Planning board tables lead-agency decision and additional review steps for Starlight’s Second Avenue PDD

At its May meeting the Troy Planning Board recognized Starlight Development’s proposed planned development district at 1011 Second Avenue as a Type I action under SEQR but voted to table a decision on whether the board should assume lead-agency status and deferred further coordinated-review steps until the project team supplies additional information.

Joe Danival of Environmental Design Partnership presented the project on behalf of Starlight Development, describing a two-building proposal totaling 175 residential units with parking for 307 vehicles, a riverside trail, a kayak launch area and preservation of existing tree canopy along the Hudson River. Danival said the buildings are set outside the floodplain and that the site would include subsurface and surface parking; he told the board the development team planned to meet with the Troy Fire Department to confirm apparatus access.

Board members acknowledged the project’s scale and the number of external agencies that must be consulted. One member noted concerns about building visibility from the river and asked whether the site’s mature trees would screen the development; project representatives said the canopy will provide substantial screening in summer months, with more filtered views in winter. The project team said they will meet with the Troy Fire Department to show turning radii and address emergency-access questions.

Planning staff asked the board whether it would act as lead agency for coordinated SEQR review; after discussion the board voted to table lead-agency selection and tabled further action on the item until the project provides additional information and the board can review comments from involved agencies. The project remains at the introductory stage to the planning board; proponents said they will return with supplemental materials and departmental coordination prior to any lead-agency decision or formal SEQR determination.