Grafton Planning Board Hears Plans For New Business And Approves Subdivision For Former Elementary School
By Doug La Rocque
Hearing no opposition but in receipt of a letter of concern, the Town of Grafton Planning Board voted unanimously to approve both the Environmental Impact Study and the actual subdivision of property at the one-time elementary school at the corner of State Route 2 and Babcock Lake Road. The plan had originally called for just the school building and parking lots to be subdivided from the rest of the property. [private]
The Planning Board and the Rensselaer County Health Department expressed their concerns, as the septic system would have remained on property owned by the Berlin Central School District. The plan was then redrawn so that all the open property would be conveyed with the school building, with the school district retaining the land along and behind the tree line in the back of the lot.
The letter of concern came from Dr. David Hunt, a Grafton resident with a Ph.D. in ecology. He noted the wooded area serves as a buffer to White Lily Pond, which he describes as “one of the most important relatively intact aquatic networks in the county.” He also expressed concern that the area might be used for solar power generation. Berlin School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young clarified the issue, saying the possible solar installation would have been on the open land the school district initially proposed to keep. He says they have no plans on installing solar panels in the forested area. Instead, they are still looking at using this land for a nature preserve.
As to the actual sale of the land, Dr. Young says it is still in negotiations. It had been brought to the planning board’s attention at earlier meetings, that a group called Serpentine Valley Ventures based in New York City, was interested in purchasing the building for senior housing.
Site Plan Review For New Business
David and Donna Wagar appeared before the Planning Board to discuss a new business they would like to open on State Route 2
The Wagars have recently purchased a property at 3046 Route 2, and they would like to use the house for a retail gift shop outlet, specializing in American made products, as well as possibly renting out other portions for craft, homemade foods and preserves and the like. Wagar said he and his wife also plan to rent out space behind the house to L&D contracting, owned by Grafton resident Lenny Deschaine. L&D is primarily a company that deals in firewood production and distribution. They also have plans to provide top soil and mulch, as well as landscaping supplies. He also hopes to offer fresh vegetables in the fall, cold weather supplies and perhaps Christmas Trees in the winter.
Dave Wagar said he and his wife have no plans to change the character of the house. Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said he has urged the Wagars to discuss such details as driveway permits, line of sight concerns and signage with the New York State Department of Transportation, which governs the road.
Withcuskey said much of this proposal falls under agricultural concerns and does not need Planning Board approval, but for what does, the Board has set 6:40 pm on Monday, March 21 as the time for a public hearing. Speaking to the Eastwick Press after the meeting, Grafton Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum said she sees it as a good fit for the Town, “a destination spot that gives people another good reason to come out to Grafton.”
A Minor Subdivision Proposed For Property On Stuffle Street
Grafton resident David Buckley spoke for Salvatore and Shirley Mauriello and outlined his plan to purchase 3.30 acres of land from the Mauriello’s at 104 Stuffle Street. The land is currently part of a 27.75-acre lot that contains the Mauriello’s home and a trailer that has water and septic. Mr. Buckley plans to make the trailer lot his home. He presented the board with a short form environmental impact study and maps of the proposed subdivision. The board then voted to accept the application for consideration and set 6:50 PM on March 21st as the time for a public hearing. Hearing no other business, the board then adjourned.[/private]