This unofficial report is for the use of SAVE Colonie members only, and reflects only the impressions of some residents who attended the Planning Board meeting. Residents are invited to attend these public meetings and form their own impressions. Any errors are unintentional and regretted. We all do our best!
7:00 PM
Acadia Plaza Bank Acadia New Loudon LLC, owner 873 Loudon Road
Sketch Plan Review: No action taken
3,375 sq.ft. bank with drive thru teller
Presented by LaBerge (Phil Kozel), TDE: Chuck Voss, Barton & Loguidice
This bank is to be constructed in an unused portion of the shopping center parking lot. Voss opined that this project is an appropriate use of the area, would actually increase green space and decrease the pavement area. Entrance to the bank would be from behind the shopping center, from Old Loudon Rd.
7:05 PM
Rosetti Warehouse Richard Rosetti, owner 2 Lear Jet Lane
Sketch Plan Review: No action taken One-story 45,500 sq.ft. warehouse
Presented by Advance Engineering (Nick Costa), TDE: Joe Grasso, CHA Companies
The sketches presented by the owner were not accurate and up-to-date, so the entire discussion was a waste of time and Town of Colonie money. A Special Use Permit would be required for this large warehouse, which Chairman Stuto opined was “too large for this site,” and Board Member Milstein asked why they “deserve” a Special Use Permit. The drawing projected on screen, but not the narrative, depicted a “store.” There are questions about wetlands on this heavily wooded site, a buffer to screen neighbors, problems with large trucks coming in and out of premises, and access to Wade Rd. (Query: Who owns the nearby buildings?? What do they think? Where is the tree inventory?) This project must be limited in height due to its location in the airport flight path. General feeling seemed to be irritation with lack of specificity and current information on the plans. Developer instructed to come back with sufficient information for another sketch plan review OR for concept, their choice.
7:10 PM
Hoffman PDD Stewart Hoffman, owner
1 Alice Avenue
Application to Amend PDD: Tabled
170 Market rate senior apartments reduced to 140 market rate senior apartments, the 90 assisted living remains unchanged
Presented by ABD Engineering (Luigi Palleschi), TDE: Joe Grasso, CHA Companies
The Town Board had approved this PDD in 2011, but nothing had been done on this exceedingly steep and wooded site since. The owner seeks to reduce the number of units by 30. City of Watervliet, down slope from this site, has expressed concerns about impacts to the City from stormwater runoff if this site is cleared for development. Planning Board questioned adequacy of public benefits to justify the PDD (which increases the allowed density from fewer than 20 single family homes to more than 200 rental units!!!) Public benefits should benefit all residents of the town, not just residents of this project, as those offered here do: widening Alice Lane for proper emergency access to the site, an overlook (for residents), water and drainage improvements, unspecified $$ in lieu of sidewalks to and along Rt 2. Chair Stuto suggested the owner “go back to the supervisor to work out a public benefit.” He would favor so much $$$ per excess unit. General impression was one of irritation with the project’s extreme density and lack of public benefits to justify granting a PDD in the first place. We believe the PB has the power to rescind the PDD granted 8 years ago, due to inaction. This is part of a larger parcel, the rest of which has already been developed. Seems as if it is up to the supervisor to establish a “public benefit” and then the project would go forward.