August 28, 2019 Planning Board Meeting

Town Planning Board Meeting

Notes taken by a resident on August 28, 2019

Present:       John Van Vorst, Chair

                    David Blair, Board Member

                    Patrick Mahar, Board Member

                    Audeliz Matias, Vice Chair

                    Laura Muschott, Board Member

                    Kathryn Serra, CT Male -  Town Engineer

                    Dalia Szarowicz, Town Planner

                    Matt Chauvin, Esq. – Town Attorney

                    Members of the public

Absent Board Members: Nicole Rodgers, James DiPasquale

                   

New Business:

Zuppa Physical Therapy – Public Hearing Not Scheduled

801 Route 50

proposal for expansion of 720 sq. ft. to existing building.

The front of the existing building is occupied by Edward Jones Financial Planning.  The rear of the building will be occupied by Angelo Zuppa, PT who has been in the area at Kingsley Corners for the past 10 years.  The site has septic that has been tested, a full basement in the front with a crawl space in the back that is also going to be extended under the addition.  The contract is with Bertalone Associates and Cady Engineering provided the details of the proposal. 

Public hearing:  Chris Nyan, the tenant in front spoke in support of the proposal.  Mr. Zuppa is a professional with a history in Burnt Hills.  Mr. Nyan has person knowledge of this individual and feels that a physical therapy practice would be an enhancement to the community.

Eileen Lofthouse, Hop City Road spoke in opposition to the project and questioned whether the Planning Board had reviewed growth in Malta.  There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.

David Blair inquired about screening and if dealing with waste had been considered.  Four foot high screening already exists on the property, and there is minimal waste for a physical therapy practice.  The PB unanimously approved lead agency, special use permit and site plan.

Dominic Drive Site Plan & SUP – Public Hearing Not Scheduled

Tax # 216.-2-40.1

Proposal to build two multi-family residential buildings

CSD Housing, LLC mixed use center. The property is located behind the Ballston Spa National Bank building off Route 67 in the North Zoning District.  The parcel is 3.56 acres, currently vacant.  The project proposes to construct two 3-story multi-family residential building providing 60 apartment units with a Special Use Permit. Mike Newman of CSD Housing and Sybil Newell, Executive Director for the Transitions Services Association spoke about the project.  Transitional Services Association is a local housing provider that will oversee the daily operations of the project.  Thirty of the proposed 60 units will be designated as Supportive Housing, intended to house homeless individuals or families who struggle with mental illness.  The remaining 30 units will be affordable housing units available to the general public.  It was clarified that these are non-profit organizations that address the needs for independent housing and special needs, and CSD performs this type of business and oversight for 99.9% of its clients.  Residents have a track record established of independent living, and this is not Section 8 housing.  A service and operator award has been secured from NYS for special needs and rent is based on income.  Many of the residents are employed.  The buildings will be staffed 24 hours /day by “awake” program staff as well as a security guard for overnight and weekend hours.  Program staff consists of case managers, an RN and a peer advocate to provide support and oversight.  This is the first of its kind in Saratoga Count.  Transitional Services also intends to employ a dedicated property manager.  Transportation is managed via shuttle bus to planned recreational and social events as well as shopping and other resources.  As a result, a variance for fewer parking spaces will be sought.

There was no public hearing scheduled.

David Blair questioned how vacancies will be handled.  Mr. Newman said that marketing is done six months before the CoA and there will quickly be a waiting list, typical of the process in other similar projects. In addition, the private investor on gets tax credit if the building is 95% occupied.

Audeliz Mathias inquired about the visitor parking plan with the requested waiver for resident parking. It was noted that if the need arises for additional parking, there is ample room on the property including use of some of the green space.  It was suggested that with the potential for children living on the property, there should be a fence next to the sidewalk on one side to prevent shortcuts to the road to address safety concerns.

The representatives will return to a future meeting with additional information.

Old Business

Thomas Benuscak – Public Hearing Not Scheduled

Goode Street Tax # 238.-1-39.12

Major subdivision proposed 12 lot subdivision. Extend preliminary approval. Previously approved on May30, 2018

Request to extend preliminary approval for 90 days.  Project is currently on hold in view of the recent ruling regarding the recent Ag and Markets ruling.  The Planning Board unanimously approved a 90 day extension.

Briarwood Brooks Development, LLC Minor Subdivision – Public Hearing Scheduled

3, 5, and 7 Mohican Pass Tax ID 228.12-3-14, 22.13-3-15 and 228.13-3-16

Applicant is looking to recreate previous lots on Mohican Pass.

The cluster/conservation subdivision was approved in 2012 with minimum lot size requirements of 10,000 square feet.  In 2018, Briarwoods Brooks Development increased the lot sizes of 3 & 7 Mohican Pass by eliminating 5 Mohican pass.  The applicant wishes to recreate 5 Mohican Pass to its original size and purpose.  The application was granted an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals on July 10, 2019. 

There were no speakers during the Public Hearing.  The PB voted unanimously to approve the lot subdivision.

Core Tech Industrial – Public Hearing Scheduled

2 McCrea Hill Rd.  Tax # 228.-3-59.1

Proposal to build a 30,000 square foot manufacturing building

This was the third presentation made to the PB to address questions.  The first was related to a potential increase in traffic.  Kathryn Serra noted that the was a traffic study done as part of the original request that was in agreement that there would not be a substantial increase in traffic, although there could be a slight increase if the use changed from manufacturing to a warehouse.  There was another question addressed regarding illumination of the Beacon Hill Condominiums to the north.  A revised plan was submitted which moved the lights slightly to avoid light spillage over the property line.  There were no speakers during the Public Hearing.  The PB voted unanimously to approve the site plan.

Katz PUDD – Public Hearing Scheduled

Route 50 Tax # 239.-1-1

Revised concept plan

The PUDD was approved at the June 2019 meeting based on dividing the project into 3 phases.  Phase 1 was presented in order to obtain approval of the connection to town water as it is located in the current water district.  It was clarified that the storm water plan would be approved for the entire area (all three phases), and Kathryn Serra and Mr. Chauvin felt it appropriate to address the “public benefit” under Phase I, to hold the funding in escrow or bonded in the event the current owner doesn’t move ahead with Phase II.  Kathryn also specified that a document be obtained from the County that no parallel dry line be allowed under the PUDD.  She was also clarified that if Phase 2 does not occur, the PUDD still becomes “the law” for it and it never expires.  Preliminary approval merely gives the applicant confidence to move ahead but is NOT an approval.  The intent is for one line now, escrow toward the public benefit of a second line, and the need for a pump station for a third line.

Public Hearing comments:

Paul Simpson, 80 West Side Drive – In the Saratoga County sewer district that feeds Saratoga Lake, the County fixes problems the residents have with grinder pumps, etc. Is that how this PUDD project will be handled for servicing?  He was told that this will not be handled the same way. Kathryn Serra answered that in the Ballston Lake sewer district, the plan is that the street piece is the Town of Ballston’s responsibility, and the grinder pump to the street is the owner’s.  However, she noted that they have yet to clarify definitively how this will be handled.

Eric Connolly – the PUDD is in an area zoned for business.  Are apartments allowed in the PUDD?  Kathryn answered that apartments are allowed in business /highway zoning and are viewed as commercial.

Eileen Lofthouse, Hop City Rd. - Her concern is regarding the potential for vacancies with so many apartments now in the area.  Is the approval of Phase 1 and sewers for future phases implied consent?  She suggested keeping an eye on the project, as she has seen heavy-handedness from those involved.

The public hearing was closed with preliminary approval given for the Phase 1 project.  Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.