Staff Notes for 5/18/2021
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
May 18, 2021
Site Plan (M) 27-2021 DARK BAY PROPERTIES, LLC
3300 State Rt. 9L / WR – Waterfront Residential / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, site drawings, photos, updated application and narrative
Parcel History:SP 4-2008, SP 33-2017, AV 31-2017, NOA 1-2018
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for installation of 790 sq. ft. driveway spur from the existing driveway
area of 3,770 sq. ft. to allow for small equipment storage for property maintenance. The project also includes
the installation of retractable aluminum stairs on an existing pier for the northeast swimming cove area.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes installation of 790 sq. ft. driveway spur from the existing driveway area of 3,770 sq. ft. to
allow for small equipment storage for property maintenance. The project also includes the installation of
retractable aluminum stairs on an existing pier for the northeast swimming cove area. The existing buildings on
the site are to remain. The project includes work on two separate parcels – driveway 27.1 –swimming area 27.2
Pursuant to Chapter 179-9-120 of the Zoning Ordinance, modifications to an approved site plan and hard
surfacing within 50 ft. of shore shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project is located at and near 3300 State Route 9L on a 1.81 acre area. The project occurs on
two parcels and for zoning purposes are treated as one lot of 1.81 ac total.
Arrangement- The project includes two projects on the site with a driveway addition and modifying a
swimming area.
Site Design- The driveway addition includes a 790 sq ft paved area to an existing 3,770 sq ft driveway area.
The driveway spur allows for the applicant to store property equipment to maintain the driveway and
property. The swimming area project includes installation of an aluminum stairway attached to an existing
pier. The aluminum stairs are subject to Lake George Park Commission permit. The swimming area also
includes adding a woodchip area for a picnic table.
Building – There are no changes to the buildings on site that includes two houses and one cabin for --27.1..
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The project indicates 3,500 sq ft of area to be
disturbed. The project work includes installation of a vegetated detention area and a stone detention area.
Landscape plan-The areas near the driveway are to be seeded. The plans indicate indigenous trees to be
transplanted near the existing driveway and proposed spur. Property maintenance and clean-up includes
numerous dead trees, large piles of brush debris and remnants of an old house. Parcel 27.2 to be improved
with a wood-chipped picnic area and tree removal in the area of the stairway, as shown in the photos. The
project site is located on Lake George and is subject to the shoreline buffer review. The applicant provided
a photo of the shoreline area and landscaping for the area to be disturbed. Below are the guidelines from the
shoreline buffer code section.
Shoreline Buffer - Section 179-8-040
o
-Minimum width 35 ft (Lake George)
-For every 700 sq ft 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
Project site
-548 ft of shoreline per survey
-Shoreline buffer 548 ft X 35 ft width is 19,180 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer area -19,180 /700 = 27.4 round up to 285 –twenty-eight large trees at 3 inch diameter
-Ground cover -19180 /350 = 54.8 round up to 55(X7) =385 native shrubs and 55 (X14) herbaceous
plants=770
Shoreline Cutting restrictions- Section 179-6-050
o
Shoreline lots are allowed water access and beaches where 30% of the shoreline or maximum of 75
ft whichever is less
548 ft Shoreline X 30%= 164.4ft would be reduced to maximum of 75 ft feet of the shoreline buffer
cut to allow a view, access and to reduce runoff (such as angled across the lot).Noting if inaccess of
30%/75 ft site plan review for cutting plan.
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 is no new lighting proposed.
Site details-The applicant has included photos of the area for the aluminum stairs showing the concrete pier
and the new picnic area. The picnic area is to consist of wood-chip area so the area can be used for a sitting
area.
Utility details-There are no changes to the existing septic or other utilities on the site.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, 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. The applicant has provided stormwater details for the new
driveway area.
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 application for the addition of a driveway spur 790 sq ft to the existing
driveway and to add a 4 ft wide aluminum stairway for the swimming area this includes a new picnic area of
275 sq ft.
Meeting History: PB: 4/20/21 Tabled;
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