January 23, 2019 Town of Ballston Planning Board Meeting

Town Planning Board Meeting

Notes taken by a town resident – January 23, 2019

Old Business:

Thomas Benuscak – Goode Street SBL proposed 12 lot subdivision, renewal of preliminary approval as a 90 day extension.  No changes to plan that was approved in May 2018.   Approved unanimously by Planning Board.

New Business:

Littles Rd. Cluster Subdivision – Lansing Engineering represeitng.  Looking for feedback on general plan.  Littles Rd located on the west side of Rt.50, 85.6 acres vacant behind the existing houses by the road.  Needs to coordinate water and sewer next.  There are two zones, a front “Business Highway 2 Zone” that will be applied for at a later date, and a back area of 76 acres.  There are DEC wetlands on 17 acres, and the back zone is in the Ag district, and subject to the litigation outcome between  Ag & Water and the Town.  A total of 91 single smaller home lots are proposed in this hamlet, with a total capacity of 130 lots.  The proposal also includes an extension of the sewer line to the Ballston Lake sewer district at Gartner Drive off of 146A.  A right angle will begin the proposed road off of Route 50 across from where 146A ends.  There will be buffers and open space of 44 acres.

Feedback from Board member Patrick Mayer: The southwest corner of the property includes a culdesac for 6 homes, apart from the rest of the proposed neighborhood.  Is it worth the effort given the rest of the proposal?  A permit will be needed from the DEC, and it looks like it is part of the proposal just to get more lots and probably not worth it.

Feedback from Board member Mathias: concerned about smaller homes that will be in a smaller space once additions and pools are added. 

Town Engineer feedback: There is no setback for a cluster subdivision and where the utilities are placed may be problematic.  She suggests a 25 to 30 ft setback.  Cars will likely have to park on the road also. She suggested that the sewer and water results are needed before the proposal can come back for review.

Knights Lot Line Adjustment to the common lines between listed parcels on both sides of Goode Street, to be adjusted between family members.  The farm is still in the rural zone, and if the use for the property should change in the future, an application would be needed and appearance at the Planning Board.  Sophia stated that any plan to change the property is not material to this discussion now.  The family elected not to be part of the water district.

Public Hearing comments:

Renee Rohling, 13 Skaarland Drive – asked if there is an impact to her property that is adjacent to the Knight lot, and wondered if it will continue to be a working apple orchard.  Sophia stated there is no change to the agricultural use of the property but an application to change it in the future would be lawful.  She clarified that there are no proposals to do so at the present time.

Linda Dunham, 1 Skaarland Drive – asked for clarification that the existing configuration is not changing, just the inside configuration (this was the case).  Asked what could stop the Knights from putting in a development?  Mr. VanVorst said “I suggest you talk to them, they are your neighbors”.

Peter Solberg – asked if the new lot lines affect the TDR allocation.  Sophia said it has no bearing.

Unanimous approval was given for the lot line adjustments, although Lot #2 is nonconforming but OK as it is Ag compliant.

Briarwood Brooks Development LLC – Mohican Pass in the Mourningkill Subdivision.  There are three lots together that are proposed to revert back to the two original lots.  The representative is requesting a denial of the proposal in order to request a variance in the future.  This was unanimously denied.

1 Super 50 Way – Larry Gates proposed to add a 600 sf addition to the overhang in the existing building as a carport that is not enclosed, for covered storage.  This was unanimously approved.