PB Staff Notes SP 72-2018 DeMello_12 18 18
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
December 18, 2018
Site Plan 72-2018 JOSEPH DEMELLO
West Mt. Road / MDR – Moderate Density Residential / Ward 4
SEQR Unlisted
Material Review: application, harvest plan
Parcel History: n/a
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for a timber harvest plan for 96 acres of 101 acre parcel.
Resolutions
1. SEQR
2. PB Decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes a timber harvest plan for 96 acres of 101 acre parcel. Applicant has provided a timber
harvest plan showing landing and main skidder trail from Luzerne Road. There are spurs from the main skidder
path to areas as shown to harvest 7 stands. Pursuant to Chapter 179-6-010 of the Zoning Ordinance, timber
harvests shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project site is located across the street from 311 West Mountain Road
Site conditions-- The project site is 101.91 ac and is relatively flat. There are two streams that are shown on
the plans and a letter from NYSDEC indicating they are intermittent streams and unclassified. In addition,
the applicant has received an email response from the Natural Heritage program indicating no records of
rare or state listed animals or plans at the project site or in its immediate vicinity.
Site Design- The plans show the landing to be accessed from Luzerne Road. The main skid trail is shown
from the landing and access to the 7 stand areas to be harvested. The Total Forest Profile indicates 16,000
+/- trees at 6in DBH up to 39in+ DBH. The harvest layout is specific to each stand and ranges from 60 sq ft
per acre of basal area to 90 sq ft per acre of basal area. The harvest plan indicates 60-65% of the trees
standing with a 6 in DBH or higher are to remain on site.
Traffic- All access to the site is from Luzerne Road –this should be confirmed as the property borders both
Luzerne Road and West Mountain Road.
Site layout and utility plan –There are to be no utilities installed on the site.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control –The applicant has met with Soil and Water
Conservation district and has included their letter in the timber harvest management plan. The applicant has
explained stormwater management measures to be implemented including but not limited to silt fencing,
check dams, water bars and temporary measures as needed.
Site details - Upon review of the harvest plan between Staff and Soil and Water Conservation District Staff
the activity meets #14 of the Frequently Asked Questions for SPDES and Stormwater Discharge as an
Exempt activity.
o Excerpt…. “In order to successfully demonstrate "silviculture", a landowner should present a forest
management plan, prepared by a resource management professional (forester), that shows sound
forestry intent, goals, forethought, addresses the condition of the residual stand and makes
provisions for future forest regeneration; or they should at least be able to discuss their plans with
respect to the future of the property staying in forest use. By providing such acceptable evidence of
intent to practice silviculture, or “sustainable forestry”, the landowner then simply needs to
adequately protect water and soil resources, as required under Article 15, through use of accepted
timber harvesting “Best Management Practices” (BMP’s) , and is not required to prepare a Soil
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan or obtain coverage under GP-02-01. Landowners may refer to
the “New York State Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality” field guide, available
from DEC Forestry offices, for advice and guidance on selection and installation of appropriate
BMP’s for silvicultural operations.”
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, j. stormwater, k. topography, l. landscaping, 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.
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.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan review application for a timber harvest project. The landing area will
need to have a construction entrance design and should be noted on the plans -to eliminate any sediment being
tracked from the site to the road. The Board should confirm the access to the site is to be maintained on Luzerne
Road.
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Meeting History: 1 Meeting
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