Final steps are underway for the new Afrim Sports soccer complex to be built in Colonie after concept acceptance from the Planning Board.
Afrim Nezaj’s plans for an 86,400 square foot air-supported soccer dome, four artificial turf fields and a 3,354 square-foot multi-purpose building are underway after the planning board members unanimously approved concept acceptance Tuesday, March 10. In moving forward to final site approval, board members suggested working with the Shaker Heritage Society to preserve the historical significance at the 636 Albany Shaker Road site.
The project, first proposed to the zoning board in November 2013, was held up when the zoning board denied a variance to allow Nezaj to rezone the property across from Memory Gardens cemetery. In May 2014, the Town of Colonie passed a resolution allowing special use permits. Afrim went back before zoning in October and received approval.
From the beginning, opposition for the project has centered around the noise and traffic from the soccer dome interrupting memorial services at the cemetery. Noise studies at similar facilities, however, have shown that the noise level is comparable to that of a normal conversation.
Now that concept acceptance was approved, the next step is “engineering process” to work out the finer details of the project, Nezaj said. He has to look at water retention and effects on traffic to be sure everything is suitable for the town.
Joe LaCitiva, director of the Planning and Economic Development Department, said that the planning board also asked Nezaj to work with the Shaker Heritage Society to look at the historical significance of the site. Nezaj said this would not be a problem, since he contacted the Heritage Society at the beginning of the project.
“I’ve been in alignment with them and approached them,” said Nezaj. “What can I do to best serve their mission? One of the things I offered to them from day one is, what if I built a sign and information within the facility that would highlight the Shaker Society? So they’ve been happy.”
He said he wanted to do all that he could to teach people the property’s history. “I’m an educator,” he said.
LaCivita said the planning board wants to work with Nezaj to make the soccer dome “the best project that we can within the town.”
“Knowing Afrim with his other projects, that shouldn’t be a problem. He’s very community minded,” said LaCivita.
