The Village of Altamont Planning Board is having two public hearings on Monday, April 27, 2020.
The first public hearing is for an application of Albany, Schenectady, Greene County Agricultural and Historical Societies, Inc., for a lot line adjustment waiver on a property at 243-247 Brandle Road, Altamont (Tax map ID 37.00-3-2 and 48.07-1-14). The Property is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The second one is the most important and regards the application of Stewart’s Shop Corp. (“Stewart’s”) for Special Use Permit and site plan approval submitted to the Planning Board in connection with its proposed Stewart’s Shop Redevelopment Project located at 1001 Altamont Blvd / 109 Helderberg Avenue (Tax Map # 48.06-2-3 and 48.06-2-2). The Property is zoned Central Business District (CBD). The Project plan includes an internal lot line adjustment to combine two lots and demolition of an existing structure.
Many have asked the Village Planning Board for the public hearing to be postponed when it could be a more normal open to the public hearing. There were 191 people who signed a petition against an enlarged Stewart’s Shop and demolition of a house and now final comments will be heard over the Village Zoom account.
The following are some of the issues of concern (See April 27, 2020 - Altamont Planning Board Files for documents):
- Questions regarding the MJ Engineering Storm Water Management Report:
- Could storm runoff to the creek flood Altamont Blvd? The report refers to stormwater runoff directed to the "existing watercourse" at Discharge Point #1 in section 2.5 and 2.6 on page 4 & 5. Is that the adjacent creek or storm drains?
Explain how polluted storm runoff is collected for treatment by the Hydrodynamic Unit and oil stop valve in the "underground stormwater detention array" and where are they located on the site/plans.
- Why does the report say "The underground stormwater detention array system meter flow to hydrodynamic unit or during higher storm event bypass [sic] the hydrodynamic unit. " in section 3.1 ?
- How is 'higher storm event" defined?
- How often would polluted stormwater bypass the hydrodynamic unit and oil stop valve?
- Questions regarding the Evergreen Barriers and Creek Side
- Village Planner, Nan Stolzenburg's report recommends more mature trees than those in the plans.
- 4 mature trees have been cut thus increasing bank erosion as the stumps begin to rot out. Will rock gabions be placed along the creek edge?
- 111 Helderberg Ave next door is part of the flood plain and has a 6 story evergreen tree. Will construction of a wall/barrier damage that healthy tree? It’s one of the oldest trees in the neighborhood that is left standing.
- Questions regarding the Extensive Lighting:
- Proposed lights appear to be 4000K, while the Village residents voted for 2900K lighting when given the choice by Mayor Dineen. 22 lights will be quite dramatic and much brighter than what currently exists.
- Questions regarding the Architectural design
- Will this be in keeping with the historic nature of the Village, especially since the building will now be a major focus point?
- Questions regarding the Store size
- 3340 sq. ft. which is only 44 sq. ft. smaller than the Western Ave store. Could it be designed to reduce the size? What about the height? And the gas canopy height?
- Since ultimately the store with condenser units and dividing wall will ultimately leave about 4 ft. left for plantings between the neighboring property line and the wall, a smaller store could move the rear farther away from the neighboring property.
- Questions regarding the Demolition of 107-109 house
- No plans mentioned. How will the dust and debris be contained to that one property?
- What about clean up of dirt and dust for the homes within the radius of the demolition?
Bottom Line:
- Will the decisions be made on Monday?
- Ask for revised plans for a smaller store
- Ask for plantings that meet with Nan Stolzenburg’s recommendations.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY, has the Planning Board reviewed the document that Nan Stolzenburg submitted at the request of the Mayor and Trustees when this process started? Every question above and more is outlined with recommendations in her report and this is a guide that the Village requested.