GUILDERLAND — Insurance Auto Auctions would run a junkyard, according to Guilderland’s zoning board.

I.A.A. wanted to store wrecked cars at the Northeastern Industrial Park. The town’s zoning law does not allow junkyards in the industrial-zoned area, but I.A.A representatives claimed their operation would not be a junkyard, selling car parts.
When the board met last Wednesday, its first order of business was defining the term "junkyard," and giving I.A.A. an interpretation of the zoning law.

I.A.A. buys and stores total-loss vehicles from insurance companies, then acquires the vehicle titles, and sells the vehicles in auctions at its warehouses throughout the country. A total-loss vehicle is any vehicle needing repairs costing more than its overall value. I.A.A. wanted to store up to 1,850 vehicles at the industrial park, according to its application.
"Our interpretation is set forth by the zoning codes," said the board’s Chairman, Peter Barber.
The zoning laws states, "a junkyard is a lot, land or structure, or part thereof, used for...the collecting, dismantling, storage, procuring or salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition or for the sale of parts thereof, operated as a business on site where an employee is in attendance."

After giving their interpretation of the zoning codes, six of the seven board members deemed I.A.A.’s business proposal a junkyard. Board member James Sumner, abstained from the vote.
Barber said, while he believes the code’s definition may be "overly wordy," the code still clearly defines a junkyard, and he believes I.A.A. fits the description.

Barber also said, countering I.A.A.’s earlier argument, that the current definition does not render homes and other local businesses as junkyards, simply because they have a broken lawn mower or car stored there.

I.A.A.’s only recourse now is to apply for a zoning variance and special-use permit, both of which would place greater restrictions on the company.

The board did not discuss environmental concerns, which were raised earlier because I.A.A.’s proposed site was the same used by a controversial mulching facility in 2003. The site is near the Black Creek, which feeds Guilderland’s main water source.
"We wish you luck if you want to take further review of this," Barber told John Stockley from the firm Stockley Greene, which is representing I.A.A.

Cat concerns

The board also heard from Dr. Susan Sikule last week, who operates the Just for Cats veterinarian clinic, on plans for the expansion of her 2073 Western Ave. business.

Sikule wants to add 4,500 square feet to her feline clinic by expanding into an adjacent building, which she also owns. The construction plans propose building a connecting corridor between the two buildings and renovating the front of the building facing Route 20.

She asked the board for a zoning variance and a special-use permit for the planned expansion.

A neighbor, Wayne Crounse, voiced his concerns over the expansion during the meeting, even though he was not against the proposal.

The new construction would expand the Just for Cats parking lot to a total of 30 parking spaces. Crounse’s concern was with the driveway he shares with Sikule’s business, and customers using his personal wrap-around driveway to gain access to her business.
"The board has to step up and evaluate the property impact," said Crounse. He told the board there are no proper signs directing traffic, and delivery trucks often take up too much of the driveway and make noise and fumes.

Crounse did say that Sikule was a good neighbor and responsible businesswoman, but he was concerned the new expansion might compound the problems.
"There should be signs, there is none," said Crounse. "You people [board members] never do anything about it." Crounse reiterated that he only wanted to go on record about the issue to make sure something was done.

Crounse said he wanted signs to direct traffic and asked to see the proposed lighting plan for the business and its signs.
"Even back in 1922, Route 20 was busy," said Crounse about the difficulty of gaining access to his home, and he said he does not want it to get any worse.

The board looked over Sikule’s construction plans, and, with some suggestions, the board voted to reconvene the first week of March. The board asked Sikule for a detailed lighting plan, as well as for plans dealing with drainage, signs, traffic flow, and the driveways themselves.
"I’ve got the best spot in Guilderland," Crounse joked. "I’m between a lube shop and a cat house."

Other business

In other business, the zoning board:

— Unanimously granted William and Donna Nieman two variances of the regulations under the zoning laws for additions to their 3 Wood St. residence;
— Unanimously granted Colonial Car Wash an use variance, which Barber said was rare, for its 1769 Western Ave. business. Victor Caponera, the companies lawyer, asked to tear down an existing self-service car wash, and reconstruct a similar car wash in a different location on the same lot. The board will review the application for a special-use permit during the next meeting and found that the business will not have a significant impact on the environment. The board asked to see a more detailed site plan to discuss "outstanding issues," and reconvened until the Feb. 15 meeting for the special-use permit; and

— Unanimously approved a sign, which is less than 50 square feet, for Ray Sign Inc. in Stuyvesant Plaza.