Staff notes for 10 22 19
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
October 22, 2019
Site Plan 66-2019 JAMES KELLER
17 Fernwood Road / WR – Waterfront Residential / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: site plan application, site drawings, survey
Parcel History:AV 61-1992, AV 37-199, AV 47-2019;
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval to maintain and complete a 540 sq. ft. open deck with stairs to shoreline.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to maintain and complete a 540 sq. ft. open deck with stairs to shoreline. The site contains
an existing 3,408 sq. ft. home (floor area) and two sheds. Pursuant to Chapter 179-4-080 & 179-6-050 of the
Zoning Ordinance, hard surfacing within 50 ft. of shoreline shall be subject to Planning Board review and
approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project is located at 17 Fernwood off of Glen Lake Road.
Arrangement- The applicant had started construction of deck addition to an existing home facing the
shoreline of Glen Lake.
Site Design-The plans show the deck that is currently under construction where there are only a few
additional items to be completed. The items to be completed include a stairway, railing, footing, and
REVISED
plantings. – The applicant has provided an updated plan specific to the deck stairs and access to
the shoreline area. The applicant has indicated the deck stairs to be align with the dock and the permeable
pavers landscape block steps to the shoreline area. Additional plantings have been included for the outside
the deck area, retaining wall area with lattice and vines, then planters at the shoreline.
Building – The existing home 3,408 sq ft the open deck is to be 540 sq ft then there is small covered deck
adjacent to the open deck. The new stairway is to be at the end of the deck closest to the covered deck
portion.
Site conditions-The plans show the existing conditions with two existing retaining walls on the site and the
proposed conditions with the new deck area over the first retaining wall and the deck supporting posts in the
area behind the retaining wall closest to the shore.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control – The plans do not indicate any erosion control or
drainage plan for the deck.
Landscape plan – The plans show a plantings to be installed above the below the deck area. The applicants
plans indicate a large tree near the shoreline has been removed –shown on photos of 2017 and the current
photos indicate the one tree closest to the deck addition has been removed.
Site lighting plan – no lighting is proposed for the new deck; note lighting fixtures if installed are to be
down cast fixtures.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, j. stormwater, k. topography, 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.
Nature of Variance
Granted 10/16/19. The project requires relief from property line setbacks at the shore where 7 ft is proposed
from the deck addition where 50 ft setback is required. Relief is requested from the east setback where
proposed is 16 ft 2 inches and 20 ft is required, permeability is proposed to be 62.13%, where 62.95% is
existing and 75% is required.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan review application to maintain a 450 sq ft deck addition and to complete
the project with a railing on the deck and stairs, to install stairs, install footings, and to install plantings. The
Zoning Board was supportive of ensuring a planting plan and shoreline protection. Staff would suggest profile
view of deck stairs and pavers for dimensions and design to ensure bank stability. Also, Staff would suggest
confirmation plantings to be installed are native species from the Town Code 179-8-040.
Meeting History: PB: 10/15/19; ZBA: 10/16/19;
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