TOWN OF SARATOGA

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

February 12, 2009

 

Chairman Ian Murray called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

Planning Clerk Linda McCabe called the roll.  Chairman Ian Murray – present, Robert Park –     present, Paul Griffen – absent, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan – present, Robert McConnell – absent, Jennifer Koval – present, and Alternate Joseph Lewandowski – present.

 

Also attending: Town Engineer Ken Martin, Dale Swartwout, Rusty Baker and Bill Thompson.

 

Sign-in sheet is on file in the Planning Clerk’s office.

 

Due to the absence of a few Board Members, Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Patrick Hanehan to elevate Alternate Joseph Lewandowski to full voting status.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye..    

Carried 4-0

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Robert Park, and seconded by Jennifer Koval, to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2008 meeting as written Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park –  aye, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Joseph Lewandowski - aye.

Carried 5-0 Approved

 

Lot-line Adjustment

 

Charles Van Hall #09-01                                                      Owner: Dorothy A. Quigley

13 Olde Saratoga Knolls Lane                                               121 Hughes Rd.

Schuylerville, NY  12871                                                        Schuylerville, NY  12871

S/B/L 156-4-53.11 & 53.2

 

Applicant is seeking, on behalf of owner Dorothy A. Quigley, to adjust the boundary lines between her land and the lands of her neighbors, Van Hall and Capalbo; north of Olde Saratoga Knolls and south of Fish Creek.

Applicant did not appear.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated the Applicant for the Lot Line Adjustment was a no-show, but the Board should keep all the information for next month’s meeting.  There was a brief discussion concerning this property and the Board has some questions for the Applicant.

 

Public Hearings

 

Subdivision

 

Mark LaSalle #08-19

222 Loudonville Rd.

Loudonville, NY  12211

S/B/L 170-1-25.1 Rural

 

Returning Applicant would like to subdivide a 4 acre lot with an existing house (Lot 1), from his 21.5 acre parcel, in order to sell the 4 acre lot with the existing house.  The Applicant will retain

 

 the remaining 17 acres (Lot 2).  This is located at the corner of Mennen Rd. and Haas Rd.

 

Bill Thompson appeared before the Board on behalf of the Applicant.  He asked the Board if they had any questions and if they would like him to put the map up on the easel and was told there was no need.  Chairman Ian Murray noted that the Ag Statement, the “Right to Farm” note, was not on the map and told Bill Thompson to be sure to put that on the final plat.  Bill Thompson said he would see to it.  Chairman Ian Murray stated aside from that everything was complete and he had no more questions on this.  Town Engineer Ken Martin also had no questions.  Chairman Ian Murray reminded Bill Thompson that the Applicant would need to have the buyers of Lot 1 go to Building Inspector Gil Albert to get a building permit for a CO for the house since it’s been unoccupied for two years or so and Bill Thompson said he would point that out to his client. Chairman Ian Murray then asked if there were any questions from the Board; there were none. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Patrick Hanehan to approve the preliminary plat as proposed.   Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Alternate Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5-0

Approved

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on February 2, 2009, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:35p.m., stating if anyone has any questions or concerns to please stand up, state your name and address. 

 

Seeing that no one came forward to speak, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 p.m.

 

Chairman Ian Murray read the letter from the Saratoga County Planning Board indicating no significant County wide or intercommunity impact.

 

Patrick Hanehan read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board.  Robert Park made a motion, seconded by Chairman Ian Murray to accept the documents as presented, to declare the SEQR review complete and to make a Negative Declaration.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Laurie Griffen – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5- 0 

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Patrick Hanehan to approve the final application for this subdivision as proposed. Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Laurie Griffen – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5- 0

Approved

 

Special Use Permit

 

Dale Swartwout #08-18

Swartwout Construction Co.

68 Weibel Ave.

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

S/B/L 183-1-20.13 Rural

 

Returning Applicant is under contract to purchase 9.48+/- acres on Rt. 4.  He is seeking a Special

 

 

Use Permit to construct an office, workshop and storage facility in order to move his construction company to this location. 

 

Applicant Dale Swartwout appeared before the Board.  Chairman Ian Murray stated the Board has reviewed the map with the perc notes and soil engineering for septic approval.  Chairman Ian Murray noted, for the Applicant, that height limit is 40’ for the building there.  He also added the Applicant doesn’t need the curb cut but should talk with DOT to be sure the culvert is sized accordingly; Town Engineer Ken Martin noted he believes the existing curb cut is located in the driveway location, so they will be modifying the existing curb cut and believes they will not be required to obtain a new one.  Town Engineer Ken Martin also stated the Applicant needs to talk with DOT to go over the work they are planning in the NYS DOT ROW and NYS DOT will let the Applicant know what is required.  Chairman Ian Murray then stated he’d like to see a buffer of landscape screening on the north and south property lines in line with the building and proposed parking area; some evergreens and a couple of trees in the front to break up the visual from the road.  Robert Park questioned if they would have a fueling and servicing area on site and the Applicant said no it would be all off site.  Chairman Ian Murray stated the Applicant needs to add a building envelope on the map, the “Right to Farm” law needs to be on the final plat before filing, and for SWPPP; since they are under the one acre threshold for DEC there is nothing needed.  Town Engineer Ken Martin stated his concern is the proposal of the one-acre area of land disturbance, yet some of their grading goes outside of that disturbance limit.  His suggestion is to squeeze it down a bit to stay under the one acre. They could do it either on the west or the north side; that will be up to the Applicant since he’s not sure how they’ll be getting in and out.  Patrick Hanehan questioned if they should increase the buffer on the west side due to the agriculture lands there and Chairman Ian Murray responded he wrote it into the new law as 100’ instead of the required 75’.  Chairman Ian Murray also stated that the Applicant needs to keep in mind the 100’ separation distances with the well and if you go down hill, that distance needs to double.  Chairman Ian Murray then explained he was going to read aloud the new local law, but seeing that the Board members each had a copy, he asked if they understood it and if they had any questions; there were none. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated this application before the Board is for a Special Use Permit for the storage and repair of heavy equipment and an office.   Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on February 2, 2009, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:50 p.m., stating if anyone has any questions or concerns to please stand up, state your name and address. 

 

Seeing that no one came forward to speak, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:51 p.m.

 

Chairman Ian Murray read the letter from the Saratoga County Planning Board indicating no significant County wide or intercommunity impact.  The letter also had a comment that the Applicant should contact NYS DOT at the West Ave. office to verify the proposed sight distance on Rt. 4 for the proposed use and vehicles utilizing the driveway.  Chairman Ian Murray along with Town Engineer Ken Martin stated the sight distance is fine there.

 

Patrick Hanehan read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board.  Robert Park made a motion, seconded by Patrick Hanehan to accept the documents as presented, to declare the SEQR review complete and to make a Negative Declaration.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Laurie Griffen – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5- 0

 

 

 

Robert Park made a motion, seconded by Chairman Ian Murray, to approve the Special Use Permit with a one time, 1-year review by Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert at the one year anniversary of the granting of this Special Use Permit. Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell – absent, Laurie Griffen – absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5- 0 Approved

 

Old Business:   Chairman Ian Murray stated we were going to renew the Special Use Permit for Phil Heitmann tonight, but due to a concern of a neighbor brought to our attention this morning, we will table this until next month.  Robert Park stated he walked the property and believes it will be a good operation.  Chairman Ian Murray stated he will do a site visit with Zoning Officer Gil Albert and take this up at the next meeting. 

 

There was Board discussion on the Brown Rd. PUD, along with the possibility of a cell tower or two coming before the Board in the near future. 

 

Jennifer Koval questioned if the Hall easement had been resolved.  Chairman Ian Murray stated that he spoke with Town Attorney William Reynolds, who has reviewed that and this really is an issue between the Hall’s and Pravda’s.  Town Attorney William Reynolds will draft language for the map to finalize it on our end and then it is up to them to figure it out; not this Board.

 

New Business: There will be no February 25th meeting; we have no applicants.  The next Planning Board meeting will be held March 25, 2009.

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Patrick Hanehan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Robert Park –  aye, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan –aye, Paul Griffen – absent, Robert McConnell –absent, Jennifer Koval – aye, Alternate Joseph Lewandowski – aye.  Carried 5- 0.

Meeting Adjourned

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Linda McCabe

Planning Clerk

 

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