by Doug La Rocque
When the developer of the new Aldi store site currently under construction along Hoosick Road first approached the Brunswick Planning Board at their April 7 meeting, they proposed what they considered to be a minor buildout change. At the Planners’ Thursday, April 21 meeting, they informed David Leon’s representatives that changing the size of the Wendy’s fast food restaurant, modifying the parking, adding for electric vehicle charging stations and sticking an Aroma Joe’s drive thru coffee site between the Aldi and Planet Fitness building was indeed a major site change, and would require reviewing the environmental effects of the proposal, as well as another public hearing. Some of the prosed parking lot changes would also require a new review by the Zoning Board of Appeals, which would also dictate a public hearing.
If You Are Talking Route 7 You Are Talking Traffic
As with the original site plan application, the largest concern was traffic. The developer and the NYS Department of Transportation came to an agreement to place a new traffic light at the intersection with Lord Avenue and to create an entrance to the complex off Hillside Avenue, so traffic there looking to make a left turn could enter by the Planet Fitness building and use the light to make that turn. The Board wondered if the addition of the the drive thru coffee site might add enough traffic to cause a backup on site at the light. The Planners determined they lacked enough information to schedule a public hearing yet, and asked the developer to return in May with the much needed facts and figures.
Where Were They?
The construction of a 24,000 square foot two-story medical building at 112 McChesney Avenue was also on the agenda, however Paulsen Development of Albany was a no-show at the meeting, apparently without explanation. The Board decided to adjourn the matter without a new date, until the applicant responds.
Other matters concerned residential subdivisions and a site plan application to construct a 40 by 40 foot accessory building at 66 Weyrick Road. A public hearing on that proposal was scheduled for the May 19 meeting.