Carbone Gets Its Carwash With Several Conditions
By Doug La Rocque
For many months the Carbone Auto Dealership on Hoosick Road (NY Route 7) has been asking the Brunswick Planning Board to amend its original site plan to allow for the construction of a free standing car wash, for their use only. The wall they ran into was called Brunswick Building and Codes Inspector Chuck Golden, who told the planners Carbone was repeatedly blocking emergency access around the building with vehicles, as well as the fire department water hook up. He also said they were parking cars and employee vehicles on grass around the parking area. That he said, was happening because they never completely paved the area that was outlined in the original site plan. The board in turn made it clear, there would be no action on the car wash until these violations were addressed.
At the Thursday, November 7 meeting of the Planning Board, Carbone’s representative indicated the emergency lanes would be cleared, with no parking signs placed on the building and pavement markings installed that clearly indicate the area was to be kept clear. They had previously asked the board if they could extend the parking lot using oil and stone, because of the cost of asphalt. The Board Engineer Wayne Bonesteel indicated they would have to fog seal it as well, and mark off parking areas so as not to overcrowd the lot. Carbone agreed to these and some other minor conditions, and the board gave its approval to the car wash. Because this was simply an amendment, no public hearing was required.
Taking A Closer Look
Seed Solar was seeking a Special Use Permit to install a ground solar installation at 4 Winfield Lane. At a previous public hearing, there was comment about the visibility of the installation from Bulson Road. Following some give and take at this meeting, sometimes a little contentious, which prompted Board Chair Russ Oster to say, “we are not the enemy here,” the Planning Board gave the project its approval, but again with conditions. It agreed the owner would not plant trees as a barrier, but perhaps some tall grass instead. It also wrote into the agreement that Engineer Bonesteel and Building Inspector Golden would be allowed on the land to conduct an on site inspection before the installation went forward.
There Is Water, But From Where?
Trifocal Brewing was back with its plans to establish a craft brewery at 138 Brick Church Road (NYS Route 278). As is required, the planners had sent the request to the Rensselaer County Buildings Department for its inspection, and found they returned the plans with some questions about the source of the applicant’s water, and amount of usage. The applicants indicated they had not yet formally contacted the County’s Department of Health (DOH) as to whether they would use town water or their own well, and if a well, its proximity to the sewer installation. They were advised to find out these answers before their next appearance.
Get It Right First
New business saw a request for a minor subdivision on Bald Mountain Road. The problem here is a former subdivision is misidentified on the tax map. Chairman Oster advised the applicant, “someone has to correct the tax map problem before we can act.” The matter too was placed on the agenda for a future meeting.
Seeking An Application Refund
Tracey Broderick has asked the board to refund her $1500 application fee for a minor subdivision, since she has withdrawn the application. Town law says that is a matter for the Town Board to decide, after a recommendation from the Planning Board. The Planning Board chose to suggest a partial refund, because its engineer had spent some time on the request, as had they. Further action now rests with the Town Board.