All planning board members were present except for Craig Shamlian. PEDD Director LaCivita and Attorney Marinelli, Town Board members Linda Murphy and Paul Rosano, Ellen Rosano of the Town Conservation Advisory Council and Joseph Mahan of the Building Department were in attendance. Ryan of Barton and LoGuidice was the Town Designated Engineer.
Century Hill Plaza Offices 16 and 16 Plaza Drive/3 Autopark Drive Latham
Sketch Plan Review
2 story 40,000 square foot office, two 5 story offices totaling 228,000 square feet
1 4 story 67,830 square foot office
Kevin and Chris Bette of 1st Columbia LLC outlined their development proposal. This development proposal is located on 18 acres site in the Boght Road GEIS study area and received a concept approval in 2010 which expired in 2011. The Town’s DCC met on December 20, 2017. PEDD Director LaCivita updated the PB about the project and intimated that since this project already received concept approval in 2010 the PB should approve this project as there have been no changes. He further indicated that the SEQRA Neg Dec should still be applicable. 1st Columbia built a connector Road for the office buildings they already constructed on the site. This connector road was not paid for with GEIS mitigation fees. The Connector road was identified as a traffic mitigation measure in the Boght Road GEIS. According to Mr. Kevin Bette, 1st Columbia paid $1million for this connector road and also paid $1 million in GEIS mitigation fee payments. He advocated for the Town to credit the $1million connector road payment towards any GEIS mitigation fees that they would now be required to pay for this new project. PEDD Director LaCivita stated that this was the first time that he heard this GEIS mitigation fee “credit” proposal (It should be noted that the Town’s March 26, 2013 FGEIS Findings Statement rejected this proposal).
Kevin Bette asked for the Planning board’s opinion regarding a GEIS mitigation fee credit. Chairman Stuto stated that he should write a letter on this issue so that it can be analyzed by the Town Attorney’s office.
PB member Dalton asked whether anyone has considered a new entrance to the Northway near the Pollack Road area as the 1st Columbia proposal would add another 2000 workers/occupants to the area. Kevin Bette advised that this new exit was studied under the various traffic studies and found to not be necessary. He further noted that this part of town has been extensively studied. He believes that all that is needed is to get rid of a few traffic bottle necks as Route 9 has the capacity for commuter traffic. PB member Dalton stated that although she is not a traffic person, it seems as a resident that widening of roads and incremental fixes might be an adequate solution but not optimal. Kevin Bette responded by stating that he wants to make sure that the traffic is ok for his tenants as he believes that the northern end of the town will see a lot more growth as the economy has turned around. He further noted that they can make the traffic adequate but still not great with all of the traffic mitigation measures identified in the various studies. Kevin Bette also advised that his development and the Amedore and Holiday Inn development proposals should all be plugged into the GEIS traffic model.
TDE Ryan advised the PB that he saw no significant changes since 2010 so the SEQRA review from 2010 should carry through. However, he will still take a close look at this issue.
On the Farm Concept Review Plan
261 & 261 A Troy-Schenectady Rd.
63 lot SFR, 1 commercial lot subdivision. Sketch plan review occurred on January 9, 2018.
TDE comment letter was issued January 24, 2017. CAC member Rosano asked the developer to consider impacts to wetlands during the road construction over ACOE regulated wetlands. SAVE member asked the PB what their policy was concerning building lots containing wetlands. She suggested that the PB require notice to prospective purchasers via DEED restrictions. She also asked the developer whether the ACOE issued a jurisdictional determination. Developer Representative Costa advised that his client received a ACOE wetlands delineation but has not submitted the plans for approval to the ACOE. The room was filled with the project neighbors. However, no neighbors spoke. Chief Heider questioned how the developer was going to address an old trail the surrounding neighborhood is currently using. Costa advised that this trail will be on privately owned lots and the private owners will have to deal with members of the public who will continue to use the trail. PB member Austin asked whether there will be larger homes on the larger lots. Costa advised there could be but he thinks they will be on the same scale of the other homes in the development. The PB voted to grant unanimous approval.
Huntington Associates Medical Office
123 Everett Road
Application for SEQR Determination and Final Approval 2 story 53, 910 square foot Professional Building
Most of the discussion entailed whether the PB should only allow a right in right out from the Office address. Apparently, the applicant has not received Albany County Highway Department sign off regarding the curb cut for this development. PB member Dalton noted that the green space will be less than 35%. PEDD Director LaCivita noted that the developer will be paying $21,000 (it should be noted that the incentive zoning fees are not available on the PEDD website and have not been updated since 2009). There was also discussion concerning the building’s architecture. Apparently, the plans submitted did not reflect the final architectural renderings for the building. The physician’s group who will be the building occupant had not given final approval. PB members saw a rendition of the current building rendering and stated that if the final looks like this they would be supportive. PB granted final approval subject to the following conditions to be confirmed by PEDD-screen roof for neighbors, right in right out only, architectural rendering for the building like what they were shown. A Neg Dec was issued after the TDE read his rationale for the Neg Dec.