Grafton Planning Board Action – Graftonondack Is Back

by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board met at 6 pm on October 21, an hour earlier than its usual time, because the Town Board meeting, which was moved from its usual date due to Columbus Day, was scheduled to begin at 7. There was no old business and only one item of new business so the meeting adjourned at 6:12 pm.
The one item on the agenda was a change of use application by David Buckley for the property at 2432 Route 2 which is owned by Tom Forster, who also owns the Grafton Town Store. Buckley will use the small barn on the west side of the Grafton Store as the new location for Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery, the business that he ran for three years at 2978 Route 2, property formerly owned by Ray Darling. Darling died in February of this year not long after becoming Grafton Town Supervisor. Forster was at the meeting in support of Buckley’s application and to answer any questions. He said that the public rest room in his store could be used by Buckley’s customers and that he had no objection to Buckley selling bait. He also said that he was agreeable to the installation of the sign that was used by Graftonondack at its previous location.
Not only will Buckley rent kayaks and other outdoor gear, but he will sell bait and, he hopes, conduct tours. He described the kind of tour he is planning – a bus trip from Grafton Lakes State Park to the Peace Pagoda and then lunch at the Fire Tower followed by a hike back to the Long Pond Beach at GLSP. Buckley said that he is a licensed NYS Guide and has numerous Red Cross certifications. Since it will take some time for the barn to be made ready for the outdoor equipment rental business, it is likely that Buckley will just sell bait this year.
Access to the road and parking were the main concerns of the Planning Board in reviewing Buckley’s application. Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said that he had visited the site with Buckley to check on the line of sight issues from the pre-existing driveway and said there was good visibility from the driveway. The large Graftonondack sign will be placed so as to not block the line of sight in to or out of the business. Withcuskey recommended that Buckley check with the NYS DOT regarding the visibility issues and the sign “so that they don’t show up later and ask that the sign be removed.” Withcuskey also asked for a short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to be filled out.
“This is a win-win for both businesses,” Withcuskey said. “We should encourage small businesses in town; they are important to the future of the Town,” he added. Withcuskey made the motion to accept Buckley’s application for a change of use. The Board voted unanimously to accept the application, and a public hearing was scheduled for 5:50 pm before the next regular Planning Board meeting on November 18. The November 18 meeting will start at 6 pm because the Grafton Town Board meeting will be held at 7 pm. The Town Board meeting has been rescheduled from the second Monday, November 11, because that is Veterans Day.
Buckley thanked Tom Forster and his wife as well as Withcuskey and Town Supervisor Frank Higgins for finding him a location so he could bring his business back to Grafton.