by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 16, was packed for the first time this year; lots of business was done by the Board which now has four members since Pete Gundrum’s resignation. One item of old business and five new items filled the agenda.
[private]The evening began quietly at 6:50 pm with a public hearing on the James and Deborah Beattie/Mark Gavin lot line adjustment application for their property at 2987 Route 2 that was accepted for review at the May Board meeting. No member of the public showed up, and no public comments were made. The hearing closed promptly at 7 pm.
Surveyor Rod Michaels represented the applicants. According to Michaels, bad lawyering resulted in part of Gavin’s house sitting on the Beatties’ property. The parties are happy to adjust the lot line and to correct the legal description of the property. Later, in the regular meeting, the Board reviewed the Short EAF (Environmental Assessment Form), declared that there would be no significant adverse environmental impact and voted unanimously to approve the lot line adjustment.
One Trick Pony
In old business not on the agenda, Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey announced that Richard Lundy had filed all the paperwork and insurance forms related to his horseback riding business on his property on Kautz Hollow Road. Most of his property, including his house, is in Pittstown, but the barn, from which the horseback riding business is being run and where the horses are stabled, is in Grafton. The Board had approved his application last April, but Lundy had decided not to pursue it right away. According to Withcuskey, Lundy’s business, One Trick Pony, had a good opening weekend in late May. “We wish him continued success in his business,” Withcuskey said.
AT&T Tower Upgrade
After months of suspense AT&T has finally filed its application for modifications to its cell phone tower at 38 Radio Tower Way. Attorney Don Ross of Phillips Lytle, LLP represented AT&T. AT&T would like to install three additional antennas with associated wiring and lines using the equipment box already existing on site. According to the application, no excavation will be needed and no height will be added to the existing tower, which is shared with Verizon. The additional modifications will allow for AT&T to provide 4G-LTE service in the Town. The structural analysis report included in the application states that the tower’s current capacity is at 98.6%.
Board Member Jim Goyer asked if a generator would be installed at the site. This had been discussed in the past but never acted on, said Withcuskey. For safety purposes the Board supported the installation of a generator which would supply power during a power outage. Withcuskey said that a site plan review for this would not be needed, just a building permit. Ross said he would bring this to his client’s attention.
The Board voted 4-0 to accept the application, and a public hearing was set for 6:40 pm before the next regular Planning Board meeting on July 21.
Goyer Lot Line Adjustment
Jim Goyer and his father Harold applied for a lot line adjustment for Goyer’s property on CR 85. The Goyers were represented by Surveyor Bill Darling, who described the adjustment that would include road frontage giving Jim Goyer better access to his dwelling. Board Member Goyer removed himself from the Board and from voting during this discussion.
According to Withcuskey, this is not just an easement but includes a slice of land, and he thought a full survey would be needed even though the piece in question is a small part of the 20+ acre lot. The Board voted 3-0 to accept the application contingent on advice from the Town attorney, Sal Ferlazzo, as to whether a survey is needed, and a public hearing was scheduled for 6:50 pm on July 21. In the meantime, Ferlazzo has indicated to Withcuskey that a survey is indeed needed for this transaction.
Ray Darling Family Subdivision
The late Ray Darling bequeathed 5 acres of his 62 acre property on Old Road to his fiancé Jodie Deschaine. Bill Darling represented the family in its application to subdivide the 62 acre property on Old Road into a five acre parcel and a 57 acre parcel. The five acre parcel, with a dwelling, will be recorded in Deschaine’s name. Withcuskey has visited the site and said that the existing well and septic system are up to specifications and there is enough room for “everything else.” The two parcels would share 231 feet of road frontage with a good grade. The application was accepted for review 4-0, and a public hearing was scheduled for 6:25 pm on July 21.
Birch Crest Estates Lot Line Adjustment
Bill Darling represented the Ray Darling family in another application filed at the meeting. In 2006 Ray Darling developed 13 lots on Dunham Road known as the Birch Crest Estates which was approved by the Planning Board at that time with the stipulation that a road meeting Town specifications be constructed to provide access to the lots. Some of the lots have been supplied with power. The project languished until the June Planning Board meeting. The Darling family is now applying to have the development separated into two phases.
Phase one would consist of the first five lots with a turnaround at lot five. The turnaround requires a lot line adjustment. This would allow the family to sell the five lots – there is already interest in lot five, according to Withcuskey. He hopes the money could be used to bring the road up to specifications and extend it to the remaining seven lots in the development. This would be phase two. The road must be brought up to spec before any permits can be issued, Withcuskey said.
The Board voted 4-0 to accept the application for review, and a public hearing was set for 6:35 pm on July 21.
Edelmann Lot Line Adjustment
Surveyor Brian Holbritter represented Clark and Tim Edelmann in their application for a lot line adjustment for their property on Edelmann Lane. In June of last year a major subdivision by Clark Edelmann and his sister MaryLou MacNaughton that created five parcels was approved. At the time Edelmann said, “This subdivision is all family, for her kids and my kids.” A 42 acre lot, a 67 acre lot to be remaindered and three building lots of 6.6 acres, 6.6 acres and 8.3 acres were created. One of the smaller parcels, owned by Tim Edelmann, needs just .57 acres from the 67 acre parcel in order to site a septic system more easily. The application was accepted unanimously for review, and a public hearing was set for July 21 at 6:20 pm.[/private]