By Doug La Rocque
Representatives of David Leon and his proposal to construct as many as 144 new apartments on land he owns off Hillcrest Avenue (behind the Planet Fitness building on Hoosick St.) were back before the Brunswick Planning Board last Thursday night, February 15. MJ Engineering asked the Board if they had any guidance back yet from the Town Board as to their perception on the project. Planning Board Attorney Andrew Gilchrist said they had not and that the applicant had every right to continue with the process
One of the main issues is population density in relationship to the numerous other apartment complexes that have been erected in the town over the past several years. The applicant contends the rental percentage in Brunswick is at 22 percent, comparing that to other similair Capital District communities they claim are at 30 to 35%. They also state the town’s Comprehensive Plan calls for the construction of such apartment complexes along the Hoosick Road (Route 7) corridor.
The Planning Board had questions about the State Environment Quality Review Act (SEQRA) form submitted with the Site Plan application and requested more information or clarification on a number of points. Attorney Gilchrist pointed out the question of which entity might be declared lead agency in the SEQRA review also needed to be clarified. Beside the Planning and Town Boards, the Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as the New York State Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation have roles to play in the review and all must sign off on the Planning Board declaring itself the lead agency. He stated letters would go out to all these agencies and they have 30 days to sign off or request they be appointed lead.
The address listed on the application is 1 Valley Avenue, which only exists on paper. The question of actual ownership of that road is also a matter that must be decided.
High Peaks Solar
High Peaks Solar, a Wynantskill based company, is seeking permission to develop a commercial solar energy site at 566 Brunswick Road (Route 2), with its entrance off Garfield Road. Board member Don Henderson asked about the site’s visibility from Route 2 and Creek Road. He was told they have adjusted the site plan slightly so it is not visible from Route 2 and only from Creek Road when the foliage is off the trees. Board chairman Russ Oster was concerned about how neighboring property owners feel and High peaks admitted they had not yet spoken to most of them. Mr. Oster asked that they do so and placed them on the agenda for the Board’s next meeting, Thursday March 1, for further review and to see if setting a joint public hearing with the ZBA was feasible.
Ace Hardware
Representatives of Ace Hardware also attended the meeting to move their sketch plan of the changes they wish to make to their Hoosick Road location to an actual Site Plan application. The company wishes to tear down its current rental center and build a 3,000-foot addition to the current hardware store to house it, and then build a two-store office building on the site. In earlier discussions with the Board it was determined they would need a total of 83 parking spaces. Their new plan shows that number, but cuts back on the amount of green space in order to do so. Board member Linda Stancliffe noted the site plan called for each parking space to be 10 by 20 feet in size, and stated town code only requires 9 by 18 feet. She asked if the parking space size was reduced, could more green space be added. The answer from Ace was possibly.
Another question raised concerned easements. Board attorney Gilchrist said if the property remains as two separate tax parcels an easement would be required in case one parcel were to be sold in the future. If the applicant were to look to combine the two parcels into one, then no easement would be required. The applicant plans to return at a future meeting to further discuss the proposal.