Stephentown ZBA Is Lead Agency On Motocross

by David Flint
The Stephentown Zoning Board has named itself the lead agency in an environmental review regarding the motocross park proposed for a site in the southern end of the town off of Webster Hill Road. At a public hearing on February 3 several people spoke up in favor of the Board as lead agency. There was no opposition. The Board’s attorney, Craig Crist of the Dreyer Boyajian law firm, read letters from the State Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation. Both said they had no objection to the Stephentown Board taking the lead but both wanted to be kept informed as interested agencies. NYSDOT has some concern about traffic on Route 20 and DEC noted that a SPDES (State Pollutant Elimination System) permit and a stormwater pollution prevention plan may be required.
Brian Baker, who in the past had expressed strong disparagement of the Zoning Board’s handling of the variance proceedings, now said that he fully supported this Board as lead agency in a process that he said requires deliberation, intelligence, foresight, perseverance and open-mindedness. Baker said that he believed a majority of the Board members possessed these qualities and that he also held in highest esteem the Board’s advisors, attorney Craig Crist and Clough Harbour engineer Michael Bianchino.  Baker, who is also a lawyer, said that he has been asked by Lewis Oliver, the lead attorney for concerned neighboring residents, to be “of counsel” in this matter.
Lydia Davis, one of the concerned and opposing residents, also supported the ZBA as lead agency in a matter that she deemed a local responsibility. Allowing a use variance in a residential neighborhood she said is a very serious matter that requires a very good reason, one that benefits the entire community.
Others, too, supported the ZBA in taking lead agency status but additionally attempted to express opposition to development of the site for a motocross park. But since the focus of the hearing was to be on lead agency status only, Chairman Roland Barth quickly moved to limit their remarks.
Following the hearing, Francis Roche, attorney for the applicant Howard Commander, reported that their application for a variance is not quite complete. They are finishing up the land survey and some other engineering aspects remain to be completed. He expected to have everything done prior to the next meeting in March. That being the case, the Board simply passed a resolution taking lead agency status and adjourned. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, at 7 pm.