Staff Notes for 2/14/2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
February 14, 2023
Site Plan 10-2023 & SHARON SERINI
Freshwater Wetlands 2-2023 15 Private Road # 1 / Waterfront Residential / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: site plan application, survey, site plans, elevations and floor plans,
freshwater wetland permit
Parcel History: AV 8-2023
Warren Co Referral Sent: February 2023 / Comments: NCI
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Requested Action
Application to be tabled to March pending updated information.
Resolutions
1. Recommendation
Project Description
Applicant proposes a 2 story home with a footprint of 918 sq ft, a porch area of 160 sq ft and a floor area of
1,440 sq ft. The project includes a septic system, stormwater management, with disturbance of 7,000 sq ft. The
plan includes a vegetative plan for removal and plantings to remain. Pursuant to Chapter 179-3-040, 179-6-065,
& 179-8-040, site plan for new floor area in a CEA shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Variance: Relief is sought for setbacks and house height. The Planning Board shall provide a recommendation
to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Staff Comments
• Location-The project is located at 15 Private Road #1 on a 0.19 ac parcel in the Waterfront Residential zone,
Lake George.
• Arrangement- The current site is vacant.
• Site Design- The project includes a new home, driveway area, stormwater management and shoreline
modifications. The plans show a woodchip path from the house area steps to the shoreline.
• Building –The new home is to have a footprint of 918 sq ft and a porch area of 160 sq ft. The new floor
area of 1,440 sq ft.
• Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The plans show vegetated depression areas,
infiltration areas including the paver area to accommodated the stormwater management.
• Landscape plan- The project site is located on Lake George and is subject to the shoreline buffer review.
The plans show the trees to be removed and those that are to remain including hemlocks, maples, cedar and
ash trees. The plans also show an area of proposed buffer plantings, shrubbery and perennials; the plans
numbers proposed seem to be slightly less than guidance has suggested. Below are the guidelines from the
shoreline buffer code section.
o Shoreline Buffer - Section 179-8-040
-Minimum width 35 ft (Lake George)
-For every 700 sqft of shoreline buffer area –one large tree minimum 3 inches in diameter
-For every 350 sq ft of ground cover -7 – 24 in native shrubs; 14 herbaceous plants
- 2 -
Project site
-51 ft of shoreline per site plan
-Shoreline buffer 51 ft X 35 ft width is 1785 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer area -1785 /700 = 2.5 round up to 3 –three large trees at 3 inch diameter
-Ground cover -1785/350 = 5.1 round up to 6 (X7) =42 native shrubs and 6 (X14) herbaceous plants=84
o Shoreline Cutting restrictions and Cutting Plan- Section 179-6-050 -
– within 35 ft lakes or ponds & 75 ft streams, wetlands and rivers no vegetation within the first 6 ft
and no woody vegetation greater than one inch dbh removed from 6 ft to 35ft/75 ft area to be
maintained as natural buffer – A cutting plan allowing greater may be permitted by the Planning
Board
- Shoreline lots are allowed water access and beaches where 30% of the shoreline or maximum of 75
ft whichever is less
- 51 ft Shoreline X 30%= 15.3 feet of the shoreline buffer cut to allow a view, access and to reduce
runoff (such as angled across the lot). A cutting plan has been provided showing the area to be cut.
- Cross reference 179-8-040 ground cover of shrubs and herbaceous plantings are still applicable
within the 30%/75 ft cut area.
• Site lighting plan- All lighting to be typical residential downward facing night sky compliant lights.
• Utility details-The project includes a new septic and water to be drawn from the lake. The septic system
received a variance from the local board of health November 2022.
• Elevations-The plans show the view from three sides – the fourth side of the building should be provided as
well.
• Floor plans-The floor plans there is two floors and no basement.
• Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items h. signage, n
traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, r. construction/demolition disposal, and s. snow
removal.
• The waivers requested–Staff finds it reasonable to request a waiver as these items are typically
associated with commercial projects. The applicant has provided information on: g. site lighting, j.
stormwater, k. topography, l. landscaping, p floor plans, q. soil logs
• Pursuant to Section 179-9-050 the Planning Board may grant waivers on its own initiative or at the
written request of an applicant. The Board is to review the waivers and to determine if they are to be
granted.
Freshwater Wetland Permit
A portion of the new driveway area is to be constructed within 100 ft of the wetland. The plans indicate 512 sq
ft of the driveway is within 100 ft.
Nature of Area Variance
The new home is to be 10.5 ft from the south property line where 12 ft setback is required. The height of the
new home is to be 30.35 ft where the maximum height allowed is 28 ft.
Summary
Application to be tabled to March meeting.
Meeting History: 1st Meeting