CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
AUGUST 13, 2014
The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on August 13, 2014 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Chairman Laurence Saulpaugh, Clayton Andrus, Robert Quierolo, Mary Howard, Thomas Jantzen, Jennifer Phillips and Aldo Dusman. Also present were George Schmitt, Town Engineer, Andrew Howard, Town Attorney, Dianne O’Neal, Raymond Tousey, Bill Heffernan and Mark Richardson of NY Light Energy and Robert Desmond.
Chairman Saulpaugh opened the meeting. The minutes were approved on a motion made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Clayton Andrus. All in favor. So carried.
RAYMOND TOUSEY: 1783 Route 9 – Tax Map ID#181.3-1-6.110 Application for a Meeting Hall/Convention Center in the Hamlet. A revised SEQRA was submitted after the last meeting. Mr. Tousey has submitted an application to NYS Dept. of Transportation. The application must be reviewed in Poughkeepsie and sent back to Hudson. They will then meet with Mr. Tousey and his contractor. The Columbia County Health Dept. has commented and his engineer has responded to their concerns. The site plan, survey and pump draw test is done.
Our engineer, George Schmitt has commented in a letter of August 13th on some issues:
- Requested pproved sewage disposal drawings, once approved by Columbia County Dept. of Health. Additional comment letter from Health department is forthcoming.
- Requested copies of any correspondence with NYS DOT.
- Needs building plans supporting occupancy rating, bathrooms, dance floor, band/DJ area.
ADA compatibility, adequate ingress and egress from the building.
- A proposed kitchen is shown and George feels that it would not for the board to approve what looks like a kitchen, so it should be understood that it is only a sink area.
- The building inspector, John Fieser, would want a fire escape for the size of the planned events. There is an easement for ingress and egress according to the survey on Gilbert’s property, but the fire escape may impact this easement.
The board asked the following:
- Fencing on the south side which is not shown on the plan.
- Hours and months of operation for events.
- Parking/Handicap parking and signage for handicap parking. This should be a hard surface, such as blacktop or a permeable surface.
- Circulation of incoming and outgoing traffic.
- Employee parking
- Fencing on the north side.
- Lighting plan showing location and illumination.
- Copy of easements.
- Show future well location, in the event that the barn is sold.
- Electric from house should be shown.
Tom Jantzen asked if DOT is aware that this is in combination with the Winery because they may want a crosswalk. Mr. Tousey said that he is not trying to combine these. He does not want to do anything that will detract from the old barn. He is not putting in heat, or air conditioning, just fans. His operation would be 60 events over a period of March 1 to November 30th with hours of operation Friday – Saturday until 11:30, Sunday until 10:30 P.M.
Other things discussed:
- The need for an erosion control plan.
- Water and septic lines are already installed.
- The parking spaces shown on the site plan show 90 spaces, but George counts 71 spaces. Ninety spaces should support 160 people. The site plan needs to be corrected.
If the sketch plan is sufficient for the board a public hearing could be scheduled. Tom Jantzen would like to wait until we get the new revised site plan, and any approval would be contingent on getting DOT approval.
The board agreed that if Mr. Tousey can have the paperwork to George by August 22nd for his review a public hearing can be scheduled.
DIANNE O’NEAL: 85 Buckwheat Bridge Road – Tax Map ID#181-1-32.111 and 181-1-19.120. Application for Boundary Line Change to create a five acre lot from 27.689 acre parcel with residence and add the remaining acreage to a 75 acre parcel with residence. Each parcel will have its own driveway. A new driveway will be made on the northern section of the lot. There is enough road frontage. There is a conservation easement on the 75-acre parcel. The board will need deed descriptions and the survey maps.
GEORGE W. SAULPAUGH & SONS: 1790 Route 9 – Tax Map ID#181-1-29
Site Plan application for the installation of ground mount solar panels at the site of the cold storage facility on Route 9. Mr. Bill Heffernan, Operations Manager and Mark Richardson, Production Manager of New York Light Energy, LLC presented the information. Their company maintains ownership and maintenance of the panels and the applicant purchases the power. At the end of the contract period the can either buy or get out of the contract. The 13 ½ to 15-foot panels will have a setback of 350’ from Route 9 and very little visual impact. They are a fixed panel and do not move. There are several different kinds of mounting systems, which were shown in pictures and discussed. They are likely to go with a ballasted system. The wiring will be underground, max depth is 204 inches. The main panel is on the refrigeration building. There will be disconnects as required for the safety of first responders.
This is not a permitted use in the Hamlet and must go to the Zoning Board for a special use permit. Our attorney, Andy Howard, feels all the material meets our code, and does not require a survey by Agriculture and Markets. A public hearing on the site plan can be held next month, possibly in conjunction with the ZBA. Mr. Heffernan will go to the ZBA application night tomorrow night.
Mary Howard asked about water runoff because of disturbance. Their response was that with a canopy surface the ground is not disturbed and sometimes Item #4 can be put under the front of the panel.
A motion was made to adjourn at 9:35 P.M. by Mary Howard, seconded by Clayton Andrus.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Secretary