January 29, 2020 Planning Board AGENDA with notes

Public hearing comments open on 5 projects January 29, 2020

BNU encourages residents to attend meetings and speak up

TOWN OF BALLSTON

Planning Board Agenda with Notes

Meeting to be held on January 29, 2020 @7:30

Ballston Town Hall Meeting Room located at

323 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

OLD BUSINESS

Thomas Benuscak - Public Hearing Not Scheduled

Goode St. Tax ID# 238.-1-39.12

Major subdivision proposed 12 lot subdivision. Extend preliminary approval approved 8/28/2019

Sound familiar? He is the same builder and Republican Committee member that past Supervisor Szczepaniak voted for in favor of granting a water extension in the Ag District breaking NYS Ag&Markets and Town law, thus resulting in a lawsuit  the Town lost.  His 12-lot proposed subdivision is about a half a mile south of the intersection of Goode Street and Charlton Road on the east side of Goode Street.  This project dates back to January 2015 when he brought the sketch plan before the Planning Board.  The Planning Board has granted far too many extensions on this project.  In 2019 alone, he received a renewal and six 90-day extensions. There is a sunset clause. The environmental impact statement dates back to 2016.   A new application fee will not nearly cover the time the town has spent on this.  But, to be fair to the process, the law allows applicants to seek an extension or re-file to start over.

Sunset clause on site plans is five years. It has been five years this month since the sketch plan was presented.

Benuscak is also on the agenda proposing to construct 10 apartment units, see New Business below.

1417 Saratoga Road - Public Hearing Continued

1417 Saratoga Rd. Tax ID# 228-1-48.32, 228-1-2.1 and 228-1-48.112

The applicant proposes to construct a mixed-use development

Large proposed development spanning over three parcels and roughly 34 acres within two zoning districts – Business Highway-1 and Hamlet Residential.

The property now has open fields, existing residence, wooded areas, fair amount of wetland located on the rear northern pieces; approximately 16 acres of wetlands on the property.

The proposal is for a mixed-use community with about 1200’ of frontage combined between Brookline Road and NYS Route 50. There will be multiple story buildings.

Building (1) on the southern edge of the parcel closest to the intersection a drive-thru restaurant.

Buildings (2) and (3) would be developed as a mixed-use plaza; provide patio space in the front for restaurant facilities, wide sidewalks, extensive landscaping within the parking lot areas.

Building (4) located on the north and west, would be a residential building consisting of 64 apartment units.

Preserve at Summerhill - Public Hearing Continued

Scotch Bush Rd & Jenkins Rd SBL # 256.-1-7 Major Subdivision-30 lots

New York Development Group/Saratoga, LLC is proposing a 30-lot conservation subdivision within the Hamlet Residential zone at the Charles Morris property located on Jenkins Road. 

The  same developers under different names have brought the Timber Creek and Abele Woods developments into Ballston. The applicant is proposing the construction of 29 new single-family homes; there is an existing residence (Morris home) that would occupy the 30th lot. The 2019 town board has approved 4:1 a water extension to this area for the project before Planning Board approval.

There has been no positive feedback from the community and many comments on record from neighbors regarding loss of wildlife habitat, increased traffic, high water table, questioning how 29 more septic systems will effect nearby shallow wells, and the existing federal wetlands are not labeled on any of the maps provided by developer.

Note: The Chair of the Planning Board recused himself July 31, 2019 meeting.
The Planning Board has the power to say no to this proposed development.

Core Tech Industrial Corp. - Public Hearing Scheduled

2 McCrea Hill Rd SBL #228.3-59.2

Site Plan Review for a 14,190 sq. ft. addition to existing building with added parking

The last time this was before the PB was December 18, 2019.  The existing building is 28,000 sq ft and the applicant wants to add a 14,190 sq ft addition.  They will be asking for parking space waiver since they will only have 5-10 employees. They need more space due to an expansion of business.  The space is for product.  There is no proposed water or sewer in the addition.

NEW BUSINESS

Benuscak - Public Hearing Not Scheduled

486 Garrett Rd SBL #

Site Plan Review & Special Use Permit-proposing 10 townhouse apartments over 3 buildings

Still dealing with the old regime’s legacy of filling Ballston with an over abundance of apartment buildings.  Thomas Benuscak is on the agenda yet again.  First, he wants another time extension for his Goode St. development; and second, he wants to build 10 apartments on Garrett Rd.

The Planning Board left the section, lot and block number and the size of the parcel for this project off the agenda, however this is located about 200 feet from Ballston Avenue on Garrett Road.  Benuscak proposes 10 apartment units near public school property on vacant lots totaling 2.74 acres. (216.-1-22.1 size 1.93 acres and 216.-1-22.2 size .81 of an acre)

Daniel Scaring - Public Hearing Not Scheduled

976 Route 67 SBL # 216.-2-42

Site Plan Review - 3 Story 48,000 sq. ft.

The project site is located on the southern corner of Route 67 and Dominic Drive. The site is currently a single family home on 1.04 acres. There is a Dollar General nearby.

Mr. Scaring proposes to construct a tall three-story 48,000 sf self-storage building.

Access to the proposed development would be provided by one new curb cut on Dominic Drive. The proposed driveway is 35’ wide providing sufficient area for tractor trailer style moving trucks to enter/exit. This will require a special use permit.

John Schaffer -Public Hearing Scheduled

17 Kelley Meadow Rd SBL # 248.-1-81.1313

Minor Subdivision - create 3 single family building lots

This parcel is currently 30 acres and has frontage on both Kelly Meadow Road and Scotch Bush Road.  The owner is proposing to subdivide the parcel into three separate building lots.

Sarah Engster - Public Hearing Scheduled

857 Route 50 SBL # 248.-2-59

Special Use Permit - to convert office space into an 8th rental unit

This is the old Ballston Lake Motel on Route 50 that was built in the 1950’s that has since been converted into 7 apartment units.  The parcel is 4.45 acres with 243' of road frontage. The new owner of this property wants to convert the old motel office space into an efficiency apartment. The unit will use the existing septic system.