Planning board hears sketch plan for 430 Prueville Road contractor's yard; long history of nonconforming activity prompts many questions

The board held a lengthy sketch-plan conference for a contractor's yard at 430 Prueville Road that carries a complex compliance history going back to 2004. Staff summarized prior site-plan approvals, expired conditions, and a 2016 approval with seven specific conditions governing material storage, limited crushing operations and extensive buffering/berm planting that were not consistently enforced.

Board members and staff raised multiple concerns: pile heights and visibility above tree buffers, asphalt millings stored close to parcel boundaries and potential DEC permitting needs, frequency and hours for crushing operations (the 2016 condition limited crushing to up to three continuous weeks once every four years), dust mitigation, parking and traffic/vehicle volumes, the status of a hoop house built without a documented permit, and whether replanting of dead buffer trees is required. Staff emphasized setbacks (75 feet front, 30 side, 50 rear) but noted some existing piles are closer than required and that the applicant should provide a survey and exact bunker dimensions.

Staff asked the applicant to submit a full SWIP updated to current stormwater standards, a site survey showing bunkers and distances to the center line of the road, a lighting plan and a schedule for crusher operations and dust-control measures. The applicant was told weekly inspections and maintenance of stormwater features may be imposed as a condition of approval. The matter remains in sketch-plan phase; the board will expect the updated materials before advancing to formal site-plan review.