ef's still' a question as
to who should complete the Part j.
MR. MARTIN-No.
,MR. 'SCHACt:i~ER-rhet~ sholtldn'y, be apy' que~t;~pn }iboU't' that.
MR. MARTIN-No.
MR. PALING-All rignt. Then how about Part II?
MR.'$CHACHt'lER-r'hersámè answer~
MR. PALING-All right, then we have to decide one question.
MR. HÄ~LICKER-w~ethef a Long Fórm,¡~ f~quired or not.
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MR. PÄLING-~ight. okay~ Thèn ~hat I sug~est~h~t we do is that
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we first have Staff comment, then re-open the public hearing and
let it be comÞI~ted 6n thi~ matter, and then ask the applicant to
make briefcomment.s: The Board will make brief comments.
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MR. HARLICKER-The applicant is not present at the moment. I
do~·t ~ee him in the audience.
MR. PALING-All right. Then lets put this at the end of the
meeting, then. Okay. I assumed they were here. I should have
asked in the first place.
MR. MACEWAN-I guess the question I've got, just for formality,
did the applicant not know that they were back on tonight?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. They were here about the meeting.
MR. MACEWÄN~Were they awar~ that they were the first item on the
age nda?
MR. HARLICKER~I don't know.
MR. MARTIN-I'm not sure about the placement, but they were aware
that they're on the'm'eeting tonight.
MR. MACEWAN-Okay. Thank you.
NEW BUSINESS:
SITE PLAN NO. 35-95 TYPE: UNLISTED DAVE & CHRIS STEWART
OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE ZONE: RR-5A',LOCATION: WEST MT. RD. TO
CLENDON BROOK, AFT~R 4TH HOUSE ON RIéHT, TµRN LEFT INTO DRIVEWAY,
PROJECT IS ON THE RIG~T. APPLICANT PROPOSËS TO ,HAVE A DOG KENNEL
(SOUNDPROOF) FOR BREEDING AND BOARDING. A DOG KËNNEL IS A
PERMITTED USE SUBJECT TO SITE PLAN REVIEW. APA TAX MAP NO. 123-
1-37.23 LOT SIZE: 8.5 ACRES SECTION: 179-15
DAVE & CHRIS STEWART, PRESENT
MRS. STEWART-Chris Stewart
MR. STEWART-I'm,Dave. Stewart.
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 35-95, Dave & Chris Stewart,
Meeting Date: July 18, 1995 "Staff has revi~wed the project for
compliance with Section 179-38A, Section 179-38B, Section 179~38C
and to the relevant' factors outlined in Section 179-39 and found
that it is in com~liance with the above sections. The project
was compared to the following standards found in Section 179-38E
of the Zoning Code: 1. The location, arrangement, size, d~sign
and general site compatibility of buildings, lighting and signs;
Exact dimensions of the proposed kennel are not known; however,
the dimensions shown on the plot plan indicate that the kennel
will be larger than the existing house. The height of the kennel
is not known. No new lighting or signage is proposed. 2. The
adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access, and
circulation, including intersections, road widths, pavement
surfaces, dividers and traffic controls; The applicant will
utilize the existing gravel driveway. The driveway is narrow and
confusing. There is a fork .in the drive and access to the house
is not indicated. The drive is not wide enough for two cars to
pass. 3. The location, arrangement, appearance and sufficiency
of off-street parking and loading; Ther~is no parking shown on
the plat. There does not appear to be very much room for
parking. Further explanation regarding parking is needed. 4.
The adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and
circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with
vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian traffic and overall
pedestrian convenience; Pedestrian access will not be a problem.
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5. The adequacy of stormwater drainage facilities; Stormwater
drainage should not be a problem. There is sufficient area on
site to handle the runoff generated by the new structure. 6.
The adequacy of water supply and sewage disposal facilities; The
applicant will utilize the existing well and on site septic
system. 7. The adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs
and other suitable plantings, ,landscaping and screening
constituting a visual and/or noise buffer between the applicant's
and adjoining lands, including the maximum retention of existing
vegetation and maintenance including replacement of dead plants;
No new landscaping is proposed. 8. The adequacy of fire lanes
and other emergency zones and the provisiori of fire hydrants;
Emergency access will be via the existing driveway. 9. The
adequacy and impact of structures, roadways and lanqscaping in
areas with susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/òr erosion.
This is not an issue. RECOMMENDATION: Staff has several
concerns that need to be addressed. The driveway is narrow and
it does not appear that it can accommodate two vehicles. Further
clarification is needed regarding parking."
MR. PALING-Okay. Have you had a chance to see the Staff
comments, or is this the first time you've heard them? Because
you'll be asked, tonight, to comment on these different items,
questions that they've raised. Does anybody on the Böard have a
question that they want to talk about first?
MR. MACEWAN-Accessibility.
MR. PALING-Accessibility. The road is narrow, thinking if there
ever were two vehicles coming in opposite directions, somebody's
got to back up. If one's an emergency vehicle, it could create a
heck of a problem.
MR. STEWART-Basically it's been our driveway for 15 years.
There's two houses in there. We've.n.ver really had a problem.
There are areas that I could clear for passing areas. There's
two areas there now where I've pulled off to the side to let
somebody by. I can easily clear more by taking down some trees.
MR. PALING-You're running a business now. So it is going to be
looked at a bit different than I think just your personal
driveway. Because you would, I assume, hope to 'have customers.
Not a bunch of them, but you'll have customers coming back and
forth up there.
MR. HARLICKER-What's the size of the facility? How many dogs are
you looking to keep up there, or animals?
MRS. STEWART-I have 13.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay.
MR. BREWER-Thirteen kennels?
MRS. STEWART-No. I have 13 dogs.
MR. BREWER-How many kennels for rent?
MRS. STEWART-There would probably be two or three.
MR. OBERMAYER-You have 13 dogs right now?
MRS. STEWART-Basically, I'm looking to get housing for them in
the winter, and to make it soundproof so that they don't bother
the neighbors, but I want to have a couple of extra kennels so
that I can board out to, like, customers that I've sold dogs to,
so that I could help to pay for the kennel building.
MR. BREWER-I was up there today, and if you've got 13 dogs, I
didn't see one.
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MRS. STEWART-Well, they're in a f~nce.
MR. STEWART-They're out bel')ind the \1ouse.
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MR. PA,LING-We didn't ~ee them, but we c0'1,19, ~,them.
MR. 'RUEL-Ican't 'te{l'ftom the 'plan ,exact
'could you descr ibe'thls ' ,kennel.' How"high
lÓ9K,llke?, . How is if"Þu'Ìlt? " "
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détails on the kennel.
ts' it?" What' does it
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":'MRS~:~tEWt;\~T-Well, ~t's' going¡to be, b,as¡cally, a garage package,
ath.ree 6ârgarage. " .
MR. ÖßE'RMAYER':'Xs
, .', . ,.,.¡ "'," "
commercléÜ?
t'h!s ar,ea
j; I
zoned
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for, , is
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t~istonsid~red
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MR. HARLICKER-Well, kennels are allowed in the Rural Residential.
MR. RUEL-Which one?
MRS. STEWART-This oDe, but without the doors.
MR. RUEL-This is a garage.
MRS. STEWART-Right. I'm going to build a garage.
MR. RUEL-It doesn't say that here.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Well, nO, that's what the structure'~ going to
look like.
MR. RUEL-That's what it's going to look like. It's going to look
like a two or three car garage.
MRS~ STEWART-Right, without the doors.
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MR. RUEL-A screen on the front?
MRS. STEWART-No. It's going to be all boards.
MRS. LABOMBARD-It's góing to be a building, and then you walk
into it, and then each kennel is off a hallway.
MR. RUEL-What about a run. Is there going to be a run ~omewhere,
an open area?
MRS. STEWART-Around the outside, I'm going to have like a run so
I can let them out. See, there'd be little pens tQ put them in.
MR. RUEL-And where's outside?
outside, too.
You've got to keep the qogs
MRS. STEWART-Outside, I'd have like a run over here.
MR. RUEL-Around the perimeter of the building? How many feet?
,
MRS. STEWART-I'd have like three of them, 10 feet out.
MR. RUEL-I see.
pr oof .
You know, you mentioned that this was sound
MR. PALING-I've got a question for Staff on thi. one. What is it
we're b~ing àsked to approve here? We don't have'a ~ite plan.
MR. HARI,..ICKER-Yes, it's right here.
MR. PALING-Okay. Is that building shown on the plan?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes, it is, proposed kennel.
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MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. HARLICKER-And they're seeking site plan approval for a dog
kennel.
MR. PALING-I didn't get a print.
MR. RUEL-Yes, 'here it is.
MR. PALING-Okay. All Yight. Setbacks are not a problem, and
what is tha height of the building going to be? Is it orie story?
MRS. STEWART-Yes.
MR. PALING-It isn't going to violate'any height.
MR. MARTIN-If there were any violations to the zoning, it
wouldn't be before this Board.
MR. RUEL-No, it meets all the Codes, apparently, without the
door, open.
MRS. STEWART-It's going to be all boarded up.
MR. STEWART-It would be solid. There wouldn't bé any overhead
doors. We're using that type of package without the overhead
doors.
MRS. LABOMBARD-See, here's the floor plan. There's just going to
be two entrances, two doors, an entry and probably this to the
run in the back, see t~e little foyer, and then you go down the
corridor and the pens are 'on either side.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. RUEL-This is the information I was trying to get to, Bob.
MR. OBERMAYER-Do they need a permit from the Department of Health
for this?
MR. MARTIN-I'm not sure about that. I don't think so.
MR. HARLICKER-I wouldn't think so.
MR. OBERMAYER-Well, I mean, you're going to have dog dooM
MR. BREWER-Probably something to do with, there's got to be some
sort of standards, I would say. I mean, i~ they're going to do
it, I'm sure they know what. Do you have to have a license to do
it?
MRS. STEWART-No. I have a kennel license.
MR. BREWER~Then that's probably all they need.
MR. MACEWAN~Is there any kind
have to gO through, like the
something for this?
of permitting process that you'd
State Agricultural Department or
MRS. STEWART-Not that I know of.
MR. PALING-Okay. If they don't, then I don't think ~ should be
concerned with it.
MR. MARTIN-I could pose the question to the Animal Control
Officer. She would know.
MR. BREWER-Yes, maybe before you give her the CO or whatever.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. I can ask her.
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MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. MACEWAN-If we were to approve this tonjght, Jim, and she
thought that business was doing so well, in a year or two she
wanted to expand her kennel, does she come back in front here for
modification to the site plan that was approved, or could she
just, if she wanted to add on to it and put more kennels on, is
it just a matter of going through a building permit process?
MR. MARTIN-No. If she were to physically add on to the
struc~ur~, it would require further review by this Board, and
then the other option is, in the past, like for car sales, for
examples. If you set parameters on the number of ,cars present,
if you were to set a parameter on the number of dogs at anyone
time, that would be another limitation that she would be bound to
uphold. Then if she wanted to increase, she'd have to come back
to you to do it.
MR. PALING-You'd be limited to one dog per kennel here. So you
can have 12 dogs, is that what's there? Okay. So that limit
would come into that.
MRS. STEWART-I have thirteen.
MRS. LABOMBARD-You ,'ve, got thirteen.
MR. OBERMAYER-This is zoned Rural Route 5?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. OBERMAYER-I thought you were a¡low.d only one, would this be
considered a principal building, though?
MR. MARTIN-No. This is a site plan review use. It's not a
principal permitted use. This is a site plan use listed in that
district, and you can refer to the definition of kennel also, is
in the Code.
MR. PALING-Yes. Okay.
MR. RUEL-I have another question.
sound proof this structure?
Now how do you propose to
MRS. STEWART-With insulation, insulate the walls.
MR. RUEL-And the ceiling.
MRS. STEWART-Right.
MR. RUEL-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-Is it going to be heated?
MRS. STEWART-Probabl,y if it is, it would be with a wood stove.
MR. STEWART-I don't think, initially, we're goin~ to need it.
The dogs generate their own heat when they're together.
MR. RUEL-I have another question. This is a question for Staff.
Is there a minimum distance between the kennel and,th~ well?
MR. MARTIN-No.
MR. HARLICKER-No.
MR. MARTIN-Not that I'm aware of, anyhow.
is the method of collection and disposal
speak?
I'll say that. What
of the waste, so to
MRS. STEWART-Well, I collect it and put it in a plasti~ garbage
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pail and then bring it to the dump.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. So it's taken from the site.
MR. PALING-Okay. How often do you do that?
MRS. STEWART-Every day.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Chris, I'd like to ask a question concerning the
vehicular traffic access here. If You're raising the dogs, and
probably, my speculation is, I'm just, I'm not asking a question.
I'm kind of answering something that's in my mind here, stating
something that's on my mind. If somebody wants to come up and
see a dog, they would call you first. In other words, they would
kind of make an appointment, so you wouldn't have all kinds of
traffic coming in and out, where people drive up, and, you know,
you're doing a retail type of business. It's all on appointment
only~ basically.
MRS. STEWART-Right.
MR. MARTIN-What types of dogs are they, by the way?
MRS. STEWART-They're collies.
MRS. LABOMBARD~So then the parking, probably, isn't a factor, if
that's the case. I mean, it would seem like you would have to
have room for a couple of cars, and also room for a~emergency,
in case you had somebody in there and there was a fire and people
could get out and the fire truck could get in, or whatever.
MRS. STEWART-There was supposed to be like three parking spaces
in front of the building, where there are no pens. There's going
to bè parkin9 spaces.
MRS. LABOMBARD-When we were up there, you know where that little
shelter is now, in the front there?
MRS. STEWART-The wood shed?
MRS. LABOMBA~D-Yes, right. The wood shed. Is thðt basic~lly
where it's going to be? You're going to clear all that out?
MRS. STEWART-No. It's going to be out in the woòds.
MR. PALING-On the same side of the street, but back further?
MRS. STEWART~Right.
MRS. LABOMBARD-In other words, where that wood shed is, we're
going to go?
MRS. STEWART-Yes. I had it all staked out, but it was just back
a little ways.
MR. STEWART-In other words, if you're standing in front of our
house, facing out toward the wood shed, you go right past the
wood shed into the woods probably another 50, 60 feet before it's
started.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Do you have to cut a road in there?
MR. STEWART-I will have to put one in, as well as clear the area.
MR. OBERMAYER-Are you going to ventilate the building at all I
know, with this severe hot weather. How do you plan on 'keeping
the air circulating through the building so the dogs don't?
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MRS. STEWART-There's windows. There's a couple of windows in
each end, and we've got a fan, a big fan.
MR. PALING-You won't have any doggy day care, so called. You're
going to do it for breeding and boarding of your own or other
dogs?
MRS. STEWART-No. I just did my own dogs.
MR. PALING-Just your own, and boarding?
MRS. STEWART-I might board a few, like when I sell puppies,
sometimeiihey want me to watch their dogs.
MR. PALING-But that isn't your major business. The board~ng is
secondary to the breeding end of the business?
MRS. STEWART-Yes.
MR. PALING-And no normal day care type of thing.
looking at problems of access, noise, parking and
far.
I think we're
a permit, so
MR. MACEWAN-If the Board was to ask you to wide the entire length
of your driveway to accommodate traffic going two ways, do you
have the room and the wherewithal to do that?
MR. STEWART-I would, have to check. That's a common deeded road.
MR. MACEWAN-It is a common deeded road. Okay.
MR. STEWART-My sister-in-law
part of it's on her property.
to both.
owns the property next door, and
Part of it's on mine. It's deeded
MR. MACEWAN-My concerns that 1 have is the fact that you want to,
even on a limited basis, turn this into a business where you are
goi ng to have the, publ ic comi rig in. Through,your own admis~ion,
you're talking about the heat source for this ke~nel is to be a
wood stove. My concern is to be able to get fire apparatus in on
that road, and right now, you can't do it, easily.
MR. STEWART-They've been there, when we gutted the kitchen. We
have had a fire, and we had a lot of fire trucks there.
MR. MACEWAN-Did theY have a difficult time getting in?
MR. STEWART-It took them about seven minutes to get there, and
they must have had six trucks in there when I got home. They did
get in there. I mean, I don't know as I Cqn, without getting
permission from them, widen it to two car lengths, but I can take
down trees to wide~ it in certain areas, to make it more
accessible. There's one spot on the road where you come in, you
probably can't see it this time of year, that on either side is
wet, and there's a c;ulvert under there. It's probably 60, 70
feet off the main road. For instance, right there, I wouldn't be
able to widen it to that extent.
MR. MACEWAN-How wide do you think you could get it at that point?
MR. STEWART-That one point, probably not an awful lot w~der, in
that one spot. That's the only spot I have on the road where I
have a culvert.
MR. RUEL-Craig, do you feel that the road is too narrow for fire
apparatus?
MR. MACEWAN-That and just, you know, two way traffic in and out,
yes.
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MR. RUEL-Well, you don't need two way traffic for fire apparatus,
right?
MR. MACEWAN~No, but you are turning it into a business, and
business can, you know, inherently expand.
MR. RUEL-Because if it's just emergency equipment and fire
apparatus, we can have that checked out.
MR. PALING~We'd have
that some kind of a
the Planning.
to make it part of any approval, though,
sketch plan would be submitted to us, or to
MR. BREWER-We do have a standard for that ahyway. I think if we
could get the building dimensions on this plan, would be
satisfactory to me, but I think, with 12 kennels, and she owns 13
dogs, I don't think you're going to have a lot of activity as far
as cars in and out, in and out, in ànd out, and I think, on that
road, to make it wide enough for two lane traffic I think is
ridiculous. There's enough places on that road to pu~l off if a
car, I'm just kind of correlating between the amount of traffic
they're going to have, and the length of that road. To widen
that to two lanes would be crazy, I think, to ask them.
MR. MACEWAN-I'm not asking her to, Tim.
MR. BREWER-I'm not saying th~t you are.
adequate. If somebody had to pull off
think there's plenty of room.
I just think the road is
and let a car go by, I
MR. RUEL~How long is that road, approximately?
MR. STEWART-To the house from the road, it's probably (lost
wo r d ) .
MR. PALING-I'd like to hear from the public on this. I'm
thinking in terms of noise, and then we can come back and get
specific on; I've got access, noise, parking and permit as the
items that we're going to have to cover. We'~l open the public
hearing on this matter. Is there anyone herêthàt would like to
speak about this, for or against?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
JEFF INGLEE
MR. INGLEE-My name is Jeff Inglee. I live on Tuthill Road, on
the top of West Mountain. Members of the Board, Dave and Chris,
nothing against Chris and Dave. They're very hardworking folks,
and I admire them 100 percent. I do have some concerns over this
project, though. Where they're proposing to put this dog kennel,
as the crow flies, will probably be about 150 yards from my back
door. NoW I think this whole project has probably transpired
because of my complaints to these folks pertaining to the noise.
Myself, personally, I've been up there for 15, almost 20 years.
I've invested ever nickel I could come up with to b~y a piece of
this tranquility in this idyllic mount setting, along with a lot
of other folks that live on Tuthill Road. I know for sure that
I'm not only speaking for myself. I'm speaking for other folks
that do live up there that have not been presented with a notice
of this meeting. For the last four years or so, I have been
troubled by this constant' scenarib of barking dogs. Personally,
they could raise elephants down there for all L care, as long as
I can't hear them. A couple of things do concern me, though
about this project. I'm a 'businessman myself. When they invest
thousands of dollars, and it will cost thousand~ .of dollars to
orchestrate this project in a proper manner, the main concern
here that you're going to have to justify this eXpense somehow,
and what does that mean? That means more dogs, and more dogs
mean more parking. Needless to say, if the project is put
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together as they're proposing to do, with the outside runs~ so
much for the philosophy of soundproof. Now this is a residential
area. It's a very idyllic residential area that provides a lot
of peace and quiet, which I know a lot of folks that live up
there really, really do enjoy. Now, cOnSequently, if there's
some way that the Tow~ of Queensbury, the Board members, if you
feel that you're going to approve this. project, if you could
monitor the so called soundproofing ,theory of this project, by
all means, approve it, but I don't feel that any people that live
up there that have spent a lot of mODey, that pay a tremendous
amount of taxes up there~ should be subjected to the noise that's
going to be generated by the dogs. There, again, if you invest a
lot of money, you have to get that money out, and' that means
expansion, that means more dogs and more dogs mean more barking,
and that's my only concern on this project. the same as 'a lot of
other folks that live up ther~, on the mountain. If they can
assure us that we ar~ not going to have to listen to the barking
dogs, I have no objections whatsoever. but there again, once you
start implicatirig outside ,kennels, outside runs, so much ~or the
soundproofing theory. Again, once you start . gett~ng into 90
degree temperatures, you have to have windows, you have to have
doors, you h~ve to have your dogs 6utside~ and needless to say,
there again, ther~ goes the soundproofing theory.
MR. PALING-Excuse me, sir. Would it be practical to ask the Dog
Officer to assess the situation in regard to'noise. She gets
enough of those complaints. Would it be pQssible, in response to
this request, to have her assess it and give us an opinion about
the noise? I .'
MR. MARTIN-Sure. She might have something she could tell you.
MR. OBERMAYER-Has she been UP there?
MR. MARTIN-No. No, I don't think so.
MR. INGLEE-I, at thi~ point, , have not called her. I try to
handle things very ,diplomatically. I have called Dave and Chris
on several occasiqns. the last few summers I have actually had
to close my windows in my house, in the middle of the summer, to
keep from hearing their dogs. Now, there again, up on West
Mountain, I don't know if you've been up th~re. You're in a five
acre zone UP there, which , consequently, giy~s, Us a lot 9fpeace
and quiet. The only disturbance over thel~st f~w years"{~ that
the constant scenario, and there again~ collies, if yoU know
collies, if a chipmunk runs across the road or across the back
yard, they all go berserk, and that's my only concern with this
project.
MR. PALING....Okay.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Jeff, when you go up Clendon Brook, and when you
take a left to go on Tuthill, where the burned down house is with
just the chimney standing. Now as you're going UP the mountain,
are you on the down side of the road?
MR. INGLEE-Yes.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Now~ do you have to go up as far as Beames and
that doctor? Isn't there a doctor?
MR. INGLEE-No. If xou take a left onto Tuthill Road from Clendon
Brook, you have Dr. .Paul's place, which is first, anq then the
second place down is my place, which, there again, as the crow
flies, down over the hill through the woods.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Because I was trying to visualize it, how far in
we were when were in Stewarts.
MR. INGLEE-If you go to my back lot, it adjoins Dave & Chris'
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/
property which, there again, if you paced it off, it's about 150
yards to my back door, where they're property lines are, through
the woods. I mean, it looks like it's a lot farther than that,
but if you pace it off through the woods, there's not a great
distance there.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Well, I'm thinking, 150 yards, that's one and a
half football fields, but with all the trees, that's not a good
enough buffer?
MR. INGLEE-There's not a big area between their property line and
my property line.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes, and where the kennel's goin~ to be, is that
on the?
MR. INGLEE-Well, I haven't seen the plot plan.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Because, see, that's the thing. What I'm
at, if we're dealing with five acres, here, and it's
from your house to their border, maybe it's another
from the border of theif property to th~ir kennel.
getting
150 yards
150 yards
MR. INGLEE~Yes. What I'm saying to you is that the area up there
is very tranquil.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I know. I go to work that way every day.
MR. INGLEE-Yes, well, consequently, some of the neighbors down at
the end of Tuthill Road, at the corner of Luzerne Mountain Road
and Tuthill Road have also expressed a concern about this with me
personally.
MRS. LABOMBARD-A~d they've heard the dogs all the way up there?
MR. INGLEE-Absolutely.
of the mountain.
You can hear them all the way to the top
MRS. LABOMBARD-See, I was just trying to come up with another 150
yards, and with all those trees, maybe, but if they can hear them
now.
MR. OBERMAYER~The lots are actually very narrow, but they're deep
lots.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes.
You're right.
I haven't seen a plan in a long time.
MR. PALING-I think your point is well made.
MR. INGLEE-If the Board can assure us that they will kind of look
over this project, as far as the soundproofing, ~onitor this
thing, if they would, if in fact they're goin~ to approve this
project, then, fine, but my biggest concern, along with a lot of
other folks that live up there and pay tax up there, is the
soundproofing aspect.
MRS. LABOMBARD-We understand. Thank you.
MR. BREWER-Bob, I don't know how, if we, it's kind of a tough
thing to do. How can we monitor it, unless we apProv~ it.
MR. PALING-Well, there's got to be a condition, or else we'd have
to table it, but lets see if there's anyone, is there anyone else
from the public that would like to speak on this?
MARILYN SMITH
MRS. SMITH-Good evening. My name
Tuthill Road, right across from
is Marilyn Smith.
Mr. Inglee. I 1 ive
I live on
higher in
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elevation than he lives, aDd as we all know, heat and sound
rises. I have"heard the dogs bark, but not any more than his own
dogs~ At least th~y, try to take care of their animals. They
keep them contained. Jeff does not. We have calleQ the dog
warden many times on him. He's also had some (lost word) parties
down there. We've had to call. So it's not always dogs that
cause sound problems. It's also sometimes the neighbors. I feel
that Chris and Dave are trying very hard to do the best they can
for their neighbors and themselves, and I'm wholeheartedly and
100 percent behind them, and I think whatever they do is an
improvement, and I think they have a right to have a kennel and
raise their dogs.' They love them dearly, and they're trying to
do the best they can, and I think some of this is a little petty,
and I just wanted to let you know how I feel about it.
MR. PALING-Thank you.
KARA BEAMES
MRS. BEAMES-Hi. MY,name is Kara Beames and I live on Tuthill
Road, and I'm adjacent_ also, to the property, and we have a lot
of trees in between'us. 'We didn't clear out our five acres of
land. So I don't hear the dogs. They're not a problem to me,
and I have heard Jeff complain about the dogs, and he has called,
and as I feel als¿ that she is trying, she has the kennel. She
has the dogs. She's only trying to improve it. She's trying to
get abuilding to .self~contain them and take care of them, so
that they're not out barking all the time. I've never had any of
her dogs in my yard, and I can't, say that for other neighbors,
and as for other neighbors, I do know that if there were
concerns, ~heyjd be here. Everyone knew that this was goin~ on.
I mean, we may be acres apart, but we're well informed and we
speak and see each other often. I can't say anything else. As
for the access ,to her driveway in her yard, there is, when you go
in, I mean, you'd have to look, but there's a lot of turn offs
where ~heycan, and I can vouch for the fire trucks. There: was
at least six when her kitchen was ablaze, in her yard, and they
didn't have any problems going in and out.
MR. MACEWAN-How far are you from the proposed site?
guess?
Take a
MRS. BEAMES-I'm adjacent to it, and I'm right next to Jeff. I'm
side by side with him. So, I'm just as close as he is.
MR. MACEWAN-So thrQugh the woods, you're 150, 200 yards to the
woods?
MRS. BEAMES-I would say it's farther. I don't th~nk it's that
close, but I know I'm just as close. I just think this is orily a
plus. If anybody has any kind of concerns or anything, I mean,
it's just, she's already got the dogs, and she's already got, you
know..lf she follows the Codes for the building, even a little
bit is" better than nqne at all.
MR. PALING-Okay. . Thank you. Is there anyone else?
MR. INGLEE-Very brief. First off, Marilyn, this
personal vendetta against me. This meeting does not
me. It does not pertain to my dogs.
is nQt a
pertain to
MR. PALING-Sir, please address any remarks you have to the Board,
not to the audience.
MR. INGLEE-Okay. ThísBoard meeting was set forth to address the
Stewart's project, not to hammer on Jeff Inglee, and I just
wanted to clear that up with her. Consequently, I restate, I
have no problem with this project. I'm not trying to stop this
project. What I'm trying to do is make sure that nobody.that
lives up there, whether it's myself or any other members that
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have not been sent
sure that they're
bar ki ng dçgs. I
nothing.
a notice of this meeting on Tuthill Road, make
not going to be hampered by the sounds of
have no problem with this project, Marilyn,
MR. PALING-Thank you. Okay. On the item of notice, does someone
from Staff want to comment on that?
MR. MARTIN-They~re mailed within 500 f~et, but oftentimes it may
not reach down the entire length of the road, obviously, or
something like that. So they're mailed to meet the requirement,
but they may not meet the whole length of Tuthill Road. When
you're dealing with five acre lots, you~re not hitting a lot of
people.
MR. PALING-Okay. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak from
the public? Okay.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. PALING-All right. I think we maybe ought to dIscuss this a
little bit more before we call for a motion or a vo~e.
MR. MACEWAN-I have another question to ask the applicant, please.
Will there be water, electric hooked to this?
MR. STEWART-I could say one thing, just to addrèss oné of the
things that Jeff gid say. True, there will be outsid'ê runs, but
the idea of the outside run is that you can let one or two dogs
out at a time.
MRS. STEWART-Right now, they're all out together and some of them
fight.
MR. STEWART-They're all out, and I agree with him. If there's a
gun shot, if somebody's hunting, or something like that, they all
tend to bark at the same time, and that's when he hears thëm.
MRS. STEWART-Or else when I go out to feed them, they'll start to
bar k.
MR. STEWART-The idea of the
time and exercise, and then
others out. The idea is not
the run at the same time and
run is to let one or
bring those back in
to let all thirteen
leave them there all
two out at a
and let some
of them out on
day.
MR. RUEL-I have a question before SEQRA, it's a question for
Staff. Does QueensbuíY have an Ordinance for constant barking
dogs? Do they have a noise level Ordinance?
MR. MA~TIN-No. The 'Animal Control regulation is basically a
nuisance dog. If there's a complaint, Colleen will go up and
respond, and if it is a recurring situation, then it could result
in a court summons.
MR. RUEL-And the complaint is a writte~ complaint bya neighbor.
Is that it?
MR. MARTIN-We're respond, even, to a verbal complaint, .and if it
takes court action, I think there has to be a writténcomplaint,
if it turns into a court situation, but we'll respond to a verbal
complaint, and like I said, if it's a recurring situation, we ask
for a written complaint and we'll pursue it in ·court. Colleen
also has the ability to write her own court appearance ticket
also. So if ~he sees a violation òr ~itnesses it, she can be the
complainant and issue the summons. '
MR. RUEL-Who handles this, the Dog Control Officer?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
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MR. RUEL-Thank you.
MR. MARTIN-So
place a call.
or afternoon.
I encourage anybody who has a recurring problem,
We~re usually there that day, if not that morning
MR. MACEWAN-Som~thing else that, you kpow, d0ring our process
here you guys have brought it up in youf Staff Notes, bui we've
never really talked about ~t, is what kind of parking is req~ired
for this site?
MR. HARLICKËR~There aren't any standards for.
MR. MARTIN-We obviously have no standards in our Code, and when
we've run into that problem in the past, the Board has usually
worked out an"arrangement with the applicant.
MR. BREWER-The only parking requirements we have is for retail?
,"; . f "-",:t-; ',:': 'i;
MR. MARTIN-No. There's other things in there. There's office,
but this is obviously none of the uses listed in that,.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. 'MACEWAN-What does Staff' recommend we do. for' par ki ng?
MR. MARTIN-I think the point is well
12, 13 dogs. It's usually scheduled
customervis1tation do you usually
customers there at the same time?
taken that yoU have, what,
appointments. What kind of
have? Do you ever have two
MRS. STEWART~Once in a while, I have two of them.
MR. MARTIN-I would say a maximum accommodation of two cars.
MR. PALING-Two orthTee parking spaces, and I think you've got
room in the front of the house for, like, three spaces, haven't
you?
MRS. STEWART~I was going to have, like, the area in front of the
kennel would be cleared out for.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. RUEL-That's wide enough for three cars.
MR. BREWER-How big is the building? Can we get that on the map?
MR. PALING-I think I know what I feel maybe as to what Tim is
going to say, that we need another sketch or plan on this thing
that would show the size of the building, the runs themselves,
the parking, and also one that would.
MRS. STEWART-I have one up there, but there's no parking on it.
MR. PALING-Okay, aryd one that would show any widening ,of the road
in spots. So that' we'd know, specifically, what you were going
to do, and this might not have to be submitted to us.
MR. OBERMAYER-Why do you need to have all that?
MR. BREWER-Is that the size of the building, 44 by 56, or are
those the setbacks?
MRS. STEWART-No, that's including the outside run, 28 by 36, is
the building, and then 16 foot runs.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I see, the way it's drawn here, the runs are
around the perimeter of the building.
- 15 -
~
MRS. STEWART-Right.
MRS. LABOMBARD-See, we really do need something more specific.
See, I was thinking the dimensions of the building were larger
than the house, the floor plan of the house.
MR. PALING-Well, if it showed the kennel itself and the runs and
the building, then I think we'd be okay.
MR. OBERMAYER-It shows the kennel right there.
MR. PALING-This doesn't include the runs.
MRS. STEWART-No. There wasn't enough room on that paper.
MR. BREWER-Well, why don't we do this, Bob. If we're going to go
through the SEQRA, give this an approval, why don't we give them
a period of time whére they can come back and just submit the
map, the picture of the building and the runs on it, rather than
have them come back next month or next week, or whatever.
MR. RUEL-You mean after the approval?
MR. BREWER-We
building is.
can specify what we want. We know what size the
All we want is a picture of it on the plot.
MR. PALING-Including the runs.
MR. BREWER-Including the runs.
MR. PALING-And I'd like to see them ,just show where the parking
is going to be, and then I think, alsò.
MR. BREWER-Unless you ~ant to have the~ come back next week. It
doesn't make any difference.
MR. PALING-Yes. I think, also, I would like to see where the,
you said you could widen the road in a couple of places, that
might enhance the access to it, in case two vehicles would meet,
and you could do that without much trouble. I'd like to see that
done. I'll have to see what the rest of the Board thinks.
M~S. LABOMBARD-But does that mean on ~ property or the road
that he shares joiritly with, is that Brower, with the neighbor?
See are you talking about the road that he's going to be cutting
in to go from where he is now up to the new building, Bob, or are
you talking about the road that's coming in that he shares
jointly?
MR. PALING-Coming in, yes. That's what I thought you indicated
you could widen in a couple of places.
MR. STEWART-There's a few spots that are already pretty much
open, all I'd have to do is, a tree here or there (lost word)
three or four spots on the way in. That's basically the way it's
been for 15 years. If I gave my sister-in-law coming in, I could
pull off.
MR. PALING-Y,s. Would you be willing topu~ thqse
, . ~ '. _ - - - , _:' 1'1. I ¡, '. _ ; -: " !' ,,'
that you"d havè,just' so we'd know when:! they âre?
then someone asked that we might check on ~he perfT!:it.~
MR. OBERMAYER-Department of Health permit.
on ,a sketch
Okay, and
I
;'
MR. PALING-Just make sure J:.hat's i n, ,~rder;,,~
MR. BREWER-Well, we're going to check with the Animal Control
Office, right?
MR. MARTIN-Yes, I'll do that.
- 16 -
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MR. PALING-Okay. All right. Then do you want to gQ to the SEQRA
on this? And then I think we're heading to tabling it, perhaps,
with your consent.
MR. OBERMAYER-Why are you going to table it?
MR. PALING-When the sketch comes back.
MR. MACEWAN-I don't see any reason we need to table it.
MR. OBERMAYER-Why can't we just approve it, that they're going to
modify the plat and they'll submit it on the plat, the final
drawing.
MR. PALING-All right. Lets try to do it that way.
MR. BREWER-I see what You'r~ sayinQ, but I see what ~ saying,
too. I mean, would there be a big deal if we have them come back
next week, to the applicant, or is it?
MR. PALING-Well, if it's something we agree on, and Staff could
review it, that's okay with me.
MR. BREWER-That's fine with me, too, but I mean, you're asking
them to show on the map ~o you can see where they're going to
widen the road, but you're never going to see it. So why ask
them to do it?
MR. PALING-It would be part of their submittal for part of the
approval.
MR. BREWER-But I think th~re'~ adequate places on the road right
now. They don't need to show them. I mean, when I went in there
today, I specifically looked, and there was at least a half a
dozen places you could pull off on either side.
MR. PALING-And all we're saying is just put them on a print.
MRS. LABOMBARD-You mean those pull off places on the print?
MR. PALING",:,Yes.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Not indicate where he's ~oing to cut trees down?
If he already has six pull off spots along the i6ad~ then he
really doesn't need to indicate where he's going to' cut any trees
down, because he doesn't need to cut any treès down.
MR. PALING-Well, he's
sketch, they're part
committed to ke~p them.
MR. MACEWAN-I feel comfortable in what the applicant's stated, as
far as emergency access., I mean, if the fire department's
already been up there with six trucks, that's good enough for me.
committed to them.
of the site plan
When they're on
approval, and
the
he's
MR. PALING-It'll be the consensus of the Board, then, on that,
and that can be part of the motion. I think we've had enough
discussion. We'll go ahead with the SEQRA.
RESOLUTION WHËN DETERMINATION OF NOSIGN¡FICANCE IS MADE
RESOLUTION NO. 35-95, Introduced by James Obermayer who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Roger Ruel:
WHEREAS, there
application for:
is presently before the
DAVE & CHRIS STEWART, and
Planning
Board
an
WHEREAS, this Planning Board has determined that the proposed
project and Planning Board action is subject to review under the
State Environmental Quality Review Act,
- 17 -
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED:
1. No federal agency appears to be involved.
2. The following agencies are involved:
NONE
3. The proposed action considered by this Board is unlisted in
the Department 'of Environmental Conservation Regulations
implementing the state Environmental Quality Review Act and
the regulations of the Town of Queensbury.
4 .
An Environmental
appl icant.
Assessment Form has been completed by the
, '
5. Having considered and thoroughly analyzed the relevant areas
of environmental concern and having considered the criteria
for determining whether a project has a significant
environmental impact as the same is set forth in Section
617.11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations for the State of New York, this Board finds that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
significant environmental effect and the Chairman of the
Planning Board i~ hereby authorized to execute and sign and
file as may be necessary a statement of non-significance or
a negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer, Mr. MacEwan,
Mr. Obermayer, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MR. PALING-Okay. Then I think we're ready to entertain a motion.
MR. RUEL-Yes. I'll make a motion.
MOTION TO APPROVE SITE PLAN NO. 35-95 DAVE & CHRIS STEWART,
Introduced by Roger Ruel who moved for its adoption, seconded by
James Obermayer:
To have a dog kennel for breeding and boarding, with the
following"GqDd,itions: ,1;hat you s¡how tt"¡e,bu¡lding size ~nd the
runs aro.ur!~ t;n,e bu,¡~çfing on ',the plé:ln~ That you" ,denote the
par ki nQ areas! , to i ndiê¡ate a "'1 nilT)~m of t-wo par k~ng 'àrea$.'i That
th~ 'Animal. C,o,Tit rOIOf'f,icèr, "loo'k" i Tito "",hether, " the' ,State
Ag,~ icul t4~~t ' D'ë~artment'has~' Pérmï tti Ti~", p)·Ç>èe~~, for ,'k¡~nr¡els.
That these detalls to be submltted to the planning Staff on or
before 8/1/95. .
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
MR. PALING-Do you want the widening of the road?
MR. BREWER-No.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I don't think that what he's proposing is widening
the road.
MR. PALING-No, I'm sorry. Do you want what Roger said?
MRS. LABÖMBARClAIl Rogêr'~s saying' is;tha'f he's'going'fo show the
existing parts of the road where, like Tim said, there is six
places.
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'-
MR. PALING-Okay. Do you agree with what Roger said? Do YOU want
it?
MRS. LA80MBARD-I think it's not going to hurt. Yes.
MR. MACEWAN-No, not necessary.
MR. OBERMAYER-I don't think it's necessary.
MR. PALING-No. I Qon't it is either. Now, are
something in there about the noise situation
con6urrence of the dog offic.r?
MR. BREWER-If we're goirig to allow this, and there's a complaint
or a problem with noise, then the neighbors or whoever's bothered
by it has to call, or could call the Animal Control Offi¿er, make
a complaint, and she can monitor it. I don't think we should do
the monitoring.
we going to put
and asking the
MR. PALING-There's
and we don't really
of potential noise.
officer.
no violation of zoning or anything else here,
have a right to turn them down on the basis
So then we'd better drop that about the dog
MR. MARTIN-I think the point is well taken. If the dogs are
already in existence at the site, outside, havirig them indoors is
likely only going to help.
MR. PALING-Yes, especially when they're all together now.
MR. MACEWAN-The only thing we were going to ask of the Animal
Control Officer was to look into whether there's an agricultural,
State Agric~ltural Department has a permitting process for the
kennels.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. We'll look into that.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Should that be in the motion?
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
AYES: Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Obermayer, Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel,
tt'í. B,' e~lf!r, Mr. Pa li ng ''',
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
SITE PLAN NO. 36-95 TYPE: UNLISTED MARY E. SHEARER OWNER: J.
BUCKLEY BRYAN, JR. ZONE: UR~io LOCATION: QUEENSBURY ARMS APT.
COMPL~X PROPOSAL IS TO OPERATE A HAIR SALON. PROFESSIONAL
OFFICE INCIDENTAL TO A RESIDENTIAL USE IS ALLOWED SUBJECT TO' SITE
pLAN REVIEW. TAX MAP NO. 78~1-20 LOT SIZE: 3 ACRES SËCTION:
179-18
MARY ELLEN SHEARER, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 36-95, Mary Shearer, Meeting
Date: July 18, 1995 "Staff has reviewed the project for
compliance with Section 179-38A, 179-38~, Section 179-38C and to
the relevant factors outlined in Section 179-39 and found that it
is in compliance with the above sections. The project was
compared to the following standards found in Section 179-38E of
the Zoning Code: 1. The location, arrangement, sizes, design
and general site compatibility of building, lighting and signs;
No riew construction is proposed; the applicant will utilize an
existing office that was formally used as a rental office for the
apartment complex. No new lighting or signage is proposed. 2.
- 19 -
The adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access and
circulation, including intersections, road widths, pavement
surfaces, dividers and traffic controls; Access to the building
will be via the existing driveway that services the apar~ment
complex. Access is adequate. 3. The location, arrangement,
appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and loading;
There are four parking spaces shown on the plot plan which should
be adequate for the proposed use. One of the spaces should be
signed and sized to meet requirements for handicapped parking.
4. The adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and
circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with
vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian convenience; Pedestrian
access is adequate. 5. The adequacy of stormwater drainage
facilities; This is an existing building; stormwater drainage
will not be impacted by this proposal. 6. The adequacy of water
supply and sewage disposal facilities; The property is serviced
by municipal water and the building has its own septic system.
The applicant should show that the existing system can aQequately
handle the discharge from the proposed hair salon. 7. The
adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other
suitable plantings, landscaping and screening constituting a
visual and/or noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining
lands, including the maximum retention of existing vegetation and
maintenance including replacement of dead plants; No new
landscaping is proposed. 8. The adequacy of fire lanes and
other emeigency zones and the provision of fire hydTants;
Emergency access is adequate. No changes are proposed. 9. The
adequacy and impact of structures, roadways and landscaping in
areas with $usceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion.
This is not an issue. RECOMMENDATION: Staff can recommend
approval of this application."
MRS. SHEARER-Mary Ellen Shearer.
MR. PALING-Okay.
time?
Any comments by the Board at this point in
MR. RUEL-I want to know the width of the drivew~y.
shown here on the plan.
It's not
MR. PALING-Okay. It's an existing driveway.
MR. RUEL-The scale indicates it's apÞroximately 10 feet, but is
that the width?
MRS. SHEARER-If I had to guess, ! would say yes.
MR. PALING-I remember it as a little bit wider than that. I
would have guessed it would be wider than that.
MR. RUEL-It shows 10 feet here.
MRS. SHEARER-The driveway goes to the parking area, from Manor
Drive, and each square is like 10 feet, if I'm correct. So I
think I counted them (lost word) from Manor Drive.
MR. PALING-Okay. Scott, I thought that, memory tells me the
driveway was plenty wide. Do you have that same?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes. It services the apartment complex.
MRS. SHEARER-There's also another driveway that goes off the
parking lot, to the left, where you see the blue car in the
picture, is for maintenance, which goes to the next building and
back out onto Manor Drive again. So there's two.
MR. PALING-Okay. If that's a real hang up, we can get it
clarified, but from looking át it, it was plenty wide.
MR. RUEL-You show a dry well, that's just for water, just
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liquids?
-'.,.'"
I,,'
~R$. SHEARER-Yes.·
MR. pBERMAYE~-Do you p¡~n on putting a sign up somewhere?
'MRS. SHEARER-I hope to have a éign inside'the window t~at 'Jould
be adeq~ate, othef than just a small sign at the end of the
driveway that leads to the p~rking area that just sa~s, Hair
Salon, with:,an arrow.
MR. 'RUEL-Well~, they have tog~t ,al'perf11itf9r that anyway.
MRS. SHEARER-Yes.
MR. OBERMAYER-Rlght.
MR. MACEWAN-Is she subject to a permit for that because that's on
private property?
MR. MARTIN-She'. torrect. The $lg~ in the ~indQw is
and the' di rec;i~ton~¡ sign' out' front is not 'subJect
provid~d it's 'W'nder 'four, sql:lar~ feet.
permissible,
to a peymit,
I, " ",',. j , " ,¡ J; :'f,
MR. P~I,..ING-Åre youw~lli'ng,to äesignatE~ o'né of the parklng' sp'åces
fo~handicapped? Af¥ y00 ~llling to ta~e care of that?
MRS. SH~ARER-Xes.
~R. RUËL-And t~~·width.h~~,~q1ÞP different for a handicapped.
MRS. SHEARER-Yes. It has to be.
MR. RUEL-Yes, because here you have 10 feet on each one.
MR. MARTIN-I think it's a five foot aisle on the one side for
accessibility.
MRS. SHEARER-Yes.
MR. RUEL-I have a question. You mentioned septic system, Scott?
MR. HARLICKER-Well, a lot of times if a septic system is gea'"ed
for normal septic uses, when you start introducing the chemicals
associated with the hair salon, sometimes that affects the
operation of the septic system, it doesn't operate quite as well.
MR. RUEL-Is there a bathroom in that salon?
MRS. SHEARER-Yes, there is.
MR. RUEL-So you need a septic system for that, right?
MR. HARLICKER-Right. It services that building, but right now
there's not the amount of chemicals going down the drain into
that septic system that there will be once she starts washing
people's hair and doing perms and all the rest of that.
MR. MARTIN-Is that a stand alone septic system for that one
building?
MRS. SHEARER-I believe so, yes.
MR. MACEWAN-How many stations will you have?
MRS. SHEARER-Just one.
MR. MACEWAN-I can't imagine the usage is going to be very high.
MRS. SHEARER-One person at a time.
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MR. MARTIN-And if it's, it if backs up~ then you've got to get it
pumped, get it fixed.
MR. PALING-Yes.
MR. RUEL-Will you be using that storage area?
MRS. SHEARER-No. I have one little corner inside of the salon
that would be storage.
MR. RUEL-So you're just using the section marked "B".
MRS. SHEARER-Right.
, ,storage.
Exactly.
A and C are for the complex
MR. RUEL-Okay.
MR. PALING-Okay. Are there any other questions or comments on
this? There's a public hearing on this. Lets open the public
hearing now. Is there anyone here that would like to comment on
this application?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO COMMENT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. PALING-Now is a SEQRA required on this? Yes, it's unlisted.
Okay. Lets do a SEQRA.
, ,
" RESOLl)TION' WtlEN, þ£;TERMINATION' QF NO
'-.', '.' , .. .', ,.. .. "....,
:.., .. _, ;, ,., I; {--" " i '.
~~§OLUTIONNO.)36-95, ,Intro~ucedby
~ts adoptidn, .~~pnde4'by,Ç~therihe
'.. f' , .. - '.; ,
S~GN!FtCANC£; IS MADE
, :11 I, ,\
James Obèrmayer who ,moved for
Í-~B'omb'a r d : ' '"
WH~REAS, there, is p1"<'fsently b~fQre' the Planning Board an
applicatiori for: MARY E. SHEARER, arid
WHEREAS, this Planning Board has determined that the proposed
project and Planning Board action is subject to revi~w under the
State Environmental Quality Review Act, , '
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED:
1. No federal agency appears to be involved.
2. The foJlowing agencies are inv01Jed:
NONE 'I',·
,.1
3. The pr9PÓลกed açtion considered by this ~oard is unlisted in
the Department of Environmental Conservation .Regulations
._ ~,' , ' ,'.. .. . : .. "...'..:.',. .. '.. " .. ~ ...... ._ ! < , .: ;,:; ,. ..' " I ..
i~plement1ng the State'Envltonmental Qual1ty Revlew Act and
the regulatio,Ds of" t.he Town of, Queensbury.
4. An Environmental . Assessment Form has' been' .,; completed by the
applicant.
5. Having considered and thoroughly ~n~lyzedthe relevant areas
'of envitonmental concern and having cqnsidered the criteria
for determining whether a 'pröject has a significant
environmental impact as tne'same is set forth in Section
617 . i 1 .., of 'the Of'fI¿ial Compi lation of Codes, Rules and
Regulationsfor_~he State of New york, this,Board finds,that
the action about to be undertaken by this Board will have no
~igni ficqnt environmental ,ef'fect and the Chairman of the
Plann~Dg" [3oard is hereby' aù(hbt,,Í:zed to execute and s'lgn and
file as ma~ b~ nece~sary'a statement of non-significance or
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a negative declaration that may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer, Mr. MacEwan,
Mr. Obermayer, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MR. PALING-Unless there's further questions or comment, I'll
entertain a motion regarding this.
MOTION TO APPROVE SITE PLAN NO. 36-95 MARY~. SHEARER,
Introduced by Roger Ruel who moved for its adoption, seconded by
James Obermayer:
To operate a hair salon, with the condition that a handicapped
parking area be designated, adjacent to the building, with
signage at the site.
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following ,~Qte:
, ' ,
AYES: Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Obermayer~
Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
SITE PLAN, NO. 37,-95, TYPE: ,UNLI$TED EA$T C,QA$T, TIRE &.,' SE~\lICE
OWNER: GLENCOL' PRÖPER'rIESZONE:' HC-1A LOCATION: 97 QUAKER
ROAD, BORDERING QUEENSBURY MOTORS TO THE EAST ~ÇRQS$THe;,,~OAD
FROM QUAKER FORD. PROPOSAL IS FOR A TIRE & AUTOSERVIèÈ CENTER.
AUTOMOBILE SALES AND SERVICE IS ALLOWED SUBJECT TO SITE PLAN
REVIEW. BEAUTIFICATION COMM.: 7/10/95 WARREN CO. PLANNING:
7/12/95 TAX MAP NO. 108-1-36 ,LPT SIZE: .843 ACRES SECTION
179-2311 )
NICK DENOVA, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 37-95, East Coast Tire & Service,
Meeting Date: July 18, 1995 "Staff has reviewed the project for
compliance with Section 179-38A, Section 179-38B, Section 179-38C
and to the relevant factors outlined in Section 179-39 'and found
that it is in compliance with the above sections. The project
was compared to the following standards found in Sectio~179-38E
of the Zoning Code: 1. Location, arrangement, size" design and
general site compatibility of buildings, lighting and $~gns; The
proposal is to utilize the existing structure; no new~i~nage or
lighting is proposed. 2. The adequacy and arrangement of
vehicular traffic access aDd circulation, including
intersectipns, road, widths, pavement surfaces, dividers and
traff~c controls; The proposal will utiliz~ the two existing
driveways on Quaker Road. 3. The location, arrangement,
appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and loading;
The applicant indicates a dumpstèr and a tire storage area in the
back of the building but no access is shown. The proposal will
utilize the existing parking lot and layout. 4. The adequacy
and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and circulation,
walkway structures, control of intersections with vehicular
traffic and overall pedestrian convenience; Pedestrian access is
adequate. 5. The adequacy of stormwater drainage fåcilities;
The project will not alter existing drainag~ facilities; 6. The
adequacy of water supply and sewage disposal facilities; The
property is serviced by municipal water and sewer. 7. The
adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other
suitable plantings, landscaping and screening constituting a
- 23 -
visual and/or noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining
lands, including the maximum retention of existing vegetation and
maintenance including replacement of dead plants; No new
landscaping is proposed. The applicant will be meeting with the
Beautification Committee. 8. The adequacy of fire lanes and
other emergency zones and the provision of fire hydrants;. There
is a fire hydrant adjacent to the property on Quaker Road. 9
The adequacy and impact of structures, roadways ~nd la~dscaping
in areas with susceptibility to ponding, floodi~g and/or erosion.
This does not appear to be a problem. RECOMMENDATION: Providing
the applicant provides adequate access to the rear of the
building, staff can recommend approval of this application."
MR. HARLICKER-Warren County said No County Impact.
MR. PALING-Okay. We have a Beautification Committee on this one.
Okay. There are three items on the Beautification Committee.
They've requested a planter with shrubs in front of the window.
MR. DENOVA-My name is Nick DeNova, owner of East Coast Tire &
Service.
MR. PALING-A planter with shrubs in front of the window. Number
Two is dumpster in back of the building will be fenced in.
Number Three, tires in back corner that go to trash plant will be
removed once a week. Did y00 know of these, and you concur?
MR. DENOVA-Yes.
MR. PALING-Okay. That's the Beautification Committee. Then that
can be considered.
MR. DENOVA-I just want to make note, the planter is existing.
MR. PALING-Okay, the planter with the shrubs in front of the
window?
MR. DENOVA-That's correct.
MR. PALING-Okay. All right. Any comments?
MR. OBERMAYER-Where do you plan on storing all the old tires?
MR. DENOVA-Do you have the drawing?
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes. I see you have it, but what kind of area? I
mean, is there going to be a big pile of them or?
MR. DENOVA-I probably figure anywhere between 40 to 60, because
not everybody that comes in leaves tires, and we're going to be
making a run to the burn plant once a week.
MR. OBERMAYER-Okay.
MR. DENOVA-I have a medium size dumpster.
MR. OBERMAYER-Okay.
MR. RUEL-What is the approximate distance between the two
entrances or exits?
MR. DENOVA-Of the building or the parking lot?
MR. RUEL-No, the parking. It says entrance here.
MR. DENOVA-The entrances are 24 feet wide. The building is 90,
so I would say about 80 feet.
MR. PALING-And those are existing accesses that you've got there.
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MR,. DENOVA-That is correct.
MR. PALINGi'7yes.
,["¡
MR. RUe:L-So if they're existing, our criteria for spacing does
not apÞly?
MR. PAL¡NG~No~ no. I didn't ,~~y,¡t doesn't apply. I'm Just
'noting'that they âre existing." They hav~ been there'. ' I guess
they could be¿.h&'ri~ed, but,' Scott, what is the distance between
accesses? What' is that requirement?
MR. HARLICKER-These are existing curb cuts. We were also
discussing the possibility of eliminating one of those curb cuts.
I think the Board should consider that option also.
MR. DENOVA-I'd like to add something that those entrances are not
on the property. They're owned by Warre~ County.
MR. BREWER-Still, we could ask you to close it off, close one of
them off.
MR. PALING-We're being requested by Department of Transportation
to keep curb cuts to a minimum, access, and when a building like
this comes in, we'd like to have it all done with one access or
one curb cut, and then the County agrees with that, too, It
wouldn't be in the way of that. How would you feel if it was
limited to one entrance? Would that cause you a problem?
MR. DENOVA-None whatsoever.
MR. PALING-Good.
MR. OBERMAYER-I would imagine you'd rather cut off the one, you
know, where you ~oD't have access to the side of the build¡ng.
It's pretty tight over there. That would be the one~
MR. DENOVA-Yes, that would be on the east.
MR. MARTIN-Is there a culvert under each of these entrances?
MR. DENOVA-Yes, and again, those entrances are not on the
property. They're owned by the County. I would say that the
property line ends right at the end of the paved areas, and those
entrances are (lost words) the paved area.
MR. HARLICKER-You had a survey of that property. Do you have it
with you?
MR. DENOVA-Yes.
MR. PALING--Bob, he could still put a curb or something across
that one.
MR. MARTIN-Or a fence.
MR. BREWER-Whatever.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Put some dirt down and grow grass.
MR. OBERMAYER-This isn't really that busy on the road, though, is
it?
MRS. LABOMBARD-It's Quaker.
MR. PALING-It sure is.
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I have a question on one of the entrances, the one
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that's the east one. Does that service the adjacent property at
all? There's no adjacent road that connects?
MR. DENOVA-No.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes. I remembe~ going there, and it was something
I took a mental picture and I wanted to.
MR. DENOVA-It's probably 10 feet east of that, it goes to that
little strip mall.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Right. So, that's right, the strip mall is on the
left. Yes, so there's no way that they could use that to get
into there?
MR. DENOVA-That's correct.
MRS. LABOMBARD-That's right.
MR. RUEL-Properties on both sides of your are occupied?
MR. DENOVA-Yes.
MR. RUEL-And do you have any idea where th~ curb cuts might be
for these properties, on both sides?
MR. DENOVA-In relation to what?
MR. BREWER-I can explain .that to you, Roger.
side is within 20 feet, and this one here is
Queensbury Motors is right here.
This one on this
the same, because
MRS. LABOMBARD-And this is that little strip mall where the pool
place.
MR. PALING-Lets make sure we all understand what YOU're talking
about. You're saying 20 foot on either side?
MR. RUEL-Yes, so it doesn't matter.
MR. BREWER-That's maximum.
MR. RUEL-If it was 100 on one side and 20
would have a bèaring on ,our determination
should select.
on the other, then it
as to which one we
MR. PALING-All right. Well, that would be to his discretion,
then, as to which one he might want to close. I have a question
on the print. At that corner of the building, which would be the
west corner of the building, is that four feet from. the property
line that I'm looking at?
MR. DENOVA-That's correct.
MR. PALING-That's an existing condition?
MR. MARTIN-Yes, that's right.
MR. PALING-And which driveway would yOU close, if you had?
MR. HARLICKER-Well, if you'd like the rest of the Board to take a
look at that.
MR. MARTIN-That's a survey of the site showing
County ownership of property. He's right. The
went through with the widening of Quaker Road
width through there.
the extent of the
County owns, they
and bought extra
MR. PALING-And this width that we see here, this must be from
here.
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MR. MARTIN-This is the property line right here. The County owns
right to here.
MR. OBERMAYER-So he sits back pretty nice.
MR. PALING-And so he want:::; to" would block of ~ access and use
this one.
MR. OBERMAYER-Which would be gOQd.
MR. RUEL-What's this, a gas pump island?
MR. PALING-Yes. Is there a gas pump island?
MR. DENOVA-No.
MR. PALING-That doesn't exist.
MR. DENOVA-If I had the option to eliminate one, I would want to
eliminate the west.
MR. PALING-Right. Okay. That's where the building is against
the property line, too, that same side.
M~. DENOVA-Yes. I don't know how that would look. I think that
would look terrible if the pavement remained in existence.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I agree.
MR. DENOVA-And I don't have the power to remove it
don't own the property. I think that would be
deterrent, as far as looks go.
because we
more of a
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes.
MR. PALING-Yes. Can anything be done about that?
MR. MARTIN-We can approach the County about that, to see what
could be done. I agree, it would be better to remove the asphalt
in the culvert.
MR. PALING-Yes.
MR. MACEWAN-I would find it hard-pressed that the County would
spend funds to go out there and do that.
MR. MARTIN-They might issue you a permit to allow ~ to do it.
MR. DENOVA-I really don.'t want to.
MR. MARTIN-I don't think it would be all that expensive, but I
imagine they'd issue.
MR. MACEWAN-At the very least, maybe you'll just leave what the
curb cuts left in there, and you can just sod it over, if the
County would let him do that.
MR. MARTIN-I think they'd issue a work permit to remove the
asphalt in the culvert, yes, and sod it over, or whatever,
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, and leave the culvert there, though, just put
grass over it.
MR. DENOVA-That culvert's deep. You can't remove the culvert.
MR. MACEWAN-I mean, the applicant's willing to give up one access
to his property.
MR. MARTIN-How about removal of the asphalt and just seed it
over?
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MR. OBERMAYER-Would you do that?
MR. DENOVA-Sure, if I have to.
MR. PALING-Okay. Why can't we request that the County do it, and
if they don't, then we'll ask the applicant to do it.
MR. MACEWAN-Boy, you're really pushing it, the County to do that.
MR. MARTIN-You've never talked to Roger Gebo, have you?
MR. PALING-No, but I don't want to tell him that we'll ask the
applicant to do it if he won't. I just want to ask him outright,
as if that's the only avenue there is.
MR.
from
were
seed
MARTIN-I think what you would need
the County to conduct work in their
to require them to fence it off and
it, then that would be it.
is you'd need a permit
right-of-way, and if you
tear up the asphalt and
MR. PALING-And would they do it?
MR. MARTIN-No, ~ wouldn't,"with their approval.
MR. PALING-Well, I guess I understood what you said. Okay.
MR. DENOVA-I think if that happens, I think they're going to,
it's going to get more involved than something that simple. I
mean, there's a lot of grades there. They've got the culvert in
there. They've got the angle, I'm sure, for proper drainage.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes. I don't think there's any way they're going
to let you go into the culvert.
MR. MARTIN-No, no. I say, leave the culvert, but just remove the
asphalt, establish some grass, and be done with it.
MR. PALING-Yes. Okay. Could we ask the County to do it?
MR. MARTIN-The County will, I would imagine, issue a work permit
to have him do it, but I doubt if thêy' will do it.
MR. PALING-If that's what they do, so be it.
MRS. LABOMBARD-But c~n't we ask them, just the same. It'~ not
going to hurt.
MR. BREWER-Cathy, stick
them if they'll do it.
your head out the window and just
That's what'$ going to happen.
ask
MR. MARTIN-I think if he fences that off and seeds it over.
MR. RUEL-I think since the Planning Board request~d, we should
all chip in and do it.
MR. PALING-Okay. Jim, are you telling us that th~re's no way the
County's going to do it?
MR. MARTIN-I don't believe so.
MR. DENOVA-Can I~sk somèthing?
it? I didn't quite get that.
,
Whðt was the' purpos'e of ,-emov i ng
MR. MARTIN-Well, the purpose of removing it is we've had requests
from DOT for the Town to begin undertaking what they refer to as
access management, ~nd we ruT)" into a l<;>t of dángerous traffic
patterns when you háve drive~~y access þoints that are as close
as you see up and down Quaker Road. So, what we try and do, when
an applicant comes in on a reuse of a building like this, is
trying to improve the situation by eliminating the number of curb
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cuts, and that way we have safer ingress and egress of traffic.
When you have these driveways so close. you get a lot of crossing
patterns. People turning left and right, and it makes for a
dangerous situation, especially on a what now, when that driveway
permit was allowed, that was a two lane road, and since that's
been widened, now, to a five lane road.
MR. DENOVA-As I'm thinking about this, it could present more of a
problem, because I get tractor trailer loads of tires, and with
one entrance, he's going to have a hard time.
MR. PALING-Turning around.
MR. DENOVA-That's only 40 feet wide, from the front of the
building to the edge of.
MR. PALING-Yes, these are existing curb cuts, and we've got an
awful lot of hairy areas h~re. I'm leaning towards let it go as
it is.
MR. MARTIN-Well, it's meant to be practical. I mean, we're ,not
supposed to bury our heads in the sand and just do this in every
instance either. I mean, if it makes more sense.
MR. DENOVA-I'm having a hard time, I really am.
loads of tires, once a month.
I get trailer
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. DENOVA-I just thought of that as I was sitting here.
MR. OBERMAYER-I'm glad you thought of it. We'd hate to create a
hardship for you on something like that.
MR. .DENOVA-If the,driveway was bigger and the buildings were set
back~it wouldn't matter.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, or if you had access on both sides of
bui ldi ng.
MR. DENOVA-Yes. You could drive, back up to one of the bays and
just drive right out.
MR. PALING-All right. Then all other a~pects of the Staff
comments have been met and the Beautification Committee requests
have been met. In this case, there's got to be a public hearing
on this. There's a public hearing on this scheduled for tonight.
Does anyone on the Board have any other questions or comments?
No questions or comments. We'll open the hearing to the public.
Is there anyone here that would care to comment about this
project?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO COMMENT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. PALING-Okay. Lets do a SEQRA.
RESOLUTION WHEN DETERMINATION OF NO SIGNIFICANCE IS MADE
R~SOLUTION NO. 37-95, Introduced by James Obermayer who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Roger Ruel:
WHEREAS, there
application for:
is presently before the Planning
EAST COAST TIRE & SERVICES, and
Boar.d
an
WHEREAS,
project
this Plann1ng Board has determined that the proposed
and Planning Board action is subject to review under the
- 29 -
---
State Environmental Quality Review Act,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED:
1. No federal agency appears to be involved.
2. The following agencies are involved:
NONE
3. The proposed action considered by this Board is unlisted in
the Depart~~nt of EM vir on mental Conservation Regulations
implemênti ng the 5tate Énvi ronmental 'Ouð.ll ty Review'" Act and
the regulations of the Town of Queensbury.
4. An Environmental Assessment Form has been completed by the
appl icant ~
5. Having considered ~nd thoroughly analyzed the relevant areas
of en~iionMental ~òncern and having,con~idered the criteria
fordetèrmiriiné whether a p~6jéct has a significant
envi n:>nme'ntal imþ~c't as tbe same is set fQrth in Section
617.1iof th~~O~~idi~1 Cbmpil~tion òf Code~, Rules and
Regulations for 'thê 'state of New Yor~, this 3oard find$ that
the action about to be undertaken bý thisBoªrd will have no
significant environmental effect and the th~i;~án' of the
Planning Board is'hereby authorized 'to execute and sign, and
file as may be nec~ssary a statement ofnon-signific~h¿~ or
â negativ~ de~laration that may b$;reqµ~red by law.
Du 1 y ad~Pted' ,~his 18th, day of Jul);'" 1995~ ,bý the, fóllowi'ng ,vote:
AYES: Mr. Bre~Jer, Mr. Ma6Ëwan', Mr. Oßér'mayer, Mrs. Laé8robard"
Mr~ Ruel~ Mr, Paling
,""
NOES: NONE
.Ii
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MOT ¡ON TO APPROVE SItE PLAN NO. 37-95 ~A~t~20A~Y'Tr~E & SERVICE,
Introduced by Roge,- Ruel who moved for its adoption, seconded by
James Obermayer:
At 97 Quaker Road, for a tire and auto service center, with the
condition that the applicant will meet the requirements of the
Beautification Committee.
Duly adopted this 18th day of Jùly, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Obermayer, Mrs. LaBombard,
Mr. Ruel, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
SITE PLAN NO. 38-95 FRANK ADAMO, JR. OWNER: ,SAME AS ABOVE
ZONE: WR-1A, C.E.A. LOCATION: NORTH ON ASSEMBLY PT. RD.,
SECOND HOUSE NORTH OF SUNSET LANE. APPLICANT PROPOSES A SECOND
STORY ADDITION TO EXISTING SINGLE STORY HOUSE, INCLUDING ENCLOSED
EXTERIOR STAIRS. EXPANSION OF A NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE IS
SUBJECT TO SITE PLAN REVIEW AND APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING BOARD.
WARREN CO. PLANNING: 7/12/95 TAX MAP NO. 8-5-21 LOT SIZE: .24
ACRES SECTION 179-16, 179-79
ALBERT BOCCIA, REPRESENTING APpLICANT, PRESENT
MR. PALING-Okay. the Warren County Planning, there was No County
Impact. Am I remembering right?
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'"'-'"
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MR. RUEL-That's correct.
MR. PALING-Okay. On that we're okay.
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Site Plan No. 38-95, Frank Adamo, Jr., Meeting
Date: July 18, 1995 "Staff has reviewed the project for
compliance with Section 179-38A, Section 179-38B, Section 179-38C
and to the relevant factors outlined in Section 179-39 and found
that it is in compliance with the above sections. The project
was compared to the following standards found in Section 179-38E
of the Zoning Code: 1. The location, arrangement, size, design
and general site co~patibility of buildings, lighting and signs;
The second story addition would be compatible with'the two
adjacent houses and would not be out of character for the
neighborhood. No new lighting or signage is proposed. 2. The
adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access and
circulation, including intersections, road widths, pavement
surfaces, dividers and traffic controls; Traffic access will not
be impacted by this project. 3. The location, arrangement,
appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and loading;
This is not an issue. 4. The adequacy and arrangement of
pedestrian traffic access and circulation, walkway structures,
control of intersections with vehicular traffic and overall
pedestrian convenience; This is not an issue. 5. The adequacy
of stormwater drainage facilities; This project will not impact
stormwater runoff. 6. The adequacy of water supply and sewage
disposal facilities; The project will not impact existing water
or sewer facilities. 7. The adequacy, type and arrangement of
trees, shrubs and other suitable plantings, landscaping and
screening constituting a visual andlor noise buffer between the
applicant's and adjoining lands, including the maximum retention
of existing vegetation and maintenance including replacement of
dead plants; No new landscaping is proposed. 8. The adequacy
of fire lanes and other emergency zones and the provision of fire
hydrants; The project will not impact emergency services. 9.
The adequacy and impact of structures, roadways and landscaping
in areas with susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion.
During construction proper erosion control measures should be in
place. RECOMMENQATIQt'J: Staff ,c;:an rโฌ!commend" approv.;:l! Qft,his
application. ". , , '
MR. PALING-Okay.
please.
Would you identify yourselves for the record,
FRANK ADAMO, JR.
MR. ADAMO-My name is Frank Adamo, Jr.
MR. BOCCIA-And my name is Albert Boccia.
MR. PALING-Thank you. Okay. Any comments or questions?
MR. RUEL-I just have one question. On the plan it says the Adamo
property. Is that Lot 21, or 21 and 22?
II.:'
M~. ÂDAMQ:"'~ust21~ '
MR. BOCCrA-Tw~nty~one.
!.. ,- . ,..,. .' I
, ,
J:.";
MR. ,R~~~7Jd~t 211 :~qk~y~
MR. 1~~L~~~-cika~~" You;vè ~dt quite a j~b ahead of
That·s a majof project to 'Þutthat second $tdfy"bn,
You,ö"Q,.,this.
it apPears.
MR. ADAMO-Yes, it's a significant project. We'd have to do some
alterations that need to be done on the first floor, but we're
not going to change anything. We're going to change some one
use, firm up the foundation in certain areas, and the second
story will be carried by steel girders which will be supported by
- 31 -
-..
lally columns, that's all.
MR. PALING-What's the end height of the building going to be?
MR. BOCCIA-It would be no more than 24 feet, well, no more than
26 feet.
MR. PALING-No more than 26 feet.
MR. BOCCIA-Yes.
MR. OBERMAYER-You don't have an elevation of it, do you, of the
proposed building, house?
MR. BOCCIA-No.
MR. OBERMAYER-It would be nice to see it.
MR. RUEL-What are you looking for, elevation?
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes.
MR. RUEL-Yes, it would be interesting.
MR. ADAMO-We will have elevations when we apply for our building
permit.
MR. OBERMAYER-Right.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. ADAMO-We were told to proceed this w~y.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes. No. I guess this .is the right way.
MR. ADAMO-We started about 18 months ago. In the interim, my
wife passed away. So we were sidetracked, but now we're back on
track.
MR. HARLICKER-Excuse me.
submitted, ther~ were some
Are they still accurate?
When the application was originally
elevations submitted along with it.
MR. BOCCIA-Existing elevations.
MR. HARLICKER-There's no proposed on heYe?
MR. BOCCIA-No.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. All right.
MR. RUEL-We were looking for the proposed.
MR. PALING-Okay. If there are no 'comments, there's a public
hearing on this for tonight.
MR. RUEL-Just one question here, looking at the top view, I see
this roof structure on the proposed second story, is at, what 45
degrees to the bottom structure?
MR. BOCCIA-Yes.
MR. RUEL-AII right. Is that just the roof or is that the roof
and the second story?
MR. BOCCIA-That's the addition, the new addition, the second
stO)-y addi tion.
MR. RUEL-That's the second story, with the roof on an an~le like
that. Okay, and it's cut off in the back, even.
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~
'--
--'
MR. BOCCIA-Correct.
MR. RUEL-Because it shows a couple of lines goiQg out there.
MR. BOCCIA-Are you alluding to a cantilever?
couple of lines are going to be on the back?
You're saying a
MR. RUEL-Yes, on the plan here. I didn't know whether that meant
that the roof line was going to continue or whether it just?
MR. BOCCIA-It's what is called on an erasure on the vellum that
doesn't completely erase. The printer picks it up. You can't
see it with your own eye, but the printer picks it up.
MR. RUEL-It wasn't a very good erasure.
MR. OBERMAYER-Which way is the ridge going to run on this, on the
roof? I'm sorry I just can't pick it out. Which direction?
MR. BOCCIA-Existing now, it's a hip roof.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, I know existing, but the new?
MR. BOCCIA-We're going to try to put a hip roof on the top. It's
only one roof.
MR. RUEL-You should have put the lines on the roof line to
indicate a hip roof.
MR. BOCCIA-We'll have those on the plan for building permit.
MR. RUEL-Yes, but if it had been on here, then it would be a lot
clearer. Okay. Thank you.
MR. OBERMAYER-What kind of siding are you going to put on the
house?
MR. ADAMO-Probably wood shingles.
MR. PALING-All right. If there are no other questions or
comments, we can come back to this. There's a public hearing on
this for tonight. So I'd like to open the public hearing. Is
there anyone that would like to comment on this application?
MR. MARTIN-You have a letter for the record, too, to read in,
after the public hearing.
MR. PALING-All right.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
FRANK DILLON
MR. DILLON-Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the Board. My
name is Frank Dillon, and I'm the owner of, the property that
abuts Mr. Adamo's to the south, also the owner of property that
abuts his property to the west. I've submitted written
opposition, and I wasn't sure that I could be present today, but
I am. I've reviewed the Article XI of your nonconforming uses
and structures, and it has to do, of course, with your setbacks
and minimum setbacks and such, but first off, I would like to
object to the structure which you want to have as the enclosed
stairway, because right now the setback. from the street is
supposed to be 30 feet, and according to the old CC and R's of
the Shore Colony we built at 20 feet, and he is at 20 feet, as is
shown on his plat map. Yet he is now going to reduce that by as
much as five or ten feet by building a structure out in front of
the house, and I object to that, and at the same time, I would
recommend that if this group does approve, that it order the
stairway enclosure to be adjusted in some other way so that it
- 33 -
would fit within the 20 feet setback. The other one I object to
is the fact that there's an error in the plan here. ! have
enclosed, in my written objection, the survey of 15 years ago,
when I built the property adjacent to this, and his property is
3.19 feet from the property line, not four and a half feet. So
we do have variations in here, and he ~as in compliance with the
property line at the time, and now he is, that which was five
feet, and now he's even mote so, and I would like to point out to
the Board that with the 3.19 feet on the south side, and five
feet on the north side, by his own doings, he has closed off any
access to the back of this property for any building, any septic
tank repair work. He has no area to enter the property, other
than five feet on the north side, and so that is that point. So
those are the two basic points, in addition to what I have
prepared in writing, and which will most likely be read into the
record. Thank you.
MR. PALING-Thank you.
MR. OBERMAYER-I just have a question for you, sir. The setbacks,
that's all existing now though, right?
MR. DILLON-The setback, as he is showing on his plan, is four and
a half feet, and I'm telling you that it is in error, and it
should be 3.19 feet.
MR. OBERMAYER-But it's an existing house. That's there.
MR. DILLON-The existing house is set back that much.
MR. PALING-And he's not makin~ it
construction. It's going to still be.
worse with this
new
MR. DILLON-He's not making it worse, but as I pointed out,
there's no way he can bring construction equipment in. He can
not bring in repair equipment for his septic fields or what have
you. He is increasing the size of his house, ,and I don't know
how he's going to conform to the septic requirements.
MR. PALING-Thank you. Anyone else who would like to comment?
KELLY CARTE
MR. CARTE-Mr. Chàirman, members of the Board, my name's Kelly
Carte, and this is my brother Chris Carte. Our family owns the
camp that is immediately to the north of Mr. Adamo's property.
We'd like to object to this also, on several grounds. Setbacks.
I'd like to address those first, because Mr. Dillon has already
talked about thòse. Not only does the property not conform to
the setbacks, existing setbacks from the street, but it also
doesn't conform to the setbacks from the lake. There's a 75 foot
setback now for ,new property from the lake. Part of the
addition, as Mr. Dillon pointed out, part of the addition the
applicant is proposing would put the building even closer to the
road and to the lake, by variously, four, five, six feet,
depending on how far out they go with their, there's no
dimensions on the thing that I have here to their enclosed
stairway, but it dQes come closer. The side setbacks, we didn't
have the time to find a s~rvey map of our property, with regard
to the five feet on the lake, but I seriously doubt that that is
five feet on that side also. It's probably more like three feet,
and as was pointed out by Mr. Dillon, there is no access to the
back yard except by foot traffic along the side of the house.
The other point that I would like to bring up is the septic
system. We're acutely aware of your requirements for this,
because we just tore down the camp that was there on our property
and built a new one, and had to comply with the 75 feet, with the
30 feet, with 20 feet on the side of the property, with the 100
feet from our well for our septic system, with 100 feet from the
lake for our septic system, all these requirements which we met.
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In doing this proposed addition, the applicant is adding a fourth
bedroom and a second bedroom to an exi$ting septic system that is
woefully inadequate for the preserit use by today's standards, and
we have a three bedroom house that we had to put in 240 or 50
feet of leachfield for three b$drooms. He is going to end up
with four bedrooms, and he has, by this drawing here, maybe 40
feet to the leachfield. The topography of the land is uphill.
From the back of this house is slopes uphill. You cannot get a
gravity fed system, or septic system, I mean, if you want to go
out another 100 feet with a leachfield, you cannot feed it ~ith a
gravity fed system because it is uphill, and there's a
requirement that the septic system be no more than 12 inches, I
think, under the top of the ground. It can't be real deep. 50
you can't bury it 20 feet in the ground and go out here like
this. This septic system now is, again, there's no dimensions,
but approximately 20 or 25 feet from his side lot line, adjacent
to us. It is also about 20 feet from our well. When we put the
well in, we had to divide the distance between our septic system
that's existing and his property in the back wherè his septic
system was, and we split the distance and put our well here. Now
we're talking about putting, if the requirement is such that he
has to add to his septic system, which is our understanding, if
you increase your bedrooms and your bathrooms and all this kind
of stuff, we had to do it. If he has to add to it, he is going
to come even close~ to our well with the septic system. The
third point that I'd like to bring up is the steps. I have some
pictures here to show you. It's not a major point, but it is
such that when we bought the camp, it was a two story over a
garage, the same as it is now. We tore down the old one and
built a new one, but the existing camp was, although smaller, had
a garage and two floors~ with upstairs bedrooms and windows, and
we had a view to the front, you know, to the north and to the
south, and I'll show you pictures, to the southwest, over the top
of the applicant's house, somewhat obscured by a couple of pine
trees that were there at the time, but in doing the new house,
we've taken the pine trees down, and we have the view that was
existing when we bought the property. Now we're talking about a
negating of that view, coming in, we'll be completely blocked by
this addition to a nonconforming structure with all the other
things. I mean, it's one thing if someone conforms with all the
regulations and laws and builds a structure that blocks someone
else's view, block our view. There's nothing I can say about
that. We knew that going into it, but to allow a nonconforming
addition to something like this, and to ruin something that is
obviously one of the reasons why people pay money to be up on the
lake, does not seem to be in keeping with the spirit of the law
here. If you'd like, I'll submit these pictures here, and I'll,
I made a quick note on the back of them as to what they are.
There was one other point that I'd like to make. I don't have
the figures here, and Mr. Dillon had looked this up, now.
Apparently, I don't know what the law's requirements are, but
there's a certain amount of square footage in addition that could
be added on to an existing structure, but how does it enter into
it when the existing structure há$ already been added on to two
or three times in the Past? I mean, apparently, this house was
built a certain size, was added on to in noncompliance with the
Shore Colony regulations and even as it seems from the survey map
in, noncompliance with the five foot setback at that' point in
time, in adding these structures on to the left, putting on a
porch a~d then enclosing thé porch for more, and then taking that
whole thing and saying this is the basi$ for our square foot
calculations, to have 900 square feet or 50 percent more,
whatever is allowed. I don't know whether that's the correct way
of doing this or not
MR. PALING-Okay. Is there anything elsé?
MR. CARTE-No, that's it.
MR. PALING-Okay.
Thank you.
Is there anyone else that would
- 35 -
like to speak about this matter? Okay. If no one else would
like to speak, then we will close the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. PALING-Some legitimate points have been raised there, and
maybe we can just go down them, and if I've left any out.
MR. MARTIN-Can we read in the letter though, first, Bob?
MR. PALING-Yes, I'm sorry.
MR. MARTIN-To the Queensbury Planning Board. "Dear Sirs: We,
FRANCIS J. DILLON, JR. and MARJORIE C. DILLON, are owners of the
land that abuts Applicant's property on the South, and FRANCIS J.
DILLON, JR. is the owner of the property that abuts the
applicant's property on the West. We are opposed to the site
plan on two separate accou~ts. FIRST: The plan is in error as
the side setback on the South side is 3.19 feet instead of the
4.5 feet a~ indicated in the application. (See attached survey).
The plan also indicates a 5 foot setback on the North side. The
subject prop~rty was improved in 1958. At that time the two
rooms on the South side were not built. A small porch was later
added, subsequently enlarged and then enclosed. In computing the
1,800 square feet as indicated in the application the addition is
included and forms a base for the 900 square feet proposed
addition. Because of the previous addition which violated the
Shore Colony C.C. & Rs and also the setbacks ordered by the Town
of Queensbury, the applicant deprived himself of access to his
back yard by any vehicle. His only access now is the 5 feet on
the North side of his house, and the 3 feet on the South side.
As this Board is reviewing the site plan it must of necessity
include the total site to make a determination of the
appropriateness of the proposed addition. How will building
materials be added to the site, how will building equipment enter
and exit the area in the rear of the house? The access problem
must be faced now. Based on the above, this Board should deny
the Application. SECOND: The applicant requests permission to
enclose an entry way of 84 square feet in the front of the
property. Note that the front setback is now 20 feet according
to the plan. If such a structure is added it will extend another
ten feet toward the road resulting in a setback of only ten feet
instead of the required 30 feet. With a small 'change to the plan
the entry could be shifted so that it stays within 20 feet
setback of the house. Thus it could be turned so that it enters
under the existing porch. Access to the house for the past 37
years has not required an enclosed structure as proposed. We
request that if this Board approves the Site Plan that approval
not include the enclosed structure for the entryway as shown on
the plan. Very truly yours, FRANCIS J. DILLON, JR. MARJORIE
DILLON"
MR. PALING-Okay. Are there any other letters or what not?
MR. MARTIN-That's it.
MR. PALING-Maybe the next thing to do is ask Staff for comments
regarding the septic system, not only access to 'doing anything to
it, but the capacity of it with the addition.
MR. MARTIN-The septic system, and I'm not the person to ask for a
final determination. Dave Hatin would be the person, but it's my
understanding that the treatment of this is that if you have an
existing structure and you have a working system. even if you add
to the structure, as long as 90u don't have a failing system,
then the system is allowed to continue. At the time the system
~ fail, it will then be required to come up to today's
standards. Even in the event of adding bedrooms or something
like that, as long as the system is working and not failing, it's
allowed to continue.
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MR. PALING-The
house, and it's
probably nothing
repair the septic
got a problem.
access is very limited, on both sides of the
only five foot on one. In advance, there's
we can do, but when the day comes he's got to
system, he's got to update it or ~hatever. he's
MR. MARTIN-When was the last addition made to this structure?
MR. ADAMO-The house was built in approximately 1958, and it was
built as measured, and if it has a 3.19 side yard on one side and
a 5.0 side yard on the other side, the south side or the north
side, these are the existing block measurements from when the
house was built in 1958. In 1958, on the 3.1 side, there was a
garage, a one car garage, with a deck on top of the garage, a
deck that you could come out of the house with and go on to the
deck. That deck was enclosed in 1968, and that deck has a porch
room and a bedroom that Mr. Dillon can look into from his house.
That was completed in 1968, within the same confines of the side
yard and the existing 3.19 side. '
MR. MACEWAN-But that side yard measurement of 3.19
side yard boundary line, to the block wall of the
correct?
is from the
foundation,
MR. ADAMO-Right. Al put down in his drawing approximately 4.5
because the Building Department wants the approximate, and we did
not have a survey at that particular time when we submittedcthese
plans, but it's been there since 1958. The footings have been
there and the blocks have been there.
MR. MACEWAN-If your septic system should fail, how do you access
the back yárd?
MR. ADAMO-Well, I'll go into that. First of all, we have a 1,000
gallon septic system that was r~done approximately five years,
seven years ago, by Frank Bushey. It was redone when we took out
our existing 500 tin box and we put in a concrete box of 1,000.
MR. PALING-How did the trucks get in?
MR. ADAMO-They got in through the back.
property, I think, with permission at
existing easement on that property that
has to repair the water line. I don't
easement would be able to be utilized if
health situation with the septic system.
goes across Mr. Dillon's property, and I
feet wide, and that's in the Town, and
surveys. The septic system is a 1,000
The !eaching field are more than 75 feet
We crossed Mr. Dillon's
that time. There's an
the Tòwn of Queensbury
know if that existing
there was a damage to a
That existing easement
think it's at least 15
it should be on their
gallon concrete septic.
wide.
MR. PALING-And what year was that done?
I'm sorry?
MR. ADAMO-I would guess in the last seven years. When we made
this proposal, we went to the Building Department and I think it
was Mr. Hatin and we asked them about the septic system, and we
asked them what had to be done, and we got all the go aheads.
That's why we went through with all these plans and everything.
As far ~s the septic system; if we had to have it pumped out, we
can pump it out, both sides, and run the hoses up through both
sides. We're talking about catastrophe. Also, I want everybody
to understand, while we utilized this house, lets say from '69 to
until '80 on kind of a summer basis, since we were teachers and
my children were young. In the last six years, we haven't
utilized it, except being a summer camp,and that's what we hope
it's still going to be ~ summer camp. What I'm looking for is
some comfort so I can get away from my now adult kids and their
kids, and up into my own room and have my own bathroom. That's
all we want. We're sorry if we blocked off Mr. Carte's view of
the marina down at 9L. We're very upset about that, but we don't
- 37 -
block off his view of Bolton Landing, and it's not
to block anybody's view. All we'd like is a
bathroom, and a conforming use now, when he
nonconforming use, ladies and gentlemen, virtually
Assembly Point is nonconforming use, because we
years ago.
our intention
bedroom and a
keeps saying
every house on
were built 30
MR. PALING~It's existing. There's no dispute on that.
MR. ADAMO-And second of all, as far as the enclosed stairway
goes, if you look at your plans, and we don't have a copy of the
plans with us, the existing stairway, which we have doubts about.
We went to talk to the Planning Department about it, because the
existing stairway now goes out maybe, at it's closest, eight feet
from the property line, because it's a front concrete stairway
that goes up and onto a platform and into the front of the house,
and it's probably on the plans. If we put in this enclosed
stairway, it's right up against the house. We will then knock
down the existing stairway that goes 12 or 13 feet in front of
the house, and we'll go up, and we'll just have (lost word) and
you'll be up against the house right to that first platform.
MR. MACEWAN-But the difference between those two is the first one
that you're talking about, you're existing situation, is more
considerate of walkway steps to get to it. What you're now
proposing to do is enclosing part of the building. So you're
actually extending the footprint of the building.
MR. ADAMO-Okay. If worse comes to worse, we'll keep the existing
still. It's no problem with us.
MR. MARTIN-Well, that's the only problem I see here, and this
came in when I was on vacation. That enclosed stairway, as I see
it right now, the existing edge of the deck, is it here, that's
off the front. Is it 16 feet, from the edge of the road,
Assembly Point Road? See off the southeast corner of the house,
there's a deck that extends there, apparently, see it says
existing first floor wood deck?
MR. ADAMO-That's a cantilevered wood deck.
MR. MARTIN-Right. So that's subject to the setback, and that's
at 16 feet. As I see it, the enclosed stairway.
MR. ADAMO-Would be within the confines of the wood deck. We
would have to cut away a piece of that wood deck, but I think the
enclosed stairway is ugly. That's an architect's dream, and I
would just as soon be happy to keep the present stairs.
MR. MARTIN-That's the only thing I can see that would violate the
setback, as it juts out beyond the existing footprint of the
house.
MR. RUEL-Jim, is an open stairway part of the structure?
MR. MARTIN-Anything that has elevatión, cantilevered deck, a part
of the main structure.
MR. RUEL-He's talking about an enclosed stairway.
MR. MARTIN-Enclosed stairway, as part of the house, it would be
subject to the setback. Anything that has mass and elevation on
the property.
MR. RUEL-Stairs are part of the principal structure?
MR. MARTIN-Once you begin to rise out of the ground with a
structure, it's subject to zoning. That's what zoning's intended
to regulate. That's why, like for ex~mple, an at grade concrete
patio is not subject to a setback or a driveway is not subject to
- 38 -
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a setback. It's at grade and you can't see it as you look across
the plane of the property, but any time you have a deck, shed,
anything like that that has elevation, then that's subject to the
zoning. What I'm saying is if he wants to pursue this enclosed
staircase as shown on this plan, I was not here at the time, I
would say that would be subject to a variance.
MR. PALING-Okay, or else he's got to move back, within the deck.
MR. MARTIN-And stay within the existing floor plan of the
existing structure.
MR. OBERMAYER-Or he can leave what he has.
MR. ADAMO-May I ask a question?
stairway, just leave it all, and
presently, is that okay?
If we
use
remove that
the stairway
enclosed
I have
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. PALING-You're within the envelope of the building, yes.
MR. ADAMO-Then I'd agree to that.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I would just love to see one of those elevations,
the front elevation.
MR. HARLICKER-They're existing. It's what you saw when you went
out there.
MR. MARTIN-We only have the existing elevations.
MR. HARLICKER-I thought we had proposed, but we don't.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Okay.
MR. RUEL-It's very unusual, architecturally. I'm wondering what
it looks like when you get the second story.
MR. ADAMO-Well, I'd like it to look as conservative and as much
like the house I have now as possible. I just have to chain the
architect to the map table.
MR. OBERMAYER-What is the reason for turning the addition 45
degrees to the existing house?
MR. ADAMO-View. I'd like to see Dome Island.
see the marina.
I don't want to
MRS. LABOMBARD-I have another question. You said the existing
dwelling has a hip roof. That picture didn't look like a hip
roof to me. That's what I don't understand.
MR. ADAMO-That picture you saw of Mr. Carte, we have a hip roof.
The side you're looking at is a flat side and then two sides, and
then there's a garage where they covered the garage, there's
another modified hip roof on that side. I did the roof myself,
so I know it's a hip roof.
MRS. LABOMBARD-No. I'm just saying that those pictures, it just
looked like a regular gabled roof.
MR. ADAMO-We're proposing to put a hip roof on top of the
existing room, the new room.
MR. BREWER-I would just like to see elevations, too.
this is terrible.
I mean,
MR. RUEL-It wouldn't do any good to
There's nothing we can do about it.
see an elevation drawing.
We can't dictate how this
- 39 -
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structure shall be built.
MR. MACEWAN-Why not?
MR. RUEL-I mean, if he wants to put it 45 degrees, he can do it.
MR. BREWER-I don't care about the 45 degrees. I would just like
to see what it looks like. I mean, could you tell that that's a
house, without really knowing, Roger?
MR. MARTIN-You're saying from the lowest point of the grade, the
highest point of the house is going to be 24 feet?
MR. PALING-No less than 26 is what I thought.
MR. MARTIN-Twenty-six feet, because I just want to make sure
we're understanding the same approach to the measurement here.
The lowest point on the grade, around the structure, to the
highest point on the house, is 26 feet.
MR. HARLICKER-So the lowest grade is in front, where the garage
entry is. That's what it's measured from.
MR. BREWER-He's talking ground floor, is what he's talking about.
MR. HARLICKER-Okay. When you measure elevation, it,'s taken from
the lowest grade. For instance, we see these houses with a
walkout basement facing the lake. Elevation is measured
essentially from the bottom of the basement floor, up to the top
of the roof. So, in this case, it would be measured from the
entry level of the garage to the top of the roof.
MR. ADAMO-But the entry level of the garage just leads to the
garage. It doesn't lead to the house.
MR. HARLICKER-Well, that's where the lowest grade is. That's
where it's measured from.
MR. RUEL-Well, it would be more than 24 feet.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Three floors is 24 feet.
MR. RUEL-No, it's more than that.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Well, yes, with the floor joists.
MR. HARLICKER-When you see these houses that are coming before
you for site plan review, and they get them at variances also,
generally, when you've got a walkout basement, a first floor and
a second floor, they are pushing the maximum height allowed.
MR. PALING-And that's what we're trying to clarify.
MR. MACEWAN-I think I'm quickly
I'd like to see an elevation of
approval on it.
getting into the position where
this thing before I'd render an
MR. MARTIN-On the existing elevation it shows the height of the
structure, from the bottom of the garage to the top of the roof,
at 18 feet 8 inches. So how much more is this addition going to
add in height over your existing?
MR. BOCCIA-We'd be adding an additional 8 feet 9 inches, or 8
feet 8 inches, and then, depending on the pitch of the roof, or
if it's a flat roof, it would determine the ultimate height.
MR. MARTIN-Well, I just simply want to know how high is it going
to be to the ridge line? How much are you going to add to the
ridge line?
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MR. BOCCIA-Well, it could be, the actual rise could be four feet
to six feet. Basically, it's a design issue.
MR. MARTIN-Right.
adding to the top
from the existing
line?
I'll ask it one more time. How much are we
of the ridge line, over the existing structure,
ridge line we have now to the proposed ridge
MR. BOCCIA-Approximately 12 feet.
MR. ADAMO-Ten to twelve feet.
MR. MARTIN-All right. So you're looking at 28 to 30 feet.
MR. HARLICKER-And the height limit is 35 feet.
MR. BREWER-Now where are ~ measuring from, Jim? Are you
measuring from down here, or are you measuring from up here?
MR. MARTIN-No, down there.
MR. PALING-You're measuring from the bottom of the basement
floor.
MR. HARLICKER-Lowest grade.
MR. PALING-Lets just clarify, for the record, how you're
measuring it and get compliance if they're within the.
MR. MARTIN-We measured from the lowest point, the lowest grade on
the lot, and that would be at the entrance to the garage door
here. All right. So we're looking at, it indicates a height
here from that point to the height of the existing ridge line,
today's ridge line, 18 feet 8 inches. They're indicating they're
going to add 8 to 10 feet on top of the existing structure. So
that would give us a total of 26 to 28 feet 8 inches.
MR. OBERMAYER-And 35 is the.
MR. RUEL-So there's no problem there.
MR. PALING-And you agree with Jim's arithematic?
MR. BOCCIA-Yes, we would be within the Code.
MR. PALING-So you're going to be under 30 feet?
MR. BOCCIA-Easily.
MR. PALING-Yes, but you've got to tell us, how high are you going
to be?
MR. ADAMO-Under 30 feet.
MR. PALING-We're going tó get elevations from here on in.
MR. ADAMO-We're going to submit all the elevations with the
building permit. We're also going to submit detail prints.
MR. MARTIN-Well, you have to understand, and I say this to people
all the time, you're not building out in Kansas. You're building
in the shores of Lake George. It's a whole different ball game,
believe me. It's a whole different world, and you're not
building out in the middle of a field. These are all issues that
are relevant in this municipality.
MR. ADAMO-I would like to say one thing, as an aside. I just
went to contract to buy the house two houses to the south of me,
Ben Brown's house. We'te in contract now, and I'm going to buy
that house. If I had any intention of not living here, and
- 41 -
"--
loving Lake
wouldn't be
commercially.
kid will have
house, and I
want.
MR. BREWER-I'd
George, as I've done for the last 35 years, I
going into this project. I'm not doing it
I'm doing it to leave to my kids. Okay. So one
one house and the other kid will have the other
just want a room with a bathroom. That's all I
kind of like to see some elevations.
MR. PALING-Okay. Roger?
MR. RUEL-I don't want to see any elevations, but, frankly, I
think that, architecturally, it is somewhat a little bizarre.
Somewhat nonconforming with, perhaps, most of the buildings in
the area. I know that we can't dictate to you just how to build
it. You can make it octagon. You can make it circular, you
know, all sorts of things, but, I, frankly, think it would have
looked a lot better if the walls had been parallel with the
existing structure. That's my only comment.
MR. PALING-Okay. That's sort of an aside of that.
I don't agree, but that's all right. Cathy?
Yes. Okay.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I think that, as far as the stairs go, that has
been resolved. You're not going to, we're not going to do any
stairs, and this issue of the property line. I think Mr. Dillon
has a good point there. If it's really four and a half feet,
then it should be four and a half feet on the map, and sometimes
it's not a bad idea to update our survey and our stakes, just for
keeping good neighbors. good relationships with our neighbors,
and I had a very difficult time, when I was presented with this,
because I could picture your place in my mind, and then when I
saw this, I was totally disheveled, as far as what I was looking
at. I wish, in the future, if the applicants do have something
that's a little more visually accurate, I'm sure it's accurate
the way it is, but something that I can perceive.
MR. MARTIN-I want to remind you, now, don't feel pressured to
approve something, if you don't feel comfortable with the level
of information you have tonight. Don't feel like you're
obligated to approve an application on the first try.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Right, Jim, and these are the things that are on
my mind. Maybe an updated survey map wouldn't be a bad idea, for
all people involved, and I would like, to be honest with you, I
would like to see an elevation.
MR. RUEL-It won't help.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I know, but I'd still like to see it.
MR. PALING-Okay. Craig?
MR. MACEWAN-Maybe this will help ease everybody's mind, or head
us in the right direction. Our zoning book says that criteria
for review of Type I, Type II Site Plans, which this is a Type I
Site Plan. It has to fall under the requirements that are needed
in 179-38, and in that Section it says, Section D, the project
would not have an undue adverse impact upon the natural, scenic,
aesthetic, ecological, wildlife, historical or other suggestions
in it. So for my peace of mind, I want to see an elevation of
this thing and what it's going to look like, how it's going to
impact the rest of the neighborhood, befo)"e I would render any
kind of approval for this. The thing is that with people up
there all along the lake front, nine out of ten people buy their
property up there for one thing and one thing alone, that's to
see the beauty of the lake and be able to see it, and when you
have neighbors who are going to impact an addition, or undertake
a project that could affect your aesthetic view of the lake that
you spent a great deal of money to purchase, I think if I was in
that situation, I would like to see some sort of compromise come
- 42 -
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around so that you can try to please everybody. Through the
applicant's own admission, he's settin9 this thing at a 45 degree
angle so he can see upwards, up north of the lake, without giving
consideration to his Deighbors, and I really don't think that's
fair, and we have it right here in the book that says that's one
of the criteria we have to look at.
MR. OBERMAYER-I, myself, don't see any issue with what the
applicant has submitted. Even though the existing structure is
nonconforming, there's really nothing that we can do to correct
that situation as of now. A lot of the camps up there actually
are nonconforming, as we have mentioned. A lot of them, probably
the corners don't necessarily even sit on their own property
line. I've seen those types of situations also. So, to mé, the
applicant just wants to build an extension on top of his house.
He is going to conform to all the zoning regulations, by height
restrictions. If he wants to turn it 45 degrees so he gets a
view of the lake, I think he's entitled to because he's the owner
of the property. That's how I feel about it.
MR. PALING-Okay. I have no quarrel with the addition being at 45
de9rees to the rest of the house, but I do have question as to
what the final picture's going to look like. You can have it any
degree you want, but if it's a structure such that it doesn't
comply or conform with the neighborhood, then we have the right
or the obligation to question it and perhaps ask you to change
it. So I would like to see an elevation of this, and I assume
it'll be at a 45 degree angle, and pleasing to the eye, and not
in contradiction with the general architecture of the
neighborhood, but I think you're all set to go, in my mind, with
the exception, I'd like to see an elevation, a final of the
building, myself.
MR. BREWER-Can I ask the applicant tó tell me, you're Lot 21?
MR. ADAMO-Yes.
MR. BREWER-Which way does Lot 20, and I guess that would be 23,
maybe. What way do they face? Does Lot 20 face the lake? Is
that the gentlemen that spoke first? Is that his lot?
MR. ADAMO-The gentlemen who spoke first owns 20 and the lot next
to 20, and he owns the Lot 22.
MR. BREWER-He owns lot 20 and the corner lot?
MR. ADAMO-Yes, I think so.
MR. BREWER-Which way do those houses face?
Honeysuckle Lane, or do they face the lake?
Do they face
MR. ADAMO-They face Honeysuckle Lane and they face Sunset Lane.
MR. BREWER-Okay. The other thing I wanted to know is, we're
going to have him give us elevations, that's all well and good,
but how are we going to know what you can see and what he's going
to block and what he's not going to block? How are we going to
know that?
MR. PALING-Well, I think that you can tell just by the, just from
what we've got here we can tell that, and that second story
blends, I think, with the rest of the neighborhood, because at
least one of yoUr neighborhood is two story now, and it doesn't
seem that their primary views are being affected. Maybe a
secondary or third view is, but not the primary, and so I just,
I'd like to see an elevation.
MR. BREWER-I would like to see one, also, but I'm just wond~ring
how we're going to know what it blocks and what it doesn't block.
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MR. OBERMAYER-Is everybody agreeing that we need to see an
elevation, or have we reached an agreement on that?
MR. ADAMO-We are not looking to block anybody's view.
MR. PALING-Well, all they could do is submit an elevation, and
we've been to visit it. We're going to have to'make a judgement.
MR. BREWER-Okay. That's fine.
MR. MARTIN-In the past, it has been able to, like I remember some
attorneys have made presentations before the Board on lakeshore
properties. They'll show lines of vision from neighboring
properties, so you can project the line of view.
MR. MACEWAN-We did one over on Brayton Lane.
MR. BREWER-Exactly. I guess ~y point was how are we going to get
those points of view?
MR. MARTIN-Well, y00 have to plot the neighboring structures on
each side, and then show a straight line angle, like from a
corner of somebody's deck or front step, or their picture window
or something like that, and see, you know, at what point does
this cross the line of vision.
MR. OBERMAYER-So what happens if he does cross a line of vision?
Are we going to tell the gentleman that he can't build a second
story addition onto his summer home?
MR. MARTIN-No. Maybe you propose some modification.
know, until you see it.
I don't
MR. PALING-Can't we do that, after having looked at the lot?
MR. MACEWAN-Isn't there one on Brayton Lane up there in
Cleverdale, about two years ago where that happened?
MR. MARTIN-Yes. We get them more with variances.
MR. RUEL-It seems that most of the Board has requested elevation
view, and once you receive that, what will you do with this?
MR. PALING-In my mind, what I'm doing is to see if that building
looks like it's in conformance, generally speaking, with the rest
of the neighborhood, the way the neighborhood is.
MR. MARTIN-If that was a concern, something you might request,
then, is for pictures of several houses up and down the route, to
see how it blends.
MR. PALING-Okay, but we've also visited up there, Jim, and I've
got a pretty good idea what it looks like, what is there.
MR. MARTIN-Okay. As long as you have a frame of reference.
MR. RUEL-And if you look at this elevation and.you determine that
it, in fact, does not agree with the neighborhood, then you're
going to ask the applicant to change his plan?
MR. PALING-Change his design, if it were that far off, sure.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes.
MR. PALING-I doubt it'll be that way.
MR. BOCCIA-I'd
different phone
Department and
elevation, and I
like
calls
visit
could
to mention something here. On three
to the Building Department and the Zoning
here, I asked if I needed a proposed
tell you the names of the people who told
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~,
me no. So, we're here tonight, after waiting a. long time to get
approval, and now it sounds like we're in trouble because of
these people who are major people in the Building Department and
Zoning Department, told us ~ to present a proposed elevation,
just to present the elevations of the existing, just to present
proposed plan, and existing plan. The point is that we were
willing to do this, but were told it was not required.
MR. PALING-I hear what
saying not to do it,
before, and have asked
make an elevation.
you're saying. I can't visualize someone
because we have been in this situation
for elevation and the applicant's had to
MR. ADAMO-One of the reasons was we came in thinking we needed a
variance or two variances, and we went through it and we went
through it again, visiting at the Planning Board and the Zoning
Board. They told us we didn't need a variance because of the
amount of the addition and because of the cantilevering in the
front that little tiny deck whi¿h went out less than one foot.
We met wi th all the requi rements that~ they gave us, and we did
the plans over several times, and we've come here with plans that
were recommended from the Building Department and whoever else we
talked to.
MR. BOCCIA-We sat down in preview meeting and there were no
objections. It was looked at by the Building and Codes
Department, and it was looked at by the Zoning Department here,
and there were no objections. As a matter of fact, they said
approval.
MR. PALING-Okay. What you're saying may well be. However, what
Craig has read to you earlier is also, it's the Town Ordinance,
and it's what we're obligated to go by, regardless of what may
have happened. I'm sorry if anything did.
MR. MARTIN-Well, I want to say something here as a Staff person.
We don't look into a crystal ball and know what six or seven
individuals on a Zoning Board or Planning Board are going to want
to see. That's why this Board exists. We do our best to tell
every applicant that comes in our office what may be expected and
what is required. , Now if ,these six people see a particular
application and want some further information, they're the
decision makers. We're not, and they're entitled to do that, and
the Town shouldn't be made to feel like we're being unreasonable
hère, if some people on this Planning Board want a little extra
information. I can't see every piece of information that's going
to be necessary in every application.
MR. OBERMAYER-I'd just like to make a comment also, though, that
the Planning Office did send a notice to file that the second
story, the location, arrangement, size, design and general site
compatibility of buildings, lighting and signs, Item Number One,
"the second story addition would be compatible with the two
adjacent houses and would not be out of character for the
neighborhood. No new lighting or signage is proposed." And that
was a note to file that the Planning Staff has submitted.
MR. HARlICKER-That's Staff comments.
MR. BREWER-That's his comment, though.
opinion. That's not our opinion.
I mean, that's his
MR. RUEL--Yes.
Naturally that's the what he's going to put down.
MR. PALING-Let me ask a question. We have another meeting, a
week from tonight. Could you have an elevation drawing done
prior to that meeting that could be submitted? Is this okay,
that we could put you back on, just table this, with your
permission, get a look at the elevation, and then decide on it
next week?
- 45 -
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MRS. LABOMBARD-See, I think
dealing with Lake George,
doesn't mean that we would
I think that's it all in a
you're doomed.
the bottom line here is, again, wè're
and just because it's not required,
not like some additional information.
nutshell, and that doesn't mean that
MR. MACEWAN-I think it should also be clear to the applicant that
this is not a pick on you scenario. In our review process over a
number of applications we've had from people up around the lake,
we've have, in past practice on some occasions have asked people
to modify their site plans to help lessen obstruction of views
from neighboring properties. That's not to say that this is what
our decision will be or we'll even arrive at that. What we're
asking for is just an elevation so that we can see and we can
compare our notes. That's all we're asking for.
MR. MARTIN-The comment cannot be taken lightly enough that I see
this all the time, people undertaking development on the
lakeshore get very frustrated, but I'm telling you it's a whole
different ball game. There's a lot more standards. There's a
lot more scrutiny, by the nature of the area, the property values
that are involved. It just becomes a much more intensely
scrutinized project, and that's just the way it is.
MR. MACEWAN-Off the top of my head, I can think of three
applications in the last year and a half that elevation has
become a factor in building up around the lake. Two were over on
Brayton Lane, and one was over on Assembly Point.
MR. RUEL-I have asked for them repeatedly, and I was told it's
not necessary.
MR. PALING-We'll put
anything else that
elevation?
on the top, elevation drawing. Is there
the rest of the Board wants besides an
MR. RUEL-I just have one comment for Mr. Adamo, a plan that
perhaps we could even eliminate this elevation plan. If you
agree to build a structure with parallel lines with the bottom
structure, instead of having it on a 45 degree angle, and then
built yourself a gabl~ or a picture window out front, a bay
window, that Would give you the views that you're looking for at
both angles.
MR. OBERMAYER-That's conforming, but according to your taste,
okay, Roger.
MR. RUEL-No, I'm not talking about taste.
views.
He was looking for
MR. ADAMO-I'll tell you what I'm looking for, and we've been
doing this for over two years. First of all, my father has owned
this property since 1958. We have lived in this house since
1969. I have lived in this house. Prior to that, my father and
Mrs. Lawson back here owned that house jointly from 1959 to 1969,
when I took it from my father. I'm looking for a room, a
bathroom and a deck where I can finish out the twilight of my
life. I am not looking to embarrass anybody. I'm not looking to
block anybody. I love Lake George. I've been coming here since
1954, and I want to continue to come here. I was a City
Councilman in Yonkers for 12 years. I was on the Zoning Board
for 15 years. I know all kinds of situations. I want to
conform. I want as easy as possible to meet all the requirements
and the specifications. That's why we've gone through this
project for two years. Now if it looks, like we're going to get
tied up for another couple of months, I just want to get in
before the snows.
MR. PALING-Okay. Roger, you have rendered your opinion.
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MR. RUEL-AII I'm saying is that if he built something that would
conform with the first story, okay, then there probably would be
no need for everyone requesting an elevation plan.
MR. BREWER-But he didn't, Roger. I would also, Bob, like some
view lines, if we could get them.
MR. PALING-OkàY. One more time, lets go around once, okay.
MR. BREWER-Elevation and the view lines.
MR. PALING-Elevation and the view lines you're asking for. Okay.
MR. RUEL-No elevation, because even if I have an elevation, I'm
going to look at it and it's at 45 degrees, and apparently
there's nothing I can do about it. So there it is. That's it.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I~m not going to say anything.
MR. OBERMAYER-I don't want to see anything. I'm satisfied with
what the applicant has' submitted.
MR. MACEWAN~I'd concur with Tim.
MR. PALING-Okay. I'm in favor of elevation only.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I'm already down for that.
MR. PALING-You want elevations.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes. I thought we were adding on to our comments
p,-eviously.
MR. PALING-Okay. Where I think it's headed is that we're going
to ask for an elevation. We're going to table it and ask for an
elevation. We'll put you on for next week, but we must have your
permission to table this motion. Now, if you want, we can put it
to a motion, or you can comment on that.
MR. BOCCIA-Well, it's logistics. I have a vacation coming up.
I'll have to do some juggling before I would know if I can, in
fact, do the drawing and be here. When I face architectural
review boards, it's a totally different can of beans than what
you people are into, because most of these people are
professionals trained to evaluate architecture, but the amount of
work that it would take, I have to evaluate it.
MR. ADAMO-We'll be here next Wednesday night.
MR. BREWER-Tuesday.
MR. PALING-Do you give us permission to table this?
MR. ADAMO-Yes.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. BREWER-One other thing. We've got to have at least a day to
see this elevation before, I don't want to walk in here Tuesday
night at 7 o'clock and see it. Maybe you do. I don't. Maybe
Monday could we get it? Is that a problem if we got it Monday
and got it delivered, Jim?
MR. MARTIN-We can deliver it.
MR. PALING-Could you get it to us Monday?
MR. OBERMAYER-We're not asking you, I don't think, for all
architectural details. We would just like an outline of what it
looks like.
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MR. BOCCIA-All right. That's good. What would you like to see?
What are you looking to see?
MRS. LABOMBARD-We don't need the blueprints. We just need an
architectural's rendering of the design, I mean of the elevation.
MR. BOCCIA-Because this is a highly opinionated circumstance.
MR. RUEL~Not a rendering, just a sketch.
MR. HARLICKER-Excuse me. This is what he submitted for existing.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, I think that would be fine.
MR. PALING-This is fine. That kind of thing, just an outline
drawing, and we know what kind of roof you've got. We know what
the dimensions are. We know where the windows are, that kind of
thing.
MR. HARLICKER-Something similar to what was done with the
existing.
MR. OBERMAYER-A nice conceptual drawing.
MR. BOCCIA-All right. So we'll settle with a simple line
drawing, no color shadings?
MR. BREWER-No. We don't need colo)- and all that.
MR. BOCCIA-And just the front elevation?
MRS. LABOMBARD-No, we've got to have the side elevations if
you're dealing with a 45 degree angle structure.
MR. BREWER-Yes, front and side.
MR. RUEL-The side's going to look just like the front.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Roger, you don't know. You haven't seen it.
MR. PALING-We need a drawing like that, but it's got to show us
the side view also.
MR. BREWER-And, for what it's worth, view lines.
MR. BOCCIA-By Monday I can't (lost word).
MR. PALING-Okay. I don't want, two only asked for that, so I'm
going to leave it out.
MR. BOCCIA-I think that, since you're only going to see the front
of the house, and a front elevation will reveal the element of
the 45 degrees quite adequately. You will see everything that's
there. It's just going to be slightly shortened.
MR. OBERMAYER-Is that okay with YOu guys?
MR. BREWER-Front and side.
MR. MACEWAN-Why? If
and the addition's 45,
addition.
you're showing a front
you're going to see
view of the house,
two sides of the
MR. OBERMAYER-Right. You're going to see it.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Okay. Well, that's what I wanted to make sure.
MR. RUEL-The side view would be the same, no different.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I don't want you to think I'm being picky, because
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we had, I just want to say this. We had a situation where we had
a piece of lakefront property on an area lake, and we got into
the whole septic system. They were expanding the place,
tripling, well, doubling it's size anyway, and they were, the
septic field and the septic system was adequate for the basic
minimum, and when the person came back with his second drawings,
and he didn't have to do this, he was thinking into the future,
and this person upgraded the septic system, even though he didn't
have to. So being a lake resident myself, I could have gotten on
that issue. Hel-e you're doing all this renovation and you have a
minimum septic system on other Codes that were past Çodes. I
mean, we could have gotten on that. So I don't want you to think
that we're nitpicking on this. I mean, the lake is a wonderful
lake, and I think that, 10 years from now, 15 years from now, I
would hate to have our successors look back and say, boy, that
Board of 1995, they really let some things slip, and that's where
we're staying.
MR. ADAMO-Well, I don't think you have to worry about that,
because I love the lake as much as you do, and I also know that
even if we got it turned down with a variance, we would go to
court and we'd win our case in court. Now we don't want any
aggravation, because I hate lawyers as much as I hate architects.
All I want is a bedroom with a bathroom. I don't want any
lawyers. I don't want any architects. I hate them all. If this
guy doesn't have it done next week, you won't see him.
MR. PALING-Before the motion goes, I'd like to say, the public
hearing, we're going to re-open the public hearing, so that
people can return. They've got to have , a chance to comment on
what the structure looks like.
MR. MARTIN-So you're going to leave it open, leaving it open?
MR. PALING-I closed it, but I'm going to re-open it.
public hearing is re-opened.
So the
MR. BOCCIA-This is a problem. We're talking aesthetics here. I
mean, it's philosophical. You could be bringing people from
anywhere to decide what is architecture and what isn't
architecture. I ~ould walk around that neighborhood and really
turn up a storm.
MR. PALING-I don't think you'll find us that picky.
MR. BOCCIA-Okay then, if that's the case, then, fine.
MR. ADAMO-The public hearing should be closed.
It should be closed.
It was closed.
MR. BOCCIA-I don't need a public hearing, people coming in taking
pot shots, that they don't understand.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I agree with you, there.
hearing should be closed.
I think the public
MR. PALING-All right. The public hearing is re-opened.
MR. ADAMO-I took a trip up here of 230 miles to be up in this
area tonight. I don't want to come up to a hearing and then
another public hearing two weeks from now, not for one bedroom
and one bathroom. I'd rather leave it at the hands of others. I
mean, a public hearing was held. Everybody who could avail
themselves, availed themselves, and when people complain about a
side yard that was there for 30 some years, another side yard
that was there for 30 some years, inadequate reading of the
plans, to discuss the enclosed stairway. We're willing to do
everything possible, but I'm not going to perpetuate my own
misery and go on for public hearing after public hearing after
public hearing. I have a feeling about public hearings, having
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sat in a million of them. I think the public hearing should be
first. Then the comments by all the people and the members of
the Board should come second, but I go along with whatever the
procedure is. However, I don't want the public hearing to be re-
opened. It's not my recommendation.
MR. PALING-All right. I'm going to poll the Board.
MR. MACEWAN-Leave it open.
Boa)"d, Bob.
You don't even have to poll the
MR. OBERMAYER-I don't see any reason to open it again. Everybody
has had comments on it.
MR. BREWER-I think it's only fair, that the practice of this
Board is if t~e pu~lic is here,and they ~ant to ~pe8k, ~e have an
obI igation,tp listen to them. ,
MR. PALING-So ~òG~re ~~ying, re-open ,it?
II'"
MR. BREWER-Yes.
MR. RUEL-No, don't re-open it. We had it tonight.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I abstain.
MR. PALING-I say re-open it.
MR. BREWER-Bob, I would just like to add one other point. We're
sitting here a~ Board members tonight, asking for something to
look at that we're not sure ourselves about. The people that
live there haven't seen it, either.
MR. PALING-I agree with you. That's why we're re-opening the
public hearing. Th~ public hearing is re-opened.
PUBLIC HËARING OPEN
MR. SCHACHNER-It's moot now, but in my opinion, that's very
appropriate for one simple reason, and that is that you've asked
the applicant to provide additional information in support of the
application, and as a general rule, if you've asked for
additional information, especially if that information could be
deemed material information, which I think you're asking for an
elevation because you feel it could be material, then it's very
appropriate to allow the public the opportunity to comment on the
additional information.
MR. PALING-And I think we should ask anybody that's going to
comment to be reasonable, and your comments should really be
based on the changes, not on setbacks or what we've already
discussed.
MR. SCHACHNER-You can ask the public comments, to the extent
possible, to be appropriate to the additional information you've
requested, but it's very appropriate to allow that public
comment.
MR. PALING-Okay. So the public hearing is re-opened.
MOTION TO TABLE SITE PLAN NO. 38-95 FRANK ADAMO. JR., Introduced
by Timothy Brewer who moved for its adoption, seconded by James
Obermayer:
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vöte:
MR. SCHACHNER-And, technically, what you're going to do is
continue the public hearing.
MR. PALING-All right, yes, and the public hearing will be
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continued.
AYES: Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Obermayer, Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Brewer,
Mr. Paling
NOES: Mr. Ruel
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MR. PALING-Okay. You'll be on next week.
first, if at all possible.
We will put you on
MR. ADAMO-Thank you.
MR. PALING-Thank you.
SUBDIVISION NO. 8-1995 PRELIMINARY STAGE TYPE I COLGATE
PHILLIPS ESTATE/LEIGH BEEMAN OWNER: SAME AS ABOVE ZONE: WR-
lA, C.E.A., APA APPLICANT PROPOSES TO SUBDIVIDE A 12.68 ACRE LOT
INTO 4, 1 ACRE LOTS AND ONE 8.57 LOT WITH RESIDENCE TO BE
RETAINED BY OWNER. TAX MAP NO. 12-3-27 LOT SIZE: 12.68
SECTION: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
JOHN CAFFREY, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Subdivision No'. 8-1995 Preliminary Stage,
Colgate Phillips Estate/Leigh Beeman, Meeting Date: July 18,
1995 "This is a simple 4 lot subdivision with a remaining 8.27
acre lot. The four new lots will all access off of Hillman Road.
The rear yard setback will be maintainéd as a 20 foot vegetated
buffer. The remaining 8.27 acre lot will remain as it is. The
applicant has indicated that there are no immediate plans for
future development or subdivision of the larger parcel. Each lot
will be serviced by on site septic and water. The one acre lots
meet the dimensional requirements of the zoning cQde .nd would be
in character with the existing lot sizes in the area. The
proposed subdivision will have minimal impact on the road system
and even though it is zoned waterfront residential, the
subdivision should not have an impact on the lake."
MR. PALING-Okay. What other communication do we have on this?
Coulter & McCormack. Have you got this Coulter & McCormack
letter?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes, there were a couple of letters that were part
of the application.
MR. PALING-Okay. Should they be read into the public record?
MR. HARLICKER-They aren't really public comment. The first one.
Okay. We could read them. "At sketch plan review, Scott
Harlicker of your office inquired about my plans for the
remainder of the property. The property is currently owned
Jointly by myself and the estate of my late father, Dr. Colgate
Phillips, of which I am the executor. Following approval of the
subdivision, it is my intention to convey the estates interest of
the remaining 8.27 acre lot, which includes the existing
dwellings and accessory structures. I have no plans, at this
time, to sell the property or further subdivide it., It is
anticipated that the aréa between the present develo~ed~rei and
the four proposed new lots would act as a buffer area, and would
not preclude the possibility of later sale of all or part of the
property. Also, as we stated at the sketch plan review meeting,
the four proposed lots will have no lake access rights
whatsoever. Pursuant to, A183-47 of the Town Code, I request a
waiver of the requirements for a clearing plan, a grading plan,
an erosion control plan and drainage report. As shown on the map
and the proposed covenants and restrictions, clearing of the
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existing brush will be prohibited within 20 feet of the rear line
of the property. However, the vegetation is virtually all brush
and there are few, if any, substantial trees on the property.
The remainder of the lots will presumably be cleared by the
purchasers for construction of the dwellings and septic systems,
as well as lawn areas. I do not intend to undertake any such
development or clearing myself. Four lots will be sold to
individuals who will construct the dwellings. Regarding the
grading, erosion control and drainage plans, these do not seem to
be necessary on the site. As shown on the subdivision map, the
site is essentially flat, and to the extent that it does slope,
it slopes away from Cleverdale Road and Hillman Road, so that
drainage would be contained on the property. At their closest
point, the new lots are approximately 340 feet from Lake George.
It can be assumed that the runoff leaving the site, if any, would
all be percolated into the ground long before it reached the lake
or any nearby residences. No new roads will be constructed. I'm
open to suggestions from the,Board and the Planning Staff as to
conditions that might be imposed on the lot that would further
reduce the need for drainage facilities. Accordingly, it is my
opinion and that of Tom McCormack of Coulter & McCormack, and my
attorney, John W. Caffrey, that this particular plat ,meets the
requirements of Section 183-47, that there are ~pecial
circumstances, and that meeting these requirements is not
required in the interest of public health, safety and general
welfare. Sincerely, Leigh Beeman" And the other attachment is
just a proposed list of the covenants and restrictions.
MR. PALING-Okay. Would you identify yourselves for the record,
please.
MRS. BEEMAN-I'm Leigh Beeman.
MR. CAFFREY-I'm John Caffrey.
MR. PALING-Okay. Scott,
erosion, drainage, clearing
that?
their
and so
request about a
on, how do you
waiver for
feel about
MR. HARLICKER-I don't have a problem with that.
MR. PALING-You don't have a problem with that. Okay. All right.
What kind of questions have you got?
MR. RUEL-With the proposed covenants and restrictions, Items 7
and 11 are identical.
MR. CAFFREY-We can remove one of them.
MR. RUEL-Just a question for the Chairman.
and restrictions be part of this?
Will the covenants
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. Part of the approval?
MR. RUEL-Yes.
MR. MACEWAN-We have in the past.
MR. OBERMAYER-It's probably going to be part of the deed, anyway.
MR. RUEL-If it's part of the deed, then it doesn't have to be
part of the.
MR. MARTIN-It can be either way, as far as I understand it.
Right, Mark?
MR. SCHACHNER-Yes, or both, often both.
MR. RUEL-Or both? Okay.
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MR. MARTIN-If there's covenants and restrictions, we usually
staple them to the plat in the office.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes, we've done that in the past.
MR. RUEL-Okay.
MR. PALING-Okay. I don't have any
question on this, either one. We have a
will require a, you said Type I. Do
comments you'd like to pass on? We seem
here.
particular comments or
public hearing, and this
you have any particular
to be moving right along
MR. CAFFREY-Not unless you have questions. We basically outlined
it when we were here for sketch plan. So unless there's any
further questions. When the hearing's completed, we'll respond
to any questions.
MR. PALING-All right, then we'll open the public hearing on this
matter. Is there anyone here that would like to speak about
this?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
BILL GAZELY
MR. GAZELY-My name is Bill 'Gazely, and I live on Hillman Road.
First of all, I'd like to say how delighted I am to have heard
all these laudatory expressions for our beautiful Lake George,
and this is where I am concerned, and I think I heard most of
what you said in that letter, but I didn't hear it all, but I
heard some of it, in reference to the drainage, and the runoff,
and the fact that the runoff would stay on those four lots.
Well, I have to tell you, my land is immediately west of the four
lots, and it goes, four, three, two, one up to Cleverdale Road.
I have to have a sump pump in my basement. In the spring time,
it's on some times as much as six weeks, constantly, because the
drainage is coming down off the ridge up there, depending on how
much snow we get in the winter, of course, and I can't, it's hard
for me to believe that those one acre lots are going to be able
to absorb all that, especially if you're taking four acres of
heavy brush and several number of trees, and I would like some
assurance that the removal of all that brush and those trees is
not going to increase the amount of drainage that's going to come
flowing down. I think that's about, that's my main concern.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. MACEWAN-Where does most of the water come from?
MR. GAZELY--It's off the ridge on the other side, on the east side
of Cleverdale Road. Snow accumulates up there and it runs down
toward the lake, and it's going to run right across his
properties, too. I've had to put in a 1,000 gallon cement
drywell toward the lake from where my house is. My house is not
on the lake directly. The pipe lead from this trap in the corner
of the basement, where the tile goes around for the surface
water, well I guess it's groundwater, and it would collect in
there, and I had a couple of inches of water in the basement. So
that's when I got a sump pump. Put the sump pump in there.
Still had trouble pumping out. Got this 1,000 gallon drywell put
in, running pipe down and they ran a hose down, and everything
ran right down in there, and the next spring, th~ water was
backing up. That's how high the water table is. The water was
pumping right into my cellar.
MR. MACEWAN-This was after last winter?
MR. GAZELY-No, the winter before.
I didn't have to use it at all,
Last winter, this past spring,
but I solved the problem by
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capping the damn thing. It doesn't take any water out, but it
doesn't pump a whole lot of water in my cellar.
MR. OBERMAYER-There's a lot of clay up there, isn't there?
MR. GAZELY-That's a good point. It's clay and shale. I kind of
wondered about the water supply. I talked to Leigh. I tried to
drill a well. We went down over 500 feet. We didn't get any
more than 10 gallons a minute, and we're as high in coliform
count.
MR. OBERMAYER-You know what they're proposing to put
raised beds, I guess, for even the septic system.
what the letter said, because of the clay.
in, like
Isn't that
MR. RUEL-Yes, they had a problem.
MR. OBERMAYER-A problem with the percolation rate
ground. So it's probably surface, probably a
hard pan that runs right on top of the hard pan.
going into the
(lost word') and
MR. GAZELY-You ought to try to dig a hole.
MR. OBERMAYER-I know.
MR. GAZELY-Or plow a garden.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes.
MR. GAZELY-Okay.
MR. PALING-Yes. Thank you. Anyone else?
JULIA BARBER
MRS. BARBER-I'm Julia Barber,
and unfortunately, I'm hard
anything they said about where
lots, where they were going
explaining that to me?
and I live next to the Phillips,
of hearing. So I didn't hear
they were going to take the extra
to put them. Would you mind
MR. PALING-We can show you. What street is she on?
MRS. BARBER-Hillman Road.
MR. CAFFREY-It's the one
Shuttenhelm. These lots
you.
that shows on
are over here.
the lot as Lot
They're not even
39,
near
MRS. BARBER-Thank you.
MR. PALING-You're welcome. Thank you. Okay, sir, would you like
to come up?
ART BUCKLEY
MR. BUCKLEY-My name's Art Buckley, and I live at the base of
Hillman Road, as it comes down Cleverdale Road, and I was flooded
out completely. Now I've got an eight foot basement, that's
eight foot high and it runs 39 by 34, and I had three feet of
water in that basement, twice in one night! It overwhelmed by
drainage system because the drainage up there is completely and
totally inadequate. It was worse then that it is now, but we've
finally got the department up here, and that night, at two
o'clock in the morning, with his road crew, and putting in a ten
or twelve inch drainage pipe, but at that time, the drain, the
catch basin, which by the way is half on my property without my
permission, overflooded. We had a lot of rain, but water came
down off those hills, just bubbled right up out of the catch
basin, and it was that high coming out of the catch basin. They
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were digging a trench across there at that time to put
underground electrical service into my home. The water worked
it's way down through there, unde,'neath the footings, and flooded
out my þasement. Now they put in a drainage system, it goes
right out into my basin where we s~im, and where we take our
drinking water, our domestic water. No one will change it. No
one will even listen to me, and I sit right down, just below
Takundewide, and that was a primary problem. The original (lost
word) that we had there, one spring, we had a foot of water
inside the can, and it filled, underneath the camp, 18 inches,
and put a foot of mud, left a foot of mud inside the door. The
water system is completely inadequate. I don't know what the
devil (lost word) is going to do about it, but anything comes
down that hill, or off those mountains, off that hill east of
Cleverdale Road, will wind up in my basement or in my yard.
MR. PALING-Sir, could you show us where you are on the map,
please.
MR. BUCKLEY-Well, does it show Hillman Road? Well, I live on the
southwest corner.
MR. PALING-Okay. You're off this print.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Then you're on this side of the road, over here,
that's not on the map. Here's Gazely.
MR. BUCKLEY-This is Temkins? Well, that's their water system.
Okay. Then, who is this right here?
MR. PALING-Estelle Stewart.
MR. BUCKLEY-Well, I live right over here. This is Hillman Road
over here. I'm on this side over here. Now, there's a catch
basin here. Half of it's on my property, and it goes from there
across the road. Then it runs parallel to the road, into another
catch basin, then it comes diagonally across the road into
another catch basin, and it empties out into my swimming area.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Did you have all this water this year?
MR. BUCKLEY-Two years ago.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Well, spring of '94.
MR. BUCKLEY-I lost a $3500 freezer, refrigerator in the basement,
my electric furnace, oil burner. I lost that. I lost four
electric tools.
MRS. LABOMBARD-So you had all this terrible water, spring of '94.
How were you in the spring of '93, and the rest of the years?
MR. BUCKLEY-Well, I've had a sump pump working. It worked 24
hours a day, seven days a week. I have water that cOhtinually
flows underneath my basement 24 hours a day, up until recently,
and the three springs on my property have gone dry. I have three
springs on my property, and all that empties right into my basin,
my swimming basin right here. I mean, if you cut those trees out
of there, you cut that brush out of there, I'll be inundated.
MRS. LABOMBARD-But there's not that many trees. There's is a lot
of brush, but there aren't many trees.
MR. BUCKLEY-The brush is even better than the trees, because a
tree will only hold so much water.
MR. RUEL-They wouldn't be cutting everything down.
percent.
Probably 30
MR. BUCKLEY-Well, 30 percent would put me in one heck of a fix.
- 55 -
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I can tell you right now.
MR. PALING-Okay. Thank you.
MR. BUCKLEY-You're welcome.
STUART TEMKIN
MR. TEMKIN-Stuart Temkin. I'm Art Buckley's neighbor, just this
end of Hillman Road, or that part of Hillman Road. I'm just part
year, I'm here six months of the year. It seems to me that
several people here have suggested that there'$ a real water
problem. Bill Gazely just said it, and these are year round
residents, and one of the measurements that you have is the
environmental impact, and it seems to me that before this could
be approved, somebody should do a study to see where this water's
going to go when trees are removed, when 30 percent of the trees
are removed, and have an impact study to see how we can better
handle that. Now, I have no problem letting someone get the best
use of their property, but not at somebody else's expense. So,
can you ask for, or I don't know what the procedure is to get an
impact study, an independent impact study.
MR. PALING-Okay. Thank you.
like to comment on this?
Is there anyone else that ~ould
KATHLEEN ENGLAND
MRS. ENGLAND-Kathleen England, Hillman Road. I concur completely
with both Mr. Temkin and Mr. Gazely and Mr. Buckley. We have had
water problems. We tried to put a septic system in. It was
unbelievable, and finally we had to hire an engineer to design
one for us, and mostly it was drainage from the mountain that's
behind Cleverdale country road, and we are clay, shale, and most
of the water that goes into the basin goes down over toward the
lot, the Buckleys, and comes right into Lake George, Any time we
have a storm, it drains right down. It's unbelievable. It goes
right into Lake George. It's shocking, and I think the Town
should be aware of what is happening there, and now to take any
more brush or, I don't know what, trees, or anything that would
keep the water from coming, we'll be inundated along that lake,
and the lake will be inundated, by storm. I mean, what will
happen? Something has to be done, if there is property to be
developed, I don't care how many acres or whatever, something has
to be done about the drainage. Drainage will not be percolated
on any lot behind the Gazely's, between Cleverdale country road
and the Gazely property. Thank you.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Mrs. England, may I ask you a question? When you
had the engineer design your system, is it working well? Is it
adequate?
MRS. ENGLAND-The system? Yes. It's a mound.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Now, my question is, have any of yoU," neighbors
had an engineer come in and do their systems for them?
MRS. ENGLAND-I believe, yes. Jeff Smith, who the Temkins bought,
yes. I think, when this was already designed, but the expense wa
outrageous. I mean, $26,000 for a mound is crazy, and now to
have to have developments behind us and all is outrageous, and to
have all this coming into the lake, and now you're saying all
this drainage will be percolated on the lot. I wrote that down,
because you're 240 feet from the lake, since the property is
level or even with, it's not right. Somebody has to come in and
look at this property, an environmental engineer or something.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Can I give you a little fact. I understand your
concern. I just read this in the Post Star, in the past couple
of weeks, because everybody's worried about the drought, that the
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area that drains the Lake George basin is five times larger an
area than the lake itself, and that's why there wasn't too much
of a concern, because one inch of rain in our area can cause the
level of the lake to go up four to five inches. That's what, I
mean, the lake is drained by an incredible large area. I'm aware
of that. So your point's well taken.
MRS. ENGLAND-Yes.
MR. PALING-Thank you. Any other public comment? Okay. Then the
public hearing will be closed.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. PALING-I think, would Staff want to comment on any of what
we've just been hearing?
MR. OBERMAYER-Are there any engineering comments or anything?
MR. MARTIN-I think the Board has a couple of options available to
it. You could have a drainage report done. You could refer this
application on to Rist-Frost, and the other thing that might be
appropriate here is to have some deep test pits dug, and have
them looked at by a Soil Engineer to see if you run into any
mottling or anything like that, and see what we see for a, it's
the worst time of the year to be digging test pits, especially in
this current year, but a Soil Scientist could tell you what the
seasonal high groundwater has been, due to mottling and soil and
that type of thing. So there have been, I know, waivers
requested for these types of things, but in this particular case,
it might be warranted to send this off to Rist-Frost and have
that type of work done.
MR. PALING-Okay.
MR. CAFFREY-I wish some of the people who had been commenting
could see the plans. Maybe they went to the Town and saw them or
not, but if you look at the contours on the property, first of
all you see that this part is virtually flat and, second of all,
most of the people who were talking, who said they've had
flooding in their basement, are located where they would not be
affected by the drainage from this site. The drainage generally
flows northwesterly, and does not flow, in any respect at all,
toward, I think it's Mr. Buckley, nor toward the Temkin property,
and not even toward the England property. It generally goes
across the remaining property of the applicant's and also the
Peters' property.
MR. MACEWAN-Where do you base the information on that the
drainage moves in a northwesterly direc~ion?
MR. CAFFREY-If you look at the contours, you have to assume that
water's going to flow downhill, and I'm not an engineer, but.
MR. OBERMAYER-It depends on what the borings, if yOU had soil
borings dohe and test pits, groundwater. You're not ~ure of what
elevation shale is at.
MR. CAFFREY-What they're talking about, though, sounds like
surface water runoff coming off the roads, which is the Town's
problem, and the problem area is to the east, and not necessarily
anything that's going to be affected by this property here.
Second of all, it's not as if we're going to pave these lots,
okay. When you replace trees and such with grass, it's not
really going to affect the drainage at all, the percolation. As
far as soil tests, there is a letter in your file from Coulter &
McCormack. They have done soil tests, and everywhere, once you
get down to two or three feet, you hit clay, and I think it's
virtually an impermeable (lost word), but above that, the upper
layer of the soil, the top 14 inches or so, is a dark brown,
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loamy soil, and has what I think are fairly high perc rates.
Maybe your Staff can look at that and tell me if I'm wrong, but I
believe that, for the most part, the rain that falls on this site
will percolate on these lots into that upper layer of the soil,
and then proceed through the soils, just as it always did. I
don't think that it's going to cause any drainage or runoff onto
these other properties. I think if you were going to pave these
and put in a parking lot, I'd be very concerned if I were the
Peters' property or (lost words) but these are going to be houses
with d,-iveways and mostly lawn, and based on the soil test from
Coulter & McCormack, I think it's just going to percolate back
pretty much on the sites, and it's not steep. So it's going to
tend to move slowly and percolate in rather than run right off,
and I don't think that this is going to contribute to the
problems that these people have been having. Maybe your Staff
has, certainly, some background on these types of issues, but I
don't think it will be a problem.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I have a question to Staff. We're talking about
45,000 square foot lots, approximately, but what about that 10
percent, what I read in the paper ab6ut the 10 percent, the
dwelling that can be constructed isn't supposed to be, in other
words, would we allow a monster dwelling on one of these lots,
like 4500 square feet?
MR. MARTIN-The proposal that's currently being looked at is
setting up a floor area ratio that would, right now it's at 10
percent total floor area of all buildings on the site, the ratio
to the lot area. So, in this case, if you have, essentially, one
acre lots, you're looking at 4300 square feet of overall building
area. That's area in the garage, sheds, first and second floors
of the dwelling, all that, a total.
MRS. LABOMBARD-But that's counting the garage, too, which could
be 800 square feet.
MR. MARTIN-I think it would be warranted to take, you know, in my
view, to take a more detailed view of this, have a drainage
report done, have Rist-Frost look at it, because the drainage
report will take into account how much of the area is going to be
vegetated, what type of soils there are, an estimated or assumed
amount for building area, and that'll all be considered at a
drainage report. That's what it does, and you'll see what the
effect will be. The other thing that might be a good idea is to
indicate some special grading, maybe some berming around the edge
of the property here between the properties to the west and that
type of thing, stipulate eaves trenches at the 'eaves to catch
water off the roof. There's all sorts of things that can be done
here that aren't very expensive but will give us a better picture
of what we're looking at here and also the practical,
straightforward ways to mitigate any potential for impact to
neighboring properties.
MR. OBERMAYER-Wouldn't that be like a stormwater Management plan,
what we would want to look at, too?
MR. MARTIN-Right. There's some practical things that can be
done, berming of the site, berming or raised mounds along the
edge of the property so water cannot drain off the site, and it
could be done in an aesthetically pleasing way. I mean, you can
grass the area or plant it. Those are all things that could be
done, and should be looked at, I would think.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Now who would initiate an EIS?
MR. MARTIN-Well, I don't know that you're talking about an EIS.
I mean, I think there's a lot of investigation that can be done
and work here that would be short of an EIS. I think a drainage
report. There may be some deep test pit tests, review by a Soil
Engineer, all those types of things may be appropriate.
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MR. MACEWAN-When you forward this information on, if we should
decide to do that, and send it off to Bill MacNamara, does he
also receive a copy of the minutes of the meetin~, so that he can
kind of see what the concerns are from the neighborhood?
MR. MARTIN-Yes. We could furnish him that, yes. That would be
no problem. Because, see, as standard practice, when
subdivisions involve five or fewer lots, we don't usually send
them off, trying to, they're generally not an issue, these types
of things, but I think in this particular case, you may have some
extenuating circumstances here. I mean, we're trying to keep the
cost down to the applicant, but on the other hand, we want to
make sure we do a thorough review.
MR. PALING-Okay. I think we all feel about the same, regarding
this. Let me ask one other question. Now, lets say that we
refer this to Rist-Frost and this is done. Is there any other
questions that we have? I think all of the questions that were
raised will be the Bill MacNamara kind of things ~o answer. I
didn't detect anything beyond that, and I don't see anything, in
my own mind, beyond that, either.
MR. 08ERMAYER-It'll be nice to be able to see on the map a little
more detail on where the culverts do exist, just so we can get a
flavor for the stormwater management.
MR. MARTIN-The people are right. I've seen this area. There's a
series of, I think it's five catch basins that are interconnected
along Hillman Road here to the south, and the one does ultimately
drain directly into the lake. By the way, that was requested by
Mrs. Locke years ago. There was a big war, I understand, about
having that pipe installed to the lake, but it was done at her
request, and those are all interconnected, and the funny thing
about these things is there's one right there on the corDer,
right next to the Temkins' septic mound. It's a perforated catch
basin. So probably, I wouldn't want to drink the water out of
~ catch basin. I'll tell you that.
MR. PALING-All right. Well, then I think what we're looking at
is tabling this motion.
MR. MARTIN-It's up to the Board, but those would be my
suggestions.
MR. MACEWAN-Fine.
MR. OBERMAYER-I'd like to see a Stormwater Plan.
MR. PALING-Management Plan, right.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes, I think the four different areas that Jim
mentioned were excellent, drainage report, a special grading,
stormwater management, maybe suggesting berming, anything like
that, but we have to get a report first. Yes.
MR. RUEL-I'd go along with Jim's comments.
MR. BREWER-D~'ainage report first, and then we can have some kind
of a landscape or stormwater control plan.
MR. PALING-Could they not be done at the same time?
MR. BREWER-Well, depending on what the drainage report tells you.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. The drainage report will tell you what you're
going to be running into.
MR. BREWER-What you have to do, and then the applicant can come
up with some kind of a plan to control the water, not necessarily
solve the problems that are existing there, but the problems he
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may create.
MR. OBERMAYER-We don't want to him contributing to any additional
problems.
MR. MACEWAN-Have him put in his Tepo~t ~ome t" b
I - sugges lons a out, to
alleviate any potential problems.
MR. MARTIN-John, in fairness, called last week and wanted to know
if there were Staff concerns, and had I known there was going to
be this level of, I would have told you then, and give you a
little leg up on it. I apologize for that. He asked, for this
very reason. I apologize for not giving you more notice on this.
MR. CAFFREY-You want us to have someone prepare a plan to then be
reviewed by Rist-Frost?
MR. MARTIN-Yes, a drainage plan.
MR. CAFFREY-And it may show that there's no need for anything,
but if it is shown, then you want proposals?
MR. BREWER-Exactly.
MR. MARTIN-I would also, I know, I see Coulter & McCormack went
down three feet. I think it might be appropriate to go a little
farther.
MR. CAFFREY-I don't think it can be done.
MR. MARTIN-How do you propose digging a basement, then?
MR. CAFFREY-From what Coulter tells me.
MR. MARTIN-Are these going to be homes with basements?
MR. CAFFREY-That's the buyer's problem if they want a basement.
MR. MARTIN-Because usually we try and dig a hole to the depth of
the footing, so we know what we're running into.
MR. CAFFREY-That means hiring a backhoe.
MR. MARTIN-I know that.
MR. MACEWAN-Based on that comment that he just made, I wouldn't
be willing to approve a subdivision that leaves it up to buyer
beware. I would want to see something stipulated that says if
it's not doable to put a basement in, or if it looks like there's
going to be a problem, that the houses be built on a slab.
MR. MARTIN-See, what I'm looking for is some confirmation of,
what types of soil types are we running into and is there, in
fact, an impermeable clay layer there that isn't going to permit
percolation beyond a certain point.
MR. CAFFREY-Clost words) by digging down by hand.
MR. BREWER-At a minimum, you should go down four feet.
If he pours a slab, he's got to have footers, right?
Right?
MR. MARTIN-Right.
feet.
You've got to have a frost wall about four
MR. OBERMAYER-You know what would be nice to see also is the
existing, the new elevation of the proposed houses, and see where
they sit in relation to the lots.
MR. MARTIN-That's true.
elevation.
It wouldn't hurt to have a finished
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MR. CAFFREY-Elevation of what?
MR. PALING-The proposed houses.
MR. CAFFREY-We're not going to build them.
MR. RUEL-This is subdivision.
MR. MACEWAN-He's just looking to subdivide to sell.
MR. CAFFREY-Even if you require certain
measures, we would not build them. They would
individual homeowners to install that when
houses, and the Staff would make sure, when
building permit, they comply with that.
stormwater control
be the duty of the
they build their
they come in for
MR. MARTIN-What I'm looking for, before they leave here tonight,
in fairness to them, because like I said, he was good enough to
ask last week, and I want to make sure he has one list,
comprehensive list, and we don't piecemeal this, in terms of the
requested information.
MR. CAFFREY-I understand what he's asking for, unless you have
something else.
MR. MARTIN-I just want to make sure he's clear so it's a one time
back thing.
MR. PALING-All right. Just go through it one more time, so we
all understand, there's no mis-communication.
MR. MARTIN-A drainage report, and I think that's going to take
into consideration an assumed number for building size, amount of
lot clearing and soil types, and then proposed stormwater
mitigation measures, berming, eave trenches.
MR. BREWER-If so required.
MR. MARTIN-That would have to be shown on the plat as a
requirement of development.
MRS. LABOMBARD-If it was needed.
MR. OBERMAYER-How to mitigate driveways necessarily dumping in to
Hillman.
MR. MARTIN-And I'd like Rist-Frost's impression of the soil
analysis that's been done to date is adequate or not.
MR. PALING-Okay. Then do you agree that we can table this? We
should put a date on the tabling. You're going to need a little
time on this, though. That can't be next week.
MR. MARTIN-I would doubt it.
MR. RUEL-That's a lot of work.
MR. CAFFREY-You meet August 15th?
MR. PALING-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-And then if things go well, you could have the final
the following week.
MR. PALING-Okay, and that's our first meeting in August. What
date do you need them by?
MR. MARTIN-Well, the submission date is July 26th, but I'll work
with you on that if you need a couple of days.
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MR. BREWER-As long as we get them with our first packet, first
set of packets.
MR. MARTIN-Yes.
MR. PALING-Yes, so we've got time to review them.
MR. MARTIN-And I would advise, Mark, to leave the public hearing
open on this, right?
MR. PALING-Yes. We'll leave the public hearing open. Okay. Is
there any other comments from the applicant? Okay. I'll take
one more comment from the public, if you would, please.
PUBLIC HEARING RE-OPENED
ESTELLE TEMKIN
MRS. TEMKIN-I'm Estelle Temkin, and I wondered whether or not you
could furnish those on the Board with a map, or a topography of
the area?
MR. BREWER-We have it.
MR. PALING¡We have that here.
MRS. TEMKIN-Does it actual'lY show the mountain and the road up on
Cleverdale Road and then our development? Because our road goes
straight down and it slopes down toward Lake George. The lots
appear flat. However, the road itself slopes down, and that's
why all the houses are (lost words).
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes. There's really no topography on the road.
MR. MARTIN-I think Jim's comment is well taken, that it would be
good to have a proposed elevation on the houses, and the
elevation of the road side. I think we have the elevation of the
road side, it appears.
MR. HARLICKER-You're talking about first floor elevation, not an
elevation showing the type of.
MR. CAFFREY-When you an elevation, you mean?
MR. 08ERMAYER~Floor slab.
MR. CAFFRËY-Not the type of elevation you asked the other guy?
MR. MARTIN-No. We're talking about at what point will the first
floor of the house be built at, the finished floor elevation,
like we did in Sherman Pines.
MR. OBERMAYER-Right.
MR. CAFFREY-Of the slab?
MR. OBERMAYER-No, I know what YOU want. You want the elevation
of the l·oad.
MRS. TEMKIN-The road, across Cleverdale Road, showing the
mountain, because that's the source of the water supply.
MR. CAFFREY-That's not our.
MR. PALING-I think that's going beyond anything that this Board
can do.
MR. MARTIN-I don't think this subdivision is going to contribute
to that.
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MR. BREWER-The only thing we can make him mitigate is something
he causes. We can't make him fix the problems that are already
there.
MRS. LABOMBARD-Because the mountain can also be detrimental to
these four lots that they're proposing.
MR. PALING-We'll have to limit it to the subdivision.
MR. MARTIN-I'll tell you what I would suggest you do, though.
The Town is going to be doing a Stormwater Management Plan for
the entire lakeshore area, and the result of that plan is going
to be identification of the 10 most severe stormwater problems in
our area of the lakeshore, and this has got to rank right up
there, and this is for the Planning Board, too. There w¡llþe a
meeting coming up in August. at the No~th Queensbury Firehouse.
and we're looking for input from the public on that. There'll be
notices in the Cleverdale store and things, ánd I welcome
everybody to come to that.
MR. PALING-All right. Do we need a motion on this, to
it okay with you if we table this? All right.
entertain a motion to table this until the meeting
15th. It has to be to us for the regular review.
table? Is
Then I'll
on August
MOTION TO TABLE PRELIMINARY STAGE SUBDIVISION NO. 8-1995
COLGATE PHILLIPS ESTATE/LEIGH BEEMAN, Introduced by Robert Paling
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Timothy Brewer:
To be continued
the stormwater
PIa nni ng Staff
regular review.
at the August 15th meeting, and that submittal of
management and drainage report will be to the
so that the Board can have it in time for a
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Obermayer, Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer,
Mr. MacEwan, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MR. PALING-Okay. Thank you.
(Freshwater Wetlands Permit No. 3-95 & Subdivision No. 9-1995
Preliminary Stage both for Marvin & Janet Hautala Cont'd)
MR. HARLICKER-I guess the question, now, is what are you going to
do with the Hautala application?
MR. MACEWAN-Where are they?
MR. HARLICKER-They aren't here.
MR. PALING-Can we do it without them being present?
MRS. LABOMBARD-Yes.
MR. SCHACHNER-Yes, you can if you want. You can. There's no
requirement that an applicant be present. Typically, I think
this Board and most Boards afford them the opportunity to be
present, but this is rather unusual. in that Staff says they knew
they were on the agenda. Nobody's here. Nobody's received any
phone calls, letters or anything else. You can go forward
without them, or you can table it without their presence, if you
1 i ke.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I think we should go for it. I think they've been
here for the last two meetings, and they know that it was very
controversial, and there was a lot at stake tonight.
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MR. MACEWAN-What happens if we take no action on this? Do they
have to go back through the application process allover again?
MR. SCHACHNER-If you take no action tonight?
MR. MACEWAN-If we just decide not to even hear it, or do anything
with it? If~e decide not to make a motion <;:>n it, if ~e decide
not, to table the thing, if w~ just pr~tend it .ßever showed up
hère, what happens to it? ' ,
MR. SCHACHNER-I would advise against that, solely because it's on
your agenda, and I think something should be done with it, but,
technically, nothing would happen, because on tonight's agenda,
they have a Freshwater Wetlands Permit, which does not get
granted by default if you don't make a decision. They have a
Preliminary Subdivision application, which could get granted by
default, if you didn't make a decision, but it wouldn't happen
tonight. It would not happen until at least, at the very
earliest, 62 days from the close of the public hearing, and I
don't believe the public hearing has been closed yet.
MR. OBERMAYER-No, we left it open.
MR. PALING-It's left open.
MR. SCHACHNER-Right. So if the public hearing's still open, no
action tonight would not jeopardize our position at all, would
not give anybody any approval or anything else like that.
MR. MACEWAN-We put this off for a week for a couple of more
members to come, right, and also was there some extra information
that they were going to supply the Board?
MR. BREWER-I don't mean to interrupt you, but from what I read in
the minutes, were you waited for the other members to come to
decide whether we were going to make them do a Long Form?
MR. OBERMAYER-Right.
MR. BREWER-And I think, ~ position would be, lets make a motion.
We'd have to do a Long Form and present it to them and we'll
review it.
MRS. LABOMBARD-I agree with that.
MR. MARTIN-Yes. You could at least get off the dime on that one.
MR. SCHACHNER-And you certainly can do that.
requirement that they be present.
There is no
MR. PALING-Yes.
I agree with Tim.
I came to the same conclusion, and that's what,
That's what we ought to do.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, but do ~ do the Long Form, though?
MR. SCHACHNER-We do Part II, but they'd have to do Part I, and
they haven't supplied us with Part I, as far as I know.
MR. BREWER-Only, I think, because we haven't told them to, Craig.
MR. SCHACHNE~-Yes, right.
MR. OBERMAYER-We haven't told them.
MR. MACEWAN-Can we put a motion together to ask them to do a Long
Form for both of these?
MR. SCHACHNER-Well, it would be one Long Form, because it's one
SEQRA review for the entire action.
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MR. PALING-Okay, and that covers both the?
MR. SCHACHNER-Subdivision and the Wetlands Permit.
MR. MACEWAN-I'll make a motion on that, if everybody's in
agreement with it.
MOTION TO REQUEST THAT THE APPLICANT. MARVIN AND JANET HAUTALA.
PREPARE A LONG FORM EAF FOR SUBDIVISION NO. 9-1995 AND THE
FRESHWATER WETLANDS PERMIT NO. 3-95, Introduced by Craig MacEwan
who moved for its adoption, seconded by Timothy Brewer:
Duly adopted this 18th day of July, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. LaBombard, Mr. Ruel, Mr. Brewer, Mr. MacEwan,
Mr. Obermayer, Mr. Paling
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Stark
MR. PALING-Okay, and the public hearing is still open on this.
MR. SCHACHNER-Correct.
last meeting.
As I recall, you had left it open at the
MR. MARTIN-What I'll do is, Scott, could you call John Richards
tomorrow?
MR. HARLICKER-Yes.
MR. MARTIN-We'll call the agent and inform him of your request
and ask that they be here next time.
MR. MACEWAN-I'm curious as to why they didn't come here this
time.
MR. SCHACHNER-Yes, but I think as far as asking them to be here
next time, it seems to me you'd want to leave that up to them. I
don't care. It's up to you all, but I don't think that the Town
has to push them on the timing, is what I'm saying
MR. MARTIN-All right.
August?
So you're saying put them off until
MR. SCHACHNER-I'm saying, if they submit the EAF by.
MR. MACEWAN-At this point, I'm in favor, personally, of just
making the request of them, having them submit it when they
submit it, and get on the next available agenda.
MR. MARTIN-It would be the first one in August, at this point.
MR. BREWER-What about re-notification or anything?
MR. MARTIN-No, it's left open. So it's not necessary.
MR. BREWER-Why don't we call some of the neighbors and just let
them know, though, only because there was concern.
MR. SCHACHNER-And the other thing is, if too many months go by,
then I don't think it's appropriate just to have the thing left
open without re-notification, but we're not there yet.
MR. MARTIN-Yes, but I will do an informal, we'll call a couple of
neighbors and tell them that it's.
MR. PALING-And let me clarify another point. I'm settled on the
Freshwater Wetlands. Now how about the Preliminary stage, if
this goes on ad infinitum or whatever? What happens with the
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Preliminary stage of this?
MR. SCHACHNER-The clock is not running., The typical concern we
would have would be whether there would be a default approval for
failure to act, but the clock is not running on that until, let
me just triple check this here, but I'm 99 percent certain that
the clock on that doesn't start to run until the public hearing's
been held and closed. So as long as it's not closed, that
clock's not running, and lets just refer to the Subdivision Reg's
and find the actual provision.
MR. MACEWAN-I've got three~things, all directed toward Staff, I
guess. When we dealt with the burying of stumps, over in Sherman
Pines, is that where it was, Ammirati's subdivision, flooding
problems over there. It was kind of determined that that was a
significant cause to the problems. '
MR. MARTIN-Queensbury Forest.
MR. MACEWAN-Queensbury Forest. There you go. Was there any
determination as far as anything put into the Codes that said
that you couldn't do that any more, or was there anything?
MR. MARTIN-As it stands right now, it's not permissible in a
subdivision.
MR. MACEWAN-It's not permissible in a subdivision.
MR. MARTIN-It comes right out and says it. Now, the extent of it
in the Zoning Code is, it's language that you can't bury organic
material to the point where it causes an erosion problem or
something like that. So, in terms of a regular lot in Town, you
could, to the point that it doesn't cause any problems. You're
not supposed to import any. That's a given in either case.
MR. MACEWAN-Let me ask you this. Hudson pointe, the borrow pit.
They're filling it in. They're now filling it in with whole
trees and stumps, and they are going to build on that.
MR. MARTIN-My understanding is that's a staging area for those.
Those are being just stored there. Th~y're ground up and trucked
off.
MR. MACEWAN-You might want to keep your eyes on that one.
MR. MARTIN-We're watching it.
MR. MACEWAN-Okay.
MR. MARTIN-We asked John Michaels about it, and he says they're
just storing them to the point where he has a significant amount
to truck away, and we've asked that he refrain from doing that,
because it's an attractive nuisance to the trail system.
MR. MACEWAN-I just didn't want to see a repeat of Queensbury
Forest.
MR. MARTIN-I'm all for that.
MR. MACEWAN-Secondly, it seems there's been a real good track
record, of late, of pointing fingers to you guys for saying, you
didn't tell us we had to supply that information. How come we
have to find out about it now? A way to get around that. On
your applications here, the ones that they sign that say they
know they can be nailed with a $1,000 engineering fee and all
that sort of stuff, maybe you ought to just put a clause in there
that says that the applicant also understands that either Board
may request additional information during the review process. It
gets YOU off the hook, puts the burden on us, and it's up front
that they know they could be asked for it. I mean, you know,
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it's in the zoning book. It's in there that we can ask for any
information we're looking for, but the average person who walks
through the door looking for an application of some kind or
another doesn't know that, and I think it'll clear the air right
up front.
MR. MARTIN-We must get asked, I don't know how many times in a
given week, what's the Board going to think about this? Is the
Board going to approve this? I don't know what to say. It's not
my position to say. That's what the Board's there fo)".
MR. MACEWAN-And my third contention was that I happened to read
the ZBA'sminutes from the Guido Passarelli, Mount Royal Plaza,
and to say that I am thè "PH word is an understatement. I,
personally, after talking with Sue Cipperly and reading the
minutes, trying to understand where that Board and some of the
other members come from in making their decisions, it seems like
we're kind of like in a tug of war situation here. We make a
site plan, we approve a site plan. The site plan gets violated,
the applicant goes to the ZBA, gets the necessary variance to
continue on. One of the key things that kept bugging me when I
was reading those minutes, and I don't remember who the Board
member was, but he kept referring to having "punitive" measures,
punishing the applicant, and I don't think that's what the
situation any of us were talking about to begin with. So I'm
kind of wondering, would it be a good idea if we got together
with you guys, with the ZBA and our Board and had a workshop
together, so that we could understand how we operate and where
we're coming from when we approve a site plan, and better
understand thei 1" thi nki ng when they want to. give a val" iance, and
how ~ go about giving a variance.
MR. MARTIN-I have no problem with that. I mean, we're all on the
same team here. I think it would be a good idea if you guys
maybe came together on a, I don't know, twice a year basis or
something like that, or whatever was sufficient, just to keep a
line of communication open.
MR. MACEWAN-I've been sitting on this Board three and a half
years now, and we've never sat down with the ZBA for anything.
MR. MARTIN-We had one meeting, when L was on, and I think over
that type of thing, but it should be done more often. I know Bob
and I and Fred Carvin meet on a, like a little adhoc group that
Fred Carvin requested to go through the Zoning Code and look for
improvements that could be made, and that type of thing, but I
think it would be a good idea if all three parties came together.
MR. MACEWAN-Did anybody else have an opportunity to read the
minutes from that?
MR. PALING-I wish I had read the Passarelli minutes. I haven't
had time yet. I think Craig has got a good suggestion. It's got
to have an agenda, when we do that, you know, good constructive
subjects that will lead to good dialogue, that kind of thing. I
think it's an excellent idea.
MR. MARTIN-The Zoning Board meets tomorrow night.
by them and tell them you're interested.
I can run it
MR. PALING-We could even bring it up at our next meeting, Jim.
MR. MARTIN-If you want to discuss an agenda for that meeting at
your next meeting. Maybe we could hold it in August or
September.
MR. MACEWAN-Yes. I'd like to have a workshop session with them.
I mean, that's ~ opinion. I don't know how the rest of the
Board feels.
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MR. OBERMAYER-I think if we do, though, we definitely need to
have an agenda, though, so that we just don't go in there. and
just talk about our differences. I think we need to have an
agenda of what we're going to discuss.
MR. PALING-This group Jim refers to is meeting August 3rd, is our
next meeting~ and we could maybe tip Carvin off to it, and try to
come up with an agenda at our August 3rd meeting. I could give
him a call if you want, or you could, whichever.
MR. MARTIN-You can call him.
MR. PALING-And.what I would ask, in line with this suggestion, do
you have any suggestions for matters to be discuss~d?
MR. MACEWAN-Right off the top of my head, the Passarelli site
plan. I mean, there was one where we gave certain conditions to
approve this site plan. Upon doing it, he went and did things
other than what he was approved to do. He came back in. He
didn't like the responses he was getting from us, and he went to
the Z8A and got a variance.
MR. RUEL-Well, Craig, do you think that the ZBA knew that these
were violations?
MR. MACEWAN-They knew that
members looked upon it, you
that particular thing.
he had violated, but some of the
have to read the minutes regarding
MR. RUEL-If they knew that there were violations, that's one
thing, but if they didn't know, and in all honesty granted a
variance because he needed to move something, there's nothing
wrong with that.
MR. HARLICKER-Roger, they had the same map you had showing all
the different violations.
MR. SCHACHNER-Okay. Bob, for what it's worth, I think it's an
excellent suggestion, meaning the getting together, but I think
you should try to stay a little more generic in your discussions.
I think if you end up focusing on specific, literally, specific
applications, by name, then you're going to run into a situation
where those individual applicants and their representatives will
also want to participate in the meeting and have their voice be
heard and all that. I think that, it's a good idea. I think you
can accomplish the same goal by staying generic, even if people
know what example you're talking about, just try not to be too
specific, in terms of names.
MR. MARTIN-If that is the case, you want to try to nip in the bud
right now before it happens again.
MR. MACEWAN-Like I say, I'm referring to it in a generic basis,
looking at it from the position that if we approve the site plan,
I don't want to see an applicant gO to the ZBA a month after we
approve a plan and say, gee, I can't do this, now will you give
me a variance to get away from these things that, you know, that
we try to instill in a project.
MR. MARTIN-The other thing I want to say, too, that the Town's
made quite an investment, recently, in enforcement. We now have
a full time person that does nothing but that, and I think it's
gotten a lot better, myself. It's certainly been nice to have
that capacity there, and if you're going to have this process, at
some point you've got to stick to your guns.
MR. MACEWAN-Per my request that individual be here next week, as
a discussion item.
MR. MARTIN-Yes, I think that's on the agenda.
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MR. OBERMAYER-But isn't what Guido did, though, wasn't he really
going by the zoning regulatory requirements that we created
ourself? I mean, he went back to the Zoning Board to get a
variance. Isn't that the proper channel when you do run into a
situation like that, though?
MR. MARTIN-There's always
standards for that relief
goes out with an approved
by about 11 percent, that
mechanisms for relief, but there's
to be granted, too, and when somebody
site plan and violates the permeability
wasn't a whoops.
MR. OBERMAYER-Well, there's an overkill, so to speak, but to say,
you know, an applicant would never go back and get a variance for
somethi ng that they have constructed. I mean, that's·, agai n,
that shouldn't be the case necessarily. Guido definitely got
carried away with all his, I mean, they were circled in red,
there must have been twenty of them.
MR. RUEL-That's probably because it always was that way until we
got the new enforcement officer.
MR. OBERMAYER-Yes, it probably was.
MR. HARLICKER-I think what happens, too, is when an applicant or
developer comes in, he maximizes the development on that site.
Unless you build it exactly as shown, there is no margin for
error, and that's a problem.
MR. MARTIN-That's another thing, you know, to bear in mind. When
you're looking at these site plans, just because a 60,000 square
foot building may fit, it may not be the best plan for that, and
it's not like yoU can say, well, here in black and white it says
I'm entitled to 60,000 square feet, so that's what I get. There
are other considerations that come into play that maybe ~ou back
off from that a little bit. It's not just because it's right out
to the letter of the law that I'm able to do this. There are
other considerations that come into play.
MR. PALING-Okay. I'll give Fred Carvin a call, tell him, and I
agree with you, Mark, completely, keep this generic, and tell him
what the purpose of it is, and then we'll discuss it further
August 3rd at our meeting, and see if we can come up with an
agenda, and maYbe a date to have, at least one of these meetings,
and see what happens. Good suggestion, and if you'd give me
specific cases, I'll make them generic when I talk to FYed.
MR. BREWER-Jim, the other thing is, the signs for site visits. I
didn't see any today.
MR. MACEWAN-I haven't seen any in a couple of months.
MR. MARTIN-All right.
MR. BREWER-We should make them put them out.
On motion meeting was adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Robe1" t Pa 1 i ng ,Cha i rma n
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