Village of Lake George Project Review

Village of Lake George
Old Post Road
PO Box 791
Lake George, NY  12845

Village of Lake George Planning Board information
Village of Lake Zoning Board of Appeal information
Planning and Zoning Board Secretary 518-668-5771 / fax 668-3735

Village of Lake George Topics of Interest

DUFFYS' CAFE (UPDATED 6/5/09)

HOLLY RAJ, INC (UPDATED 1/28/09)

Kenny & Dittrich, LLC (updated 6/25/12)

Kenny & Dittrich, LLC (Hotel) (updated 9/6/12) 

Proctor (updated 9/6/12)

Sultana (updated 7/23/12)

Project Summary: Applicant proposed a change in use from a convience store to an outdoor cafe.  The building would remain the same footprint but have architectural improvements and outdoor seating would be provided.  Traffic would not be permitted across the lot and parking would be provide on the perimeter side street.  The Planning Board discussed many issues including facades, color schemes, outdoor seating, landscaping and stormwater.  The applicant stated there was no intention for stormwater management but after discussion and comment from the public, (2) drywells were proposed as well as an 18' diameter permeable area.  At the May 2009 Planning Board meeting, the applicant requested modifications to the conditions of approval to reduce the number of drywells to one and eliminate the permeable area.  These items were entertained without being an agenda itemand and the Planning Board voted to change the conditions of approval.

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper felt stormwater management should have been required for the change in use since none existed at the site to provide any improvements possible.  A concern was the fact conditions of approval were changes without adequate notice to the public and a failure to reopen the public hearing.

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Mayor dated June 2009. 

Next Meeting:

 HOLLY RAJ, INC- (UPDATED 1/28/09)

Project Summary: Applicant proposes a two story 11,900 sf open air tavern/kiddie amusement park at the current location of Quizno's and the miniature golf course.  The project will connect to the Village of Lake George municipal sewer and water system.  The project proposes minor levels of stormwater management.  There have been several public hearings and concerns from the public include mixed use of the project (chlidren entertainment and a bar); two story building on the main corner of the Village; character of the building with the "open air" tavern; noise; and additional traffic for deliveries, construction, and trash removal. 

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper has concerns regarding compliance with major stormwater management requirements (addressing runoff of the first 1/2" from existing impervious coverage); utlizing the proposed landscaped areas for stormwater treatment/raingardens; improving the proposed water quality structures and the direct dischagre into Prospect Mountain Brook.  In addition, there is a question regarding the design wastewater flows from the proposed uses as well as whether the existing Village of Lake George Wastewater Treatment Plant has capacity.  The Waterkeeper continues to assert the proposed stormwater management plan does not comply with the Village Code despite the recommendation letter from the reviewing engineer based on the fact the reviewing engineer acknowledged the need for additional information regarding the stormwater plan after the recommendation was written.  This information was provided to the Planning Board.

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Planning Board for October  and December 2008 and January 2009.

Next Meeting: The Village of Lake George Plannning Board held the public hearing open from the October 15, 2008 meeting requesting information on a potential noise study and traffic study.  The Planning Board will also seek a consulting engineer to review the stormwater management plan.  The "consulting engineer" for the Planning Board was the Dave Decker, PE who wrote an approval letter on Lake George Watershed Conference letterhead despite the fact the project does not meet the Village Stormwater Ordinance and he wrote in an email after the approval that additional information was required.  The Planning Board appears to have accepted the determination from the LGWC.  At the January 21, 2009 Planning Bord meeting, the Board recommended a scope for the noise study and did not accept public comments since the applicant was not present.  The next public hearing for the project will be Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:00PM.

Kenny & Dittrich, LLC (updated 6/25/12)

TAX MAP #251.14-2-11
OWNER/APPLICANT: KENNY & DITTRICH, LLC
ADDRESS: 50 AMHERST ST AND PARKING AREA BEHIND 365 CANADA ST (GIUSEPPE’S)
ZONE: COMMERCIAL MIXED USE
SITE PLAN APPLICATION #1208
SPECIAL USE APPLICATION #1208SP
 

Project Summary:  The Special Use Application for commercial parking lot and Site Plan for 50 Amherst St. and the parking lot behind Giuseppe’s were approved on March 21, 2012. The Applicant returned to the the Board in April because of proposed changes to the Site Plan detail.  Instead of permeable pavement, the applicant will install dry wells and use non-permeable pavement.

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper was supportive of the permeable pavement when it was initially proposed.  Engineering comments were given directly to the applicant regarding the design of the dry wells and rain gardens, and reiterated at the public Planning Board meeting. Use of vegetation for stormwater management and a restriction on the use of fertilizers and pesticides was recommended by the Waterkeeper.

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Planning Board for March and April memo 2012.  Verbal comments were shared with VLG PB in both March and April.

Next Meeting: The Village of Lake George Plannning Board approved the revised site plan for the parking lot and conditioned that the applicant work with the Waterkeeper on the landscaping.

Kenny & Dittrich, LLC (Hotel) (updated 9/6/12)

Project Summary: The applicant is proposing the construction of an 86 foot, 8 story major chain hotel located at 365 Canada Street (251.14-2-3).  The project is located in the Commercial Mixed Use Zoning District and is designated as Hamlet on the Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Map.  The project will require an area variance:  1) building height (40 feet/3 story permitted, 86 feet/8 story proposed).  The project will be classified as a Class A project and will require approval from the Adirondack Park Agency.  The project will be constructed at the located of Guiseppe's Restaurant and Pizzariera.  The project will have municipal water and sewer.  The project plans to utilize the recently constructed parking lot in the rear.  No information was provided regarding stormwater management.

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper expressed concerns about the impact on the Village of Lake George Wastewater Treatment Plant, which may not adequately treat the increase wastewater and has significant nutrient impacts to West Brook; lack of stormwater management; potential change in character and potential need for an additional variance for Lot Coverage.

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals for September 2012. 

Next Meeting: The Village of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals first heard the application at the August meeting and requested site renderings.  Renderings were submitted for the September 5, 2012 meeting.  At the September 5, 2012 meeting, the applicant requested to tabled the application indefinitely and decided to pursue a Zoning District change that would allow a reduced building height but still exceed the current 40 foot limit. 

TAX MAP: 251.11-2-1.3
OWNER/APPLICANT: BOB & MONICA PROCTOR
ADDRESS: LOT 2 - LOCHLEA
ZONE: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
SITE PLAN APPLICATION #1210

Project Summary: Applicant is building a single family residence in the recent subdivision of Lochlea. SKETCH Plan review took place March 21, 2012. Applicant has now submitted final, engineered (stamped) plans. Applicant has confirmed – no changes have been made since Sketch Plan review.   

Waterkeeper Perspective:  The Waterkeeper has concerns regarding the Lochlea subdivison approval, where minimal clearing, small homes and 50 ft setback to clearing from English Brook were presented as material representation of the proposed subdivision and subsequently approved.  Contrary to the TLG/VLG PB subdivision approvals, the Lochlea Offering Plan states that home footprints cannot exceed 2700sf, greater than 2x what was dicussed during PB deliberation (1000 to 1200sf footprints).  This proposed home is also setback from English Brook only 20ft vs. 50ft that was initially presented by the applicant.  The project proposes to clear and grade the entire lot.  Regarding the variance application, the Waterkeeper concerns include the presence of alternatives (reduce size of house to approved plans and relocated further from the stream) and environmental impacts (reduction in stream buffer resulting in reduced sedimentation and pollutant control, thermal impacts, light pentration, and runoff reduction) as well as contributing to the cummulative negative impacts in the English Brook watershed.  

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letters to the Village of Lake George Planning Board for March and April 2012.  See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals for September 2012.

Next Meeting: The Village of Lake George Planning Board tabled this application asking the TLG PB to address SEQR: 1) whether homes greater than 1200sf and 2) setbacks less than 50 ft would negatively impact the environment and change the negative declaration of the SEQR (previously deliberated and approved).  The TLG PB stated that the material changes did not impact the environment and that the 'neg dec' stands.  VLG Planning Office holds that 50ft setback to English Brook is required, regardless.  Applicant sought a  ZBA determination on the buffer setback, which was held on July 11, 2012 at the scheduled ZBA meeting.  Outcome of the determination declared that the ZBA stands with the approved 50ft setback to English Brook.  Applicant filed for a 30ft variance so that the proposed SFD could remain at the 20ft setback from English Brook (ZBA meeting Public Hearing on 9/5/12).  Based on the support of the stream buffer, the applicant revised the plan for a building setback of 42' and garage setback of 37'  At the September 5, 2012 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the applicant stated the variance should be approved based there would be no impact on the stream, the supplemented stream buffer was supported by Cornell Cooperative letter, limited tree clearing and the amount of stormwater management provided.  The ZBA felt there would be no impact to English Brook from the project and were impressed with the stormwater management system.  The variance was granted without conditions, 3-1.   

TAX MAP: 251.11-2-1.4
OWNER/APPLICANT: SAM SALTANA
ADDRESS: LOT 3 - LOCHLEA
ZONE: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
SITE PLAN APPLICATION #1217

Project Summary: Applicant is building a single family residence in the recent subdivision of Lochlea. Revised plans were submitted at the June 2012 PB meeting showing that the garage was now 50ft from English Brook (initially presented at 40ft)

Waterkeeper Perspective: The Waterkeeper has concerns about the amount of clearing due to the increased footprint of the proposed SFD. Prior to subdivision approval, the applicant stated that there would be minimal clearing and grading on this Lot #3.  The proposed site plan now shows clearing and grading of the entire lot (1/4 acre), with removal of all existing tree except some birches. 
At the 7/18/12 VLG PB meeting, the Waterkeeper comments encouraged 'orange snow fencing' to delineate 'NO CUT' areas, a more detailed landscape plan so that half the lot wouldn't be mulch with no vegetation (letter included a photo of mulch that had washed down the hill on Lochlea), questionable 'trees to remain' as it was not clear on the final plan and the limits of clearing could have been reduced to save more existing vegetation, and a photo of the algal blooms just off shore of English Brook (to which the applicant stated that both photos were in the Town of Lake George and not the Village).  English Brook is the dividng line between the TLG and the VLG, and therefore the photos were not related to one or the other.

Waterkeeper Comment: See comment letter to the Village of Lake George Planning Board for April, June and July 2012.

Next Meeting: The Village of Lake George Planning Board has not yet held a public hearing on this application, although comments from the PB were reflective of Waterkeeper comments submitted, addressing limits of clearing and overall disturbance to the lot.  The PB has asked the applicant to resubmit a landscape plan with trees and shrubs and to leave some of the existing trees on the lot, with a no touch zone.  Applicant and architect were given DIYWQ guides after the meeting and Waterkeeper reached out to assist in revising the landscape plan.  
At the 7/18/12 VLG PB meeting, the SFD 50 ft from English Brook was approved with no conditions.  Applicant added a small 'no disturbance' area at the rear of the lot closest to English Brook.  The VLG PB member who insisted on less clearing and possibly a smaller SFD that would better fit the lot and require less over all disturbance was not present at the meeting.