Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — October 6, 2021. The Board met via Zoom videoconference under amendments to the New York Public Officers Law. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt explained the Zoom procedure, noted the notice was published in the Troy Record and posted on the Town website, that the meeting was recorded (to be posted and later transcribed) and minutes were taken, and encouraged verbal comment.

Public hearings

Ragone Concrete Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review (Tax Map 71.-2-4.13)

Chairman Frank Alessandrini recused himself; Brian Davidson assumed the chair for this application. Attorney Pratt read the Notice of Hearing for applicant Vince Ragone. Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented Mr. Ragone, who seeks a Special Use Permit and site-plan review for a concrete-form business off NYS Route 40 with access proposed from NYS Route 40. Plans include an 80′×200′ steel building to store two trucks, plus an office and septic system. The applicant obtained a DOT permit for the driveway location.

Public comments were extensive and largely in opposition. A neighboring property owner stated concerns and opposed the project. A resident speaking for 25 neighborhood residents who had submitted a petition to the Planning and Town Boards expressed opposition, citing the water table (measured at 12′) putting nearby wells at risk of contamination, noise from large vehicles, possible expansion of the business, trash accumulation and blowing debris, and traffic safety; he said the signers opposed a roughly 10,000-square-foot building that “does not fit the code” and “is not a public use building.” Another resident questioned the approval process and whether officials were hearing residents. Additional neighbors — including an adjacent property owner and residents living across from and near the site — opposed the project, raising increased noise since trees were cleared along Route 40, loss of wildlife, the size of the building, the danger of the proposed driveway’s proximity to the Eastover Road / Route 40 intersection and busy morning traffic, and impacts on neighborhood quality of life and property values. No further public comments. The hearing closed at 7:54 PM.

Pruiksma Subdivision (Tax Map 31.-2-26.1)

Frank Alessandrini resumed as Chairman and read the Notice of Hearing for applicant Christina Pruiksma, seeking a two-lot subdivision (one 0.69± acre lot and one 32.51± acre lot) on Route 40 in an RA district. Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented applicant Christina (Giuliano) Pruiksma. David and Christina Pruiksma reside in an existing residence on NYS Route 40 where they keep livestock; they recently purchased a neighboring property and propose a one-lot 30,062-square-foot subdivision, with residual acreage of 32.51± acres. An area variance for inadequate road frontage was granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. No public comment. The hearing closed at 8:00 PM.

Regular meeting

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

• August 4, 2021 minutes approved as submitted (Wiley · Akin — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Wiley; Nays: none; Abstentions: Alessandrini, Hale, Weir).
• September 1, 2021 minutes approved as submitted (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir, Wiley; Nays: none; Abstention: Alessandrini).

Ragone Concrete Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review (Tax Map 71.-2-4.13)

Chairman Alessandrini recused himself; Brian Davidson chaired. Brian Holbritter represented Mr. Ragone for the concrete-foundation business off NYS Route 40 with access from Fogarty Road, including an 80′×200′ steel building for two trucks, an office, and a septic system. Acting Chairman Davidson noted no SWPPP had been submitted; the applicant’s engineer, Steve Dean, said the current draft SWPPP includes two ponds and one swale. Elizabeth Hale asked about vehicles stored (two large trucks daily, plus occasional pick-ups) and noted she had not seen the petition; the neighboring property owner who submitted it agreed to provide a copy to the Board. Ms. Hale asked whether site vegetation was higher than the proposed building; Mr. Holbritter said the building at maximum height would be higher than existing trees. Scott Wiley asked about hours (7 AM–5 PM Monday–Friday, rarely Saturdays, with one departure and one arrival of the two trucks each morning and evening) and raised concerns about water contamination and a hose breaking; Mr. Holbritter said truck washing would occur indoors with “stormwater-controlled” wash water. Dan Clow noted the once-open property is now overgrown and recommended a site visit; Mr. Holbritter offered to meet interested members. The Board noted another possible access off Fogarty Road, but Mr. Holbritter said that frontage is only 50′ wide and serves an adjacent apartment building, so it was not under consideration. Attorney Pratt noted the application appears to be an Unlisted action under SEQRA and recommended a long-form EAF; the Board agreed and requested it. The Ragone application would be placed on the November 3, 2021 agenda.

Rohloff Car Wash Special Use Permit and Subdivision (Tax Map #32.-3-29)

Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented Deanna and Brian Rohloff, proposing a car wash on NYS Route 40 south of East Schaghticoke Road in an HC district. A 1.74± acre subdivision from a 7.78± acre parcel is proposed for a 5-stall car wash (4 manual, 1 automatic end-bay stall), operating automatically 24/7 with no employees and ATM payment. Stephen Dean (engineer, National Grid) was working on the design layout; Todd Mills, a car-wash-package salesman, described a closed-loop system using four 1,500-gallon tanks with about 10% water loss per wash, water recaptured and polished with UV lights and filters, and fresh water for rinsing; a new well (2 gallons/minute) would be drilled. Traffic plans (not finalized) propose one-way traffic in from a private access road off Route 40, exiting onto East Schaghticoke Road. Because Mr. Rohloff owns two lots south of the proposal and property to the east that may be developed commercially, Chairman Alessandrini suggested the Board consider full development to prevent SEQRA segmentation and evaluate traffic flow. The Board requested an EAF with final plans.

Pruiksma Subdivision (Tax Map 31.-2-26.1)

Brian Holbritter represented applicant Christina (Giuliano) Pruiksma for the two-lot subdivision (a 0.69± acre lot with existing home, well, and septic, and a 32.51± acre lot) on NYS Route 40 in an RA district. An area variance for lack of required road frontage for the 30,062± sq-ft lot was approved by the ZBA on September 2, 2021. The subdivision application and short-form EAF were received; the fee would be delivered to the Town Clerk October 7, 2021.

• Negative declaration under SEQRA (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir, Wiley; Nays: none).
• Preliminary subdivision granted (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).
• Final subdivision approval granted (Clow · Davidson — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).

Raymond Dumas Lot Line Adjustment (Tax Map #30.-3-5.1 and 5.2)

Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented applicant Raymond Dumas, who proposes to add an adjacent 2.22± acres from a 4.78-acre parcel on River Road to his 3± acre parcel, creating a 5.22± acre parcel in an RA district at 3122 River Road. Mr. Dumas’s residence was constructed partially on the neighboring parcel; after more than a year of negotiations with the adjacent property owners, the lot-line adjustment would bring the Dumas residence into compliance with the Zoning Code’s 30′ side-yard setback. A notarized statement of permission was received from the adjacent owner allowing Mr. Dumas to apply.

• Final approval of the lot-line adjustment (Akin · Hale — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).

Remodel Now Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #51.2-1-19)

Brian Holbritter represented applicant Carl Godfrey. Mr. Godfrey’s property, including an existing concrete-block building on NYS Route 40 in Melrose north of the old train trestle (formerly the Crandall Plumbing business), was recently rezoned by the Town Board from R to Highway Commercial. Mr. Godfrey intends to operate a woodworking business (custom doors and other wooden items), plans to lay gravel for parking, and may later add stick-built structures (24′×30′ and 24′×40′) for storage of vans, trailers, and wood, and demolish the concrete-block building. The Board noted that a permanent business requires restroom facilities and discussed public water/septic availability and pavement for handicapped parking. The Board agreed the application would be considered for a Special Use Permit if the applicant wishes to proceed; Mr. Holbritter will consult with Mr. Godfrey on submitting an application.

Adjourned at 9:29 PM (Akin · Davidson — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir, Wiley; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk (dated November 7, 2021).