Staff notes for 7/26/2022
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
July 26, 2022
Site Plan 43-2022 Queensbury Taxicab & Limousine Services, LLC.
410 Dix Avenue/ Commercial Moderate / Ward 2
SEQR Type II
Material Review: site plan application, site plans, site photos, elevation plans
Parcel History: SP 48-1997, UV 76-1990
Warren Co Referral Sent: July 2022/ Comments: NCI. Informal Staff comments: Recommendation of
discussing the parking in regards to distance from Dix Avenue.
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for reuse of an existing commercial building space that is already taking
place.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to reuse existing 2,256 sq ft commercial building to operate taxi service. Designated uses
are to include maintenance of vehicles used for taxi service, office space for dispatch and office clerks, auto
body and mechanical repairs, and auto sales of used cars. The business is already operating at the site. Pursuant
to chapter 179-3-040, 179-9-020, site plan review for a plan older than 7 years shall be subject to Planning
Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
• Location- The project is located at 410 Dix Avenue that is two parcels. -5 is 0.54 acres and -4 is 0.19 acres
• Building –The site has an existing 2,256 sq commercial building with access to Dix Avenue and Phillips
Avenue.
• Site conditions-The tenant has been using the facilities for taxi and auto service and sales prior to obtaining
approvals.
• Traffic- The applicant to provide parking information – Plans show 9 spaces for car sales, 10 spaces for fleet
vehicles for taxi services, 10 spaces for vehicle repairs, 17 spaces for employees vehicles. The plans do not
show lined spaces but the total vehicles spaces shown on plan is 46. Parking…There are two distinct uses
on the site Auto repair and sales 1 per 200 sq ft of floor area and 1 per 500 sq ft of service area and
Limousine service is 1 per company vehicle, 1 per employee and 1 per 1000 sq ft of office
o – Applicant to update floor plans for application to show office area, service area etc for the
building this will assist in determine if the site has enough parking.
• Site plan overall-The applicant has indicated the site will not be a taxi dispatch facility as no drivers remain
on site once the vehicle is picked up by the drivers.
• Site layout – The project site is contained in two parcels as shown on the plans. The project actives appear
to be dependent on the two parcels being used for the project – the board should request the parcels to be
combined.
• Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The applicant has indicated there are no site
changes and does not appear to be any current drainage problems on the existing lot.
- 2 -
•
• Landscape plan-Existing landscape to remain and to be cleaned up per application. There is to be a
stockade fence installed from the west end of the existing office to the west parallel to Dix Ave to screen
vehicles parked along the west side of the shop. The applicant to provide additional details about the fence
including section lengths.
• Site lighting plan-The applicant has indicated the lighting on the building is down cast and to remain –
shown on site plan, actual fixture is not shown.
• Site details-Excerpt from Town Code for proposed uses
o AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICE
Any area of land, including structures thereon, that is used for the retail sale of motor vehicles and
accessories which may or may not include auto body/repair shop services.(Heavy Equipment Sales is not an
allowed use in this zone)
o PASSENGER/LIMOUSINE SERVICE
An establishment in which taxis, passenger cars for hire and limousines are stored, serviced and dispatched.
• Utility details-The building is connected to municipal water and plans indicate on site septic.
• Signage-The applicant has not provided sign information for the free standing or wall sign. The applicant to
provide information on the signs to be part of the project
• Elevations-The applicant has provided plans for when the building was originally built and nothing has
changed.
• Floor plans-The applicant has provided a floor plan from the previous activities – the plans will need to be
updated to show the existing conditions including office area, service area and other details for auto sales
and service and the taxi service.
• Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items, h. signage, j.
stormwater, k. topography, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, q. soil logs, r.
construction/demolition disposal.
• The waivers requested–Staff would suggest the Planning Board review the waivers requested. The
applicant has provided some details on. g. site lighting p floor plans (needs to be updated), s. snow
removal, l. landscaping
• 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 reuse of an existing building for a taxi service and an
auto sales and service facility. The board may consider requesting the two parcels be merged as the site
development data use both parcels for the site. The board may request additional information for the project
including:
1. The applicant has provided a floor plan from previous application. A new floor plan needs to be
provided with dimension so the parking can be calculated for the site.
2. The plans indicate the fence type and height. Additional information about the fences length is needed
to be included on the plan.
3. The plans indicate the free-standing sign location. Additional information about signs will be needed
indicating sign dimension, lighting for the free standing and any wall signs.
4. The narrative indicates municipal sewer. Applicant to update information as there is an onsite septic
system, and municipal water connection
5. The plans indicate there is space to accommodate 46 vehicles however there are no dimensions provide
or calculation for the number. Additional information should be provided for parking.
6. Auto sales does not include heavy equipment sales– the backhoe on site for sale is not an allowed sale as
it falls under heavy equipment.
Meeting History: 1st Meeting