Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — February 5, 2025.

Public hearings

Acker one-lot subdivision (Tax Map #57.-2-10.316), 7:01 PM. Brian Holbritter, land surveyor, proposed a 3.5± acre subdivision from a 20.06± acre parcel with 230 feet of road frontage in an R district at 95 Skyline Drive; the property is owned by James Acker Jr. and the applicant is Dominick Paul. A local resident asked whose house would be built on the new lot. The hearing closed at 7:07 p.m.

Masonic Lodge sign permit (Tax Map #22.-3-15). Ian Murray presented a proposal for an LED (electronic) sign 30 feet from the road at the Victor Masonic Lodge #680, known as Victor Charities, in a Highway Commercial district at 1535 Route 67. A resident remarked that she finds LED signs distracting, and Building Inspector Scott Frisino asked whether the Highway Superintendent or DOT had been consulted, since the sign faces a state route; Mr. Murray replied that LED signs are an allowable use under the Zoning Law. The hearing closed at 7:09 p.m.

Regular meeting — 7:10 PM

Members present: Frank Alessandrini, Kasey Casas, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, Peter Klotz, Vince Ragone, and Chris Reynolds. Austin Scarborough, Attorney, was present.

Approval of prior minutes

The January 8, 2025 minutes were approved. Motion: Reynolds · Second: Casas · Ayes: all · Nays: None.

Genesis Vault — Special Use Permit & site-plan review (Tax Map #41.-1-61)

David Baker, applicant and owner of the Genesis Vault business at 943 NYS Route 40, did not appear; the Chairman said Mr. Baker indicated the site plan was not ready. The Board allowed additional time until the March meeting; if no site plan is submitted by then, action from the Code Enforcement Officer will be warranted.

Acker one-lot subdivision — preliminary approval (Tax Map #57.-2-10.316)

Brian Holbritter presented the subdivision again. Mr. Acker’s daughter would like to build a residence on the 3.5± acre lot, reached by a 30-foot driveway, with a connecting 50-foot driveway serving Mr. Acker’s current residence and 16.56± residual acres to the east. Federal wetlands lie about 150 feet from the proposed septic system; the septic design was submitted to Rensselaer County Health Department, but approval is still pending. Elizabeth Hale moved to grant preliminary subdivision approval; Dan Clow seconded. Ayes: all · Nays: None. Final approval will be considered once RCHD grants the construction permit.

Victor Masonic Lodge — LED sign permit, final approval (Tax Map #22.-3-15)

Ian Murray presented the LED sign for the Victor Masonic Lodge #680 (Victor Charities) at 1535 Route 67, to sit 30 feet off the road and 16 feet from the westerly property line. Signage regulations were discussed, with emphasis on brightness: Don Barton stated the sign’s brightness ranges from a maximum of 4,000 NITS down to as low as 40 NITS, brighter by day and more subtle at night, and it will be off from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. under manual control. Mr. Murray agreed to adhere to all Zoning Code requirements for electronic signs. Vince Ragone moved to grant final approval for the sign, on the condition that all electronic- sign requirements are observed; Chris Reynolds seconded. Ayes: all · Nays: None.

Dumas subdivision — pre-filing conference

Steven Dumas proposed subdividing a rectangular 3.05± acre lot with 350 feet of road frontage from a 106± acre parcel in an RA district at 2499 River Road, where his son plans to build a house. A lot was subdivided from the acreage in 2006; the Chairman advised that any further subdivision would require a conservation subdivision. The Agricultural Data Statement was submitted and the Board found no SEQRA issues. Dan Clow moved to issue a negative declaration under SEQR; Chris Reynolds seconded. Ayes: all · Nays: None.

Code enforcement & zoning discussion

• Solar decommissioning bonds. Code Enforcement Officer Scott Frisino raised concern that the bonds and agreements securing the decommissioning of solar facilities may not cover the actual cost, which is not predictable over a 25-year period; he suggested the agreements, decommissioning and salvage costs, and bonds be reviewed and adjusted every five years, and that “someone” should be maintaining the bonds.
• Non-compliant businesses. Officer Frisino submitted a report outlining eight non-compliant businesses in the Town, including Liberty Ridge, Eastside Marina, Constable Tree Service, Remodel Now, Dan the Gutter Man, Clement Small Engine Repair, and Herrington Solar.
• Liberty Ridge Farm. Frisino highlighted Liberty Ridge, citing the absence of a site plan, uninspected buildings, the development of train tracks, and neighbor complaints, plus a missing SWPPP (stormwater pollution prevention plan). The owners, the Giffords, claim to be an agri-business exempt from the regulations; Frisino contacted the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, whose contact said Liberty Ridge is not considered an agri-business. The SWPPP question is with the attorneys, and a warning letter has been directed to the farm.
• Clement Small Engine Repair. Frisino reported speaking with owner Art Clement; there have been no complaints about the business, and Frisino suggested the Board entertain another Special Use Permit to give Mr. Clement more time to relocate the repair business.
• Enforcement letters. Frisino is still awaiting a draft letter to the non-compliant businesses from Town Attorney Dave Brennan; Attorney Scarborough will follow up with him.
• Barton Road subdivision. Chairman Alessandrini is planning a two-lot subdivision off Barton Road in Johnsonville and asked the Board about the Town’s requirement for septic engineering designs on subdivided lots under five acres; Attorney Brennan is researching the provision, and the topic was not yet discussed.
• Training & wetlands. Kasey Casas and Frank Alessandrini attended NYS CDPC workshops in Saratoga. Alessandrini noted newly adopted wetland-buffer rules: New York has expanded the 100-foot protected buffer around freshwater wetlands to include state, federal, and Army Corps jurisdiction, and any project with freshwater wetlands must contact DEC and obtain a permit to proceed.

Adjournment

Chris Reynolds moved to adjourn at 8:43 p.m.; Vince Ragone seconded. Ayes: all · Nays: None.

Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, Planning Board.