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. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — October 5, 2022.
Public hearings
There were none.
Regular meeting — 7:15 PM
Members present: Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, and Bob Weir. Scott Wiley was absent. Kristin Pratt, Deputy Town Attorney, was present.
Approval of prior minutes
The minutes of September 7, 2022 were approved as submitted, on a motion by Wayne Akin, seconded by Elizabeth Hale. Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale · Nays: None · Abstention: Weir.
St. Croix Farm Solar Farm — pre-filing conference (Tax Map #13-1-5)
Chairman Alessandrini distributed copies of the application for a proposed 34.6± acre solar farm on a 257.4± acre parcel, to be located in an RA (Residential Agricultural) district at the corner of Master Street and Ridge Road (property of John Moore). Each Board member received a copy. The package included the application, the EAF, the Agricultural Data Statement, a wetland delineation completed by Ecological Solutions, LLC, a list of endangered species from the U.S. Department of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service), a review from NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and surveys. The lead agency coordination letter was sent after the September Planning Board meeting. The Board will review all the materials and determine whether a SEQRA determination may be made at the November meeting. Once the Planning Board issues a SEQR determination, the ZBA may act on the required area variance to permit solar panels measuring 18′ in height: the Zoning Code allows a height of 12′, so a 6′ area variance would be needed to permit the 18′ height, which occurs intermittently as the panels follow the sun throughout the day.
Reynolds sign application (Tax Map #22-3-14)
No one appeared. The application of Reynolds Group Enterprises for an electronic messaging sign, to be located at 1541 NYS Route 67, was circulated. The short-form EAF and the Agricultural Data Statement were received, and the $100 application fee was delivered to the Office of the Town Clerk. A public hearing on the application was scheduled for the November 2, 2022 meeting.
Westwind Farms
Chairman Alessandrini spoke with James Czub, owner of Westwind Farms, a gravel mining operation on Verbeck Avenue. Mr. Czub is interested in mining additional gravel from the adjacent property owned by Joanne and Steven Hemstreet, and asked whether his existing Special Use Permit / Site Plan approval for the gravel mine could be amended to include the additional mining area on the Hemstreet property. A map delineating the involved area and the hedgerow on the Hemstreet land was submitted. The Board agreed that submitting an application for an amended site plan would be appropriate and sufficient. Chairman Alessandrini said he would consult with Steven Hemstreet.
Rohloff subdivision (Tax Map #32.-3-29)
No one appeared. Chairman Alessandrini reported that the SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) for the proposed subdivision off East Schaghticoke Road, in an RA district, is not complete.
Possible River Road subdivision
Chairman Alessandrini stated that the Board may receive an application from Gerald Monast, who would like to subdivide a 2-acre lot on River Road from a total of 25 acres — 20 acres to the east, and the remaining 5 acres on the Hudson River side to the west. Mr. Monast is proposing to build a small camp on the proposed two-acre subdivision.
Adjournment
Wayne Akin made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.; Brian Davidson seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Weir · Nays: None.
Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, Planning Board.
Spot an error or omission? Tell us and we'll fix it.