Below is SAVE's informal unofficial report on last night's Planning Board meeting.
Neighbors of the proposed Stewart's at 19 Fuller Rd came our armed with evidence and made a major difference in the outcome of this presentation. We can make a difference if we work together.
NOTE: Due to calendar issues, there will be a Planning Board meeting next Tuesday, Dec 5th. No agenda yet, but the large new British American office-hotel complex opposite the Airport is slated to be presented...by CHA! Amazing! And no response yet to our letter on the ethics of this.
Here's the report:
Latham Farms Restaurant/Retail Addition
The Board granted concept approval for this 9000 sq ft retail restaurant addition covering about half the space formerly occupied by Walmart’s nursery sales area. The Board was most interested in traffic tie-ups and pedestrian safety in the vicinity of this project.
Stewart’s Shop 19 Fuller Rd
No vote was taken on this project, before the Bd for concept approval. It was redesigned to accommodate some concerns: 3 gas dispensers (down from 4), a smaller retail shop, smaller gas canopy. Exit onto narrow Catherine Rd was discussed by all. Several articulate neighbors spoke about impacts upon quiet enjoyment of their residential neighborhood: light impacts, traffic noise & safety, air pollution from gas fumes, difficulty in getting property insurance w/in 1000 ft of gas station, Town failure to notify them of project before the ZBA, and more. Board activated & asked 1. whether neighbors received notice of zoning bd hearing on project, 2. for an environmental review for health impacts, 3. developer & PEDD to see if two access points onto Fuller can be achieved so Catherine entrance can be eliminated. Note: Stewart’s was willing to redesign and scale down this project to meet neighbors’ & Board concerns in this instance (fewer pumps not a “deal breaker!”).
Retail Strip Plaza 2220 Central Ave.
This proposed strip plaza appeared for sketch plan. It is being built on spec; no tenants yet. Would require about 6 waivers. Board asked for redesign to eliminate some waivers, and Shamlian suggested the developer speak with the rear neighbor, who would be looking at about a 3 story construction due to the land’s downward slope.
Crisafulli Warehouse 348 Old Niskayuna Rd.
This was sketch plan review for a 63,752 sq ft warehouse on former farmland, now overgrown with mostly poplars & understory shrubbery (also known as wildlife habitat). Proposal built on spec, no tenants identified, located across the road from the Public Ops Center. Note: Sad that this warehouse couldn’t be developed on some abandoned site rather than on this open former farmland, now 5.5 acres of green space/wildlife habitat.
Susan Weber for SAVE Colonie: A Partnership for Planning