Grafton Planning Board Action

Plans For A New Banquet Hall
By Doug La Rocque
Grafton’s Jane McDermott has formally presented her plans to construct a post and beam Banquet Hall on her property at 40 Dunham Road. McDermott was represented at Monday night’s meeting by Rodney Michaels of the RDM Surveying Consultants. [private]He said the facility would make use of land on both sides of the road.  One side would contain the Banquet Hall and parking, with the other side of the road for parking and raised septic beds.  Michaels said the current structure on the property would also be renovated.  Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said the project would require a long form Environmental Impact Study because it is commercial in nature, and involves a septic system that would collect from the two buildings and run under Dunham Road to the leachfield on the other side.  Withcuskey said the Planning Board plans to be lead agency, with Rensselaer County a participating entity because of the Health Department issues.
Michaels said there are no plans to construct a restaurant at the site, as all events will be catered.  Those using the facility would be required to remove their own garbage, and hours would be limited to 11 am to 11 pm, including set up and break-down times.  Withcuskey said he and Michaels have consulted with Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck concerning the parking lots and the plans to cross Dunham Road with the septic system.  Board Member Jim Goyer, who is Chief of the Grafton Fire Department, expressed some concerns about the ability to get emergency equipment onto the site, but was assured by Michaels the issue would be addressed.  The Board set Monday, June 20 at 6:40 pm as the time for a public hearing on the plan.
Richard Chartier also appeared before the Planning Board to request permission to move his small used car lot from 364 Stuffle St. to 368 Stuffle St.  Chartier explained the land, owned by his father Dale, at 364 has been sold.  He plans to relocate the lot to the site of a family owned garage.  Chairman Withcuskey noted the lot was first approved in 2007, and asked Chartier if he planned to follow the same site plans and restrictions laid down at that time.  With the exception of increasing the lot size from 5 to 6 cars, Chartier agreed.  These restrictions also limit the scope of mechanical work done on the premises to only minor repairs.  The Board voted to accept Chartier’s application and short form Environmental Impact form, and set 6:50 pm on June 20 as the time for the public hearing.[/private]