Staff Notes for 11/16/2021
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
November 16, 2021
Site Plan 69-2021 JUDITH DOOLEY
2964 State Route 9L/ Waterfront Residential/ Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, site plans, stormwater, survey and photos
Parcel History:AST 355-2019 boathouse & sundeck, AV 73-2021
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Requested Action
Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a new deck configuration for upper, main level landing
area facing the shore.
Resolutions
1. Recommendation
Project Description
Applicant proposes a new deck configuration for the upper, main level landing area facing the shore. The
previous deck system is 305sq ft main floor, 156 sq ft landing/deck, and 15 sq ft stairs for a total of 476 sq ft.
Proposed decking is 60 sq ft upper deck, 300 sq ft main floor, 24.5 sq ft landing, and 38 sq ft stairs for a total of
422.5 sq ft. The existing home’s footprint of 1,151 sq ft remains, only deck construction changes. Pursuant to
Chapter 179-3-040, 179-13-010 of the Zoning Ordinance, hard surfacing within 50 feet of the shoreline and
expansion of a non-conforming structure shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval. Variance:
Relief is sought for setbacks and expansion of a non-conforming structure.
Staff Comments
Location- The project is located at 2964 State Route 9L on a 7,304 sq ft parcel.
Arrangement- The site has an existing home and associated driveway and access to the shore frontage.
Site Design- The project will remove a existing deck areas on the house and replace them with smaller
decks.
Building – The house is existing 1,151 sq ft footprint. The home has about 606 sq ft deck areas and
proposed is 422.5 sq ft of deck areas.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The applicant has indicated a silt fence is to be
installed around the site and would include the coir logs as well. The roof water is directed away from the
construction site and utilize gutters and downspouts. A drainage rock pad is to be installed and drainage
gravel to be installed.
Landscape plan-No additional landscaping is proposed.The project site is located on Lake George and is
subject to the shoreline buffer review. The applicant proposes no changes. Below are the guidelines from
the shoreline buffer code section.
Shoreline Buffer - Section 179-8-040
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-Minimum width 35 ft (Lake George)
-For every 700 sqft 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
-51 ft of shoreline per survey
-Shoreline buffer 51 ft X 35 ft width is 1,785 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer area -1785 /700 = 2.5 round up to 3 –three large trees at 3 inch diameter
-Ground cover -1785/350 = 5.1 round up to 6(X7) =42 native shrubs and 6 (X14) herbaceous plants=84
Shoreline Cutting restrictions- Section 179-6-050
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Shoreline lots are allowed water access and beaches where 30% of the shoreline or maximum of 75
ft whichever is less
51 ft Shoreline X 30%= 15.3 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 – no lighting is proposed for the new deck. The applicant is reminded light fixtures should be
cut off downcast.
Utility details-There are no changes to the wastewater or drinking water.
Elevations, Floor plans -The plans show the existing deck and proposed deck configuration.
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.
Nature of Variance
The applicant proposes alter the existing decks on the home facing the shore. The deck is to be 21.1 ft from the
shoreline where a 50 ft setback. The new deck areas is to be 4.1 ft to the north property line and 10.3 ft to the
south property line where a 20 ft setback is required.
Summary
The Planning Board is to provide a recommendation to the ZBA in regards to the relief requested for setbacks
and expansion of non conforming structure.
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Meeting History: 1 Meeting
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