Unofficial summary. This is a community summary of the town's official minutes, provided so the record is searchable and readable. It condenses the meeting and may omit detail. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
Office of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Schaghticoke — February 7, 2019, at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose. The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m.
Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Rich Geddis, Kristin Griswold, and Lettie Saheim. Absent: Jason Shover. Also present: Kristin Pratt (Deputy Town Attorney) and Elizabeth Hale (Clerk).
Regular meeting
- January 3, 2019 minutes accepted as submitted (Griswold · Saheim — Ayes: McDonough, Geddis, Griswold, Saheim; Nays: none).
Tiny homes presentation — Stone Canyon Upstate Tiny Homes
No new applications were submitted. Tiny Home Specialist Brittany McAndrew and owner Michael Smith, of Stone Canyon Upstate Tiny Homes (Hoosick Street, Brunswick), presented a proposal to allow the location of tiny homes measuring less than 600 square feet within the Town. They distributed color photos and a brochure showing six models (described as R.V. Park Model Cottages and Cabins) with interiors under 400 square feet — below the Zoning Code’s 600-square-foot minimum dwelling requirement.
Mr. Smith described the homes as pressure-treated white pine solid construction, built in Alabama, with a northeast package offering greater insulation, 2×4 or 2×6 construction, lengths of 39–44 feet, and 10½-foot ceilings. The homes ship on a wheel base (stamped as RVs for shipping) that may be removed so the home can be skirted and sited permanently; there is no basement. He said buyer interest in the Schaghticoke location was high and that the homes appeal to those seeking vacation/seasonal homes, downsizing, or retirement.
Because the Zoning Code does not permit dwellings under 600 square feet, Chairman McDonough encouraged Mr. Smith and Ms. McAndrew to bring the matter to the Town Board to determine whether it would consider legislation amending the minimum square footage. The Board also noted the tiny homes would need review under the Zoning Code and Town Code definitions of mobile homes.
Other
Chairman McDonough relayed that, per Town Board member John Rustin, Mr. Brenenstuhl, owner of the Rustic Barn restaurant and bar in Speigletown (an HC district on NYS Route 40), is considering adding a seasonal ice cream business. To accommodate a walk-up window he intends to raze a shed on the northerly side of the property; there appear to be sufficient setbacks and parking. Building Inspector Don Bugbee has been notified and will determine whether all Zoning Code setbacks are met.
Adjourned at 8:02 p.m. (Saheim · Geddis — Ayes: McDonough, Geddis, Griswold, Saheim; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk (dated April 4, 2019).
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