SAVE Report
Planning Board Meeting
July 10, 2018
This report highlights the issues raised during public comments and reflections on
events, and is not intended to be an exhaustive description.
Absent: Member Dalton. Present: Members Stuto, Shamlian, Mion, Austin, Heider,
Millstein, Attny Marinelli, PEDD Director LaCivita, TDEs CHA Grasso and Voss Barton
and LoGuidice. Also present: TB member Rosano and Town Clerk Gansle, CAC
member Laura Weed
Prior to the agenda session, Chairman Stuto advised the PB that they are working on a
public comment policy which will be run by Counsel’s office.
PEDD Director LaCivita announced that the Comprehensive Plan Committee has been
reactivated. August 8, 2018 6:00 pm next scheduled Committee Date; September 19,
2018 public hearing at the Crossings; October 11, 2018 Hearing before the Town Board.
PEDD has hired a new planner to replace retired planner Mike Lyons.
Serio Subdivision 60 Dunsbach Ferry Road and corner Pollack Road
Sketch Plan
No Action
Applicant represented by Nick Costa Advanced Engineering
Ted Cillis developer/contract vendee
Greg and Linda Serio owners of record
TDE Chuck Voss Barton and LoGuidice
14 lot single family subdivision to be located on 9.27 acres site
(note: this property is located within an Agricultural District which was not noted in the
Project narrative or during the applicant’s presentation or TDE comments)
Site is currently vacant with agricultural fields and wooded areas. Federally protected
wetlands are also located onsite. Property is zoned SFR. TDE Voss advised that he
has not done his formal review. However, he considers the proposed layout to be a
standard “lollipop” subdivision. He acknowledged that the Town Historian has inquired
about the location of a historic cemetery on site. This will be confirmed by an
archeological study. Mr. Costa advised that the grading plan for the site will take into
account sensitive environmental areas. TDE also recommended that there be a tree
inventory done for the site. Chairman Stuto asked the applicant to consider a cluster
subdivision layout for the site which would entail smaller lot sizes. Chairman Stuto
stated that smaller lots are the new development trend and popular with Seniors.
Member Milstein asked for details about the size of the homes. Nick Costa advised
probably between 1500-2500 square feet. Member Mion was concerned about the
location of two homes on Pollack Road at the corner of Dunsbach Ferry Road. Nick
Costa advised applicant will look at whether driveway access can be changed to the
interior site roads.
On the Farm Subdivision
261 and 261A Troy Schenectady Road
Applicant Halfmoon Materials Group LLC/Dean Marotta/RJ Valente (developer)
Nick Costa Advanced Engineering
63 Lot Subdivision
TDE Chuck Voss Barton and Loguidice
At the outset Chairman Stuto inquired about pending action items listed in the TDE June
11, 2018 final comment letter. Apparently, the applicant failed to provide several
requested items including site elevations. An inaudible discussion ensued between
Chairman Stuto and PB Attorney Marinelli about whether the PB should hear this
agenda item. Attorney Marinelli cited Land Use law provisions and it was decided that
PB final review could proceed with the site elevations required as a condition of final
approval. Attorney Marinelli also read the published public hearing notice for the project.
Nick Costa advised that 18.8 acres of land is going to be preserved which will add value
to the neighborhood. Stormwater collection will also improve the neighborhood situation.
Public Water will be supplied to the site via a closed loop system at the request of the
latham water district. Costa noted that this will help in situations where there are water
main breaks for the older water infrastructure in the neighborhood. Latham Water will be
able to isolate the break and still provide water via this loop system to the existing
neighborhood. Nick Costa acknowledged that construction will have an impact on the
wildlife and speculated that they will return once construction has been completed.
TDE noted that he has worked very closely with the applicant. The site’s extensive
wetlands have been the focus for the site layout and development. The site has uneven
topography. He also commented on the site stormwater issues and how the proposed
stormwater system will improve existing conditions for the surrounding neighbors. TDE
also noted that the stormwater will be directed to a NYSDOT culvert.
CAC member Laura Weed asked about whether a tree inventory was done and also
whether an ACOE permit was issued. Nick Costa did not provide a clear response
regarding the tree inventory and he noted that an ACOE permit application is pending
which he stated was likely to be approved.
There was a packed house of neighbors who addressed the PB and were there in
support of their neighborhood. Many commenters questioned why the Town is not
looking out for the interests of existing neighborhoods and making neighborhoods and
not developers the town’s priority. Many lamented the impact the development would
have on neighborhood traffic, school enrollment, and wildlife that lives on the wooded
site. Many also wanted to know what impact the grading and clearing would have on
stormwater issues they currently were experiencing and screening and buffering for
their homes. Several neighbors questioned why lots were depicted in areas where they were wet and had drainage issues. No response was provided other than the site
elevations would have to be raised to address these issues. One neighbor asked why
the Town was not purchasing this property as open space. PEDD Director LaCivita
explained that the Town’s current funds are not sufficient to purchase properties. He
cited the Town’s incentive zoning fee fund and current Town fiscal constraints as
barriers to open space purchases. He opined that the Town could use IDA and Local
Development Corporation funds for purchases. He also noted that the Town would be
applying for State grants for green space.
(It should be noted that the 2005 Comprehensive Plan directed the Town to develop an
open space and recreation plan and create an open space fund.)
A SAVE member requested clarification about whether a tree inventory was done for the
site. After much hemming and hawing, Nick Costa confirmed no tree inventory was done for the site. SAVE member also asked how the site grading was going to proceed-
was the entire site to be cleared straight away or as individual lots were sold?
Neighborhood comments indicated that many of the lots were not suitable for
development because of water issues and uneven topography. SAVE member also
asked whether the PB would require the Loudon Hills East subdivision approval
condition that required the developer to only remove mature trees located within the
building envelope and driveway.TDE Voss explained that this would not be needed as
this was a conservation subdivision design which contemplated minimized clearing.
PB individual comments were provided by Shamlian, Austin, Mion and Stuto. Shamlian
was concerned with the building elevations and he wanted to see elevations when the
project was next back before the PB (note this was a final approval so no opportunity for
further PB review). Austin was concerned with renaming the street. Stuto noted that a
lot had been done by the applicant to best mitigate the impacts based upon the
restrictions in the land use law.
Final Approval (unanimous) Granted and SEQRA Negative Declaration Issued
Starlite Mixed Use, Phase 1
629 Columbia Street
150,000 sq foot building, 900 parking spaces
Final Approval (SEQRA determination previously issued for Phase I and Phase II)
Applicant Starlite Associates/Galesi/Ayco
Hershberg consultant, 1066 Troy Schenectady Rd, Sketch Plan Review
TDE Joe Grasso CHA
PEDD Director LaCivita listed the project review history. Hershberg stated that the final
plan has minor changes- a reduced retention basin to preserve wetlands and a modified
trail to accommodate wetlands preservation. He also announced that NYS DEC
granted freshwater wetlands approvals that afternoon.
TDE Grasso noted that the applicant will be constructing the connector road which will cost far in excess of the applicant’s fair share of Boght Road GEIS mitigation fees.
Consequently, the applicant will receive “credits” for future mitigation fees owed for the
development of the additional parcels (60 acres), TDE Grasso also noted that 40% of
unconstrained lands will be deed restricted leaving 50% green space on the site. The
applicant will need 3 design waivers-building setback, front yard parking and parking in
excess of allowed parking. The TDE noted that his final review letter is dated June 27,
2018.
Two members of the public commented. Tom Sorenson questioned the veracity of the
traffic counts and provided documentation showing where there were traffic counts for
various intersections from 2011 and 2018 which had not changed. He also questioned
the number of parking spaces for Phase I. TDE Grasso stated that only certain
intersections were studied in 2018 so that there is still older traffic statistics for other
intersections. He also noted that the total parking spaces for Phases I and II will be
1,500 spaces.
Barb Numerich questioned why this project is proceeding to approval prior to the
completion of the Comprehensive Plan review. She also stated that the connector road
is not going to be a “miracle road” to solve the traffic issues in this area of the Town.
She asked why the PB was not doing its job to “plan” and make sure that there are
appropriate locations for certain types of development.
Chairman Stuto stated that the office project is a permitted use in the zone. PB Member
Shamlian asked about what type of signage would be used for the building and wanted
the design to account for the large size of the building. Chief Heider thought the
proposed landscaping was not appropriately sized given the large stature of the
building. Hershberg responded by noting landscaping is in flux and he would take Chief
Heider’s comments into account.
Final Approval Unanimous