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Planning board approves Zimmerman site plan with fence condition, stormwater and swale requirements
Summary
The Grand Island Planning Board approved a site plan for the Zimmerman property, requiring a 7-foot solid double-sided fence along the west lot line to the creek, removal of a proposed berm, stormwater engineering sign-off and maintenance of swales; the old building will be demolished once the new building receives a certificate of occupancy.
The Grand Island Planning Board on Monday approved a site plan for the Zimmerman property with conditions that remove a proposed berm on the west lot line and require a continuous 7-foot solid, double-sided wood fence extending to the creek, stormwater engineering approval and ongoing swale maintenance by the property owner.
The board’s action, moved during the meeting and seconded by a board member, included specific conditions: relocation of any sign found to be in the right-of-way, resolution of stormwater compliance with engineering and the DEC where applicable, cleaning of existing swales and that the existing building on the site be demolished after the new building receives a certificate of occupancy.
The action follows a Zoning Board of Appeals variance previously granted to the applicant; board members discussed the variance-backed plan and multiple design options including a rear berm, a fence along the west property line and landscaping screening. Applicant Sandra, speaking for the proposal, said she was “good with either” fence or berm but favored avoiding unnecessary excavation of existing stone; she added, “I think a fence would suffice with what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Board members asked for clarifications and adjustments before approving. Planning staff noted a number of technical items that must be resolved before building permits can be issued, including a full stormwater submittal (SWIP) and engineering sign-off. The applicant and staff discussed the potential need for additional swale work as part of predevelopment and post-development stormwater mitigation; board members made maintaining swales a condition of approval and said the property owner will be responsible for ongoing swale maintenance.
The board also addressed several site details during discussion: parking and ADA markings, a small on-site “nursery/stock” area the applicant said was for temporary, personal-use plant staging rather than retail sales, absence of a shown dumpster location and the intended reuse of shipping containers and an attached hoop house for on-site material storage. Staff noted the plan shows about 10 parking spaces behind the building and faint ADA striping; the applicant said the business is appointment-only, which informed the parking conversation.
Members raised wetlands and DEC review as unresolved technical issues. Staff said the project will require stormwater documentation and coordination with DEC; the board added resolving wetland/swale questions and stormwater compliance into the conditions. The board also discussed a sign that was observed in the right-of-way; members required that any sign in the right-of-way be removed or relocated and that the applicant obtain the correct sign permit.
Before voting, the board clarified that the new building will be constructed first and the existing structure will be removed once the new building obtains its certificate of occupancy. The motion was adopted after a second and a voice vote in which the chair called for “all in favor” and heard aye responses; the meeting record does not include a roll-call vote.
The board cautioned that the site-plan approval is contingent on the outstanding technical submittals and DEC/engineering sign-offs; staff said building permits cannot be issued until stormwater and any wetlands issues are resolved.
