Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — April 6, 2022.

Public hearing

There was none.

Regular meeting

Convened at 7:05 PM. Members present: Frank Alessandrini (Chairman), Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, and Robert Weir. Scott Wiley was absent.

• March 2, 2022 minutes approved as submitted (Akin · Clow — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale; Nays: none; Abstention: Weir).

Peters Subdivision (Tax Map #50.-1-24.1)

Applicant Les Peters appeared with a revised drawing of a proposed four-lot subdivision in an RA district with public water at 100 Calhoun Drive. At the March meeting a preliminary sketch was discussed and design concerns raised. The revised sketch reflects a preliminary agreement to purchase additional land from the adjacent neighbor to increase density — land 70′ deep by approximately 1,285′ wide to the rear property line, plus 7.291 acres to the east — with which Mr. Peters may not require any variances. An application for a lot line adjustment and subdivision approval is required; with submission of an application, fee, new survey map and short-form EAF, the application will be considered by the Board.

Melrose Fire District — Site Plan Review (Tax Map #51.2-3-43.1)

Chairman Alessandrini recused himself, explaining he may have an interest in the bidding process for the construction of the project and wished to avoid the appearance of a conflict. Kelsey Carr, Senior Civil Engineer of La Bella Associates, and Shawn Corp, Senior Associate and Studio Director with Balzer and Tuck, presented the revised site plan for a newly designed firehouse at the current Melrose fire station location. The plans and elevations of the 10,275- square-foot building were displayed. A change is planned to adjust the grade of the driveway off Route 40; the septic would be located to the north with a smaller footprint; both heavy-duty and light-duty pavement would be established; and the slope of the land might be reduced. Ms. Carr stated the SWPPP was under evaluation and would be submitted later. Landscaping will be included along the north side and front, and a sign with a flag is proposed at the front. The Board had no questions on the architectural plans. Kristin Pratt, Deputy Town Attorney, stated she would prepare the Rensselaer County Office of Economic Development and Planning 239 review and submit it to the county.

Hoosac Valley Farmers — Site Plan Review (Tax Map #32.-3-14.2)

Justin Frisino, manager at Hoosac Valley Farmers Supply, presented a proposal to modify the approved site plan for the store at 520 Madigan Road (HC district) to add a building east of the current steel building to store bagged items that cannot be left outdoors. Seasonal items (plants, wreaths, pumpkins) may be displayed under cover at the front of the new 50′ × 12′ hoop-shaped building. The EAF and the Rensselaer County 239 decision were received; the county referred the application for “local consideration.”

• Negative declaration under SEQRA (Akin · Davidson — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none).
• Final approval for the modification to the Hoosac Valley Farmers Supply site plan (Davidson · Weir — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none).

Albany Police Department Practice Range — Pre-filing Conference

Tom Mahar appeared to propose establishing a 50-yard × 100-yard practice range on Warren Fane’s property in an HC district on NYS Route 67, near the National Grid switching station. The Board agreed the Zoning Code classifies the use as “municipal buildings and uses”; a site plan review is advised and no special use permit will be requested. Mr. Mahar stated there are existing berms 20′–30′ high, no plans to build a structure, that the range may be used for training 60–70 days per year, and that it will not be fenced. Chairman Alessandrini outlined the application process, the need for a plan with the access road location, and a SEQRA review, and noted Mr. Mahar must provide a form signed by the property owner, Warren Fane, permitting use of the property by the Albany Police Department. If all information is submitted by the 15th of the month, the application can be placed on the next agenda.

Nutritional Tea Room/Shop — Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #41-1-24.2)

Applicant Candie Mirra and an associate proposed a nutritional tea shop in an HC district at the corner of Matala Drive and NYS Route 40, within an existing building. The shop would have 40 square feet of public space and a small employee space in back, selling nutritional teas and protein shakes following the “Undeniable Nutrition” format. The water was tested and results showed a new water system is required; because installation would cost approximately $11,000, the applicant sought the Board’s opinion before moving ahead. Chairman Alessandrini advised including the number of parking spaces (with handicapped parking) and seeing Building Inspector Scott Frisino about the existing ramp. He reviewed the application process and provided the form letter for the owner of the premises to sign. A public hearing may be scheduled for next month if the application, short-form EAF and survey are submitted before the 15th.

Charde Subdivision (Tax Map #70.11-3-15)

The Board held a discussion of older subdivided lots, including a parcel owned by Matthew Charde at 330 Riverbend Road, at the end of Boston Street in Pleasantdale. Boston Street is not a through street and was joined to the lot as the result of a lawsuit. The property originally comprised two lots but was merged by the county at some point. Mr. Charde had wished to sell his existing home on the easterly lot and build another residence across the street on the westerly lot, but learned that building on the westerly lot (in a floodway) would be cost-prohibitive; he decided instead to keep the westerly lot to dock his boat. The Board discussed two lots versus a merged lot and concluded that in this case the property is two lots and does not need to be subdivided. Concern was expressed about a possible title issue on the sale of the easterly lot; any such issue would be handled through the private transaction between the purchaser and Mr. Charde. Attorney Pratt advised that the Town could provide a letter indicating it considers the parcels already divided under the existing-lot provision, and suggested Mr. Charde contact Rensselaer County to address the tax map issue.

Other

Chairman Alessandrini stated that Board member Scott Wiley would be leaving the Board, as he is building a dwelling in Pittstown, and asked the Board to recommend a potential candidate.

Adjourned at 8:15 PM (Akin · Davidson — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk (dated May 8, 2022).