by Denise Wright
The March 21 Schodack Planning Board meeting highlighted several development projects for the Town. The meeting began with a public hearing on some proposed timber harvesting on Kraft Road. Chandler Forestry services from Greenfield Center will be supervising the 25-acre project. The timber harvesting was approved for a year.
After approving a lot line adjustment on Berzin Road, Schodack Golf presented an update about the 12-lot subdivision on Schuurman Road. The developers have been addressing items that LaBerge engineering consultants have questioned. The SEQRA was completed in January, and a 900-foot water extension is underway. Since there is a 16- to 36-week delay in getting materials for the water extension, there was some discussion about creating a bond to keep the project progressing.
Lansing Engineering updated the Board on the Van Hoesen Project on Richwood Drive, which consists of 49.8 acres and will have 192 apartments, 70 townhouses and 40 rental units for tenants. The project will also have several amenities, including a dog park, community room, pool and nature trails. Several studies, including archeology, species, roadways and wetlands, were all examined and did not affect the area. There were some concerns over the need for more sidewalks along the parking area. While the proposed project hopes to tie into the upcoming water project along Route 9, they might consider installing temporary leach fields. The Board ruled the project proposal at this point is incomplete, and engineering needs to look into this deeper. The Board gave additional timber harvesting for the project for six months.
KME Property Development brought a site plan to the Board for a project on the Northwest corner of Columbia Turnpike at Route 9 and 150. This project hopes to have Schodack Commons Shopping Center with retail spaces, a storage facility and a restaurant with a drive-thru on the property. The Board questioned the presenters about the need for potential access to buildings for loading and emergency vehicle access. A resident near the project voiced concern about the timber harvesting, but the presenters said that while a pretty good chunk of the hill would be coming down, it would not impact more than 10 acres of the property. The Board approved seeking lead agency for the project under the SEQRA process.