Planning board approves scuba retail and service shop Diverse Below at 240 Warren Street

The Glens Falls City Planning Board on May 7 granted site-plan approval for a new scuba retail and service shop, Diverse Below, proposed at 240 Warren Street. Applicant Angela Riley described a 1,600-square-foot space that will combine retail and service work, with storage and filling of scuba cylinders in a secured area.

Riley told the board that the former tenant had removed prior restaurant equipment and the space had been cleared and fitted for retail. She said the store will use a cascade filling system for scuba cylinders and that backup storage tanks will be anchored to the wall and handled only by certified personnel: “They are all anchored to the wall, so there's no chance of them logging over. The only ones allowed to touch it is my husband, Kurt. He is the scuba professional,” Riley said.

Fire-prevention and planning staff questioned safety and operational details for cylinder storage and filling. The board confirmed the applicant understands storage anchoring and certification requirements and that the fire department will perform an assembly/inspection if required; the applicant agreed to schedule any requested inspections with the fire-prevention attendant.

Outcome A motion to grant site-plan approval for the project at 240 Warren Street passed on a voice vote at the May 7 meeting. The board’s approval included the condition that the applicant coordinate required fire-department inspections and meet applicable safety protocols for cylinder storage and filling.