In attendance from the Town of Colonie were Board Member Chris Carey and Planning and Economic Development Department Director Joe LaCivita.
Agenda with notes:
1. Old Business:
a. Status of Stewart’s expansion at Everett Road and Albany Shaker Road:
Joe L reports no movement, Stewart’s is focusing on Fuller Road shop. Meanwhile, Stewart’s is reportedly open to reducing the number of dispensing pumps.
b. Development at Albany Shaker and Osborne Roads:
Joe L reports no information. Discussion of what the Town/residents would like to see at this site. Best would be shops/banks accessed through Kimberly Square. Issue of contamination at this site.
c. Development of the Foegtle Farms property on Albany Shaker Road:
Joe L reports nothing going on.
2. New Business:
a. Revision of Town meeting schedule to avoid conflicts:
Long logistical discussion.
b. The Summit at Forts Ferry:
Has project been scaled down further?
Joe L reports no changes in Nigro proposal. Discussion about height -- 3 story on hilltop apartment complex; did Planning Board truly consider this part of project, impact on residents?
Erich S. reports 2/7 meeting with Nigro team (sans Nigro)
c. Ridgeview at North Colonie update:
Joe L reports BlackRock developer has pulled plan due to resident opposition. Now project may be divided into residential & commercial segments.
d. Comprehensive Plan review update (discussed on January 24th)
Next meeting Feb 21 for business community; discuss code changes (setbacks?) and marketing, IDA partnering. Hope to finalize plan in March.
e. Albany/Shaker Road Study:
Concluding in Feb; object would be to fold recommendations for corridor into Comprehensive Plan.
f. Town’s signage plans and approval process for commercial projects:
Discussion of garish LED signage, “moveable billboards”, excessive size, waivers being granted willy-nilly. Discussion of amending/updating sign code to end waivers. Part of Comp Plan?
g. AYCO project at old Starlight Theatre site off Route 9R (Columbia St. Ext.):
Lively discussion re: “connector road” wholeheartedly advocated by LaCivita, wetlands issues downplayed by La Civita, no traffic impact alleged by LaCivita; no residential impacts alleged by LaCivita. IDA (taxpayer) $$$ going to rich Goldman Sachs company (AYCO).
h. CDTA consideration of new Mohawk River bridge (John Bergener proposed):
Proposal to add another bridge over Mohawk between the Northway bridge and the Rt 9 bridge, to ease traffic on Rt 9 & Northway. Not clear how this would connect to existing traffic routes. LaCivita will take suggestion to transportation committee.
3. Association Member Comments.
a. Setting of Coalition 2018 meeting dates. (1/31; 3/28; 5/23; 9/26; 11/28.)
At about this point, Joe LaCivita left the meeting.
Discussion of ODA for 34 Denison Rd. referral to Town Board
Issues: Segmentation by developer, lack of Planning Board expertise or acceptance of responsibility for SEQRA or segmentation; steep terrain/constrained lands, Shelco history, failure of applicant to provide full info to Planning Board.
4. Confirm date for next meeting (March 28, 2018)
Paul Shepard from Building Dept to be the Town’s rep, if available.
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