The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

First Hoosick Land Use Workshop Held

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by Bea Peterson

 

Windmills, greenhouses, fences and riding stables were some of the topics reviewed at the first Hoosick Land Use workshop held on Thursday, September 11 at the Armory. Eight interested residents, members of the Land Use Commission, Marianne Zwicklbauer, Rensselaer County representative Linda von der Heide, Gail Delurey, John Smith, Ellen Scott, and Wally Sheffer, Sr., Supervisor Marilyn Douglas and Hoosick Building Inspector Ed King made up the group that gathered around four tables and for an hour discussed various aspects of the draft law. Points brought up by each table were then discussed by everyone present. A concern of all the tables was what defines the hamlet of West Hoosick, an issue they

Principal Planner for Rensselaer County Economic Development Linda von der Heide (glasses) went over portions of the Land Use Law with Everett Quackenbush, Marianne Zwicklbauer and John Smith at last Thursday’s workshop. Behind her Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas discusses the Law with another of the workshop groups. (Bea Peterson photo)
Principal Planner for Rensselaer County Economic Development Linda von der Heide (glasses) went over portions of the Land Use Law with Everett Quackenbush, Marianne Zwicklbauer and John Smith at last Thursday’s workshop. Behind her Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas discusses the Law with another of the workshop groups. (Bea Peterson photo)

hope to clarify at the West Hoosick meeting in October. Site plans and size restrictions were questioned regarding greenhouses and riding stables. Should windmills require a special permit? Five acre density was discussed. If a farmer sells an acre of land to someone to build a house on, then four acres should be set aside as forever farmland. The desire is that, for example, on a 100 acre plot, 20 houses could be built on one acre lots and 80 acres would remain farmland. Or 20 houses on two acre lots, 160 acres remaining farmland.

The difference between manufactured homes, mobile homes and doublewides was discussed. Should they be required to have foundations or are slabs sufficient. Roof pitch was also discussed. 

Clarification of some sections of the draft were requested. Copies of the 42 page draft law are available for review at the Hoosick Town Hall in the Armory and at the Cheney Library. Meetings by hamlet will be held on September 18 at the Buskirk Fire Hall, October 6 at the North Hoosick Fire Hall, October 15 at the Hoosick Fire Hall and October 22 at the West Hoosick Fire Hall. After these meetings the Commission will review the comments they have gathered, incorporate any changes, make corrections and then, in December or January, they will hold another Public Hearing to further review the law.