A proposed 40-lot subdivision may be headed back to the drawing board due to a New Scotland Town Board decision, Tuesday, Oct. 7, to require a 50-foot vegetative buffer around the development.
Hershberg and Hershberg submitted the application on behalf of developer Amedore Homes.
The proposed residential subdivision will be part of the Colonie Golf and Country Club, according to information provided by the town.
The proposed development would be between the village of Voorheesville and New Scotland on the grounds of the club.
Under the definition of a cluster development, the law requires a 100-foot buffer of vegetation to separate it from adjacent structures. However, the town can alter the buffer if the result is not `inconsistent` with the spirit of the article.
The town has the authority to change the buffer if the development presents `unique circumstances,` said Town Supervisor Tom Dolin.
Dan Hershberg, who brought the proposal to the board, presented several versions of the development, each calling for different amounts of vegetative space, although none were as much as 50 feet.
Some residents at the meeting spoke out against a diminished buffer, and some said they supported the full 100 feet.
One resident, Matt Hotopp, said the board is moving in the right direction by making the buffer at least 50 feet, but he pushed for stricter guidelines.
`We’re better than we were a month ago, but we shouldn’t have to compromise,` said Hotopp.
Another local resident, Clifford Erickson, said there must be a balance of all the parties’ interests.
`There has to be some give and take,` he said. `The 100 feet is not on the table.`
Amedore has gone back to the drawing boards to reorganize the layout of the development, since even a 50-foot buffer would require concessions on its part.
Hershberg said he is `still reviewing with [his] client,` about how to proceed based on the board’s decision.“