Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — August 1, 2018.

Public hearings

Gifford One-Lot Subdivision (Tax Map #13.-1-46.111)

Opened at 7:30 PM. Surveyor Brian Holbritter presented a 23± acre one-lot subdivision with existing dwelling and barns from a 96± acre parcel at Kardas and Bell Roads; the residual acreage stays vacant. No public comment. Closed at 7:33 PM.

Langenbach One-Lot Subdivision (Tax Map #13.-1-1.131)

Opened at 7:35 PM. Surveyor Brian Holbritter presented a 1.18± acre one-lot subdivision with existing dwelling and barns from a 35.5± acre parcel at 233 Kardas Road. No public comment. Closed at 7:36 PM.

Sloan Accessory Apartment (Tax Map #61-2-34)

Opened at 7:37 PM. Applicant Jessica Sloan proposed an accessory apartment in the walk-out basement of 193 Fogarty Road (RA district), which she and her husband Ryan Sloan intend to purchase, to house her mother-in-law. A neighbor asked whether the apartment would be rented and raised concerns about assessment increases and the septic system for a household of six; Jack Walsh explained septic sizing depends on bedrooms, not occupancy. Ms. Sloan said the unit would house her family and mother-in-law, would not be rented, and that she had contacted RCHD. Another resident, unidentified, worried about a future renter; the Board noted the Zoning Code requires accessory-apartment residences to be owner-occupied. Closed at 7:45 PM.

St. Croix Farm Timber Harvest (Tax Map #13-1-2)

Opened at 7:45 PM. Applicant John Moore proposed a 70± acre timber harvest at the northwest corner of the property on Ridge Road (RA district), thinning the forest while keeping a canopy to grow grass and shade beef cattle. A resident asked about the completion time frame and extraction route; Mr. Moore expected about six weeks and said wood would be skidded across the fields to Spink Road, then to Ridge Road. Closed at 7:49 PM.

Regular meeting

Convened at 7:34 PM. Members present: Chairman Frank Alessandrini, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, Jack Walsh, and Robert Weir; Wayne Akin arrived late. Brian Davidson was absent. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt was present.

• June 6, 2018 minutes approved as submitted (Walsh · Clow — Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none).

DeMarco — Pre-filing Conference

Linda DeMarco proposed converting part of her finished basement at 3109 River Road into a dog-boarding kennel; the basement includes a 650 sq ft walk-out studio apartment for her son. The Building Inspector had advised the apartment was not legal (no permits or certificate of occupancy). The Zoning Code kennel requirements were reviewed, including that the property does not meet the 500’ side-yard setback required for a kennel. Ms. DeMarco was given an application and short-form EAF to apply for a Special Use Permit and Site Plan for the existing accessory apartment, and noted assessment/sewer/water billing concerns.

Little League Sign

Jamie Horton did not appear.

Gifford One-Lot Subdivision — decision

Surveyor Brian Holbritter presented the 23.01± acre subdivision (Kardas and Bell Roads). Application, short-form EAF, and Agricultural Data Statement were received; a $180 fee submitted.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Clow · Weir — Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none).
• Preliminary approval (Walsh · Hale — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).
• Final approval (existing well and septic, no RCHD approval needed) (Weir · Clow — Ayes: same five; Nays: none).

Langenbach One-Lot Subdivision — decision

Surveyor Brian Holbritter proposed subdividing a 1.18± acre lot (with the current home) from a 38.01± acre parcel at 233 Kardas Road for applicant David Langenbach’s son; Mr. Langenbach will move to the residual 36.83± acre property. Application, short-form EAF, maps, Agricultural Data Statement, and a $180 fee were received.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Clow · Walsh).
• Final subdivision approval (no RCHD approval needed) (Clow · Walsh — Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none).

Sloan Accessory Apartment — decision

Applicants Jessica and Ryan Sloan plan to finish the walk-out basement at 193 Fogarty Road for a mother-in-law apartment with no exterior changes and adequate parking; an engineer is verifying septic capacity (a 1250-gallon tank and flow test may be required). Floor-plan changes are needed for a direct bedroom exit. County Planning found no major county impact, leaving the matter to local review while flagging the septic-capacity question.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Clow · Weir).
• Final approval (Akin · Weir — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none), contingent on (1) transfer of title of 193 Fogarty Road to Jessica and Ryan Sloan and (2) RCHD approval of septic adequacy.

St. Croix Farm Timber Harvest — decision

Applicant John Moore’s plan removes about 40% of the timber understory (keeping roughly 55% crown) for “silvopasture” — combining woodland with cattle grazing. The plan (by Prentiss & Carlisle, Woodlot Management Services) with application, short-form EAF, and Agricultural Data Statement was submitted; timber marking by Damon Hartman; saw logs to Cersosimo Lumber Co. A DEC stream-crossing approval is pending. Attorney Pratt confirmed with NYS Agriculture and Markets that requiring a special use permit is permissible so long as it does not unreasonably restrict farm operations; County Planning left the matter to local review. The action is Type II and exempt from SEQRA review; the $50 fee to follow.

• SEQRA negative declaration (Weir · Akin — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none).
• Timber Harvest permit approved contingent on DEC approval of the stream crossings (Akin · Walsh — Ayes: same six; Nays: none).

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

Chairman Alessandrini circulated Forefront Power’s decommissioning plan and cost analysis (2018 and after 25 years) for the facility at 141 Verbeck Avenue. Attorney Pratt noted the salvage value exceeds the demolition estimate and has raised bond-calculation concerns with the engineer.

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

Correspondence from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation found no impacts on archeological or historic resources listed in or eligible for the State and National Registers.

Other

Chairman Alessandrini reported inquiries about possible development near Bevis Road (off Stillwater Bridge Road) and a two-lot subdivision of an 8.29± acre parcel on Verbeck Avenue (RA district) with 15’ and 80’ road frontages — possible only with a town road. A Zoning Code review meeting was suggested for the fourth Wednesday in August.

Adjourned at 8:52 PM (Akin · Clow — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Walsh, Weir; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk.