Staff Notes et
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
February 14, 2017
Site Plan 11-2017 STEVE SCOVILLE
Special Use Permit 2-2017 Everts Avenue/Cl—Commercial Intensive/Ward 2
Freshwater Wetlands 1-2017
SEQR Type Unlisted
Material Review: application, site drawings, stormwater pollution prevention plan,
Parcel History: SUB 4-2017 (Prel.) & SUB 5-2017 (Final)
Requested Action:
Planning Board review and approval for construction of five self-storage blocks.
Resolutions:
1. SEQR—to be completed as part of Subdivision
2. Planning Board decision
Prosect Description:
Applicant proposes construction of five self-storage blocks — 1)30' x 210', 2)30 x 210', 3)25'x 210', 4) 25' x
200' and 5) 180' x 20' —total units 224+/-. Project includes disturbance of 2.5 acres, site work and new access
from Everts Avenue. Pursuant to Chapter 179-3-040 & 179-10 of the Zoning Ordinance, self-storage units shall
be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project is located off of Everts Avenue boarding the existing Hewitts Garden Center and near
Homer Avenue. The project would occur on 3.262 ac parcel as part of a 3-lot subdivision.
Arrangement- The project includes grading of the project area installation of access drive and 5 self storage
buildings with a total of 224+/-units.
Site Design- The plans show the location of the five buildings and the arrangement of the parking and access
road.
Building—The plans indicate that each building will include between 16 to 61 storage units. Each unit will have
access either with a door or an overhead door. Each building will have wall mount light fixtures.
Signage- The plans show a 40 sq ft sign to be poled mounted to be located 15 ft from the property line.
Site conditions-The site is an existing open are with minimal tree coverage. The site contains designated
wetlands as Army Corp and NYSDEC. The applicant has indicated discussions with the NYSDEC that they
agree with the building locations to minimize impact to the wetland. The applicant has includes a no cut zone
and a split rail fence to ensure the green areas and wetland areas are protected.
Traffic- the plans provided indicated there are 8 designate spaces and then 37 overflow parking areas on the
grass area surrounding the buildings for a total of 45 spaces.
Site layout and utility plan—The plans show underground electric to run to each building.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control: The plans show the grading and drainage
Landscape plan—the applicant has provided a landscaping plan. The applicant has requested a waiver from the
requirement to maintain a 50 ft buffer between uses where there is an existing home adjacent to the project site.
Site lighting plan—The plans show 2 light pole fixtures along the entry drive at a 16 ft pole height.
Elevations and Floor plans-- The applicant has included a color photo of typical storage units with both larger
and small units. The each height would be 8 ft 4 in. The unit is an open and divided to the next unit with metal
wall.
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 application form identified as "Requirements" outlines the items to appear on the
site plan or included as attachments. The applicant has requested a waiver from providing a 50 ft vegetative
buffer between uses and proposes a 30 ft buffer and to maintain a distance of 100 ft to the proposed entryway to
the storage facility. In addition, a 6 ft fence with privacy screening along the east side of the residence with a
distance of 130 ft to the rear of the home.
Freshwater Wetland Permit—The applicant proposes work within 100 ft of a wetland for the installation of
drive-aisles and self-storage units. The wetlands associated on the site are Army Corp and NYSDEC and were
delineated in November of 2016. The plans do not indicate square footage of either wetland type.
Special Use Permit Criteria:
A special use permit is required as outlined in Section 179-10 for self storage units.
Harmony with the Comprehensive Plan- The proposed project is an allowed use in the Cl zone as part of site
plan and special use permit.
Compatibility —The proposed project is located in an area with multi commercial uses, food service and office
uses. There are also residential uses in the area where the new use of storage would have minimal impact on the
existing uses of the area.
Access, circulation and parking—The applicant proposes one access point for two-way traffic and drive aisle to
access each of the units. Parking is shown as designated and overflow where overflow will be on the grass area.
Infrastructure and services —The underground utility and stormwater swales are to be installed on the site
Environment and natural features —The site borders designated wetland areas. The applicant has
correspondence from Army Corp and NYSDEC where the DEC has agreed with the building locations, fencing
locations to minimize impact to the wetlands.
Long-term effects —The self storage operations provides those in commercial, retail, and residential with access
to store materials that they cannot store as their own property.
Specific Criteria —Fencing —The applicant has provided fencing along the residential property area and along
the property adjoining Hewitt's Garden Center and the adjacent commercial businesses.
Summary
The applicant has complete a site plan, special use permit and freshwater wetlands permit for the development
of a 3.262 ac parcel with approximately 224 self storage units arranged in 5 buildings.
Meeting_ History:
First PB meeting