by Bea Peterson
Two Public Hearings were held before the Hoosick Planning Board’s regular meeting on Monday, November 17. Duane Greenawalt addressed the Board first regarding his plan to put a second movie screen in Hathaway’s Drive In in North Hoosick. [private]At the Board’s request he brought a report he put together from an online software program that indicated when the screen would shield the adjoining Dennis Brownell property from the sun. The screen would not cast a shadow on their property until 2 pm on the longest day of the year, he said. He had already moved the screen in 40 feet from the property line instead of the 20 feet from the line in his original request.
Greenawalt pointed out that in recent years the theater has not done as much business as in the past. “I’m not trying to change the capacity; I’m trying to pull in a full house,” he said. He noted that a second screen and showing two different movies at one time has worked in other places. He added that putting the screen in the center and adding a second projection booth, with all the necessary wiring, is far too costly. Various other options were offered by those attending the meeting to which Greenawalt had reasonable explanations as to why they wouldn’t work.
The Brownells then read a report written by Bill Johnston citing that one third of their property would be affected by the screen, which is the same, to them, as a billboard. They added that the visibility of the screen would diminish the value of their property and would block the sunset view from sliding glass doors of an adjoining property. An increased noise issue was also raised.
During the Board meeting the lengthy environmental impact form was reviewed, and the Board approved a negative declaration. After more discussion regarding pros and cons of adding a second screen, Daryl Cipperly said he could not approve the request as submitted. The rest of the Board agreed and voted to disapprove the request. Chairman Jim Dunigan suggested Greenawalt come back with a revised plan. “Well, I tried,” said Greenawalt as he left the meeting.
Solar Panels
The second Public Hearing had to do with the solar array project at the Wysocki Farm on Route 22 to provide electricity to Hoosick Falls Central School. Aaron Frank of Enlighten Hoosick LLC addressed the Board. He stated that the 150 kw solar array was being constructed with grants and private funds. The overall panel will take up about nine acres or four percent of the 234 acre Farm. The panels will be 290 feet from Route 22. Once the panels are installed, the grass that is already there will remain. The existing farm roadway will be improved. Frank had simulated pictures of how much of the panels would be visible from Hill Road. Several residents from Hill Road were at the Hearing and they bombarded Frank with questions as to why the panels were located where they were, were school taxes going to go down because of this, why couldn’t the panels be put on the school roof, etc., etc. Dunigan tried to explain to them that all these questions had nothing to do with the question at hand at this meeting, which was a site plan review. During the meeting the lengthy environmental impact form was reviewed and the Board agreed with the ZBA that there was negative impact. The Board approved the project with the stipulation that an evergreen barrier of native plants at least five feet tall be placed along the Route 22 side of the project.
Adria Deil wanted to go on record in support of the use of alternative energy in the Town. “Hoosick embraces alternative energy. This goes along with the ideas of Hoosick Rising and affects the character of our community on a big scale. Route 22 is the main entrance to the Village, and the trees will be important to that entrance,” she said.
22126 NY Route 22
Wayne Willson addressed the Board regarding a triangular one tenth of an acre of vacant land owned by Ruth Jones at the corner of Route 22 and Factory Hill Road. Brown’s Brewery would like to put signs up there. Planning Board Attorney Denis King said the lot is too small for the Planning Board to approve the signs. It would have to be a minimum of one acre. He suggested Willson approach the Zoning Board for a variance.
Trembley Property
Attorney Ed Gorman addressed the Board regarding the Joseph Trembley property on Beechwood Road. Trembley had appeared before the Board in August for a two lot subdivision. Now he would like to reconfigure the property to a three lot subdivision. Gorman will return to the Board next month.
Boll Property
Brian Boll addressed the Board regarding his property on Johnson Hill Road. He said the Town Building Inspector had suggested he notify the Planning Board that all the deeds have been filed and recorded for the six lots in his family subdivision. Since there is now a moratorium on Family Subdivisions, King told the Board they could not discuss that subject at all.
The two Public Hearings lasted far longer than a half hour each, and the ensuing discussions were also lengthy. The meeting that began at 6:30 pm concluded at 9:30.[/private]