To: Guilderland Planning Board
From: Guilderland Conservation Advisory Council
Date: October 5, 2009
Re.: Hysenllari, 49 Fliegel Ave., Albany, NY 12203
APPLICATION
Applicant: Veli Hysenllari, 8 Joseph Terrace, Albany, NY 12203
Proposed Subdivision: A proposed two lot subdivision of 0.29 acres.
Location: Fliegel Avenue is off Schoolhouse Road approximately one mile south of Route 20 (Western Ave.) near the Town borderline with the Town of Bethlehem.
Zoning: R-15.
Site Inspection Summary;
Site Inspection Date: September 26, 2009
Meeting Attendees: (September 21, 2009) - Applicant/Owner Veli Hysenllari; introduced as his friends (there to assist him with the language) Bob Sandberg and Lawrence Walker (both of Coldwell Banker real estate); GCAC members Stephen Albert, David Heller, Herbert Hennings, Gordon McClelland, Stuart Reese, Steven Wickham and John Wemple (Chair).
Inspected by: Owner Veli Hysenllari; GCAC members David Heller, Herbert Hennings, Gordon McClelland, Steven Wickham and John Wemple (Chair). Also, on Friday, Sept. 25th GCAC member Stuart Reese viewed the property from sidewalk area, but did not enter the property since he had no response from the owner whom he attempted to contact. On Sunday, Sept. 27th GCAC member Stephen Albert made site visit on his own.
Conclusions: According to Town Assessor’s website, property is listed as that of Travis Newton with an assessed value of $90,100; this bungalow with 688 square feet of living area was built in 1939. By definition, under the Town Code, R-15 zoning calls for a building line of 100 feet and a lot area of 15,000 sq.ft. Both proposed lots have a building line of 50 feet and a lot area of
6,250 + sq.ft. If there a question of a need for a variance, it should be noted that the neighboring lots on both sides have 50 foot frontage as do the six lots along Henry Avenue to the rear of the applicant’s lot. While the owner did offer GCAC members an opportunity to enter the vacant house, GCAC felt no need to do so since the plan is to remove this structure. As noted under topography, and as noted by the owner, there will be a need to move soil around in order to level off the two lots. In so doing most, if not all the trees will be removed; but owner stated his plan is to plant new trees. GCAC’s main concern is the issue of storm water management. Thus, the final plan for the subdivision will need to address the potential problem of drainage and a resolution as to how to accomplish a redesign of the topography of the
property without adversely affecting the neighboring properties, especially those to the north and west. If this can be accomplished, GCAC does not object to this two lot subdivision, which if successfully carried out, should be a positive effect on the neighborhood. As noted under Inspection, there is an empty septic tank to the rear of the house. This is a possible safety problem since it does not have a concrete cover and is only covered by a grate which could easily be moved. On the proposed
Conclusions (continued) Page 2 of 2 - Hysenllari - Fliegel Ave. - Sept. 2009
second lot, there is an unattended ax with a loose head which could also poise a safety hazard. Another concern of GCAC is the need for the Town to have close supervision of the demolition of the house in order to avoid the burying of the imitation brick siding since it appears to be of asbestos material which will necessitate proper disposal.
it off
the property for both lots. MyTopo.com indicates that the lot is all
within the same ten foot contour line. This concurs with the USGS
Albany Quadrangle of 1994. At the time of a September 26 site visit,
it was noted that the house stands about 6 feet above the road level,
that the elevation of the property is markedly higher than the lots to
the rear (North), and that the existing house stands higher than the
property to the West. After the existing house is taken down,
development of the two lots will require considerable excavation to
properly prepare for the building of the new structures.
Vegetation /trees: It appears that the new lot it had trees which
according to the current owner were taken down prior to his purchase
of the property. What remains on the new lot is one tall but slim
deciduous tree near the front of the lot. The owner plans to remove
this tree but is willing to plant new trees. Apparently whoever cut
down the trees left a very large stump due to lack of appropriate
equipment to saw through it. There are two large small leaf maple
trees off the Southwest corner of the house which the owner noted will
be removed since they may interfere with overhead power lines leading
to the house. Near these maple trees are two very small pine trees.
Keeping these two maples would be desirable but it is doubtful this
will happen due to the planned grading. To the rear of the house there
are a few tall trees which the owner noted as hickory. Most of these
trees are close to the fence at the rear of the property and may very
well need to be removed when the lots are the excavated.
Soil: According to the owner, the soil is sand. A review of "Soil
Survey of Albany County, New York" by James H. Brown (1992) Sheet
Number 19 as well as the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
website indicate that if a line is drawn across the property starting
at a point along the east boundary line approximately 70 feet back
from the front line across the property to a point just beyond the
proposed subdivision dividing line and then in a northwest direction
to a point along the west boundary line approximately 105 feet back
from the front line, the soil to the south of this line is Colonie
loamy fine sand, rolling (CoC) and the soil to the rear (north) is
Granby loamy fine sand (Gr). A brief description and some limitations
of these two soils is as follows.
CoC - Colonie loamy fine sand, rolling. This rolling soil is very
deep and well drained to somewhat excessively drained. Slopes range
from 8 to 15 percent. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of
more than six feet, but may fluctuate to within 3 ing capacity. The soil has moderately rapid or
rapid permeability and so is a poor filter of effluent. Consequently,
ground-water contamination is a hazard. A specially designed septic
tank absorption field or an alternative system will properly filter
the effluent. Other soils that have a moderate permeability rate are
better suited to this use.
Gr - Granby loamy fine sand. This nearly level soil is very deep and
poorly drained to very poorly drained. The seasonal high water table
is at a depth less than one foot from November to June. Bedrock is
more than 60 inches deep. Permeability is rapid. The available water
capacity is moderate, and surface runoff is very slow or ponded. The
surface layer and subsoil are moderately acid to neutral. The seasonal
high water table causes shallow root development, which results in
seedling mortality and windthrow hazard. Main limitations on sites for
dwellings with basements are the seasonal high water table and
ponding. Similar limitation for local roads and streets due to the
high water table and ponding. Installing drainage will lower the water
table near road sites. Constructing roads on raised fill material will
also reduce wetness. The main limitations affecting the use of this
soil as a site for septic tank absorption fields are the seasonal high
water table, ponding, and poor filtering capacity. Other nearby soils
are better suited to this site. Since the plan is to hookup to Town
water and sewer, the limitations of the soils related to septic
systems should not affect this subdivision.
Drainage/wetlands: According to the owner, drainage is toward the
street (South). There were no wetlands noted on the property. At time
of the September 26^th site visit, it appeared that the natural
drainage for the front part of the lot would be down the driveway area
toward the street; and that the rear portion of the lot would be
toward the rear (North) due to the difference in elevation as noted
above. As the lots are developed, appropriate measures will need to be
taken to guarantee that storm water management guidelines are
followed. Otherwise, such development could pose a problem to the
neighbors especially to the north and west.
Septic /wells: According to owner, the plan is to use town water
and town sewer. To the rear of the house is what appears to be an
empty septic tank cover by grating. The owner states that there are
pipes in the cellar that appear to lead out toward the tank.
Visual impact: the owner feels plan will have a positive impact on
the neighbor to the East. The replacement of the vacant house with two
new homes should have a positive impact on the neighborhood.
Endangered species: The owner is not aware of any and none were
noted at the time of the September 26th site visit.
Historical considerations: The owner is not aware of any and none
were noted at the time of the September 26th site visit.
Submitted by: ____________________________
John G. Wemple, Jr. - Chair
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