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Lewis County Planning Board Recommends Approval with
Conditions After Reviewing Site Plans for 3 Proposed Projects at May Meeting
Published: May 25, 2021 at 05:15 p.m.
By: Nick
Altmire
Lowville, NY- The Lewis County
Planning Board held their monthly meeting on May 20th, taking action on five items presented for review. A
summary of each review is included below.
Town of Watson
Comprehensive Plan
The Town of
Watson, with assistance from the Development Authority of the North Country
and the Jefferson Community College Center for Community Studies, has
prepared a Comprehensive Plan to guide the future development of the
Town. The plan recommends re-examination every five years to update the
goals accordingly. Town residents provided input on the assets, goals, and
vision for the Town of Watson through a community survey. The Lewis County
Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the plan, with one
suggestion.
Suggestion:
1. Under the
Economic Development Goals and Recommendations on Page 36, add the Chamberof Commerce alongside Naturally Lewis, as they
are the official tourism agency for Lewis County.
Town of Leyden
Planning Board Site Plan Review
A site plan
submitted for review by the Town of Leyden Planning Board, for a proposed
greenhouse and nursery complex at 2614 State Route 12 in the town of Leyden,
was approved with conditions. The applicant, William Amato, proposes a
30’x30’ storage building, a 30’x40’ barn, and a 20’x40’ greenhouse at the
location. The following conditions were recommended to the Town of Leyden
Planning Board for final approval:
CONDITIONS:
1. Prior to granting a zoning permit, the
Town of Leyden Planning Board should verify that the
applicant will comply with the minimum
front, side, and water supply well setback requirements.
2. A NYS Highway Work Permit is required
due to the change of use from a “field drive” to a
Commercial Driveway. If the proposed
action is approved, it should be conditional on receiving
the required NYS Highway Permit.
3. To comply with Article V § 535, the
applicant should submit sign details, including the design
and location, to the Town of Leyden
Planning Board and/or the Zoning Enforcement Officer
for approval before installation as a
condition of any zoning permit approval.
4. Any land disturbance over 1 acre in
size requires compliance with NYS DEC regulations (State
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System).
A NYS SPEDES Permit should be received prior to
construction.
5. To comply with Article V § 530, the
applicant should submit lighting details to the Town of
Leyden Planning Board and/or Zoning
Enforcement Officer to approve prior to construction
as a condition of any zoning permit
approval.
6. Existing vegetation should be used to
the greatest extent possible in order to provide
adequate
screening.
7. Compliance with all Local, State and
Federal regulatory requirements for this type of facility and
the products stored.
Town/Village of
Lowville Planning Board Site Plan Review
A site plan and
special use permit application submitted for review by the Town/Village of
Lowville Planning Board, to establish mixed use development (coffee
roastery/bakery/café and retail, rental space) in an existing structure
located at 7514 S. State St in the village of Lowville, was approved with
conditions. The applicant, Tug Hill Artisan Roasters, Scott Gilbert,
proposes a two-phased plan for the currently vacant structure. The first
phase proposes the removal of asbestos and lead, roof repair, façade
restoration, and the installation of an elevator. Following the conclusion
of the first phase, Mr. Gilbert proposes a remodeling of the interior,
creating an outdoor eating space, and adding indoor heating, ventilation,
and gas hookups, along with coffee roasting equipment. The main use for the
completed project will be for the Tug Hill Artisan roastery/café/bakery. The
first phase of the project is proposed to begin as soon as possible. The
following conditions were recommended to the Town/Village of Lowville
Planning Board for final approval:
CONDITIONS:
1. It appears that the proposed sign is
compliant with Article VII §201-715 and §201-735; however,
the applicant should verify that the sign
will be set back at least 10’ from all property lines
and/or rights-of-way.
2. Since the proposed action is on a NYS
right-of-way and is a new use, to ensure the public’s
safety, consultation with NYS DOT is
required for the driveway entrance. Should NYS DOT
require a commercial driveway permit, the
applicant should not receive a COO until a permit
has been issued.
3. To ensure compliance with Article X §
201-1030, the applicant should submit a lighting plan to
the Planning Board for approval before a
SUP is issued.
4. Since the total area of the business
was not provided as part of the submission, the Planning
Board should verify that the proposed
parking area follows the intent of Article VII.
5. Prior to the approval of an SUP,
landscaping plans should be submitted and reviewed by the
Planning Board to ensure the protection
of community character and compliance with Article X.
6. While the submission noted that the
action will include an afterburner to reduce the odor and
smoke associated with the facility, the
applicant should consult with NYSDEC regarding
potential air pollution control permit(s)
that may be required prior to receiving a COO.
7. Compliance with all Local, State and
Federal regulatory requirements for this type of facility and
the products stored.
Town/Village of
Lowville Planning Board Site Plan Review
A site plan
submitted for review by the Town/Village of Lowville Planning Board,
proposing to expand a retail store (Nolt’s
Country Store) and parking lot located at 7189 NYS Route 812 in the town of
Lowville was approved with conditions. The applicant, Elaine Z. Nolt, Nolt’s Country Store,
has proposed both a 20’x68’ and 24’x20’ addition to the existing store,
along with additional parking space. The existing business area of the
store is currently 3,901 square feet, with the proposed additions expanding
the business area to 5,261 square feet. Construction is proposed to begin
after approval, with a hopeful conclusion of the project in December. The following
conditions were recommended to the Town/Village of Lowville Planning Board
for final approval:
Conditions:
1. Prior to approval, the applicant
should submit more details for the landscaping/screening plans
specifically for the additional parking
lot area so that the Planning Board can ensure compliance
with their expectations set forth in
Article XI.
2. Compliance with all Local, State and
Federal regulatory requirements for this type of facility and
the products stored.
Municipal Board: Town
of Leyden Town Board
A proposed
temporary moratorium on the issuance of zoning permits or building permits
for any large-scale solar energy projects in the town of Leyden was
reviewed and approved with conditions. The Town of Leyden Town Board is
proposing a moratorium on large-scale solar projects in the town, applying
to both currently pending and future applications, while the Town works on
getting a municipal solar law in place. Noted concerns include disruption
to vehicle traffic, visual incompatibilities with certain areas of the
town, and potential road damage, all of which could have adverse impacts on
the Town and its residents. The Lewis County Planning Board recommends that
the Town of Leyden Town Board adopt the following conditions in approving
the moratorium:
Conditions:
1. The term should be no shorter than 6
months but no longer than 12 months from the filing date
with the Office of the New York State
Secretary of State.
2. A unit of measure should be applied to
properly define the Town’s interpretation of large-scale
solar energy projects (examples: 25kW+, 2
mW+, etc).
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