TOWN OF SARATOGA

PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES*

 

October 23, 2019

 

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 – present, George Olsen - present, Christopher Koval - present.

 

Also attending:  Jim Vianna, Chris Payant, Erin Sisk, Paul Murphy.  (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk's office)

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Christopher Koval, to accept the meeting minutes of August 28, 2019 as written.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - aye. 

Carried  7 - 0

Approved

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Robert McConnell, to accept the meeting minutes of September 25, 2019 as written.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - aye. 

Carried  7 - 0

Approved

 

  Public Hearing for Special Use Permit

 

Chris Payant #19-06                                     Owner:  Frank Owens

1164 Rt. 29                                                                    62 Louden Rd.

Schuylerville, NY 12871                                              Saratoga Springs, NY  12866

S/B/L 157.-1-49.2 Rural Residential

 

Applicant, owner of Tech Monkeys, a mobile technology service company, would like to open a small office/workshop, located at 1164 Rt. 29. 

 

Applicant Chris Payant appeared before the Board and reviewed his application for his retail service.

 

Chairman Ian Murray and the Board discussed the need to clearly delineate the parking spaces and to be sure there is a handicap space at the front of the building.  Chairman Ian Murray also stated the septic/sanitary area needs to be protected from any vehicles.  The Board felt boulders should be put in place as well as some landscaping to clearly define that area as a no parking area.  After some discussion, it was determined the property should have five regular parking spaces and one handicap parking space, for a total of six parking spaces.  They also said

 

landscaping is needed to soften the appearance of the property.

 

Applicant Chris Payant said he'll cut down the hostas, remove brush and trim the tree. 

 

The Board would like to see more than that.  Soft landscaping needs to be done to improve the appearance of the property, as it is one of the first businesses one sees as you enter the village.  It needs to look better.  Chairman Ian Murray said they can make the permit conditional on all of this.

 

Applicant Chris Payant spoke with the Board about signage and lighting.  The Board told him to contact Gil Albert, Zoning Officer, to see what is allowable and to be sure to stay compliant with the sign and lighting regulations.

 

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

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished by newspaper on October 13, 2019, Chairman Ian Murray opened the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m., asking those wishing to speak to this application, to please stand and state their name and address.  Seeing as no one spoke, Chairman Ian Murray closed the Public Hearing at 7:47 p.m.

 

Laurie Griffen went through SEQR, line by line with the Board.  Chairman Ian Murray asked if there were any further questions, comments or conditions from the Board; 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 – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - aye. 

Approved  7- 0  

 

A motion was made by Chairman Ian Murray, seconded by Patrick Hanehan, to approve the One Year Renewable Special Use Permit with the following conditions:

v  There are to be six (6) Parking Spaces - five (5) regular parking spaces and one (1) handicap parking space

v  Parking spaces are to be clearly defined

v  Clearly delineate a 'NO PARKING AREA' with boulders or fencing and landscaping, to protect sanitary septic area

v  Check with Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert for sign size and lighting

v  Conform to sign regulations

v  Improve Landscape - need to soften the appearance of the property

v  This is a one year renewable permit

This permit will be renewed next October and if no complaints, it will become a permanent permit.   Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - aye. 

Carried  7 - 0

Approved with Conditions

 

Applicant Chris Payant thanked the Board.

 

Sketch Plan Conference for Minor Subdivision

 

Mark Harrison #19-07                                  Representative:  James Vianna, PLS

247 Black Point Rd.                                                                   170 Lohnes Rd.

Ticonderoga, NY 12883                                                             Stillwater, NY 12170

S/B/L 195.-1-1.1 Hamlet District

Location:  Intersection of Rt. 32 & Ruckytucks Rd.

 

Applicant seeks a three lot subdivision of Travers old gas station property, located at the intersection of Rt. 32 and Ruckytucks Rd.  The property is 3.6+/- acres with 391' of frontage on Ruckytucks Rd. and 312' of frontage on Rt. 32.

 

James Vianna, PLS, appeared before the Board on behalf of the Applicant.  He stated this subdivision is of the old Traver property.  Lot 1, off of Ruckytucks Rd., has 200' of frontage and is 57,800 sq. ft., Lot 2, the old schoolhouse on the property will be demolished, has 303' of frontage and Lot 3 has the existing house and garage and is 1.5+/- acres with ample frontage.  There will be no access from Rt. 32, access will only be from Ruckytucks Rd. for Lots 1 and 2.  The soil is clay, Lot 3 has an existing well and septic and he will conduct deep hole tests on Lots 1 and 2.  The site survey is not yet completed. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray responded the Applicant needs to be aware that the separation distances for septic will be tight.  He then questioned if the house and garage are staying.

 

James Vianna replied that Lot 3 will be going up for sale and he doesn't know if they will tear down and rebuild.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated ingress/egress has always been tough there, so they need to designate a driveway in front of the garage, take some of that 300' of paved frontage away and create just a driveway.  Cut up and remove the rest of the black top, turn it into green space and/or lawn so it cannot be used as a drive.  You could pull the driveway up to and around the garage and around to the back of the house if you want- something like that, but remove all that blacktop to the north and seed it.  He also reminded him to have the Applicant watch the setbacks.

 

James Vianna stated the Applicants have been talking about tearing down the Lot 3 garage.

 

Robert McConnell questioned if they are going to sell all those lots and James Vianna replied yes.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated once the survey is complete, we will hold a public hearing.

 

James Vianna thanked the Board.

Returning

 

Old Business: Erin Sisk, 2191 Rowley Rd. Ballston Spa, owner of Equine Therapy, 683 Rt. 29 is non-compliant with parking on her property.  She appeared before the Board and Chairman Ian Murray stated the Board members conducted a site visit, some together and some independently.  He stated he wants the parking spaces down near the bottom of the driveway removed and she is to screen the upper spaces, in front of the barns, to block them from view.  Patrick Hanehan, George Olsen, Joseph Lewandowski and Chris Koval agreed.  Chairman Ian Murray stated they need to be removed as the Special Use Permit was issued upon ALL parking being behind the barns and based on her submitted site plan, which shows exactly that.  If that parking area is left down there, people will migrate to those spaces.

 

Erin Sisk said it cost her ten to fifteen thousand dollars to have that put in and paved and she doesn't want to remove it.  She then said at her approval meeting the Board did not say parking had to be behind the barn. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray read those minutes aloud, which clearly stated all parking is to be behind the barns. 

 

Erin Sisk said it also says that she was going to widen and pave the driveway. 

 

Chairman Ian Murray, George Olsen, Joseph Lewandowski all said a driveway is different from a parking lot, and George Olsen noted that the definition of a 'driveway' does not include parking spaces.

 

Erin Sisk said she wants to keep it.

 

Chairman Ian Murray responded she can move the gate to the rubble road and load there.  With a bit of earthwork it can be done.

 

Erin Sisk stated she wants to keep that, as they use it and it's too expensive to remove.

 

Chairman Ian Murray stated her permit is based upon the submitted site plan and the Board told her there was to be no parking in the front, parking is to be behind the barns only and her submitted site plan reflects that.

 

Erin Sisk replied she can't say when it will be removed as it's too costly. 

 

Laurie Griffen questioned if it can be mitigated.

 

Patrick Hanehan and Christopher Koval stated parking is to be behind the barns.  Patrick Hanehan added that at most, it would cost a few thousand dollars to remove it and Chairman Ian Murray added not even that much.

 

Chairman Ian Murray then read the conditional approval granted her, which clearly states no parking in front, only behind the barns.  He explained a driveway is a driveway, not parking spaces. 

 

Erin Sisk said she wants to put flower pots there and not remove those parking spaces.

 

Laurie Griffen agreed. 

 

Joseph Lewandowski stated she will have to go through the pavement and put planters through the pavement and all across it. 

 

Robert McConnell was okay with that and added she should take the horse trailers and turn around at the top.

 

Erin Sisk said she wants it for their use; she'll put in a basketball hoop for the kids. 

 

The Board said it's too close to Rt. 29 and certainly not safe for kids to play there and the permit does not allow that. 

 

Erin Sisk said it's wet in the paddocks.

 

Chairman Ian Murray said paddocks are wet all the time and you can build driveways on wet land with road fabric, etcetera.  Those cars parking there back out onto that driveway and that is not safe.

 

Laurie Griffen  suggested she could completely cover it with high/tall planters.

 

The Board agreed.  Chairman Ian Murray responded maybe for a duration of time, but if we find any parking going on there, it comes out.  The Board agreed with that.

 

Erin Sisk agreed.

 

Chairman Ian Murray questioned a time limit on this.  The Board agreed on 6 months beginning now with it being blocked and will review in April.  She needs to put pots or boulders as a barrier, preventing any parking there.

 

New Business: Chairman Ian Murray stated the Town Board has appointed Walter Borisenok as Alternate Member to the Planning Board and he will be at the next meeting.

 

A motion was made by Laurie Griffen, seconded by Patrick Hanehan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.  Chairman Ian Murray – aye, Laurie Griffen – aye, Patrick Hanehan – aye, Robert McConnell – aye, Joseph Lewandowski – aye, George Olsen - aye, Christopher Koval - aye. 

Carried  7 - 0 

Meeting Adjourned

 

The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Planning Clerk

 

 

 

 

*Please Note:  Minutes are not verbatim unless so specified.