Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — June 6, 2018.

Public hearings

Sunshine Acres Subdivision (Tax Map #61.-1-9)

Opened at 7:31 PM. Engineer John Hartnett presented a 4-lot subdivision of a 14.49± acre parcel at Calhoun Drive and NYS Route 40; owner Don Kehn was present. Lots measure 2.60±, 2.62±, 2.49± acres with a 6.78± acre residual with existing dwelling; all with public water and individual septic, accessed from Calhoun Drive. The owner of the adjacent farm appeared, noting he routinely sprays the neighboring field and asking that a hedgerow remain and buyers be informed. The Board confirmed the adjoining property is in a state agricultural district and agreed a survey note would be appropriate. Closed at 7:40 PM.

Akin Two-Lot Subdivision (Tax Map #13.-1-53.1)

Applicant and Board member Wayne Akin recused himself. Surveyor Brian Holbritter proposed splitting a 4.2± acre parcel (owned by Deborah and Wayne Akin) into a 2.01± acre lot and a 2.19± acre lot with an existing dwelling. No public comment. Closed at 7:42 PM.

Carignan Subdivision (Tax Map #60-1-1, 60-1-2, 60-1-29.1)

Surveyor Brian Holbritter, for Todd Carignan, proposed subdividing property at 253 Turner Road (about 16.3 acres) into lots of about 3.65 and 12.61 acres, creating two flag lots while keeping 200’ of River Road frontage; the 3.65± acre lot with existing residence retains Turner Road access. No public comment. Closed at 7:44 PM.

Regular meeting

Convened at 7:46 PM. Members present: Chairman Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, and Jack Walsh. Brian Davidson and Robert Weir were absent. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt was present.

• May 2, 2018 minutes approved with the addition of the surnames of those who spoke at the Wiley Timber Harvest public hearing (Tax Map #61.-1-17.21) (Akin · Akin — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).

Sunshine Acres Subdivision — decision

Engineer John Hartnett agreed to add a survey note identifying the adjacent farm operation within a NYS certified agricultural district; Attorney Pratt noted an Agricultural Data Statement is required (within 500’ of a state agricultural district). The short-form EAF was received.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Akin · Hale — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).
• Preliminary approval contingent on the agricultural survey note (Clow · Walsh — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).
• Final approval contingent on RCHD approval (Walsh · Hale — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).

Carignan Subdivision — decision

The application, surveys, and short-form EAF were received; the fee to follow.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Akin · Clow — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).
• Preliminary approval (Akin · Walsh — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).
• Final approval (no RCHD approval needed, as one lot has existing water and septic and the other is 12± acres) (Clow · Walsh — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).

Akin Two-Lot Subdivision — decision

With Wayne Akin recused, surveyor Brian Holbritter noted the ZBA granted density variances in May; septic design is in process (gravelly soils, in-ground system anticipated). An Agricultural Data Statement is required (within 500’ of the Barton and Copses farms). A $180 fee was received.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Walsh · Hale — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).
• Final approval contingent on RCHD approval (Walsh · Clow — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).

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

Zack Longo, EIT, and engineer Jeff Budrow reported on the three outstanding items: (1) the Phase I archeological survey found one prehistoric “flake” identified as an isolated find, with the consulting archeologist concluding no significant effect (final report pending); (2) the NYSEG crossing was resolved with a formal crossing/utility corridor, though the hard copy signed by applicant Wayne Klekamp (D/R RV Resort, Inc.) was not yet received; and (3) RCHD public-health engineer Fred Howard accepted the concepts subject to technical details and suggested conditional PB approval. Chairman Alessandrini flagged fire protection and trespass onto the adjacent farm. The owner of the abutting property was present; the Board discussed 6’-high fencing (openings max 6”) running the length of that boundary to deter trespass, trash dumping, theft, and damage. Dan Clow had no response from the Hemstreet Park Fire Chief and noted the poor entry road; Elizabeth Hale voiced concern about adequate fire/emergency coverage.

• Special Use Permit approved (Clow · Walsh — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Walsh; Nays: Hale), with conditions: (1) receipt of a final signed NYSEG agreement; (2) construction and upkeep of a fence at least 6’ high with openings no wider than 6” along the entire adjacent-farm boundary; and (3) RCHD approval.
• Site Plan approved (Akin · Clow — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).

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

Surveyor Mark Danskin adjusted Lots #5-#8 to extend conserved space by 100’ in depth to better meet the 4.5× width-to-length limit (reducible under Section IV, D, 1, b with additional green space). Dan Clow suggested flag Lot #4’s 288.41’ driveway may need a fire-truck pull-off and hydrant. A possible bald eagle nest and sight-distance concerns to the north were noted; the Board found the general layout acceptable.

Verbeck Community Solar Farm (Tax Map #22-1-1.121)

The revised SWPPP was reviewed by Yates Scott Lansing, PE (Lansing Engineering), who found it “technically adequate.”

• SWPPP approved as revised (Akin · Hale — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none).

Other

Chairman Alessandrini circulated e-mailed inquiries: an applicant proposing two efficiency suites in her basement at 3109 River Road (she did not appear); a City of Troy comprehensive-plan lead-agency request (Board declined interest); and an inquiry from the firm Carola, Bagnoli & Tollisen, PLLC, for Brian Rohloff, proposing a seasonal 20’ × 40’ pavilion at Prospector’s Restaurant (NYS Route 40 and E. Schaghticoke Rd.), likely requiring a revised site plan. A resident concerned about possible future subdivision of the Navarra property (Route 40, Speigletown; formerly DuJack) was added to the agenda mailing list, as was a Turner Road property owner worried about a rumored solar farm and its effect on property values (no such application is pending).

Adjourned at 9:14 PM (Clow · Akin — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk.