TOWN OF SARATOGA

PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MEETING MINUTES*

June 23, 2021

 

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 – present, Robert McConnell – present,

Joseph Lewandowski – absent, George Olsen - present, Christopher Koval - absent, Alternate Walter Borisenok - absent.

 

Also attending: Cynthia Green, Mark Lampron, Paul Gutto, Terri Korb and Bill Iglewski. (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk's office)

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Robert McConnell, to accept the meeting minutes of May 26, 2020 as written.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - absent. 

Carried 5 - 0

Approved

 

Public Hearing for Special Use Permit

 

Mark Lampron #20-05

123 Co. Rd. 69

Schuylerville, NY 12871

S/B/L 182.-1-72 Rural District

 

Returning Applicant seeks a special use permit to open a brewery for commercial distribution on his 5.95+/- acre parcel with 186.01’ of frontage property.  The Planning Board sent applicant to the ZBA for a variance, which was granted April 26, 2021.

 

Applicant Mark Lampron appeared before the Board, reviewed his previous meeting with them and went through his submitted packet and system specs.  He noted that although this brew system is of commercial quality, it is for homeowners.  There is nothing harmful to the septic system or the environment with this brew system.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated on the submitted SEQR short form the Applicant stated there will be no onsite consumption; there will be no retail sales there either, correct?

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded that’s correct.  He said they’ll sell in the concession trailer and distribute to some bars in Saratoga Springs and/or other places as well.

 

Chairman Ian Murray questioned if they need a license for this.

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded yes, once approved by this Board they can purchase the equipment and then they can get their NYS Liquor license.  They have to have this permit first, according to the state.

 

Chairman Ian Murray questioned if he needs a NYS DOH inspection and Applicant Mark

 

 

 

 

Lampron replied yes.

 

Chairman Ian Murray questioned if there are brewery odors and asked about grain storage.

 

Applicant Mark Lampron replied this is a closed system, so there are no odors to speak of and if any, they wouldn’t escape the house.  Concerning grain storage, as this is to be a NYS Farm Brewery, the grain must be grown in NYS and they won’t be keeping a lot on hand.  The grains need to be fresh so he’ll either pick them up or have them delivered by UPS.  At most they’d have a couple hundred pounds; no need for a silo.

 

Chairman Ian Murray thanked him for the detailed packet of information he provided the Board.  He then asked if the system comes disassembled. 

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded yes some assembly is required.

 

Chairman Ian Murray questioned the power requirements, and asked if he has a single phase or three phase, 240 system.

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded yes, three phase and there are two different systems with this, one is 208 and one 240.

 

Chairman Ian Murray then had the Applicant go through the cleaning process with the Board.  He then asked if there were any Board questions.

 

George Olsen questioned if this permit is specific to only this size system.

 

Chairman Ian Murray replied yes; Applicant Mark Lampron added in future, if this grows, they plan to open a brew pub in Schuylerville. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray then stated member Walt Borisenok could not be present tonight, but did have some questions which have already been answered.  But one question he had that we’ve not hit on is what are you doing about mash waste.

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded they give it to the chickens and will be supplying it to two others for their animals and will compost the rest.

 

Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any Board questions or comments; there were none.

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on June 13, 2021, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m., asking those wishing to speak to the Board concerning this application, to please stand and state their name and address:

 

Cynthia Green, Fort Edward, NY, stated she owns the property next door to this and has concerns with property values going down if this is allowed and she’d like a letter stating that won’t happen to her. 

 

Applicant Mark Lampron responded this will be in his basement, no one will know or see this.  This system is meant for home brewers, there will be no traffic in and out of his property for this, so she really won’t be affected.  One of his business partners added that if they weren’t going to sell their product, they wouldn’t need a permit to do this.  Many people brew their own beer in their homes and you’d never know it, so there should be no concerns about

 

 

 

property value. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray asked if anyone else wished to speak; seeing none, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:50 p.m.  

 

Laurie Griffen went through SEQR, line by line, with the Board.  Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any further comments or questions from the Board; there were none.

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Patrick Hanehan, 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 – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - absent. 

Carried 5 - 0

 

A motion was made by Chairman Ian Murray, seconded by Laurie Griffen, to approve the Special Use Permit for the home brewing operation with the following conditions:

 

1. This a 1 (one) year renewable permit for the first year

2. There will be no retail sales on premise

3. Must obtain license prior to permit issuance

4. Must be inspection by Town of Saratoga Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert

5. Obtain NYS DOH approval   

Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - absent. 

Carried 5 - 0

Approved with Conditions

 

The Applicant thanked the Board.  

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

A motion was made by Patrick Hanehan, seconded by George Olsen to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent, Walter Borisenok - absent. 

Carried 5 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.  All submittals must be to the Clerk no later than 8:45 a.m., July 14, 2021 to be on the July agenda.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Linda A. McCabe

Planning Clerk

 

 

*Minutes are not verbatim