Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — January 7, 2026.

Public hearings

There were none.

Regular meeting — 7:00 PM

Members present: Frank Alessandrini (Chairman), Kasey Casas, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, and Peter Klotz. Vince Ragone and Chris Reynolds were absent. Dave Brennan, Town Attorney, was present.

Approval of prior minutes

A quorum was not present to review the October 1, 2025 minutes, which were held for the February 4, 2026 meeting. The December 3, 2025 minutes were approved. Ayes: Alessandrini, Casas, Hale, Klotz · Nays: None · Abstention: Clow.

Starlight Development — approval (Tax Map #70.56-1-6)

Keith Vandenburgh, owner of Starlight Development, LLC, appeared on a proposed one-lot 0.10-acre subdivision in a Hamlet District on Hudson Avenue in Pleasantdale, with a survey by MJ Engineering. The parcel at the end of Hudson Avenue is currently part of Starlight Development, but the Town maintains the asphalt street and provides public water and sewer to the existing four or five dwellings (built perhaps 70 years ago) within it. The Town is interested in taking ownership of the 0.10 acres, and Mr. Vandenburgh is willing to grant the “cul-de-sac” to the Town at no fee; Town Supervisor Tim Salisbury and Attorney Brennan have discussed the proposal. The Board had reviewed the short-form EAF and issued a negative declaration under SEQR at its November 2025 meeting, and the application fee was waived.

Kasey Casas moved to grant preliminary subdivision approval; Dan Clow seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Casas, Klotz · Nays: None. Dan Clow then moved to grant final subdivision approval; Kasey Casas seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Casas, Klotz · Nays: None.

McCoski Subdivision — SEQR (Tax Map #30.-4-6.2)

Jacob Keasbey, land surveyor, appeared on a proposed 5-acre one-lot subdivision from a 20.05± acre parcel in an RA district at the junction of Hansen Road and the Howland Avenue Extension, for applicant Kelly McCoski; the subdivision is being pursued to settle an estate. The proposed 5± acre lot has frontage on Hansen Road with steep topography (a 5–10% grade), suggesting access should come from Howland Road. The Board discussed the topography, an existing easement, the possibility of shared driveways, and the access shown on the survey. The Agricultural Data Statement, application, owner authorization, and short-form EAF were submitted.

Kasey Casas moved to issue a negative declaration under SEQR; Peter Klotz seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Casas, Clow, Hale, Klotz · Nays: None.

A prior 2024 proposal to divide the parcel into four lots had been set aside because the steep topography made access untenable without a town-built road or engineered driveways. Attorney Brennan noted the same access concerns would apply to any further subdivision, and that shared driveways are discouraged in the Town. A public hearing may be scheduled for the February meeting.

Powers Lane Subdivision — SEQR (Tax Map #61-1-18)

The applicant, Pat Powers, appeared on the subdivision of a 200′ × 300′ lot on a dead-end street at 6 Powers Lane. Kasey Casas recused herself because the firm that employs her is representing the applicant. The proposal reverts a double lot back to two originally sized 100′ × 300′ lots, which would not meet the Town’s 3-acre density and setback requirements; the ZBA granted the area variances (density, plus a 7′ variance from the 30′ side-yard setback) at its December meeting. The application, short-form EAF, older maps (referring to the subdivision as the “John J. Rasmussen Farm / Green Meadows”), and the 2026 Rensselaer County tax bill were submitted.

Dan Clow moved to issue a negative declaration under SEQR; Elizabeth Hale seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Clow, Hale, Klotz · Nays: None.

A survey and an RCHD septic design are required to review the application; because the development is homogeneous with same-sized lots, the Board may seek to circumvent the septic-design regulation if the County agrees, and surveyor Jacob Keasbey will check with the County. The applicant was advised to submit a survey by mid-January so a public hearing can be scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Dollar General — Special Use Permit (Tax Map #32.-3-29)

Andrew Masullo, Sr. Engineer with Lansing Engineering, proposed a 10,600-square-foot Dollar General store on a 1.95± acre lot, part of an 8.17± acre parcel to be subdivided into three lots: Lot #1 at the corner of East Schaghticoke Road and NYS Route 40 (2.41± acres), Lot #2 (1.95± acres, the development site), and Lot #3 (3.81± acres). Chairman Alessandrini disclosed that, as President of FH Alexander, Inc., he was in discussion with Dollar General staff about the possible construction project, and recused himself.

Kasey Casas acted as chair and raised concern about whether current infrastructure can support the added traffic; members noted that the Route 40 intersection, though signalized, has been the site of serious accidents and that a traffic study is warranted. Mr. Masullo said he did not anticipate a traffic increase. It was noted there is a current violation on the property that must be resolved before the Special Use Permit can be addressed. Attorney Brennan recommended hiring an engineering consultant, such as LaBerge Engineering, to represent the Town’s interests as the Board moves forward, and the item will be carried on next month’s agenda.

Code enforcement

In the Building Inspector’s absence, Chairman Alessandrini gave a code-enforcement update, noting that several ongoing matters on commercial properties are progressing toward resolution.

Adjournment

Kasey Casas moved to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.; Dan Clow seconded. Ayes: Alessandrini, Casas, Clow, Hale, Klotz · Nays: None.

Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, Planning Board.