Sign Variance Narrative900 Route 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065
(P) 518.371.7621 (F) 518.371.9540 edpllp.com
SIGN VARIANCE NARRATIVE
Columbia Development
Medical Office Building at Town of Queensbury
DATE: May 10, 2019
APPLICANT: Columbia Development
302 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY 12303
Columbia Development is proposing the construction of a new 17,700 SF medical office building at
the intersection of Main Street and Big Boom Road in the Town of Queensbury, NY. The site area
is 1.14 acres and will include approximately .10 acres of land to be purchased from the Town of
Queensbury. The existing property is a fully developed vacant site that was last used as a
restaurant and includes mainly impervious surfaces with very little green space. The property is
zoned CI-18 Commercial Intensive Exit 18 which permits medical facilities as an allowable use.
The site is also in close proximity to the Main Street zoning district and is a unique corner lot.
The applicant recently received several area setback variances from the ZBA, due to the
configuration of the parcel and the restrictive nature of the CI-18 zoning district along Main Street.
The project layout has been designed to fit more with the Main Street Zoning District. The two
story medical building is proposed to be located as close to the Main Street as possible and will
include prominent architectural elements facing both Main Street and Big Boom Road. The
property owner is also purchasing additional lands from the Town at the Main Street and Big Boom
Road intersection, in an effort to place the building along the existing roads and provide additional
green space at the front of the parcel. Streetscape elements such as landscaping, sidewalks and
street trees are also proposed to improve the character of the neighborhood and follow the
recommendations of the 2007 Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The current layout will require 4 sign variances. The 57 SF Freestanding sign requires a 12 SF
variance for the maximum sign area (25 SF required) and a 13 FT variance for the minimum
property line setback (15 FT required). The two 60 SF wall signs require a 30 SF variance for the
maximum sign area (30 SF required). Both the building wall signs and the freestanding signs have
been designed proportionately with the two story building. Due to the fact that the proposed
building will be providing urgent care services immediately adjacent to a major road corridor in
upstate New York, the applicant is requesting that all signage be clearly visible for patients visiting
the medical facility.