Walmart Wants To Add Online Pickup Service
PDD for Brunswick Acres Is Approved
By Doug La Rocque
The idea is that you can shop at Walmart and pick up your order without ever having to leave your vehicle. It’s a relatively new concept being tried by the retail giant at many locations around the country. The service presently exists at the East Greenbush location.
Before the Brunswick Walmart can be added to that list, it must first get approval from the Town’s Planning Board for a Site Plan Amendment. That application was before the planners on Thursday, December 19. As presented by Kevin Pennock of Dewberry Engineering, it would see the creation of a free standing canopy with parking for up to ten vehicles. Customers who had previously ordered their goods on line or by phone, would notify the store they were parked outside, and a Walmart Associate would bring their order to them, even placing it in their vehicle.
This canopy would be constructed on the north end of the Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7) location, and would require a small relocation of an existing propane tank, and result in a net loss of five parking spaces. It would also require the construction of a new entry/exit door near the canopy, to be used by store personnel only.
When questioned by Planning Board Attorney Wayne Bonesteel about additional re-construction, Mr. Pennock replied they would simply need to add the footings for the canopy. When queried as to the type of canopy planned, Mr. Pennock said it was made of metal and reinforced fabric, which is designed to handle Northeast snow loads.
Other concerns brought out by board members dealt with traffic and lighting. Linda Stancliffe expressed concern about the possible loss of the two lanes now used to exit the property to the east and west. Mr. Pennock indicated the appropriate signing would be used to steer drivers in the right direction. Several members also asked about additional lighting and security measures, particularly in light of the fact the pick up area would be open the same hours as the store.
Codes Enforcement Officer Chuck Golden pointed out that Walmart is currently placing storage containers along the side of the building and in other locations which are prohibited, and asked that these safety violations be addressed before there is any further action. Mr. Pennock indicated he would speak to the company about it.
Is a Public Hearing Required?
According to Planning Board Attorney John Tingley, the answer is no, but he also indicated it has been the board’s practice to hold such hearings on similar requests concerning property along Hoosick Road. Chairman Russ Oster indicated that in his opinion, a public hearing is not needed and the other members of the Board agreed.
The Rensselaer County Planning Department must review the proposal before the Brunswick Planners can act and they have 30 days in which to do so. Given it is the Holiday Season, the Board thought to put the matter on the agenda for its next meeting on January 2 might be a bit optimistic, so instead scheduled any further action for its January 16 session.
Verizon Tower Request
Will Face A Public Hearing
The request by Verizon Wireless to construct a new cell tower on property located off Creek Road near Menemsha Lane, will have to go through a public hearing. Since Verizon Wireless has applications before both the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as the Planning Board, it was decided to hold a joint public hearing at the start of the next Planning Board meeting on January 16. The results of the three location balloon tests conducted in the fall to assess the visibility of the towers from nearby homes will be discussed at that time. Also a subject for discussion is a possible fourth site, with a tower at 199 feet, so as not to require aircraft lighting, which is required for towers 200 feet or above. One of the three possible locations that are part of the application is over that 200 foot threshold.
Brunswick Acres Proposal
Moves Forward
That proposal may well be back before the planners soon, now that the request for a Planned Development District (PDD) has been approved by the Town Board. The developer wants to construct 26 single family homes on a cul-de-sac to be located on land off Brunswick Road (NYS Route 2) just west of the entrance to Heather Ridge. Brunswick regulations prohibit more than 12 buildings on a proposed loop, unless it is part of a PDD.
The development still faces many concerns the planners have brought forth, that include storm water management, water lines, septic, fire access and concentration.