New Stewart’s Shop And SAF Expansion Takes A Step Forward
By Doug La Rocque
Thursday, February 23 was a busy night for the Berlin Planning Board. First up was the proposal to build a much larger Stewart’s store at the intersection of Route 22 and Elm St.
The site of the one time bank building and adjoining former Town Highway Garage. Scott Kitchner of Stewart’s was there to clarify any questions the Board might have concerning the short version of the required State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) form, to inform Board members the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has worked out the problems with the variances that were needed, and to explain that since their initial presentation the only major change has been moving the fencing that runs along the back side of the property. That change moved the structure from Dean Maxon’s property, back onto Stewart’s land and extends it behind Mr. Maxon’s garage. The proposal maintains the promise to plant shrubbery along the fencing as well.
The ZBA has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 15 on their agreement with Stewart’s regarding signage and set back requirements, and the Planning Board voted to hold a joint public hearing on that date to accommodate all involved. They sent a formal request to ZBA Chairman Nick Adams for permission to do so.
Pending the outcome of the public hearing, Stewart’s is hopeful all permitting can be accomplished by the end of March so ground can be broken on the new store sometime in April.
Aqua farm Expansion is a Slow Process
Several representatives of the Sustainable Aqua Farm Corporation were also in attendance at the meeting. They were there to present answers or clarifications to the latest questions put forth by Jean Loewenstein of Clough Harbour and Associates, the Engineering and Consulting firm hired by the town to represent them during the long and sometimes complicated long form SEQRA review process. The cost of these consulting fees to the town are being reimbursed by the SAF corporation.
At the end of the evening, it appeared there were still a few issues to work out and SAF plans to return to the Planning Board after further consultations with Ms. Lowenstein. The other concerns, as they apply to the magenta colored lighting being used at the facilities, current and planned future greenhouses was also addressed. SAF says the lights will be operational from 5 am to 8 pm, but that does not mean they will be on all the time. It’s only when their monitoring system determines the light is needed. When it reaches pre-set levels, the lights go off. The officials also said that while no light filters can be installed on the current greenhouses, they might be able to place them on future construction and have applied for a grant to do so.
The Planning Board also passed a resolution that clarifies it is handling the review process at the request of the Town Board, but the Town Board is lead agency on the SEQRA review.
Once the Planning Board accepts the form and hands it off to the Town Board, they will schedule a public hearing.