TOWN OF SARATOGA
PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES-DRAFT
May 30, 2007 -
7:30 PM
Chairman
Ian Murray called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Planning
Clerk Catherine Cicero called the roll.
Chairman Ian Murray present, Ralph Pascucci absent, Paul Griffen
present, Robert Park present, Laurie Griffen absent, Patrick Hanehan
absent, Robert McConnell present, and Alternate Jennifer Koval
present.
Approval of Minutes: All
Board members present had read the minutes of the April 25, 2007 meeting.
Robert Park noted that, on page 5 of the minutes under the Old Business section
of the meeting, he was referring to the Point Breeze Marina and not the
Giovanone boat storage facility. A
motion was made by Paul Griffen, seconded by Robert McConnell, to accept the
minutes of April 25, 2007 as corrected.
Chairman Ian Murray aye, Robert Park aye, Paul Griffen aye, and
Robert McConnell aye.
Carried 4 0.
Chairman Ian Murray made a
motion, seconded by Robert Park, to elevate Alternate Jennifer Koval to voting
status due to the absence of Laurie Griffen, Patrick Hanehan, and Ralph
Pascucci. Chairman Ian Murray aye, Robert Park aye, Paul Griffen aye, and
Robert McConnell aye.
Carried 4 0.
Order of Business:
Subdivisions
Douglas Lafferty, Applicant
407 County Route 68
Saratoga Springs, NY
12866
S/B/L 168.-2-55 Rural
Returning Applicant proposes
to subdivide a 4.0+/- acre lot from a 10.809+/- parcel for a possible future
residence.
Douglas Lafferty addressed
the Board, stating that he has a new survey reflecting notes on the driveway,
and a letter from NYS DOH approving the septic design.
Chairman Ian Murray expressed
concern regarding the steepness of the driveway. Town Engineer Kenneth Martin explained that the driveway would
begin at the low end of the property and curve around to the top. The curb cut will remain the same as
previously approved. He added that Town
Highway Superintendent David Hall has approved the driveway location.
Chairman Ian Murray asked the
Board if there were any further questions; there were none.
Paul Griffen read the short form EAF,
which was completed by the Board.
Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Paul Griffen, to accept
the documents as presented, declare the SEQR review complete, and to make a
negative declaration. Chairman
Ian Murray aye, Jennifer Koval aye, Paul Griffen aye, Robert Park aye,
and Robert McConnell aye. Carried 5
0.
Chairman Ian Murray
made a motion, seconded by Paul Griffen, to approve the subdivision without
conditions and subject to final review by the Town Engineer. Chairman
Ian Murray aye, Jennifer Koval aye, Paul Griffen aye, Robert Park aye,
and Robert McConnell aye. Carried 5
0. GRANTED
Sketch-Plans
John Hayes, Applicant
247 Burgoyne Rd.
Schuylerville, NY
12871
S/B/L 169.-1-79.1 Rural Residential
Applicant is requesting
approval for a lot-line adjustment to his property.
John Hayes explained to the
Board that he was buying approximately a half acre from his neighbor to add to
his property. A brief discussion
followed on the actual amount of property that would be transferred by the
lot-line adjustment.
Chairman Ian Murray explained
that the Board does not need to take action on the proposal; it does need to
look at a new deed incorporating the transfer.
The Board will sign off, subject to the submission of a new survey and
deed incorporating the new parcel. APPROVED
Sean Scott,
Applicant
915 NYS Rte 29
Saratoga Springs,
NY 12866
S/B/L 155.-1-84
Rural Residential
Applicant is requesting approval for a lot-line adjustment to his property.
James Vianna addressed the Board on behalf of Mr. Scott, stating that an application was presented to the Planning Board in March proposing a lot-line adjustment, which was denied and referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals because it would result in the creation of a non-conforming lot. The application was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in April permitting the lot-line adjustment, but modifying the lot-line so the non-conformance of the resulting lot would be less severe.
Mr. Vianna said that a new survey and deed language have been prepared, reflecting the revised lot-line proposal. Chairman Ian Murray clarified that new maps have to be filed with the County. APPROVED
Old Business:
Saratoga Farms, Inc./Taras, Applicant
173 County Road 69
Schuylerville, NY
12871
S/B/L 182.-2-23 Rural
Applicant proposes a 35 unit
subdivision of single family homes on County Road 69 and Casey Road. Thirty-four lots will range in size from
approximately 1 to 3 acres. The
thirty-fifth lot will be approximately 58 acres in size, with a defined
building envelope. The remaining lands
within that lot will be deed restricted and preserved as open space.
Chairman Ian Murray explained
that the preliminary approval granted on March 28, 2007 must be rescinded
because the SEQR review must be completed first. Chairman Ian Murray noted that the item was tabled at the April
meeting at the request of the Applicants attorney, Robert Pulsifer. Mr. Pulsifer was unable to attend this
meeting as well, but agreed to waive his right to appear and asked that the
case proceed.
Chairman Ian Murray said
that, once preliminary approval is rescinded, the Board will hold a workshop
meeting on June 13, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. to address the SEQR portion of the
application.
This application will then
continue at the June meeting.
Chairman Ian Murray made a motion to rescind preliminary approval, seconded by Robert McConnell. Chairman Ian Murray aye, Jennifer Koval aye, Paul Griffen aye, Robert Park aye, and Robert McConnell aye. Carried 5 0. PRELIMINARY APPROVAL RESCINDED
Harold Reiser III
1120 Rte 29
Schuylerville, NY
12871
S/B/L 156.-3-11 Rural Residential
Mr. Reiser appeared on his
own behalf to discuss with the Board ways to bring his property into compliance
with Town ordinances. Mr. Reiser said
that he no longer has a residential tenant in the cottage on the back of the
property, but still has two tenants using the commercial offices in the front
building.
Mr. Reiser stated that
William Durrin has contacted him and is interested in buying the parcel to use
for a residence and for his transporting business. Mr. Reiser said that Mr.
Durrin was unable to attend the Planning Board meeting but related that he
wanted to buy the property, put a residence in the back for himself, use the
cottage for an in-law apartment, use one office for his business, and rent the
other office out. Mr. Reiser asked the Planning
Board for its opinion on the proposal.
Chairman Ian Murray said that
the Board could not render an opinion until it had more information and more
detail. He said that there were a
number of uses being proposed on one parcel and recommended that Mr. Durrin
file an application for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with the Town Board;
especially if he intends to use the old empty house on the property for
storage.
A discussion followed on the
increased parking and traffic resulting from the proposal.
Paul Griffen asked whether
the property could be subdivided to take the residence off the parcel. Mr. Reiser said there is sufficient road
frontage for the subdivision, but noted that all the buildings on the property
share the same driveway. Chairman Ian
Murray said that the residence could obtain an easement to use the existing
driveway.
Chairman Ian Murray asked to
see a survey and more information regarding the property. Engineer Kenneth Martin asked how such a
proposed use would be classified.
Paul Griffen asked that Mr.
Durrin appear before the Board with a sketch plan of his proposal, saying that
he is not opposed to the idea, but needs more information.
Mr. Reiser said that he would
speak with Mr. Durrin and return at the June meeting. RETURNING
New Business:
Paul Griffen
reported on his recent training at HVCC in Troy, and provided the other Board
members with copies of the training materials.
He said a video of the seminar might be available for those unable to
attend. Jennifer Koval also attended the seminar.
Marion Craine
asked if there was going to be any park land set aside for the Town from the
Saratoga Farms, Inc./Taras development.
Chairman Ian Murray explained that the greenspace being set aside will
be contained in a privately owned lot that will be deed restricted to
agricultural purposes. The Board
rejected a proposal for a donation of a corner pocket park that did not suit
the needs of the Town.
Paul Griffen
wanted to thank Planning Secretary Catherine Cicero, who is resigning from the
Town, for her hard work. The other
Board members agreed.
The next meeting
will be June 27, 2007.
A motion to adjourn was made at 8:05 p.m. by Robert
Park, and seconded by Robert McConnell. Chairman Ian Murray aye, Robert Park
aye, Paul Griffen aye, Jennifer Koval aye, and Robert McConnell aye. Carried 5 0
Respectfully
submitted,
Catherine
E. Cicero
Planning Clerk