April 7 Planning Board Meeting - When is a subdivision not a subdivision?

The April 7 Planning Board Meeting had three public hearings -

1) Bottini Fuel is proposing to install an asphalt storage pad on 33 acres on Don Bosco Boulevard - this is a request to build a facility to washout and store refuse containers that are used to service Bottini properties. The applicant explained that there will be one trip per day - however there were discussions about how the filter system will be used and how inappropriate things will be removed before the containers are washed out. A log to be filled out by drivers has been requested to be added to the plan, as well as more mature trees rather than a vinyl fence. The board approved the planner to draft a resolution approving the project and permission for the engineers to work with the professional staff on some of the details.

2) Mountainview Ranch Lot LIne Re-Alignment - a property on Smith Crossing Road and Ostuni Way which is comprised of 4 lots - 125 acres.. The owner would like to realign the property lot lines to enable better frontage and help with estate planning. The owner refutes that this is a new subdivision - because the properties are going to stay together (agricultural) - but the planner pointed out that any change in description of a property, is considered a "subdivsion". The sticking point is that full surveys are required - which is expensive and difficult getting the survyor to respond (a new surveyor would want to start from the beginning). The Professionals asked that the wells, septic systems need to identified. The owner said he could do that, but didn't want to go through the expense of surveyor, septic systems, and legal fees - and he reiterated that it is not a subdivision in his views.

3) Acadia Place - CedarHill Road and Old Hopewell Road - the Planning Board was going to review the draft of Letter of Appropriateness for a plan for 12 single family homes and 66 multi - family homes on 89.5 acres. The lawyer for the applicant brought forth a discussion about his points in a letter to the board to consider his concerns about the process. The chair of the board pushed back and said that they are responding to the town board's request to review the submitted plan... not to revisions to the plan. That if a new plan were to be submitted, it would have to be reviewed by the town board first. There is agreement that the statute is not clear - and never been used since added to the town code.

A discussion than ensued about the appropriateness of including a reference to tri-muni connection issues in a report to the town board. They decided on an update from the first draft to be included. The Board agreed to sending the letter with the updates. -- why was this a public hearing?

Architectural Review

Acala Tattoo Collective Signage - property at Chelsea Ridge Mall - the layout of the mall makes it difficult for clients to see where the shop is. The board approved the architectural review of the sign.