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. 

Also attending: Town Engineer Kenneth Martin. 

 

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 Applicant’s 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

 

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