Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — May 4, 2022.

Public hearing

There was none.

Regular meeting

Convened at 7:00 PM. Members present: Frank Alessandrini (Chairman), Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, Robert Weir, and Scott Wiley.

• April 6, 2022 minutes approved as submitted (Clow · Hale — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none; Abstention: Wiley).

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

Both Frank Alessandrini and Scott Wiley recused themselves from the review to avoid the appearance of a conflict, as both work in the construction field and there is a possibility that outside employment bid opportunities may include a future bid on the project. Kelsey Carr, Senior Civil Engineer of La Bella Associates, and Shawn Corp, Senior Associate and Studio Director with Balzer and Tuck, presented the site plan for a newly designed 10,275-square-foot firehouse at the current Melrose fire station location on NYS Route 40. The short-form EAF was submitted; Ms. Carr stated the SWPPP was not yet completed and would soon be submitted. The EAF and the 239 County review decision were received, with the Rensselaer County Office of Economic Development and Planning referring the application for “local consideration.” The Board had no further questions.

• Negative declaration under SEQRA (Weir · Akin — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none).
• Final site plan approval for the new firehouse on NYS Route 40 in Melrose, contingent upon receipt and approval of the final SWPPP (Akin · Clow — Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir; Nays: none).

Albany Police Department Firing Range (Tax Map #21-2-4.1)

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, east of the National Grid switching station. He submitted an application, short-form EAF and a site plan showing the range and parking within the excavated area. Plans include leveling a portion of the site and filling the “right-hand” portion with additional gravel; existing berms and the excavated site will provide sound-proofing. Mr. Mahar stated the site would be used exclusively by the Albany Police Department for approximately 60 days per year, with training classes possibly two nights per year and use roughly 1–2 times per week. Chairman Alessandrini visited the site and found it suitable due to natural visual and sound buffers, and noted he had reached out to owner Warren Fane, who is amenable; the Board requires a signed, notarized statement from Mr. Fane acknowledging his permission for APD use, and the Chairman provided the form letter. The 239 review will be submitted to the county.

• Negative declaration under SEQRA (Clow · Weir — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none).

David Baker — Pre-filing Conference

David Baker appeared. Mr. Baker purchased a steel building in an HC district on NYS Route 40 in Melrose where he intends to conduct his business painting burial vaults. He showed the Board his painted-vault work and stated that he also excavates and digs burial plots, working throughout the capital district and as far as Maine. Chairman Alessandrini advised that a site plan review by the Planning Board is required, including submission of a site plan with screening, septic location, landscaping, parking (with handicapped parking) and signage. Mr. Baker stated a well is planned to be drilled soon and no signage is proposed. The Chairman offered to send the applicable Zoning Code links and advised of the additional screening requirements because the property is adjacent to a residential area.

Simmons Subdivision — Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #21-1-29.111)

Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented the applicant, Carrol Simmons, who proposes a two-lot subdivision on the southerly side of Stillwater Bridge Road near 414 Stillwater Bridge Road, in an RA district. The 60± acre property is owned by Roy Simmons, who would like to subdivide an existing 39,010-square-foot lot, 25′ deep, including his residence, from the remaining 59± acres and a barn located across Stillwater Bridge Road. Mr. Simmons’ sister, Carrol Simmons, is interested in purchasing the 59± acre parcel. An application, survey and short- form EAF were received. A public hearing may be scheduled for the June meeting.

Rohloff Subdivision — Pre-filing Conference (Tax Map #32-3-29)

Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented the applicant, Brian Rohloff, who proposes a four-lot subdivision on 8.15± acres from a 19± acre parcel in an RA district, with access from East Schaghticoke Road. Two of the four proposed lots are flag lots; the northwesterly lot will remain undeveloped, as it contains an existing well that supplies water to the nearby restaurant, requiring a 200′ radial easement that encroaches slightly onto the abutting HC section. The three proposed lots measure 1.21± to 3.97± acres. Two of the existing barns are planned to be razed, leaving a smaller steel building and an equipment shed. There is a pond, designed by Mr. Rohloff, for accumulation of drainage along the southerly property line. Discussion ensued regarding the flag lots and their compatibility with the Zoning Code; Mr. Davidson stated he did not believe there was anything unique or desirable about the flag lots, but that the configuration meets the Zoning Code requirements. An application, survey and short-form EAF were received. A public hearing may be scheduled for the June meeting.

Remodel Now (Tax Map #51.2-1-19)

Land surveyor Brian Holbritter represented Mr. Godfrey, who purchased a 1± acre lot with an existing concrete block building at 840 NYS Route 40 in Melrose. Mr. Godfrey intends to operate a woodshop and anticipates a need for additional storage. Mr. Holbritter displayed a site plan showing the existing building and a proposal for three to four 24′ × 24′ or 24′ × 34′ pole barns for storage of business-related materials. A raised-bed septic system design was completed by engineer Steve Dean. Chairman Alessandrini suggested Mr. Godfrey clarify his intentions and submit an application, survey, application fee and short-form EAF for the Board’s consideration.

Adjourned at 8:30 PM (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: all seven; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk (dated June 4, 2022).