Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — April 4, 2018. The March meeting had been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Public hearings

Adventure Bound Campground Expansion (Tax Map #20.-1-4.12)

Opened at 7:33 PM. Zack Longo, EIT, and engineer Jeff Budrow of Weston and Sampson presented the expansion of “Deer Run” (226-acre campground off NYS Route 67), adding 200-250 RV sites and two bath houses opposite the existing sites and the NYSEG right-of-way. SEQRA cannot be completed pending SHPO archeological review (delayed by weather); RCHD had commented on sewer and water but not finally approved.

Neighbors and residents commented. A couple who own property on NYS Route 67 asked about additional access roads (Mr. Budrow said none were planned) and document availability (available at Town Hall). The owner of an abutting parcel raised concerns that heavy gravel could affect his spring-fed water quality and described ongoing trespass, theft of wood, dumping, and vandalism he attributed to campers. Mr. Budrow responded that 150’ of sandy gravel far exceeds the purification depth required, that setbacks exceed RCHD requirements, and that the operation runs only six months a year; he attributed trespass largely to “lack of education,” noted a campground map/pamphlet is distributed, and said he would consult the owner about the trespass issue. Board members suggested boundary fencing as a possible solution. Closed at 8:57 PM.

Bloomingdale Subdivision (Tax Map #11-1-30.114)

Surveyor Brian Holbritter presented a 3.58± acre subdivision from a 34.68± acre parcel on Stillwater Bridge Road (RA district), opposite Liberty Ridge Farm. Applicants James and Kathleen Bloomingdale seek the lot for their son’s one-family dwelling. No public comment. Closed at 8:00 PM.

Cerkowski Subdivision (Tax Map #20.18-1-3)

Surveyor Bob Wilklow presented a 3-lot subdivision at 105 Crystal St. in the Hemstreet Park Hamlet District: a 25,000 sq ft parcel split into lots of 6,825, 6,825, and 11,350 sq ft (the last with an existing residence). A shed and asphalt driveway on Lot B would be removed; ZBA approval was received for side- yard-setback and minimum-lot-size variances, with one duplex planned per vacant lot. No public comment. Closed at 8:05 PM.

Regular meeting

Members present: Chairman Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, Jack Walsh, and Robert Weir. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt was present.

• February 15, 2018 minutes approved as submitted (Walsh · Hale — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none).

Adventure Bound Campground Expansion — discussion

Messrs. Longo and Budrow summarized the plan: two “his and hers” bath houses (shower, bathroom, laundry) within a 500’ radius, mirroring the existing sites; drinking water, cable, and NYS-accepted sewer with distribution boxes and a leach field; 1-2 minute perc rate. SEQRA is in progress but SHPO/archeology, NYSEG-easement survey work, and SWPPP certification remain outstanding; Mr. Budrow expected to submit remaining materials in a month to six weeks. Dan Clow noted the Hemstreet Park Fire Department had neither reviewed the plans nor responded; campground tours for 3-4 Board members were proposed, with the fire chief invited. The Town requested a $500 retainer for stormwater inspections.

Bloomingdale Subdivision — decision

Surveyor Brian Holbritter noted RCHD public-health engineer Fred Howard was willing to approve the septic plan with minor changes, in coordination with Dave Meyers. Asked by Code Enforcement Officer Brian Davidson, Mr. Holbritter said there was no junkyard — only unused empty coops and active bee hives.

• SEQRA negative declaration and final approval contingent on RCHD approval (Clow · Weir — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: Alessandrini). Chairman Alessandrini opposed the creation of two flag lots.

Cerkowski Subdivision — decision

Surveyor Bob Wilklow presented the three-lot plan; the residual 11,350 sq ft lot retains an existing dwelling for Mrs. Cerkowski. A two-family residence is permitted in the Hamlet District; garaging and off-street parking will be provided. A $210 check from Van Guilder PLLC was received.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Akin · Hale — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).
• Preliminary approval (Davidson · Weir — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).
• Final approval (Akin · Clow — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).

Wiley Timber Harvest — Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #61-2-40.2)

Nathan Piché of NE Forestry Consultants presented a timber-harvest plan south of the Melrose/Valley Falls Rd. and NYS Route 40 intersection. He is not yet the successful bidder but expects to be in May. An application and short-form EAF were provided.

Fane Subdivision — Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #61-1-14.12)

Surveyor Mark Danskin proposed an 8-lot subdivision from a 60± acre parcel at the northerly corner of Turner Road and NYS Route 40, with about a half mile of Turner Road frontage. Lots range from 5± to 12± acres; flag Lot #4 (12.27 acres) has a 60’ access from Route 40. Niagara Mohawk and Lansingburgh Water Line easements run between Lots #3 and #5. The Board discussed non-realty subdivision, cluster conservation, lot width-to-length ratios, RCHD septic requirements, the flag lot, and Turner Road/Route 40 traffic. As under 10 lots, the action may be Unlisted under SEQRA (short-form EAF required).

Other

A Haven Lane resident again raised concern about possible future subdivision and prior logging on the Navarra property (Route 40); the Chairman reiterated no application exists. Don Kehn appeared seeking the status of his proposed Sunshine Acres subdivision (Calhoun Drive and NYS Route 40) and was advised to contact his engineer, John Hartnett, whose late-November submission arrived too late to notice a hearing. Building Inspector Don Bugbee sought guidance on a 7,500 sq ft fire-damaged, abandoned parcel in the Village of Valley Falls; the Board and Attorney Pratt concluded the Town of Schaghticoke Planning Board has no jurisdiction (the parcel lies in the Village of Valley Falls, Town of Pittstown), and that with a building permit it likely could be rebuilt absent village zoning.

Adjourned at 9:40 PM (Davidson · Akin — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk.