Center Brunswick Stewart’s Still On Hold
Valley Avenue Apartments on Next Agenda
By Doug La Rocque
There were a few people in attendance at the Planning Board’s meeting last Thursday night, November 1, expecting the board to make a decision on a new Stewart’s Shop at the corner of Hoosick Road (NY Route 7) and Sweetmilk Creek Road, behind Howe Brother’s. Stewart’s is looking to take down an old Victorian yellow house, saving some of the structure and duplicating some of the look into the new store design. Those in attendance have expressed opposition to the construction because of the building’s historical significance. It is not, however, on any historical site registries.
The Board had a resolution prepared to approve the site plan at its October 4 meeting, but concerns about traffic backups along Route 7 were again raised, and it was decided to put off any vote until the November 1 meeting. Stewart’s however, sent a letter, asking that the matter be postponed until November 15.
The Controversial Apartment Complex is Back
The next meeting night will indeed be a busy one for the planners, as a special meeting is planned for 6 pm on November 15, at which the Board will formally accept the Draft Scoping Document from the developers of the proposed apartment complex to be located on Valley Avenue (now a paper road only) behind the Planet Fitness building. Two previous days of public hearings on the proposal have produced a very loud and emphatic opposition from neighbors and other residents of the town. When considering the State Environmental Quality Review Act paperwork, the Planning Board identified nine points as having a potential for a moderate to significant environmental impact. The developer, David Leon, has filed draft scoping documents with the board identifying impacts to be addressed in a now required Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The board will accept public comments on the draft at the special meeting, but comments have to be limited to items identified in the draft. The board will also accept written public comment until November 26 and plans to issue a final scope on the DEIS on or before December 10. The Draft Scoping Document is on file at the town clerk’s office and on the town website for public inspection.
St. Peter’s Is On The Move
St. Peter’s Health Partners was back to discuss plans to relocate its rehabilitation facility currently located in the Massry Center on lower Hoosick Street, to the former Mattress Firm store in the Walmart Plaza at 740 Hoosick Road. St. Peter’s plans to use the 6 thousand square foot space for physical, occupational and speech therapy, and plans no changes to the outside of the structure. They will, however, require an additional four handicapped parking spaces, which would mean the loss of six regular parking spaces. The Board expressed some concern about the impact that would have on parking, but was told by the complex’s owners, they already have excess parking slots, and do not anticipate any problems. The Brunswick Board is awaiting comment from the Rensselaer County Planning Department, before they can take any action.
Vice Chair’s Resignation
At the opening of the meeting, it was announced once again that Board Vice Chairman Michael Czornyj has resigned. He had been chairing the Board in its deliberation of the Valley Avenue Apartment application, following Chairman Russ Oster’s decision to recuse himself. Board member Linda Stancliffe will now serve as Acting Chair on the matter.