Bethlehem Town public meetings in 2022
14 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular Meeting
The Zoning Board of Appeals granted an area variance to increase a telecommunications tower's height to 126.5 feet. The Board also approved signage variances for Starbucks and Five Below, and a residential shed setback variance.
- Approved height and fall zone variances for T-Mobile tower at 457 Route 85 to reach 126.5 feet (Unanimous)
- Approved SEQR Negative Declaration for T-Mobile tower project (Unanimous)
- Approved signage area variance for Starbucks at 378 Feura Bush Road (Unanimous)
- Approved signage area variance for Five Below at 388 Feura Bush Road (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for 8' x 10' shed with 2-foot setbacks at 22 Princess Taylor Lane (Unanimous)
- Accepted December 7, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Development Planning Committee - Regular Meeting
The Development Planning Committee reviewed a proposal by Diversified Auto Inc. to create a vehicle processing facility on 79.1+ acres. The project includes repurposing existing buildings, constructing a new 9,000 square foot building, and adding a truck refueling island. No formal vote was recorded; the applicant was instructed to address staff comments in future plan submissions.
- Proposed repurposing of 2,360 SF home into office and 6,054 SF garage into processing center discussed
- Proposed construction of 9,000 SF vehicle processing building with car wash discussed
- Proposed construction of truck refueling island and guard house discussed
- Staff requested a single application covering both Phase 1 and Phase 2
- Staff requested a new FAA application
- Staff requested geotechnical engineering report for disturbances within the angle of repose
- Staff requested updated wetland delineation
Town Board - Regular Meeting
The Town Board approved several high-value infrastructure projects, including a police training facility and Town Hall renovations. The board also authorized the purchase of police body and in-car cameras and approved multiple labor agreements.
- Awarded Training Facility and Range Improvement Project to James H. Maloy, Inc. for $2,070,000 (Unanimous)
- Approved $148,013 contract to Rosch Brothers, Inc. for 2nd floor bathroom renovations (Unanimous)
- Approved $125,805.64 for replacement Town Hall generator (Unanimous)
- Approved contracts for Axon Enterprise, Inc. body worn and in-car camera systems (Unanimous)
- Adopted resolution capping annual unassigned fund balance transfers to Farms & Forests Fund at $500,000 (Unanimous)
- Approved $285,000 transfer to General Fund Capital Reserves for Town Hall improvements (Unanimous)
- Approved Memorandums of Agreement with Police Supervisors Association, Teamsters Local 294, and Telecommunicators Union (Unanimous)
- Approved $18,600 for engineering services at Normans Kill Ravines Park (Unanimous)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular Meeting
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a height extension for a cell tower in Slingerlands and a setback variance for a shed in Albany. A signage variance request for a business in Glenmont was tabled pending further information.
- Approved area variance for shed construction at 22 Princess Taylor Lane (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance to extend cell tower to 123 feet at 457 NY State Route 85 (Unanimous)
- Tabled signage variance for Five Below at 388 Feura Bush Road pending revised renderings
- Closed public hearing for withdrawn AJ Signs application at 378 Feura Bush Road (Unanimous)
- Approved November 16, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
Planning Board - Regular Meeting
The Board approved special use permits and site plans for two residential solar installations and a pedestrian bridge at 125 Vista Blvd. A proposal for a 52-unit conservation subdivision at 65 Kenwood Avenue was tabled following public testimony. The Board also recommended increasing the by-right size for rooftop solar systems from 12 kW to 25 kW.
- Approved Special Use Permit and Site Plan for 16.2 kW solar system at 2 Darroch Rd (3-0)
- Approved Special Use Permit and Site Plan for 14.76 kW solar system at 300 Bender Ln (3-0)
- Approved SEQR Negative Declaration and Site Plan Amendment for pedestrian bridge at 125 Vista Blvd (3-0)
- Tabled further discussion on Cardona Development 52-unit subdivision at 65 Kenwood Ave
- Approved recommendation to Town Board to increase by-right rooftop solar limit to 25 kW (3-0)
- Approved scheduling of public hearing for 16.53 kW solar system at 15 Pine St for 12/20/2022 (3-0)
- Accepted November 1, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
- Tabled November 15, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
Town Board - Regular Meeting
The Town Board authorized the purchase of approximately 307 acres from Milltowne Plaza, Inc. for agriculture, open space, and recreation. Other actions included approving several IT equipment upgrades, appointing two members to the Industrial Development Agency, and scheduling a public hearing on solar zoning laws.
- Approved purchase of approx. 307 acres from Milltowne Plaza, Inc. for farmland and open space preservation (4-0)
- Approved $150,000 transfer for repaving the police sub-station parking lot at 1121 Route 9W (4-0)
- Appointed Brenda Reilly and Georgette Steffens to the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (4-0)
- Approved $171,773 for server, storage, and network upgrades via ARPA grant (4-0)
- Approved $45,480 for board meeting audio video equipment upgrades (4-0)
- Approved $23,094 purchase of a Kubota Rear Discharge Mower (4-0)
- Scheduled Dec 14, 2022 public hearing to increase allowed solar system size from 12kW to 25kW (4-0)
- Granted easement to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation at 357 Old Quarry Road (4-0)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Development Planning Committee - Regular Meeting
The Town Board authorized the purchase of approximately 307 acres from Milltowne Plaza, Inc. for farmland and open space conservation. The board also approved several budget modifications for IT equipment and public works, and scheduled a public hearing for solar zoning amendments.
- Approved purchase of ~307 acres from Milltowne Plaza, Inc. for conservation (Unanimous)
- Approved $150,000 for repaving the police sub-station parking lot at 1121 Route 9W (Unanimous)
- Scheduled Dec 14, 2022 public hearing to increase allowed solar system size from 12kW to 25kW (Unanimous)
- Appointed Brenda Reilly and Georgette Steffens to the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (Unanimous)
- Approved $171,773 for server, storage, and network upgrades via ARPA grant (Unanimous)
- Approved $23,094 for a Kubota Rear Discharge Mower (Unanimous)
- Approved grant award to CrossFit Spur (Unanimous)
- Granted easement to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation at 357 Old Quarry Road (Unanimous)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular Meeting
The Board referred the Selkirk Fire District's new firehouse project to the Planning Board for site plan review. It also granted area variances for a Panera Bread sign and a residential carport. Several other applications were accepted or tabled for future hearings.
- Referred Selkirk Fire District firehouse at 1160 Route 9W to Planning Board for site plan review (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for Panera Bread at 5 Moriah Road for a second sign and extra square footage (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for Zsofia Barta at 18 Borthwick Avenue for a carport with zero-foot side yard setback (Unanimous)
- Tabled public hearing for Saxton Sign Co. (Starbucks) at 378 Feura Bush Road pending more materials
- Cancelled public hearing for AJ Signs at 378 Feura Bush Road at applicant's request
- Re-set T-Mobile antenna height variance public hearing for December 7, 2022
- Accepted application and set Dec 7 hearing for Michael Mabee shed variance at 22 Princess Taylor Lane (Unanimous)
- Accepted application and set Dec 7 hearing for Action Sign Co. (Five Below) at 388 Beura Bush Road (Unanimous)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency - Regular Meeting
The Zoning Board of Appeals determined that a proposed Selkirk Fire District firehouse requires site plan approval. The board also granted area variances for a Panera Bread restaurant's signage and a residential carport in Delmar.
- Referred Selkirk Fire District firehouse at 1160 Route 9W to Planning Board for site plan review (5-0)
- Approved area variance for Panera Bread at 5 Moriah Road for a second sign and additional square footage (5-0)
- Approved area variance for Zsofia Barta at 18 Borthwick Avenue for a carport with zero-foot side yard setback (5-0)
- Tabled public hearing for Saxton Sign Co. (Starbucks) at 378 Feura Bush Road pending more materials
- Cancelled public hearing for AJ Signs at 378 Feura Bush Road
- Reset T-Mobile public hearing for 457 Route 85 to December 7, 2022
- Accepted application and set Dec 7 hearing for Michael Mabee shed at 22 Princess Taylor Lane (5-0)
- Accepted application and set Dec 7 hearing for Victoria Estates signage at 388 Feura Bush Road (5-0)
Planning Board - Regular Meeting
The Planning Board approved scheduling public hearings for two rooftop solar installations and a 52-lot conservation subdivision. The Board also accepted the minutes from the October 18, 2022 meeting.
- Approved minutes from October 18, 2022 (4-0)
- Approved scheduling public hearing for 16.2 kW solar system at 2 Darroch Rd for 12/06/2022 (Unanimous)
- Approved scheduling public hearing for 14.76 kW solar system at 300 Bender Ln for 12/06/2022 (Unanimous)
- Approved SEQR Negative Declaration for 52-lot subdivision at 65 Kenwood Ave (Unanimous)
- Approved scheduling public hearing for 65 Kenwood Ave subdivision for 12/06/2022 (Unanimous)
- Tabled further discussion on 49,500 sq.ft. warehouse proposal at 39 Hamilton Ln
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Town Board - Regular Meeting
The Town Board unanimously adopted the 2023 annual budget and approved several police appointments and software purchases. The board also authorized funding for sewer system repairs and trail construction at Normans Kill Ravines Park, as well as engineering services for Blessing Road improvements.
- Adopted 2023 Annual Budget (5-0)
- Appointed Antinio Archina as Police Officer at $56,439 annual salary (5-0)
- Appointed Stephen Celestino as Police Officer at $56,439 annual salary (5-0)
- Approved $14,450 purchase of Lexipol software via budget modification (5-0)
- Authorized up to $300,000 from Sewer Fund Capital Reserve for pipe lining, subject to permissive referendum (5-0)
- Adopted SEQR Negative Declaration for trails at Normans Kill Ravines Park (5-0)
- Approved $34,100 and $12,100 agreements with MJ Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. for Blessing Road improvements (5-0)
- Approved $46,200 budget modification for Blessing Road Sidewalk/Multi-Use Path Improvements (5-0)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular Meeting
The Board granted use and area variances for a 2.0 MW solar energy facility in Selkirk and approved the construction of a fire station on Route 9W. Several residential area variances for fences, sheds, and carports were also approved. Two new signage applications for businesses on Feura Bush Road were accepted for future hearings.
- Approved use and area variances for 2.0 MW solar facility at 518 Elm Avenue (Unanimous)
- Approved construction of fire station at 1160 Route 9W (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for carport/covered patio at 18 Borthwick Avenue (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for signage at 5 Moriah Road (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for fence at 59 Marlboro Road (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for storage shed at 73 Huntersfield Road (Unanimous)
- Accepted signage applications for Starbucks and Spectrum at 378 Feura Bush Road (Unanimous)
- Approved October 19, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Planning Board - Regular Meeting
The Planning Board approved a site plan and issued a negative SEQRA declaration for a six-chicken agricultural use at 8 Albert Drive. The board held a public hearing for the Selkirk Reserve multi-family development, but no final action was taken. A solar system application for 2 Darroch Road was tabled.
- Approved SEQR Negative Declaration for agricultural use at 8 Albert Drive (5-0)
- Approved Site Plan for six chickens at 8 Albert Drive (5-0)
- Closed public hearing for Selkirk Reserve multi-family development (5-0)
- Tabled further discussion on Selkirk Reserve information items
- Tabled solar system application for 2 Darroch Road
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Town Board - Regular Meeting
The Town Board conducted a public hearing for the 2023 Preliminary Budget and specified proposed salaries for town officers. The board also approved several administrative actions, including a police promotion and a traffic calming study contract.
- Held public hearing for 2023 Preliminary Budget
- Approved re-levy of delinquent water and sewer rents to 2023 property tax bills (Unanimous)
- Approved promotion of Caitlyn A. Krage to Detective at $84,542 annual salary (Unanimous)
- Accepted donation of a foosball table from resident Bill Maddock (Unanimous)
- Approved budget modification for a four wheel drive loader for the Transfer Station (Unanimous)
- Adopted Local Law 6 of 2022 adding junk vehicles to Town Code Chapter 76 (Unanimous)
- Approved $72,000 agreement with CHA for Kenwood Avenue Traffic Calming Study (Unanimous)
- Approved $72,000 budget modification for Kenwood Avenue study offset by sales tax revenue (Unanimous)