Washington County Planning Agency finds multiple site-plan projects to be locally concerned; motions pass unanimously

The Washington County Planning Agency met June 30, 2026, and voted to find a series of local development proposals a matter of "essentially local concern," advancing them to the respective municipal review boards with the Agency’s comments and recommendations.

Chairperson Dave O’Brien moved the Agency’s standard finding — that projects reviewed at the meeting are of essentially local concern — and Colleen Nelson, senior planner with the Lake Champlain–Lake George Regional Planning Board, seconded or supported motions as noted. Tim Hardy, deputy director of Washington County Public Safety, participated in votes; the minutes show each listed motion passed by an Ayes 3, Nayes 0, Abstentions 0 tally.

Highlights of actions and Agency comments included:

- Fort Ann (11225 State Route 149): Applicant Gary D. Zervas proposed two 9,000-square-foot metal warehouse buildings and a 1,200-square-foot office on a 6.43-acre parcel. The Agency approved the local-concern finding and advanced the matter to the Town of Fort Ann Planning Board.

- Fort Edward (147–149 Broadway): Slickfin Brewing proposed deploying a mobile food truck to its rear garden. Agency notes stressed that sewer regulations prohibit emptying waste barrels into the municipal sewer system and that proper disposal procedures must be followed; the local-concern finding passed.

- Fort Edward (159 Broadway): Grumbellies sought to install perimeter fencing. The Agency recommended the environmental assessment form (EAF) explicitly note adjacency to the Canal Historic District and urged coordination with the Canal Corporation to ensure emergency access; the local-concern finding passed.

- Fort Edward (1 Eddy Street): Irving Tissue proposed demolition of Building 33/Mill Street Annex. The Agency flagged compliance with State Historic Preservation regulations because the disturbance area is near archaeological sites; the local-concern finding passed.

- Fort Edward (171 Broadway): Taylor and Paige Boucher requested reuse of an existing vacant building for law offices and a family day care; the Agency found the project to be of local concern and advanced it.

- Village of Greenwich: Proposed zoning amendments affecting all parcels within the village jurisdiction were found to be matters of local concern and forwarded for local consideration.

- Granville (7587 NY State Route 149): Nathan and Abby Adams proposed a two-story animal daycare and boarding facility. The Agency called attention to Article 26-C of the Agriculture and Markets Law and noted pending state legislation related to animal shelters; the local-concern finding passed.

All motions at the meeting were moved or seconded by the Agency members named in the minutes and recorded as unanimous 3-0 votes. The meeting minutes show no recorded public comment or dissent on the items discussed.

Votes at a glance: each item above was the subject of a motion "to find the project to be a matter of essentially local concern," with movers and seconders recorded in the minutes and a final vote recorded as Ayes 3, Nayes 0, Abstentions 0.

The meeting adjourned with an administrative report on APA notices and a Record of Final Action regarding a Hudson Falls project (see separate item). The minutes were submitted by Laura Oswald of the Washington County Planning Department.

Next steps: Each matter will proceed through the respective town or village boards and permit processes; the Planning Agency’s comments and recommendations are included in the transmitted records to local boards.