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. Some private individuals’ personal details have been left out. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
Office of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Schaghticoke — March 4, 2021. The Board met via Zoom videoconference under the Governor’s Executive Order. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt explained the Zoom procedure, noted the meeting notice was posted in the newspapers, that the meeting was being recorded (to be posted to the town website and transcribed later), and that minutes were being taken.
Public hearing
There were no public hearings scheduled.
Regular meeting
Chairman Ed McDonough opened the meeting at 7:30 PM with roll call. Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Rich Geddis, Kristin Griswold, and Jason Shover. Absent: Lettie Saheim. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt and Clerk Elizabeth Hale were also present.
- February 4, 2021 minutes approved as submitted (Griswold · Geddis — Ayes: McDonough, Geddis, Griswold, Shover; Nays: none).
Stillwater Renewables Solar Farm — area (height) variance (Tax Map #22-1-7.1)
Dallas Manson, Business Development Representative for Nexamp, Inc., appeared to discuss submitting an application for an area variance for a 3-megawatt solar facility, the Stillwater Renewables Solar Farm, in an RA district on the Clifford and Gary Viall property on Stillwater Bridge Road. The 16-acre project with 12-foot solar panels had been approved by the Planning Board. Due to COVID-19 delays it was discovered the planned racking system was unsuitable for the site’s 15% sloped topography and would cause more environmental disturbance; a replacement racking system would raise the maximum panel height to 16 feet 4 inches. Because the Town Zoning Law as modified by the Solar Law limits panel height to 12 feet for large-scale projects, an area variance of 5 feet (allowing up to 17 feet) would be requested. Ms. Manson explained the panels would tilt east to west, move slowly, and shed snow, and that the application would seek a variance for the entire facility.
- Public hearing scheduled for the Stillwater Renewables area (height) variance on April 1, 2021 at 7:35 PM (McDonough · Shover — Ayes: McDonough, Geddis, Griswold, Shover; Nays: none).
Pre-application inquiry — pole-mounted solar, 1150 River Road
Donald Jannicelli, who resides at 1150 River Road in a Hamlet District near the Turnpike Road intersection, appeared to inquire about installing pole-mounted solar panels on his property. Attorney Pratt had e-mailed him the Zoning Code and Solar Law. He is aware of the setbacks required in an HD but is unsure of the proposed panel location; the Board suggested he consult a solar company to determine the exact pole locations and panel height to determine whether a variance is required. A completed application and fee would need to be submitted by March 15 for a public hearing at the April meeting.
Adjourned at 8:18 PM (McDonough · Geddis — Ayes: McDonough, Geddis, Griswold, Shover; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, ZBA Clerk (dated April 10, 2021).
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