How to resolve AdBlock issue? Tom Lewis, the real estate representative of Stewart’s, brought forth improved site plans to a town board workshop May 20 in hopes of moving forward with the planned district development plans for the new store.
But zoning problems and a public water issue may stand in the way of the store ever getting built.
The location of the potential shop is in a residentially zoned area, meaning the building will have to be designed and built to meet the requirements of a residential zone. Because of this, the gas pumps, normally located at the front of every Stewart’s store, would have to move to the back of the lot. In addition to that change, the planning board recommended having only one building instead of having both the shop and the bank in a separate building on the same 2.7 acre lot.
“I hope to build something that fits in with the neighborhood’s character,” Lewis told the board. “We are willing to cover up the back of the lot with trees and shrubs and we want to build it as a stone building.”
Lewis made note that the area was first zoned residential before GlobalFoundries was approved to be built in 2004.
“What does the future hold for the one-fourth of a mile between the LFTC entrance and Route 9?” Lewis asked. “I’m assuming this thing is going to be developed.”
Because the potential shop is located in a residential zone, there must be some public benefit in order for the store to be built. Due to longtime water and well problems in the area’s neighborhood, the town board would like Stewart’s to look into bringing public water into the zone as the required public benefit.
Though both Malta residents and the town board would like public water to be brought into the district, it was relayed by planning director Tony Tozzi at the workshop that the town’s Master Plan actually states that the town doesn’t want public water in that area because it wants to keep the character of the neighborhood intact.
“If we want to go forward with the [Stewart’s] project, it would be best to have the master plan amended before this project goes forward,” Tozzi said.
This revelation to the board brought forth concerns by councilmembers John Hartzell and Peter Klotz.
“We should have looked at this closer months ago instead of finding out tonight we can’t even do the project,” Hartzell said. “I’m really concerned that we’re just finding this out when we’re this far along in the project.”
Klotz added his discomfort in continuing with the project.
“I agree with the notion that [this project] is inconsistent with the Master Plan and it does change this area in a way that I’m overall not comfortable with,” Klotz said. “I’m supportive of the area being zoned the way it is—R1 [residential].”
But some residents spoke out at the workshop in favor of bringing water to the neighborhood, claiming that because of the area’s growth, it is bound to be developed commercially sooner or later.
“Make it commercial,” said resident and town clerk Flo Sickels. “Our hamlet has already been compromised, but Tom is doing a great job and we need to keep this moving forward—we need the water. It will all be developed eventually, I can see that coming.”
Councilwoman Tara Thomas told Lewis she “would love for you to explore that further, because that would be a huge public benefit.”
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to do what’s best for everybody,” said Town Supervisor Paul Sausville. “We’ll definitely entertain water as a potential benefit—we’re spending quite a bit of time looking at that.”
Sausville later said that the town’s residents have a determination to get water distributed in that neighborhood.
“There are two sources of water—the County Water Authority, which has a tap line right next to the potential Stewart’s property, but the only problem with that one is that the county will not sell to an individual,” Sausville explained. “They’ll only wholesale to another water company, so Stewart’s can’t simply tap into it.”
Continuing, Sausville added that the other option is to buy water from Saratoga Water Services, a private water company.
“They’re located about 3,500 feet away from the property,” Sausville said. “One option is to bring that water service to their store, but they have to look at the financial feasibility of that.”
Lewis said at the meeting that the Stewart’s will do their best to look into how they can bring water to the area, but said that if they can’t find water at an affordable price, they will have to discontinue their project plans.
In other workshop business, the town board entered into an agreement with East Line Romp & Play Dog Park, a group of Malta residents who have been working toward building a dog park on East Line Road, just north of Route 67 for months.
Sausville said the town will soon enter into an official contract in which they will provide a driveway and parking area for residents’ use—the work will be completed by highway department personnel—and the private group will be in charge of monitoring and maintaining the site so it can be used by dog owners.
