Gasland's request for extension on hours of operations - on hold..for now

What was established during the Planning Board's workshop, is that the hour extension request was the only request that would require a Site Plan Amendment, that the other changes would not require a Site Plan Change filed. If a Site Plan Amendment was requested, then a Public Hearing and a need to reopen the SEQR process.

The other two requests -- which also involve relabeling a parking space - are to put a Propane Cylinder Cage on the site (which according to LaBella -- will not require a new traffic study, because the cage would drive only minimal additional traffic, which can be also interpreted that they won't be selling many) and, the interesting news that they need to install an Air Pump -- which NYS law requires ALL Fueling stations to have (and there is a fine if they don't have). So.... for an organization whose business it is to build gas stations, an interesting miss.... and for the Town's Building Department which assured the public that they were doing regular, thorough site inspections during the construction of the site -- and the engineer's involved etc. -- How did that get missed? (electrical lines to an air pump? Did anything else get missed? Like any of the spill monitors etc?

So -- the Planning Board, after indicating that they were not at all in favor of granting an extension on the hours of operations, asked the applicant's representative if he wanted a formal decision on the extension of the hours, or whether he wanted to proceed with the request - and the representative said that he would need to speak with his client. At the specter of another public hearing, the board visibly (especially those members who were on the board at the time of the initial project approval) shrinking from that possibility.

It was then decided that the propane cylinder cage and air pump would not require a site plan amendment (though the Director of the Building department requested that the documents be updated) so a public hearing was not required, and they approved those requests. It was also requested that the tenant who is running the Convenience store on the site remove all the external banners and signs in the windows that are not allowed by virtue of the Town's Zoning Code. The Director of the Building Department said that many residents have been complaining about the number of signs (so please keep complaining). And many, many thanks to those who attending the meeting... your presence and eyes on the board certainly helped reinforce to them your interest in this project.

Also on the agenda --

1) The Board apprpoved the Resolution on Wheeler Hill Lot Line re-alignment, after agreeing to review the map delivered to the town two days prior to the meeting, meaning tha the professionals have not yet reviewed it. Any issues will be addressed in the Compliance Reviews.

2) The Proposed Plan for Joker Ink Printing and Embroidery Studio on Stage Door Road was discussed with the town's professionals providing guidance on required technical updates to the plan.

3) A Subdivison proposal on River Road South was reviewed with the town professionals providing technical guidance. It was agreed that any historical/architectural details were handled in the 2020 site plan approvals (save the sign that indicates the historic nature of the site, which is promised to be installed as part of this project.

4) Northside Auto Body - at 1106 Route 9 is planning an addition. The applicant presented a conceptual review and the board/professionals provided feedback.

5) The board gave architectural approval to the plans to demolish the house at 16 Hamilton Road and the planned replacement was accepted.