Please consider sending comments to the Altamont Planning Board regarding the approval of the Stewart’s site plan during the open comment period which ends Monday, 5/11. The site approval process is an important time for the public to weigh in on this issue that greatly impacts the community.

You can sent your own written comments to Ginger Hannah at villageadmin@nycap.rr.com and Patty Blackwood at altamontclerk@nycap.rr.com or you can use our new "Sign and Send" Prewritten Comment for the Altamont Stewart’s site plan.

If you send your own comment, please include a request that your email be forwarded to the Village of Altamont Planning Board.

Here is a list of several items that you may wish to base your comments:

Building design and size

The proposed off-the-shelf Stewart’s building design doesn’t fit in with the character of Altamont. It’s possible that the Planning Board may be open to an alternative store design that is more consistent with the Victorian architecture of the neighborhood. This idea may get traction if enough interest is expressed.

The current Stewart’s building has 2,700 square feet and the proposed new building has 3,340 square feet, an increase of 20%. If the new store is kept to a maximum of 3,000 square feet, wouldn’t that be a more appropriate size for our small village? A smaller store could also cause less encroachment on Carol Rothenberg’s property.

Lighting

The total amount of the proposed lighting on the Stewart’s property would call an undesirable amount of attention to itself at the expense of the neighborhood as a whole. Consider that the interior store light shining out from the windows, along with the lighting mounted on the exterior of the building, on the light poles, under the fuel canopy and on the sign comprise the overall lighting effect. Stewart’s lighting should blend in with the new LED village lighting that casts a warm, amber hue and has a more moderate intensity.

Increased Fuel Sales

One of the four nozzles on the new fuel pumps will be dedicated to diesel fuel, which Stewart’s doesn’t currently sell in Altamont.  There will be two fuel tanks, one holding 6,000 gallons (diesel) and one holding 15,000 gallons (gasoline). With potentially 30% of Stewart’s future fuel sales coming from diesel customers, it seems likely that Stewart’s will see a higher volume of commercial trucks.
 The Planning Board should factor into the site plan approval a discussion of the possible increase in traffic, noise and air pollution that this change in the customer base will mean to the community.

Drainage

Will the stormwater overflow and runs-off cause flooding for Altamont Boulevard and/or polluting of the creek

Condensing and H-VAC Units 

Stewart’s has agreed to move one of two rear condensing units from the back of the building to the side, away from Carol Rothenberg’s house. The remaining condensing and the two H-VAC units are extremely noisy and must be moved as well. At the Duanesburg store, Stewart’s has managed to place these units on the side of the property and that should also be done in Altamont, to reduce the noise level for Carol.

Signage

The stand-alone sign that is proposed is unsuitably large, and too brightly lit for the Altamont neighborhood. The Stewart’s sign is only one foot smaller than the nearby sign for Altamont Corners which lists four businesses. The size and style of the sign should be made compatible with the character of the neighborhood.