by Doug La Rocque
The application by Blue Sky Towers III, representing Verizon Wireless, to increase the height of the cell tower under construction on property at the corner of Creek Road and Menemsha Lane has been deemed by the Planning Board and the Brunswick Building Department to be incomplete. That determination was made prior to the Board’s March 17 meeting, important because under Federal Communications Commission guidelines, the Planners had only 30 days to act on the application. By deeming it to be incomplete, that so called shot clock is suspended.
The original tower application was for a 105 foot structure, but meet with vehement opposition from area residents, and the Planning Board eventually approved an 85 foot tower, placed in a stand of pine trees, and disguised to look like a tree. It has been indicated that any extension back to 105 feet would have to face another public hearing.
Slowly Moving Forward
Now that the Brunswick Town Board has approved the needed zoning changes for the construction of a solar farm at the end of Belair Lane, the matter is back before both the Planners and the Zoning Board of Appeals for final consideration. First, both boards must conduct a public hearing. For the sake of expedience the boards have agreed to a joint hearing to be held on Thursday, April 7 at 7 pm.
New Medical Building
The Planners conducted a sketch plan review of a proposal to construct a 24,000 square foot two-story medical office and ambulatory surgical center on McChesney Avenue. One of the early concerns expressed was how the rear of the building would look, since it would be visible from some of the plazas currently constructed on Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7). Planners said they would want a “pleasing” facade, not just a brick wall. Developers answered that would not be a problem.
What’s Up With
Brunswick Acres?
The developers of the long delayed Brunswick Acres single family housing project located on lands of Brunswick Road (NYS Route 2) are asking for an other extension until September 29 to complete their application. The original proposal was part of a Planned Development District that indicated the project would be balanced, meaning no significant amount of earth would be removed. It then turned out they planned to remove a copious amount of fill, an action that was rejected by the Planning Board. The developers have been trying to resolve the fill problem ever since. Board Chair Russ Oster suggested that since they have not been back in front of Planners for some time, he would like to see them on the April or May agenda for an update.