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. Some private individuals’ personal details have been left out. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Schaghticoke met at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose, on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Regular meeting — 7:00 PM
Roll call took place.
Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Kristin Griswold, Lettie Saheim, Jay Shover, and Rich Geddis. Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, was present.
Approval of prior minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes of the January 2, 2025 meeting. Jay Shover moved to approve them as submitted; Kristin Griswold seconded. Ayes: All · Nays: None. There were no February 2025 minutes, as there was no quorum that evening.
New business
1. Alessandrini three-lot subdivision (697 Master Street). Frank Alessandrini appeared with an application for area variances for a three-lot subdivision at 697 Master Street, Johnsonville — a variance for overall density (the 8.74-acre parcel needs a 0.26-acre variance to meet the 3-acre density requirement) and a frontage variance for Lot 3 (128 of the 200 required feet). Chairman McDonough moved to hold a public hearing on April 3 at 7:00 p.m.; Jay Shover seconded.
2. Minimum house size inquiry. The Chairman received a call from a resident who had purchased a vacant lot (a little over 3 acres) at the corner of Fogarty and Wetsel Road and wished to build a 400-square-foot house; the Chairman explained the minimum is 600 square feet, and that architectural plans and the new state wetland requirements would apply. He consulted Town Attorney Dave Brennan on the applicable NYS building- and energy-code requirements.
3. Family burial inquiry. The Board considered a zoning question about whether a private family burial is permitted on residential property. The Chairman confirmed that, under the code, a “cemetery” use is acceptable in Residential and Residential-Agriculture districts (the property in question is in an RA district and over 8 acres). Any such matter would proceed through the county Health Department with the required documentation.
4. Unpermitted riverbank platform (Hemstreet Park). Building Inspector Scott Frisino reported a complaint about a 16′ × 14′ platform built along the property line at the river on a Hemstreet Park property, within about 10 feet of the riverbank and without a building permit; the Building Inspector is not comfortable with the structure and believes a rear setback is required. Chairman McDonough will meet with the owner and the Building Inspector.
Adjournment
With no further business, Chairman McDonough moved to adjourn at 7:16 p.m.; Rich Geddis seconded. Ayes: All · Nays: None.
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Griswold. Minutes dated March 18, 2025.
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