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 — November 2, 2022.
Public hearing — 7:00 PM
The Reynolds Group — Special Use / Sign Permit (Tax Map #22.-3-14). Matt Reynolds appeared to propose an electronic message board to be located at The Reynolds Group, in a Highway Commercial (HC) district at 1541 NYS Route 67. The proposed sign would replace the current sign on the existing posts. It would be designed in two parts — the upper section stationary, and the lower section displaying changing digital images of the business’s completed and installed projects, including stoves and awnings. The images would change once every hour, complying with the revised sign regulations. The sign is planned to be 18 square feet, double-faced, and free-standing. There was no public comment.
Regular meeting — 7:02 PM
Members present: Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Brian Davidson, Elizabeth Hale, Bob Weir, and Scott Wiley. Kristin Pratt, Deputy Town Attorney, was present.
Approval of prior minutes
The minutes of October 5, 2022 were approved as submitted, on a motion by Wayne Akin, seconded by Elizabeth Hale. Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir · Nays: None · Abstention: Wiley.
The Reynolds Group — Special Use / Sign Permit (Tax Map #22.-3-14)
Matt Reynolds explained that the 18-square-foot, double-faced sign would replace the current sign in the same location and on the same 4×4 posts. The upper section would display the business name; the images on the lower section would change only once per hour, to comply with the revised local law regulating signage that amended the Town Zoning Law. The sign would be multi-colored and non-flashing, with automatically timed dimming of the LED portion.
The Board discussed electronic message board signs generally. Brian Davidson suggested delaying the decision until members had a fuller opportunity to review the Zoning Law revision on electronic messaging signs. Elizabeth Hale noted that although there is a small cluster of businesses near The Reynolds Group, the area is surrounded by rural, open land. Chairman Alessandrini added that the application does comply with the law — electronic message board signs are allowed in the Highway Commercial, Hamlet, Planned Development, and Marine Districts, and the business sits in one of the more developed areas of the town. The application, fee, EAF, and Agricultural Data Statement were received. Because the new sign replaces the present sign at the same location, the Board agreed to dispense with site plan review.
Wayne Akin made a motion to issue a negative declaration under SEQRA; Scott Wiley seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Weir, Wiley · Nays: None.
Wayne Akin made a motion to grant a Special Use Permit for an electronic messaging board sign, in the same location as the current sign and designed and installed in accordance with the signage laws within the Zoning Law, at The Reynolds Group (1541 NYS Route 67); Bob Weir seconded. Ayes: Akin, Clow, Davidson, Weir, Wiley · Nays: Alessandrini, Hale. The motion carried, 5–2.
Warren W. Fane Inc. — Paul Perry-Reed Pit, DEC permit amendment (Tax Map #s 61-1-20 and 61-1-24.111)
No one appeared. Chairman Alessandrini circulated copies of a letter from the DEC’s Division of Environmental Projects regarding Warren Fane’s Perry-Reed pit on NYS Route 40, between Turner and Irish Roads, concerning a modification to his DEC-approved application to allow shale to be ripped from a 3.2± acre area within the pit via bulldozer, front-end loader, and/or excavator. The correspondence was provided solely for the Board’s information.
Delamater — pre-filing conference
Joe Delamater appeared. He is interested in purchasing an existing one-family residence on a lot in an RA (Residential Agricultural) district on the easterly side of NYS Route 40, north of Meadowview Drive and south of East Schaghticoke Road. He proposes to raze the existing dwelling and construct a duplex, possibly on the original footprint. Chairman Alessandrini advised that a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review would be required, and that Mr. Delamater should contact the Rensselaer County Health Department to determine whether the septic system is adequate for a two-family dwelling. He was directed to download the application, Part I of the short-form EAF, and the Agricultural Data Statement from the town website, and to submit an affidavit from the current owner giving permission to act on the project. If the materials are submitted by the 15th of the month, a public hearing can be scheduled for the next month’s meeting.
Dog grooming — Special Use Permit pre-filing conference
Casey Jennings and Destiny Peters appeared to propose a dog grooming business in the former medical building at the corner of NYS Route 40 and Meadowview Drive. There are no plans to board dogs, and a small fenced area is planned. They would rent the space from Dan Speech, whose office is proposed to be located in the building. Ownership of the property needs to be established — the tax map shows the Hoosac Valley Rescue Squad owns part of the property, with the line appearing to run through the building, while Scott Wiley’s research suggested the building may be owned by Reservoir Properties. An affidavit from the current owner giving permission to act on the project must be submitted. Chairman Alessandrini will mail the application and short-form EAF to the applicants; provided the owner’s affidavit, a $100 application fee, the application, and the short-form EAF are received by the 15th of the month, a public hearing can be scheduled for the following monthly meeting.
Other business
Jackie Stellone, a resident of the town, said she had attended a Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) workshop on the NYS marijuana law and suggested the town review its regulations for the possible establishment of future marijuana shops in Schaghticoke.
Adjournment
Dan Clow made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.; Wayne Akin seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Davidson, Hale, Wiley, Weir · Nays: None.
Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, Planning Board. Minutes dated December 10, 2022.
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