Town of Chester

The Board discussed and approved a Site Plan Review for a dock repair at Valentine Park Association, Inc. A new Site Plan Review for a change of use at Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. was deemed complete and referred to the County Planning Department with the public hearing waived. The Board granted extensions for two existing Site Plan Review applications and tabled a minor two-lot subdivision application pending APA permit receipt. Additionally, the Board reviewed correspondence, discussed upcoming planning forum attendance, and addressed comments regarding an APA project.

The agenda includes several development reviews, including site plan reviews for a dock repair at Valentine Park Association, a townhouse dwelling conversion for Word of Life Fellowship, and extension requests for previous site plan approvals involving residential apartment renovations and a single-family dwelling project. The Board will also address major and minor subdivision applications, including a twelve-lot major subdivision for Adirondack SXXI Resorts and minor two-lot subdivisions. Additionally, the meeting will cover administrative items such as the Zoning Administrator's activity report, Adirondack Park Agency correspondence and project discussions, and attendance at the Adirondack Planning Forum.

The board discussed multiple zoning variance applications. Key items included a request from Work Hard, Play Harder LLC regarding renovations to a boathouse and docks, a front yard setback variance request from Philip Abrams for a storage container, and a complex application from Brill Island Holdings LLC regarding the conversion of a garage into a single-family dwelling. Discussions on the latter focused on parking requirements, shoreline setbacks, building dimensions, and erosion control measures. All public hearings for these items remained open pending further documentation and review.

The meeting addressed several tabled applications and new business items. Site Plan Review Application #SPR2025-16 for Valentine Park Association, Inc. concerning a dock repair was continued to be tabled due to the applicant's representative not having the necessary documentation present. Major Subdivision Application #SD2025-03 by Adirondack SXXI Resorts, LLC was also continued to be tabled, pending receipt of an itemized cost estimate for roadway construction and stormwater management required for the bond. Minor Subdivision Application #SD2025-07 regarding Karl W. Roberts, Lars Clute and Amy Clute was continued to be tabled. Site Plan Review Application #SPR2026-01, seeking approval for changing the use of a garage to a one-bedroom dwelling for Thomas G. DuRose and Karen L. DuRose, was approved based on findings that included no county impact determined by the Warren County Planning Department. Minor Subdivision Application #SD2025-06 concerning Richard L. Greco was dismissed without prejudice as the applicant had withdrawn the application from the APA. Discussion occurred regarding correspondence with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) concerning Project No. 2025-0129, and a board member requested future consideration of the Trout Brook, Schroon River Tributary.

The meeting focused on several public hearings and new business items requiring variances. Old Business public hearings remained open for applications #550-V (Work Hard, Play Harder LLC regarding boathouse renovation, foundation repair, roof replacement, height expansion, and deck construction) and #AV2025-24 (Philip Abrams requesting front yard setback variances for a storage container). Under New Business, Area Variance Application #AV2026-01 (Brill Island Holdings LLC) concerning the renovation of a garage into a one-bedroom dwelling, including setback variances and changes to wastewater treatment system plans (considering a UV system over chlorination), was discussed. Action on #AV2026-01 was postponed pending confirmation from the APA regarding total building height elevations. The Board also approved rescheduling two future meetings in November and December 2026.