Staff Notes for 8/24/2021
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
August 24, 2021
Site Plan 53-2021 MICHAEL & ALICE CROTTY
19 Fitzgerald Road / WR – Waterfront Residential / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, site plan, elevations, floor plans, survey map
Parcel History:AV 91-1990, SP 10-1991 addition, AV 60-2021
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval to demolish a 576 sq. ft. attached garage to construct a two story addition
with a three car, 928 sq. ft. garage and bedrooms/storage above.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to demolish a 576 sq. ft. attached garage to construct a two story addition with a three car,
928 sq. ft. garage and bedrooms/storage above. The addition includes covered walkways and breezeway area.
The main home is also to be altered with a master bedroom addition, interior and exterior alterations for the
main floor and basement areas. The existing floor area is 3,405 sq. ft. and proposed is 5,302 sq. ft. Pursuant to
Chapter 179-3-040, 179-5-020 & 179-6-065 of the Zoning Ordinance, new floor area in a CEA and expansion
of a non-conforming structure in a CEA shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The property is located at 19 Fitzgerald Road. The parcel is 0.79 acre and on Glen Lake.
Arrangement- The parcel has an existing 2 story home with an attached garage. The driveway goes through
2 lots and shares driveway access to an adjoining lot. There is an existing well and septic on the site.
Site Design- The project includes renovations to the existing home, removal of the existing garage,
constructing a new garage. The project includes installation of a new septic system and to maintain the
existing well.
Building – The project includes removal of the existing garage and breezeway area of 742 sq ft. The
footprint of the new attached garage is 928 sq ft, the breezeway footprint is 341 sq ft, and the walk in closet
for the master bedroom is 132 sq ft. The new garage is to be 3 car and will have living space above. The
new living space is to have three rooms and a bathroom. The master-bedroom on the first floor is to be
expanded to all for a walk-in-closet. In addition, the interior basement area is to be renovated
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The plans indicate eave trenches to be installed
and calculations have been provided. The plans have been forward to engineer for review and comment.
The plans do not indicate the existing or proposed grading for the project. The applicant has indicated the
garage is to be located on an existing hard surface.
Landscape plan-The project site is located on Glen Lake and is subject to the shoreline buffer review. The
plans shows additional plantings of hostas and day lillies at the new foundation near the shoreline. The
plans did not indicate existing vegetation. The board may request additional information about the shoreline
plantings. .Below are the guidelines from the shoreline buffer code section, Section 179-8-040
-Minimum width 20 ft (Glen Lake)
-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
-125.8 ft of shoreline per survey
-Shoreline buffer 125.8 ft X 20 ft width is 2516 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer area -2516/700 = 3.59 round up to 4 –four large trees at 3inch diameter
-Ground cover -2516/350 =7.19 round up to 8 (X7) =56 native shrubs and 8 (X14) herbaceous
plants=112
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
125.8 ft Shoreline X 30%= 37.74 feet of the shoreline buffer cut to allow a view, access and to
reduce runoff (such as angled across the lot).
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-The information indicates the lighting will be recessed downcast fixtures.
Utility details-The project includes a new septic system. The applicant has explained the system is to be
designed to be used under driving and parking surfaces. The plans show there is a shared driveway between
the neighbors that is to be continued.
Elevations-The elevations for the existing conditions is shown with the photographs. The lake side
elevation drawing proposed conditions are shown with a drawing and photo.
Floor plans-The floor plans show the existing and proposed levels of the home and garage areas.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items, h. signage, k.
topography, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details 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 information about g. site lighting, j.
stormwater l. landscaping, p floor plans, q. soil logs, r. construction/demolition disposal.
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
Approved 8/18/2021.The porch area and foundation are to be 22 ft 1 inch from the shoreline where a 50 ft
setback is required. There are two parcels that are to be combined as part of the project.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan application for renovations interior and exterior to the existing home.
The project includes the demolition of the existing garage and construction of a new garage with living space
above as well as renovating the exterior deck facing the shore.
Meeting History: PB: 8/17/21; ZBA: 8/18/21;
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