Town of Dresden Project Review

Project Summary: The Lake George Association, as applicant, has proposed to conduct a Lake George delta removal project by removing the Foster Brook delta in accordance with the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake George Deltas Sediment Management/Shoreline Restoration Project.  Approximately 1450 cubic yeards of material is expected to be removed by means of mechanical excavation, with machinery access provided by the construction of a stone causeway from a northerly access point.  Permits are required from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification and Excavation & Fill in Navigable Waters. 

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper views dredging operations do not resolve sedimentation issues, does not address the source of sediment and is not a lake management tool that should be implemented initially.  Upland protective measures should be implemented prior to dredging.  Foster Brook has been impacted by human action (channelized and vegetative buffers removed).  There is a lack of stormwater management throughout the Foster Brook watershed contributing to erosive conditions.  Dredging also result in impacts to the lake through poor construction techniques and sequencing.    

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation July 2008.

Next Meeting: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has determined the application is complete and is accepting written public comments through July 3, 2008.  Contact Person is Marc Migliore,  NYSDEC Region 5, 232 Golf Course Rd., Warrensburg, NY  12885  (518)623-1285.

HORICON HOLDINGS, LLC (UPDATED 1/5/11)

Project Summary: The applicant proposes the construction of a proposed three bedroom dwelling on a 0.58 acre parcel on Bluff Head Road (23.20-6-27).  The applicant proposes an onsite wastewater treatment system and well water supply.  The applicant proposes a rain garden for stormwater management.  The stormwater system required a variance from the Lake George Park Commission for installation of an infiltration device within 100 feet of a water supply.  The onsite wastewater treatment system was approved.  The applicant provide soil information based on shovel pits.   

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper expressed the following concerns: the application required additional information including grading information and deep test pits.  

Waterkeeper Comment: See Waterkeeper comment letter to the Lake George Park Commission December 2010.

Next Meeting: The Lake George Park Commission reviewed the stormwater variance request at their December 21, 2010 meeting.  The Commission had questions about the depth to groundwater and whether the raingarden would function.  The LGPC staff were comfortable with the application despite the lack of information.  The LGPC granted the variance without conditions. 

SERINO (UPDATED 3/3/11)

Project Summary: The applicant proposes the construction of a second floor addition to an existing residence located on a 0.17 ac island off Fredericks Point(23.20-2-1).  The project is designated as Resource Management on Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map.  The applicant requests a variance for the vertical expansion by approximately 10 feet of a 24' x 36' single family dwelling located within the shoreline setback.  The existing dwelling is 17'-7" in height and the expanded dwelling is porposed as 27'-6.5" in height.  The proposed height expansion will result in two additional bedrooms and one additional bathroom in the dwelling.  The site is served by a municipal wastewater treatment system and the Town provided a letter stating there was capacity for the project.  No lateral exapnsion of the footprint is proposed.  The vertical expansion is located with the shoreline setback.  There was no vegetation removal proposed for the project.  The project required a varaince from the APA and was reviewed by staff and staff engineer.  Alternative such as installing a basement and interior changes were reviewed and found not to be acceptable.     

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper expressed the following concerns: there is a significant amount of shoreline hardening and additional shoreline vegetation and buffering should be proposed and the project should install stormwater management.

Waterkeeper Comment: The Waterkeeper provided verbal comments at an APA hearing held on February 23, 2011 at the Dresden Town Hall.

Next Meeting: The Adirondack Park Agency determined the application complete and held a hearing at the Dresden Town Hall on February 23, 2011.  The APA staff felt there would be no impact to the resources of the park if the project was done according to the plans with the following conditions: existing vegetation was maintained; install erosion control; earth tone colors for the proejct; and exterior lighting should be downward facing and shielded.  The APA staff would consider the recommendation by the Waterkeeper.  The variance will be heard by the APA Board at their March meeting.