by Bea Peterson
Clark R. Wilkinson, President of Paragon Civil Engineering, P.C., addressed the Town of Hoosick Planning Board on Monday, May 21, regarding plans for a Family Dollar Store to be located on 2.15 acres of the northwest corner of the former Baker’s Nursery property closest to Barbecue Recreation. The 8,000 square foot building is expected to have no environmental impact on the area. [private]Wilkinson pointed out on the maps he brought that there will be 200 feet of frontage on Route 22 with a 200 foot setback. He has already spoken to the State DOT regarding curb cuts. He has worked with the Rensselaer
County Health Department regarding a private well, which will be more than 180 feet away from the nearest well. The septic system will be 150 feet away from the well.
The store is not expected to generate an excess amount of traffic, perhaps 20 trips in and out in a day. The building will be handicap accessible. Delivery trucks will pull into the area and back up to the building and drive out when unloading is completed. Lighting on the building will all point downward.
The parking lot will be blacktopped and will be on the opposite side of the Barbecue Recreation parking so as to avoid confusion regarding the two lots. The area is zoned light industrial/commercial.
The Board seemed confident that if Wilkinson brings a surveyor’s certificate, site plan drawings of acceptable scale with the lighting plan, sign locations and traffic flow and clarification of location of propane tanks for heating to the next meeting, the project will be set to go.
The Board waived holding a public hearing on the project. Chairman Jim Dunigan expressed concern that this might set a precedent. Board members Kevin Allard, John Cooney, Daryl Cipperly and Steve Griffing did not agree. Planning Board Attorney Denis King told Wilkinson he would forward all the information to the County to see if they had any objection to the project.
Zoning Laws
Allard said the Board is obligated to review the Town’s Zoning Laws every five years. Since the law was enacted in 2009, there appears to be plenty of time for review. However, Allard feels there have already been some issues regarding the law, and he would like to see the Board begin its review in the next month or two. One issue he brought up was the inability of an interested buyer to turn a repair garage into a self storage facility under the current law. It was mentioned that such a facility could have traffic at all hours of the day and night, affecting nearby homes. Allard said this Board can only make recommendations. Changes must be approved by the Town Board. Allard said he would like to see it be fair across the board to everybody. He added he would like to see some of the law a little more relaxed in the Town. Allard was appointed sub-chair of the Zoning Law review committee.[/private]