Staff Notes for 12/13/2022
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
December 13, 2022
Site Plan 66-2022 ALISHA & MICHAEL GRIFFEY
26 Tall Timbers Road / Waterfront Residential / Ward 1
SEQR Type II
Material Review: site plan application, driveway plans, stormwater report, revised plans
Parcel History: building permits 1998, 2015, 2016, 2021
Warren Co Referral Sent: October 2022 / Comments: Concur w/local board. Informal staff comments:
Encourage discussion about stormwater runoff and permeable paver option due to
proximity to Lake George.
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for new driveway configuration using an adjoining lot.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes a new driveway configuration to have access from an adjoining lot from Assembly Point
Road. Project work includes 5,740 sq ft of new driveway surface with stormwater management and stone
retaining walls. Site disturbance is less than 15,000 sq ft. Additional stormwater controls are being added for
existing hard surfaces. The existing residence and outbuildings to remain unchanged. The project includes
merging two lots. Pursuant to chapter 179-3-040, site plan for site development in the WR zone for a new
driveway and major stormwater shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
• Location- The project is located at 26 Tall Timbers Drive on a 2.79 ac combine parcel of 239.161-23 and
239.16-1-24
• Arrangement- The project is for a driveway of 5,740 sq ft to be constructed on the applicant’s property to
access Assembly Point Road where the property has access to a driveway from an adjoining properties. The
driveway is to be 12 ft in width.
• Building – The existing buildings on the property are to remain this includes a one story cabin, existing 2-
story home, and a detached garage.
• Site conditions-The existing driveway including the paved parking, paved drive and crushed stone drive are
to remain with no changes. The Chief of North Queensbury Fire Company has provided comment that new
driveway will improve access to the property through a visual inspection of the site (11/16/2022 Letter in
file)
• Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-the plans show there are to be shallow depression
areas to assist with stormwater management. The plans show boulder retaining wall sections to be installed
along the driveway with heights of up to 4 ft. Other retaining walls are proposed to be installed by others –
additional information should be part of final plans. The stormwater management has been designed to
meet the major stormwater permit standards. The project includes a draft stormwater maintenance
agreement. The applicant proposes a stormwater management concept plan for the existing hard surfaces
however requests a waiver for implementation of stormwater measures that would be abutting the shoreline
due to the disturbance it would cause. The applicant received engineering sign off on 11/29/2022.
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•
• Landscape plan – The plans show tree clearing on the site specific to the driveway. The applicant has shown
planting areas to remain with existing vegetation.
• Shoreline Buffer requirements under Section 179-8-040
-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 native shrubs at 24 inches; 14 herbaceous plants
Project site
-247 ft of shoreline per survey
-Shoreline buffer 247 ft X 35 ft width is 8645 sq ft
-Shoreline buffer -8645 /700 =12.3 round up to (13) thirteen large trees at 3inch diameter
-Ground cover -8645/350 =24.7 round up to 25 (X7) =175 native shrubs and 25(X14) = 350 herbaceous
plants
o Shoreline Cutting restrictions- Section 179-6-050
- Shoreline lots are allowed water access and beaches where 30% of the shoreline or maximum of 75
ft whichever is less
- 247 ft Shoreline X 30%= 74.1 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 plans indicate lighting to be downcast and night sky compliant – there is no lighting
noted on the plans.
• Utility details-No changes to the existing utilities for the buildings.
• Elevations-The plans do not indicate a road elevation, the board may request clarification or cross section.
• Floor plans-There are no changes to the buildings.
• Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, p floor plans, r. construction/demolition
disposal
• 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 for: j. stormwater, k.
topography, l. landscaping, and q. soil logs.
• The plans should indicate a snow removal plan
• 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 construction of a new driveway 5,740 sq ft access
from Old Assembly Point Road to connect to an existing driveway area.
Staff would suggest confirming the depressions and eave trenches that will be implemented, details on the
retaining wall areas to be done by others and the stormwater maintenance agreement details either on the plan or
document to be reviewed by counsel (as the site is a minor but the submission addresses major). In addition,
staff suggests a condition as part of final plans to include documentation of lot combination.
Supporting information should be included in regards to phasing of implementation of stormwater management
for the existing surfaces as described will occur over a 15 year period.
Plans should include snow removal location and management of snow removal.
Meeting History: PB: 10/25/2022