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 Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — November 3, 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 hearing
There were none.
Regular meeting
Members present: Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, Robert Weir, and Scott Wiley. (Elizabeth Hale connected by phone later due to computer technical difficulties.) Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt was present.
- October 6, 2021 minutes approved as submitted (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Weir, Wiley; Nays: none).
Ragone Concrete Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review (Tax Map 71.-2-4.13)
Chairman Alessandrini recused himself; Brian Davidson chaired. Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented applicant Vince Ragone for a concrete-form business off NYS Route 40 with access proposed from NYS Route 40, including an 80′×200′ steel building for two large trucks, an office, and a septic system; a DOT driveway permit was obtained. Elizabeth Hale asked whether the building color and a cupola and weathervane could help it blend with the rural hamlet character. Attorney Pratt asked about truck washing and runoff; consulting engineer Steve Dean said vehicles would be washed occasionally, with runoff collected in a holding tank, removed, and disposed off-site, and that larger vehicles would be stored inside while pick-ups park outdoors (traffic flow and parking, possibly 8–9 spots, undetermined).
The Board acknowledged receipt of Part I of the long-form EAF and reviewed Part II during the meeting. Discussion covered paving (possibly gravel, draining naturally). The Board agreed the project would have only small impacts to land and surface water, complies with the Zoning Law, and — with a required NYSDEC general permit for construction activity and a SWPPP in progress — would not result in a significant adverse environmental impact.
- Negative declaration under SEQRA (Wiley · Weir — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir, Wiley; Nays: none).
The Ragone SWPPP will be sent to Board members (on request) and to the LaBerge Group for review. Elizabeth Hale asked for the residents’ petition; it is posted on the Town website in the Town Board minutes. Scott Wiley asked whether the business involved concrete pumping; Mr. Holbritter said no — the larger fleet is only a crane truck and a form truck. A discrepancy in operating hours was noted (7 AM–5 PM stated earlier versus 8 AM–5 PM in the EAF). Attorney Pratt asked about form storage and vehicle repairs; Mr. Holbritter said most forms would be on the trucks with some stored inside or outside, and Mr. Ragone anticipates doing most minor repairs himself inside the building, with major repairs done off-site. Chairman Alessandrini then resumed the chair.
Fane Turner Road 6 Lot Subdivision Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #61.-1-14.12)
Land surveyor Mark Danskin presented a 6-lot subdivision on the northerly side of Turner Road near NYS Route 40 — part of an 8-lot subdivision (Lots #4 and #8 already approved). Lots #1, 2, and 3 lie east of the Niagara Mohawk easement and #5, 6, 7 west of it; the easement represents 25% of the 40.08± acre parcel, and minimum lot frontage is 240′. The SEQRA process was completed to avoid segmentation; an Army Corps of Engineers permit is not expected, SHPO review found no impact, and RCHD approval is anticipated. Because the project disturbs more than one acre, Acting review noted a SWPPP and silt fencing would be required; Mr. Danskin said the information would go to the engineer and Northeast Ecological would review the project. He anticipates an increase in the conservation area around Lot #7 and updated survey maps. A public hearing may be scheduled for December.
Sequin Subdivision Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #11-1-17.114)
Land surveyor Brian Holbritter presented an application for a 40,000-square-foot one-lot subdivision from a 15.5± acre parcel in an RA district at 519 Verbeck Ave. Applicant Cortland Sequin intends to subdivide the parcel for his daughter and to improve the septic system and establish a new well in the front left-hand corner to meet setbacks and septic-to-well distance. A public hearing may be scheduled for December.
Other business
- Chairman Alessandrini reported an inquiry from a property owner on Knickerbocker Road, west of the Curto property, interested in subdividing her residence from the rest of her parcel using the right-of-way for access. He informed her the proposed subdivision would result in no road frontage, which is not allowed by the Zoning Code.
- Chairman Alessandrini reminded the Board of a CDRPC (Planning and Zoning) virtual class on November 13 (9 AM–1 PM), $35, reimbursable by the Town.
Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk (dated December 3, 2021).
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