Menands adopts Local Law No. 4 rezoning parcel near Albany Grove Cemetery; SHPO coordination required before ground disturbance

Speaker 5 introduced a zoning map amendment (Local Law No. 4 of 2024) after the village was contacted by Albany Rural Cemetery about replacing inventory on an 11-acre parcel. The proposed rezoning would change part of a parcel currently zoned R-1 to Broadway Business district; a contiguous 36,000-square-foot portion owned by National Grid also sits in the area discussed.

The Albany County Planning Board reviewed the map amendment and recommended coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) because Albany Grove Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Speaker 5 said SHPO responded that the zoning amendment itself would not have an adverse effect but the cemetery and the village should refer anything involving ground disturbance to SHPO before work begins.

Speaker 8 read a negative declaration under SEQRA and the resolution adopting Local Law No. 4; the board voted to adopt and directed the village clerk to file the local law with the Secretary of State and publish a summary in the official newspaper.

Speaker 5 and staff cautioned that additional state reviews will likely be required for crematorium replacement or similar cemetery work and that building permits and state-level coordination will guide the timing. The board indicated no adverse impacts were anticipated but confirmed it would follow SHPO guidance for any ground-disturbing activities.

Next steps: With adoption, the local law will be filed and the item will be scheduled for a public hearing as required; staff will update the GIS and zoning map.

Key quote from the meeting: "State Historic Preservation Office responded by saying that zoning amendment will not have an adverse impact... but the cemetery... rather should refer anything to SHPO before any ground disturbance."