TOWN OF SARATOGA
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
April 26, 2017
Chairman Ian Murray called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Planning Clerk Linda McCabe called the roll: Chairman Ian Murray – present, Laurie
Griffen – present, Patrick Hanehan – present, Robert McConnell – present, Joseph
Lewandowski – absent, Brandon Myers – absent, George Olsen - present,
Alternate Christopher Koval - present.
Due to the absence of two Board Members, Chairman Ian Murray elevated Alternate Member Christopher Koval to full voting status.
Also attending: Jim Vianna, Jarrad Garone, Christina Scanlon, Tim Myers and Tom Yannios. (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk's office)
Approved
Approved
Public Hearing for Minor Subdivision
Louise & Steve Winney #17-02 Representative: James M. Vianna, PLS
1045 Co. Rt. 70 170 Lohnes Rd.
Stillwater, NY 12170 Stillwater, NY 12170
S/B/L 193.-1-42 Rural
Returning Applicant seeks advice and guidance to subdivide a 2 acre lot from his 109.4 acre parcel. His 109.4 acre parcel has 320' of frontage.
James Vianna, PLS, appeared on behalf of the Applicant and reviewed the application. He stated he's put the agriculture note on the map, soil engineering has been completed and he will get that information to Town Engineer Ken Martin for his review.
Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any Board questions; there were none.
Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on April 16, 2017, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:37 p.m., asking those wishing to speak to please stand and state their name and address; seeing as no one spoke, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m.
Chairman Ian Murray then read the Saratoga County Planning Board findings, which stated there are no significant county wide or inter community impacts.
Laurie Griffen read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board.
Approved with condition
James Jennings #17-05 Owner: Lloyd Fisher
101 Minnie Bennett Rd. 175 Hathaway Rd.
Schuylerville, NY 12871 Schuylerville, NY 12871
S/B/L 182.-2-10 Rural
Location: between Minnie Bennett Rd. & Hathaway Rd.
Representative: James M. Vianna, PLS
170 Lohnes Rd.
Stillwater, NY 12170
Lloyd Fisher seeks to subdivide a 6.13+/- acre lot from his 93+/- acre parcel. Lot 1 will be
6.13+/- acres, to be conveyed to James Jennings for a single family residence. Lot 2 to be the balance of the land, an 86.87+/- acre parcel and it will remain as farmland.
James Vianna, PLS, appeared before the Board on behalf of the Applicant. He reviewed the proposed subdivision and stated there are no changes from last month with this application. The soil engineering is now complete and this lot will be improved upon with a single family residence.
Chairman Ian Murray pointed out that the driveway is missing from the map and expressed the need to have it identified on the map. He also stated it should be placed across from those on the opposite side of the road. James Vianna stated he will draw it on the map.
Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any Board questions; there were none.
Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on April 16, 2017, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:42 p.m., asking those wishing to speak to please stand and state their name and address; seeing as no one spoke, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:43 p.m.
Laurie Griffen read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board.
Approved
Special Use Permit Pre-Submission Conference
Christina Myers #17-11
167A Windy Hill Rd.
Greenwich, NY 12834
Property Location: 1120 Rt. 29
S/B/L 156.-3-11 Rural Residential
Applicant seeks Special Use Permits in order to open a retail business in one structure on the property and to use the second structure, the bungalow, as a residential rental unit.
Applicant Christina Scanlon appeared before the Board stating she would like to open a retail store, with the name of Old Saratoga Mercantile, in the larger structure on their property located at 1120 Rt. 29. She plans on selling local goods from local farmers; fresh produce and her own line of chemical free cleaners, among many other items. She is wanting to work with local producers for chemical, dye free and animal friendly health and body products. She believes this business fits in with the surrounding businesses along the Rt. 29 corridor and is also a good fit for the community. She stated she has begun reaching out to local businesses, as her plan is to work together with them, for example, the Gluten Free Bakery and Saratoga Apple, carrying a product or two from each business and directing customers to their stores for a full line of their products. She'd like to work together with other businesses to attract more business to the Rt. 29 corridor. She's also discussed shared advertising and or events to attract customers to that corridor. She believes this shop aligns well with the Town's Comprehensive Plan for that district.
She then stated that she and her husband will be building their home on the property and she not only wants the business to fit with the community, but also with their family.
Her plan is to be open 5 days a week and she will be the only employee for the time being; perhaps forever depending on the interest and sales.
Store hours and operations are to be:
Wednesday through Friday - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (possibly closing at noon if no traffic)
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
She then stated that once a month she plans on hosting an educational event, such as Meet Your Farmer, and all the farmers and vendors she has spoken with so far, have said they'd come and teach the public something about their products; how it's raised or grown and give out free samples, etcetera.
She stated the brick house is soon to be demolished. She is currently focused on the retail store, but in the future she'd like to have the bungalow as a residential rental unit. She added she has been a landlord in the past and hated it, but she'd like to keep that option open.
She then reviewed her sketch plan saying she removed one of the entrances after speaking with Chad at NYSDOT, as he strongly suggested eliminating the double ingress/egress. The driveway that will remain is at least 25' wide at the culvert. Once NYSDOT looks at it, they will know if more improvements are needed. She then stated she has been in contact with Peter Loyola of the LA Group, who will oversee the parking designs based upon the Planning Board's recommendations. She noted that she took the advice of the Board concerning the shared driveway and plans to obtain an easement to have their driveway off the back of the parking lot. She reiterated they will have one entry and exit on the entire 475' of road frontage with the combined parcels.
Chairman Ian Murray likes the idea, the driveway and the hours of operation. He suggested down directed lighting on the sign and mentioned down lighting wall packs for the building.
Laurie Griffen questioned the number of parking spaces for the retail area and how many for the bungalow.
Chairman Ian Murray stated 700 sq. ft. for the retail space, which is one for every 150 sq. ft, which gives 5 spaces. They'll probably want more and could double it once the brick house is down.
The Board agreed that five is too small and felt 10 would be much better.
Chairman Ian Murray said 10 spaces need to be on the conceptual plan.
Tim Myers questioned if there is setback for parking.
Chairman Ian Murray said no. He also told him to have a couple of handicap spaces put in at the front. The Board agreed. Chairman Ian Murray then told him to have Peter Loyola do some screening/landscaping also. He added if the Applicant can get this all done and to the Clerk before 9:00 a.m. no later than May 10th, we will publish for a Public Hearing for next month.
The Applicant thanked the Board.
Returning
Jarrad Garone
832 Knickerbocker Rd.
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
S/B/L 183.-1-19 Conservancy
Location: 886 Rt. 4 S.
Applicant Jarrad Garone appeared before the Board stating he purchased the old Alcove Marina and would like to keep the bar/pub, remove the house and expand the footprint to build a fine dining restaurant. He said he'll be building a new retaining wall 15' from the river's edge, a new patio for outside seating and renovating the pavilion and he'd also like to put in an ice-cream stand on the other side of the patio. Docks will be open for seasonal docking. He'd like to keep the bar/pub operational beginning as soon as possible while working on obtaining the needed permits, etcetera, to build the restaurant. He stated he anticipates the restaurant going in next year. He then stated he also plans on having a gas pump to service the boaters.
Chairman Ian Murray stated the Applicant will need to contact Building Inspector Gil Albert concerning extending the footprint of the house and building the new restaurant. He then stated the Board needs a better site plan and a parking plan. The Board can approve the old bar/pub but will have to set restrictions on it. The Board needs a survey with site plan, layout of buildings plotted on the map, potable water and sanitary sign-off from NYS DOH; the Board will need a copy of that NYSDOH certificate. He stated the Board will also need to see the plot plan for the gas pump business for the boats and said the Applicant will have to combine both parcels due to regulations, in order to obtain the special use permit. Chairman Ian Murray then suggested the Applicant have an investigation done to find the leach field and its capacity. He told the Applicant once all that is done, he's to bring the packets to the Clerk. If he can get this all completed prior to May 10th, and have all submittals to the Clerk by 9:00 a.m. on that date, we will publish for a public hearing for May for the bar/pub portion of the business.
Returning
Old Business: none
New Business: none
Meeting Adjourned
The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Planning Clerk