TOWN OF SARATOGA

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

 

May 24, 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 – absent (arrived at 7:39 p.m.), Patrick Hanehan – absent, Robert McConnell – present, Joseph

Lewandowski – absent, Brandon Myers – present, George Olsen - present,

Alternate Christopher Koval - absent.

 

Also attending:  Jodi L. Druzba, Dave Scripter, Christina Scanlon, Tim Myers, Jarrad Garone, Kerry & Dan Miller and Thomas Tomas.  (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk's office)

 

A motion was made by Brandon Myers, seconded by Robert McConnell to accept the meeting minutes of April 26, 2017.   Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – absent, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent. 

Carried  4 - 0

Approved

 

Special Use Permit Pre-Submission Conference

 

 

Christina Scanlon #17-11

102 Hughes Rd.

Schuylerville, NY 12871

Property Location: 1120 Rt. 29

S/B/L 156.-3-11 Rural Residential

 

Returning 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, along with Tim Myers, appeared before the Board.

 

Chairman Ian Murray reviewed the site plan map and asked where the 'woods' began. 

Tim Myers directed the Chairman to the location on the map. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated he'd like to see the parking pushed further back, away from the road, and he'd like the Applicant to put in fencing of some sort or guide rails, to separate the parking from Rt. 29.   He then stated he'd like a 40' apron for ingress/egress due to Rt. 29, the Applicant needs to put in a 40' apron, beginning at the shoulder of the road, back onto the property.  After a brief discussion with the Applicant, it was decided the hours of operation will generally be set between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., with additional hours for special events.  He then questioned the if the ramp at the structure is for handicap usage; he then stated they need to meet with Building Inspector Gil Albert, have him review it to be sure it meets code. 

Chairman Ian Murray added that the Applicant needs to have Kevin Weed write the driveway easement into the deed for the other single parcel for the shared driveway, just in case either lot was sold it would give them access.  They do have the ability to move the driveway on Lot 2 if they'd like to do so, but if they don't want to, they will need the easement.  Sight distance has been completed, NYS DOT is all set; he had no further questions.  He then asked if there were any Board questions; there were none.

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on May 13, 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.  Comment:  Applicant should contact NYSDOT to review existing access on NYS Rt. 29 due to location of drive with curve on road as well as the grade. (Chairman Ian Murray noted that he serves on that Board and he let them know this has already been completed.)

 

Laurie Griffen read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Laurie Griffen, to accept the

documents as presented, to declare the SEQR review complete and to make a Negative Declaration.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent.

Carried   5  - 0

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Robert McConnell to approve the Special Use Permit as proposed, conditional upon the following: 

·         General hours of operation to be between 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (with some evening hours for educational/special events)

·         40' driveway apron to be put in beginning at the shoulder of Rt. 29, if lot permits

·         Driveway easement written into the deed

·         Fence/guide rails put in to better separate parking from Rt. 29

·         Final site plan review and sign off by Town Engineer Ken Martin

·         This permit is for one (1) year, renewable by the Board upon Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert's recommendation following the one (1) year inspection.

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

Carried   5  - 0

Approved with Conditions

 

Public Hearing for Minor Subdivision

 

Dave Scripter #17-07

19 Canterbury Rd.

Clifton Park, NY 12065

S/B/L 193.6-1-50 Lake Residential

Location: 1376 Rt. 9P

Returning Applicant seeks to subdivide his 2.549+/- acre parcel into two lots for residential purposes.  Lot 1 will have 50.01' of frontage and Lot 2 will have 100' of frontage.

 

Applicant Dave Scripter appeared before the Board.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated his property is in the flood plain, so he explained that the Applicant will need to contact Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert to review requirements owing to such.  He also stated this is in the NYSDEC buffer and will need a permit from them.  Chairman Ian Murray stated due to the property being on a state road, he will need to get a permit and sign-off from NYSDOT once the subdivision is complete.

 

Applicant Dave Scripter responded that he understood.

 

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

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on May 13, 2017, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:44 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 7:45 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.  Comment:  Applicant will need to obtain a driveway permit from NYSDOT for the newly created lot to access Rt. 9P.

 

Laurie Griffen read the short form EAF, line by line, which was completed by the Board. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Brandon Myers, to accept the

documents as presented, to declare the SEQR review complete and to make a Negative Declaration.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent.

Carried   5 - 0

 

Chairman Ian Murray made a motion, seconded by Robert McConnell to approve the subdivision as proposed, conditional upon the Applicant receiving the NYS DEC permit and NYS DOT permit and final review by Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent.

Carried     5 - 0

Approved

 

Sketch Plan Conference for Minor Subdivision

           

Jodi L. Druzba #17-13                      Owner:  Estate of Joseph Giroux Jr. & Jodi Druzba

520 Stanek Rd.                                                 101 & 101B Coveville Rd.

Rotterdam, NY 12306                                      Schuylerville, NY 12871

S/B/L 183.-1-50 Rural

 

Applicant is seeking to subdivide the parcel into two lots for estate purposes; there are two homes on the lot and all will remain as is.

 

Applicant Jodi Druzba appeared before the Board and explained that the parcel has two homes on it and for estate purposes she'd like to subdivide it for her brother and herself.  She said there is an easement off Coveville Rd. to access the property, but frontage is on Rt. 4.  The problem is the Rt. 4 frontage has issues with the land. 

 

After a discussion with the Board, Chairman Ian Murray stated the main issue is access to both parcels.  He stated he'd like to give Town Attorney William Reynolds a copy of the map along with the easement language in the deed to review, to be certain that the easement will cover both parcels once subdivided.  Chairman Ian Murray added he needs to do some additional research and will then get back to her; he needs legal interpretation concerning the easement.  If the easement is deemed adequate by the Town's attorney, the Applicant will be ready for public hearing once the boundary lines are updated. 

 

Applicant Jodi Druzba thanked the Board.

 

Information:  Thomas Tomas, Burke Rd.,  said he'd like to open a Bistro-to-Go, with some seating inside, at 1167 Rt. 29.  He stated he'll blacktop the parking area, repurpose the building as a restaurant.  He said he's been in the business a long time; this would be his 29th restaurant.  He still has businesses in FL, but since his father-in-law passed away, his wife wanted to move back to be close to her mother who resides in Argyle.  He feels this location is a great place for this business with all the traffic going through this area.  He then reviewed his menu with the Board.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated 2 acres is required for a restaurant so he'd have to have the owner combine the two parcels, get it surveyed, get the new deed drawn up reflecting the new boundary lines and then the owner would need to get a variance in order to make it work.  The lot needs to be made larger.

 

Thomas Tomas stated he'll return once he's persuaded  the owner to combine the parcels.

 

Jarrad Garone, Schaghticoke, told the Board he didn't have enough time to get his submittals completed and in on time for this meeting.  He's planning on having everything in by June deadline and is hoping for a public hearing next month.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated if he gets everything required in on time, he will be on the agenda for a public hearing.  Everything must be in prior to 9 a.m. June 14th.  He stated that Jarrad has to have the land surveyed and the two parcels merged.  He questioned the location of the leach field and stated that has to be protected; there can be no parking on the leach field.

 

Jarrad Garone stated he will have everything in and will be back for the June meeting.

 

Kerry Miller, Gansevoort, stated she's looking to rent a portion of Frank Owens building, at 1167 Rt. 29, to open a dog grooming business.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated this business has far less impacts and requirements than a restaurant, but needs 2 acres as well.  He stated she would need to rent the entire building; it can't be sublet.  He also stated she could possibly go to ZBA for a variance, but the survey is needed to know the boundary lines and exactly what size it is. 

 

Kerry Miller stated she may want to do a Doggie Day Care in the future.

Laurie Griffen stated that she would need 5 acres to do that; she then suggested that Kerry talk to the owner of Ginny's Grooming & Boarding on Windy Hill Rd., in Greenwich.  She said she is wanting to get out of the business and her place is all set up for this.

 

Kerry Miller thanked her for that information.

 

Old Business: none

 

New Business:  none

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Brandon Myers, to adjourn the

meeting at 8:35 p.m.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – absent, Joseph Lewandowski – absent, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - absent.

Carried  5  - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Planning Clerk