Apartments and Retail Complex Proposed At Busy Cropseyville Corner
by Doug La Rocque
Following a Thursday, August 6 Brunswick Planning Board meeting that featured a rare rejection of a housing proposal and updates on the Verizon Cell Tower project and the Hoosick Road plan that includes an Aldi’s, the planners had an initial briefing on a proposal to create an 18 unit apartment building and two retail structures, at the corner of Routes 2 and 278. This intersection also joins Tamarac Road and has a perpetual green turn arrow off Route 2 west onto Route 278.
Anthony Casale of A/C Properties and Development gave the board a heads up about its desire to file for a special use permit and site plan.
He indicated that beside the apartment building, he would be looking to construct two 8,000 square foot retail outlets, that could include professional offices and perhaps food oriented shops. The initial plans are for the buildings to face Route 2, with a single entrance located on Route 278 between the Stewart’s Shop on the other side of the road, and Buck Road. He indicated there would be 27 parking spaces for the apartment complex, and 66 for the retail end. Board Chairman Russ Oster asked if a second entrance might not be feasible, but was told not at this time.
Again, this is preliminary, and as of the night of the board meeting, no paperwork had been filed.
Farrell Duplexes Are Denied
At their July meeting, the planners expressed several concerns about a plan by developer Charles (Butch) Farrell to construct a pair of 2 family duplexes at 392 and 394 Brunswick Road (NYS Route 2). At the August meeting, they passed a resolution that formally denied the special use permit and site plan. The resolution stated “the property is inconsistent with the neighborhood that is predominantly single family homes, the plan failed to propose public water and sewer service and generally fails to meet several sections of the Brunswick Zoning Law.”
No action on the Environmental Impact Form was required, because, as Attorney Andy Gilchrist stated, a denial means no environmental impact is created.
The board had previously approved the same site for two four bedroom single family homes.
Mr. Farrell had contended that since each duplex would contain four bedrooms, the impact on the neighborhood was similar to the single family housing, and had offered to address the board’s concerns about parking, egress onto Route 2, the appearance of the structures and ground level entrances among others.
A Cell Tower In Disguise
The proposal by Blue Sky Towers doing business as Verizon Wireless to construct a cell tower on land at the corner of Menemsha Lane and Creek Road continues to morph from what was originally presented last year. The initial plan called for construction at one of three sites of varying heights, with its choice being a tower at 150 feet. It became very clear at the public hearing, the neighborhood around the site was opposed, and even questioned the need for the tower, claiming they already have solid service. Verizon wants the tower to increase their 5G coverage.
Verizon Wireless has since changed its plan to construct what is called a monopine tower, disguised to look like a pine tree, at sites further up the hill, with 80 or 90 foot towers. It has presented the board with simulations of how these towers would look from several residences nearby. Verizon also submitted marketing date that claims the tower will not decrease property values in the area. The concept still needs an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), which meets on Monday, August 17. The planning board is hoping to join in that meeting to expedite the consideration process.
What’s Up With Aldi’s?
For several years plans to construct an Aldi’s Food Store on Hoosick Road (Route 7) near the Planet Fitness have been stalled by one thing or another. The Planning Board previously gave approval, but Aldi’s refused to construct the store unless a traffic light was installed at its entrance. The NYS Department of Transportation (DOT), which governs any such traffic control devices along a state owned road, said no. Developer David Leon then proposed a large apartment complex behind the site, with a proposed light at the intersection with Hillside Avenue, an idea that was roundly criticized by many residents at a three hour plus public hearing. The newest proposal scraps the apartments, and is looking to building an Aldi’s and Wendy’s restaurant to the east of Planet Fitness, and a Kentucky Fried chicken to the west. It also calls for a rear entrance into the plaza, with cross traffic that would exit at a light at Hoosick Road and Lord Avenue. The cross traffic idea was apparently enough to change DOT’s mind.
At the Planning Board meeting, the developer’s representatives said they are still waiting for some technical date, and an area variance from the ZBA. The Planning Board is also sending out letters to all other involved agencies, asking to take lead agency status on the environmental review process.