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Planning board tables two adjacent pipeline replacement projects in Normanskill overlay for departmental review
Summary
The board heard presentations from Eastern Gas Transmission and National Grid about pipeline replacements near Norman’s Kill and tabled both DPRs until applicants address departmental comments, including noise, trail and access coordination.
Two pipeline replacement projects that overlap the Norman’s Kill overlay area drew technical review Tuesday and were tabled by the Albany City Planning Board until applicants address outstanding departmental comments.
Representatives for Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage (Brent Warner and Amber Oiler of Larson Design) described a planned horizontal directional drill (HDD) installation of roughly 2,000 linear feet of pipeline running from the dog park near Mill Street toward the Bethlehem sewer pump station. The applicant explained construction would last an estimated three to four months, largely in 12‑hour shifts, and that one 24‑hour operation could occur during the HDD pullback. Staff flagged potential temporary closures of the unnamed access road off Mill Street during pullback and requested the applicants maintain emergency and farm‑equipment access through coordination and temporary easements.
National Grid representatives (outside counsel Allison Phillips and technical staff Will Hackett and Steve Potev) presented a closely related replacement of approximately 2,100 linear feet of pipeline, with roughly 500 feet located in the City of Albany and the remainder in the adjacent town of Bethlehem; National Grid said it had updated its stormwater pollution prevention plan per Water Department comments and had received Water Department sign‑off the day before the hearing.
Planning staff said the projects trigger major development review because they disturb more than 10,000 square feet or excavate thresholds in the Norman’s Kill overlay. Staff recommended tabling both DPRs until departmental comments — including those from the Water Department, Department of General Services and traffic/engineering — are addressed. The board moved, seconded and voted to table each DPR pending resolution.
