TOWN OF SARATOGA
PLANNING BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES*
January 22,
2020
Chairman
Ian Murray called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Planning Clerk Linda McCabe called the roll: Chairman
Ian Murray – present, Laurie
Griffen – present, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Robert
McConnell – absent,
Joseph Lewandowski – present, George Olsen - present,
Christopher Koval - absent, Alternate
Walter Borisenok - present.
Due to the absence of Board Member Christopher Koval,
Chairman Ian Murray elevated Alternate Member Walter Borisenok to full voting
status.
Also attending: Jim Vianna, Gil Albert, Eric Hanchett,
Cathleen & Paul Zebrowski, Christopher George and Kat Evans. (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk's
office)
A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Joseph Lewandowski, to accept the meeting
minutes of December 18, 2019 as written.
Chairman
Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Robert
McConnell – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher
Koval - absent, Walt Borisenok - aye.
Carried 5 - 0
Approved
Public Hearing for Minor Subdivision
Joe & Anne
McMahon #19-10 Representative:
James Vianna, PLS
180 Fitch Rd. 170 Lohnes Rd.
Saratoga Springs,
NY 12866 Stillwater, NY 12170
S/B/L 182.-2-23
Rural
Location: Southeast corner intersection of Co. Rt. 69
& Casey Rd.
Applicant seeks a three lot subdivision of their 112.66+/- acre parcel. Lot 1 will be 2.14+/- acre for residential development, Lot 2 will be a 2.64+/- acre parcel for residential development and Lot 3 will be 107.88+/- acres remaining in agriculture. Lots 1 & 2 will be offered for sale.
Jim Vianna, PLS, appeared before the Board on behalf of the applicants. He handed an updated map to Chairman Ian Murray for Board review and stated the Applicants own approximately 112+/- acres on Co. Rd. 69 and Casey Rd. The Applicants wish to subdivide two lots for residential purposes at the corner of this parcel. Lot 1 will be 2.14+/- acres and Lot 2 will be 2.64+/- acres. The balance of the land, 108+/- acres, will remain in agriculture. At last month's meeting the Board suggested they put in two driveways on the crest of the little knoll across from the cemetery, next to each other along the property line and they've added that. He also stated he's added the agricultural note onto Lot 3. He said there is little to no drainage on Lot 1, as it sits in a little depression on that corner. It appears the problem on that lot is when there's frost in the ground it doesn't really sink in. He's talked with Engineer Ken Martin and the problem can be remedied by putting in a dry well that gets down below the frost line and allows water to get down into the water table. He stated he came up with a note to place on Lot 1, with the Board's approval, that states 'prior to issuing a building permit for this lot, the owner shall submit to the Town of Saratoga Building Inspector, a planned design by a NYS licensed engineer to alleviate the possibility of seasonal ponding.' That note would be located on Lot 1 and also dependent upon elevations where the house will be located, septic location, etcetera. Lot 2 is a higher lot and flows north, south and east with natural drainage.
Chairman Ian Murray stated that works fine. He then stated after looking at the driveway regulations he'd like that language firmer on the survey. He wants 'proposed driveway location' removed and it should read 'driveway location'. He doesn't want them to vary any further north or south than what's proposed.
Jim Vianna, PLS, agreed.
Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any questions of the Board; there were none.
Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on January 12, 2020, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:36 p.m., asking those wishing to speak to the Board concerning this application, to please stand and state their name and address:
Kat Evans, 200 Casey Rd. had concerns with the water testing and asked if copies of those samples will be provided to her and her neighbors. She also had concerns that the rest of the land may be developed in future and questioned what developer is building the houses.
Chairman Ian Murray explained that they have to do soil engineering through this application process. They did that for the sanitary design and that's what the test pits (tps) are showing on the map and the Board asked for the water regulations to be on there as well. Prior to anyone building a house, they have to drill a well on site and they have to prove it for quality and quantity before they can be issued a building permit. The well log is public knowledge, one can get those anywhere. Our water regulations are on the Town's webpage which provides information about the quality and quantity testing that has to be completed prior to obtaining a building permit. He added 80 - 90% of the land is staying in agriculture and the Board is not deed restricting the owner from developing his land in future, people have property rights.
Jim Vianna, PLS, stated he believes the lots will be sold individually and it will be up to the purchaser to decide who will build their house.
Cathleen Zebrowski, 10 Musket Dr., stated she was curious to the soil testing that was done as they are having a soil issue with their property; she then questioned if the Board looks at the square footage of the proposed houses prior to the sale of the two parcels.
Chairman Ian Murray replied it depends upon what the owner wants to build.
Chairman Ian Murray asked if anyone else wished to speak;
seeing no one, Chairman Ian Murray
closed the Public Hearing at 7:41 p.m.
Chairman Ian Murray then read the Saratoga County Planning Board findings, which stated there are no significant countywide or intercommunity impacts. 'Comments: Driveways for Lots 1 and 2 will access the Town road (Casey Road). No driveway should be planned for Lot 1 from the County Road. Lots 1 and 2 will have private wells and septic as service to each future residence and according to an engineer's report on soil conditions there is no concern for groundwater elevation or for the type of soils for septic systems. The Town Planning Board may want sight distances and drainage conditions for the future use of the depicted field road to access the remainder lands (Lot 3) as a single or common driveway. A curb cut permit or permits will be required from Saratoga DPW depending upon further future subdivision and residential development.'
Laurie Griffen went through SEQR, line by line, with the Board. Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any further questions; there were none.
A motion was made by Chairman Ian Murray, seconded by Laurie
Griffen, to accept the documents as presented, to declare SEQR review complete
and to make a Negative Declaration. Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent,
Robert McConnell – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye,
Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - aye.
Approved
5 - 0
A motion was made by Chairman Ian Murray, seconded by George
Olsen, to approve the application as proposed. Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent,
Robert McConnell – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye,
Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - aye.
Approved
5 - 0
Pre-Submission Conference for Special
Use Permit
Shane Drumm #20-01
136 Hathaway Rd.
Schuylerville, NY
12871
S/B/L 183.-1-20.12
Rural
Location: 883 Rt. 4, Corner of Rt. 4 & Co. Rt. 69
Applicant seeks a special use permit to move a sawmill to 833 Rt. 4.
Applicant failed to appear.
Old Business: None
New Business: The Saratoga County Planning Board Training Conference will be held February 5, 2020 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by
Joseph Lewandowski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:27p.m. Chairman
Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Robert
McConnell – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher
Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - aye.
Carried
5 - 0
Meeting Adjourned
The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Planning Clerk
*Please Note: Minutes are not verbatim unless so specified.