Staff Notes for 8/15/2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
August 15, 2023
Site Plan 53-2023 ELIZABETH HOGAN
105 Fitzgerald Road / Rural Residential 5A / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, narrative, survey, photos of sauna and lean-to
Parcel History: RC 165-2021, SUB 1-2001, SUB 8-2008, AV 20-2015
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Requested Action
Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for setbacks for a sauna and lean-to which have already been
constructed.
Resolutions
1. Recommendation
Project Description
Applicant requests to maintain a 42 sq. ft. sauna building and a 46 sq. ft. lean-to building both within 50 ft. of
the shoreline. The sauna and lean-to were constructed as amenities to the lake. The existing 1,682 sq. ft. home
to remain unchanged. The existing site conditions and steps are also to remain unchanged. Pursuant to chapter
179-3-040 & 179-6-065, site plan for new floor area in a CEA, and hard surfacing within 50 ft of the shoreline
shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval. Variance: Relief is sought for setbacks. Planning Board
shall provide a recommendation to the Zoning Board of appeals.
Staff Comments
• Location-The project is located at 105 Fitzgerald Road on a 2.42 ac parcel in the Waterfront Residential
zone.
• Arrangement- The project site has an existing single family home and access drive. There are no changes to
the existing home.
• Site Design- The site is a 2.42 ac parcel that is an odd shape.
• Building – The existing home is 1068 sq ft with porches/deck area of 614 sq ft. The existing sauna is 56 sq
ft and the existing lean-to is 42.6 sq ft. There are no changes to the existing sauna or lean-to.
• Site conditions-The parcel is located on Glen Lake and has slope areas that are 15% or greater.
• Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The applicant has requested a waiver from
stormwater management. The applicant has indicated there are no changes to the site stormwater
management.
• Landscape plan-The applicant has provided photos of the shoreline vegetation and location of the Leanto
and Sauna. There are no plantings to be removed or installed. Photos show more than three trees larger
than 3 inch diameter, and sporadic ground cover type plantings. Below are the guidelines from the shoreline
buffer code section
o Shoreline Buffer - Section 179-8-040
-Minimum width 20 ft (Glen Lake)
-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
-101 ft of shoreline per survey
-Shoreline buffer 101 ft X 20 ft width is 2020 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer area -2020 /700 = 2.9 round up to 3 –three large trees at 3 inch diameter
-Ground cover -2020/350 = 5.8 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
101 ft Shoreline X 30%= 30.3 feet of the shoreline buffer cut to allow a view, access and to reduce
runoff (such as angled across the lot). A cutting plan allowing greater may be permitted by the
Planning Board
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-There are no changes to the residential lighting.
• Utility details-There are no changes to the existing utilities.
• Elevations and Floor plans -The applicant has provided photos of the sauna and lean-to. The Sauna is
existing and is 7 ft in diameter and 8 ft long. The Lean-to is 12X4X10 and is built into the hill as an open
structure with no doors.
• Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, j. stormwater, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, p floor plans, q. soil logs, r.
construction/demolition disposal 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 provided information for k. topography, and l.
landscaping.
• 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.
Nature of Variance
The Sauna is 24.5 ft from the shoreline and the Lean-to is 17 ft from the shoreline where a 50 ft shoreline
setback is required.
Summary
The Planning Board is to provide a recommendation to the ZBA in regards to the relief requested for setbacks.
Meeting History: 1st Meeting