SAVE Colonie
Planning Board Meeting Notes
December 4, 2018
This is an unofficial description for use of SAVE members. When it is ready, the town posts a transcript of planning board meetings on the PEDD site. Meanwhile, here’s what went on:
Prior to the meeting, Chairman Stuto announced that Kathleen Dalton would be leaving the Planning Board after many years. He thanked her and wished her well. She stated that she wanted to spend time with her family. Joe LaCivita reminded all that there would be a Comprehensive Plan meeting next week (Dec 13th, 6 PM). All members were present except Craig Shamlian.
1. Starbucks on Wolf Road (Sketch) This ‘redevelopment’ (TDE) project is planned for the part of Colonie Center parking lot closest to Central Avenue. A number of waivers will be needed but the most interest surrounded the desire to decrease the size of the parking spaces in the Starbucks ‘lot’ from 9 to 8.5 feet. It was unpopular with most board members. Heider was concerned with the piles of snow that will surround the building and the safety issues of people coming from the neighboring bus stop to the restaurant. There is no direct access proposed to the mall road; rather, access will be through the parking lot. They would actually be increasing green space by installing landscaping where there is only asphalt now. Stuto thought the attorney should recommend whether there is a need for an ODA since there is no direct access to the street. He summarized the PB reaction by saying ‘It’s a good project, but we have some concerns.’
2. Cold Spring (Foeglti Farms) (Sketch) 499-507 Albany Shaker Road. LaCivita noted that this is a 39 lot proposal as opposed to the 80 lot PDD previously submitted to the PB for this same property, and involves a new developer. There is no PDD request for this one. Frank Barbera is the developer and he was in attendance. Hershberg is the engineering firm. They have not updated the traffic study yet, waiting for the A/S traffic study to be completed (I thought that it had been.) They claim that the peak pm will be 32 vehicles/hr. Hershberg claimed that about 2/3 of the lots will be in the field portion, the rest in the section currently wooded. He said that trees will be cleared in the back but that Frank Barbera wants to keep as many as possible. He said that a neighbor requested that they remove as many dead and dying trees on the property as possible and stated that they would comply with that, with Town approval. Barbera spoke about the types of homes and said that homes & lots will be smaller than usual, on .2 to .35 acres, similar to Meadowdale. He said that smaller lots mean less maintenance, and that’s what people want. TDE Skip Francis from B&L said that positives about the proposal include: 39 rather than 80 lots, and that they are clustered to avoid the environmentally sensitive areas. Cons include the stormwater management area in the front may need to be fenced which may be unattractive, and no sidewalks are proposed. Something like an HOA will be set up to maintain the property. Heider pointed out that there is lots of concern about walkers on A/S. All acknowledged that the big issue will be left turns out of the development onto A/S, particularly the pm peak. Hershberg actually suggested that people will buy the homes knowing the traffic situation and may just turn right and navigate back using another means. Barbera has already reserved a location for a public meeting for neighbors on January 16. He also said that he will be meeting with SAVE Colonie and representatives of Green Meadows Association. Even though it was sketch review with no vote, Stuto allowed Patrick Quinn to speak. Quinn had walked the property and took issue with Hershberg’s statement that less than half the site is wooded. Although he is pleased to see the density drop he stated that the narrow no cut buffer zone is a problem. Hundreds of the trees are at least 2 feet in diameter (he noted the 3 inch reg) and said that the 25 foot buffer proposed by the project is not adequate. He suggested a revision to a 50’ buffer, 100’ on the east side and that the area toward the bottom, no trees be cut. He handed out another plan to the PB with that buffer zone and said if some of the project was shifted toward the conservation area more trees could be saved. They seemed receptive to this idea, so we’ll see.
3. Serio Subdivision on Dunsbach Ferry Rd. Board Update. This is a revision to a submission made last summer. The project is being shifted slightly and the lots are smaller, except one where Serio may live. This would help to preserve the wooded area. Because there are substandard lots (smallest is 12,000 rather than 18,000 sq ft) it is a conservation subdivision. The wooded area will be a deed restricted, no cut buffer.
4. Shelter Cove (Stuto apparently recused himself by leaving the room, citing no reason for the recusal.) 45 Nantucket Street. Requested the PB recommend to the TB that a shorter setback from the road be allowed for one property. Under the PDD, front setback should be 15 ft and side 5 ft. This one home being built on the corner of Nantucket and Cove can’t accommodate the 15 ft due to the fact that the road is not straight. They want the one to be 12 ft from the street. This is an internal, private road. JLC supports, PB voted to send to the TB.
Thanks to all who contributed to this report and all who care enough about our town to participate in these meetings.