TOWN OF SARATOGA PLANNING BOARD

 MINUTES OF THE CEDAR BLUFF SUBDIVISION SEQR WORKSHOP

 

November 13, 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 (arrived at 7:19 p.m.), Brandon Myers – present,  George Olsen – present, Alternate Christopher Koval - present.

 

Also present: Town Engineer Ken Martin, Attorney Justin Grassi, Attorney Libby Coreno, Katie Gehl, Kevin Hastings, and other interested persons. (Sign In sheet is on file in the Clerk's office)

 

Chairman Ian Murray welcomed all present and stated the purpose of this SEQR workshop meeting is to begin the long form EAF (environmental assessment form) for the Witt Construction subdivision.  This is for the purpose of the Board; it is not a public hearing.  Public hearing was opened at the October meeting and was left open in order to allow further comment at the next meeting when the Applicant is present.  The Applicant will not be at the regular meeting this month.  Tonight the Board will go through Part II of SEQR and if necessary, possibly have questions answered by the Applicant. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray asked all in attendance, aside from the Applicant, to remain quiet.  If anyone gets a bit unruly, he will ask that person/persons to leave, if it gets too unruly he will have to shut the meeting down. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated he had a couple of questions on Part I of SEQR and asked the Board to take out their copies of Part I SEQR and asked Attorney Libby Coreno to go through Part I with the Board. 

 

Attorney Libby Coreno went through her responses to the questions she received on October 30th:

1.  Section B - Government Approvals - a.  Town Board needs to give approval of

the proposed Ownership of the open space lands in accordance with Section 400-14

-H.(1)(d).  -  Saratoga Town Board needs to be added.

In circumstances where the Town is not taking ownership of the open space or it

being dedicated to a third party (such as P.L.A.N.), there is no requirement for

Town Board approval.  We have proposed either a deeded restriction or an HOA –

neither of which will require such approval.

2.  Section B - Government Approvals - g.  This is a Rural Residential

Subdivision and NYSDOH must be added as an approving State Agency

NYSDOH was notified in the coordinated review process but will be added as an

“involved” agency in our revised Part 1.

3.  Section D.2.a.viii - Are you sure that there will be no blasting? 

Confirmation of no blasting.

4.  Section D.2.e.ii - Add "and homes and driveways" to "Point runoff from new

roadway areas".

This note will be added to the revised Part 1

5.  Section D.2.d.iii - Will the Saratoga County Sewer District need to be

extended to include the homes east of Cedar Bluff Road and is the Rural District

2 area within the sewer district?

Our capacity letter from SCSD #1 indicates current district area.

6.  Section D.2.n.i - Outdoor lighting should include access and security

lighting.

Comment noted and it will be added to the revised Part 1.

7.  Section E.1.a.b • Agricultural - I suggest that the Planning Board  request

that the 32.0 acres of agricultural acreage be designated on the plans.

We would object to this note only because the open space may or may not be ag

lands.

8.  Section E.2.h.iv. • Wetlands - Is this 1.8 acres or is it 2.2 acres?

2.2 acres of wetlands and the revised calculations will be provided in our

revised Part 1.

9.  Section E.3.b.i. & ii. - What is the acreage of highly productive soils and

what was the source of the soil ratings?

Kevin will provide that information in the submission with SWPPP and add to the

revised Part 1."

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated the Board will go through Part II of SEQR, reading the question first, get a rough answer, continue with the questions below and then go back and answer the lead question.

Chairman Ian Murray began Part II SEQR with the Board.  The Board took turns reading the lengthy document line by line and answering the questions.  SEQR Part II was completed by the Board.  Chairman Ian Murray asked the Board to begin drafting questions and comments in preparation for Part III.  He asked the Board to submit their comments to the Clerk.  The Board is taking a hard look at information previously provided and the Board needs more information before being able to go forward.  Once SEQR is complete, the clock starts ticking.  But as SEQR is not complete at this time, the clock does not begin. 

 

Kevin Hastings arrived with a draft of the Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP), which he gave to Town Engineer Ken Martin to review.  Chairman Ian Murray asked if Kevin Hastings could send it to him electronically and was told yes.  They will also send a copy to the Clerk, who will circulate it to the Board members.

 

Chairman Ian Murray made motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Laurie Griffen, at 8:10 p.m.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Brandon Myers – aye, George Olsen - aye.

Carried  7 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Planning Clerk