Reviewers discuss site-plan update for yard on 17M; concerns about signage, trees and piles of wood chips

Town planning members reviewed a resubmitted site plan for an existing landscape-supply yard along Route 17M, discussing an earlier unsigned approval, a newly acquired rear parcel, DEC findings and operational details including wood-chip pile management.

The applicant’s project is a resubmission of a prior site-plan approval that was never signed; staff said the owner had delayed signing previously over fees and now seeks updated approval that reflects a recently acquired parcel at the rear of the site.

Why it matters: The parcel sits next to 17M and near homes and institutional uses. Reviewers covered frontage ownership, setback measurement from deed lines, acceptable planting locations, DEC recommendations on plantings close to the road and fire- and stormwater-related limits on wood-chip pile dimensions.

Main discussion points - Ownership and setbacks: Staff noted deed lines show the property owner owns to roughly the road’s midline; board members clarified that New York State retains use of the area up to the roadside ditch and that setbacks measured from the deed line might place required plantings immediately adjacent to the traveled way. - Tree plantings and DEC input: The DEC previously advised against planting street trees too close to the road because they were not suitable and could interfere with state road use; as a result the owner did not install street trees with the earlier plan and the board discussed whether new planting requirements were appropriate. - Signage and on-site directional signs: Reviewers asked that all road-facing signs be accurately depicted on the plan (including an existing flashing electronic sign) to avoid later enforcement problems; staff suggested adding a “no unauthorized vehicles”/check-in sign on the plan. - Wood-chip piles and fire risk: The board noted DEC and fire-code limits on pile height/size and access for emergency vehicles. Reviewers said the owner has in-place practices (regular temperature checks of piles and loader access) and DEC inspections in the past had not found violations; one past complaint from a nearby facility prompted a DEC visit and no enforcement action. - Operations and access: Members described the existing yard circulation — two Fisher Lane gates, a check-in office, and loading at a rear ramp — and said retail customers are checked in and not allowed to drive unattended through the yard; they also noted on-site signage directing contractors and customers to check-in.

Requested changes and follow-up Board members recommended the applicant update the site plan to show all existing signs that are visible from the road, confirm compliance with DEC and fire-code limits on chip piles, and include clear access and emergency-vehicle routing on updated drawings. If planning board review finds additional modifications, the town will review any changed plan submissions.

Context The yard operates retail and wholesale sales of mulch and landscaping materials, selling quantities from bagged retail to tractor-trailer loads. Reviewers said current visual appearance is attractive and the yard is generally well maintained, but they raised issues related to traffic flow, volume and the potential for odors or smoke from microbial heating in large piles of wood chips.