Public hearing moves Stewart's one step closer to renovation

PINE PLAINS — Public hearings opened the Planning Board meeting on March 11.

First, Stewart’s Shops is looking to renovate its gas station in town.

Brandon Myers, representing the applicant, gave a brief overview of the project. Under the proposal, the existing 15 parking spaces will be increased to 23. Railroad Avenue, located on the edge of the property, will be extended to increase maneuverability of vehicles towing trailers. An additional gasoline island will be added and the gas canopy will be duplicated. Two new underground fuel storage tanks will be installed, which Myers said he hopes will mean fewer deliveries to the store. Additional lighting and a monument sign are also proposed, as well as redesigned landscaping. Despite all of these changes, the actual building’s footprint will remain the same.

Planning Board Chairman Don Bartles updated the board on the project’s progress. A site inspection was made by three members of the board and Ray Jurkowski, the town engineer. Several items are still up for discussion, including increased lighting, and an agreement has not been reached with the applicant.

“The applicant has requested more lighting than the town felt was needed,� Bartles said. He will be visiting other Stewart’s Shops in the area, equipped with a light meter, to get a better sense of lighting in a gas station parking lot.

Construction on the private land to expand Railroad Avenue is also up in the air, as Myers said he has been unable to contact the land owners.

The public hearing was not closed, but will remain open into the next meeting as more information is gathered. There were no public comments.

Two-story building adds apartments

The second public hearing of the night was held for Doug Weaver, who is looking to convert more of the space he owns on 7794 South Main St. into apartments.

The first floor of that building, which used to be a flower shop, will now be converted into a single-bedroom apartment. Additionally, a shed that is currently sitting on top of a septic system will be moved, expanded and turned into a studio apartment.

The only public comments were from neighbors complaining about the current tenants using their driveway as a shortcut exit from the property. Weaver said he would install some sort of a barrier (trees or large rocks were suggested) to prevent this from happening in the future.

Weaver’s proposal would also create additional space in the parking lot, meaning all off-street parking for his tenants.

Following the public hearing, the site plan review was deemed complete by the board, contingent upon Weaver receiving approval from the Department of Health.