— Nicole Fay Barr

GUILDERLAND — A local doctor has modified his plans to build a medical complex on Carman Road, but some neighbors still have concerns.

Last Wednesday, the town’s zoning board continued the request of Dr. William Tetrault, so a town-designated engineer could further study issues like stormwater management and traffic.

Tetrault is asking for a special-use permit to merge three parcels — one of which has a medical building — into one on five-and-a-half acres at 3761 Carman Road, next to Mike’s Diner. A new medical building would then be constructed. The property is owned by Prescribed Realty.

The existing medical building is used by Capital Care and is 500 square feet. A new, 23,000-square-foot building — more than four times as big — is proposed for Capital Care. The existing building would then be leased out for doctors’ offices, with four or five tenants.

Tetrault first came before the town’s zoning board last August. Then, neighbors raised concerns about traffic, noise, and the removal of a large hill, that some called a berm or a dune.

Tom Andress, of ABD Engineering, told the zoning board last Wednesday that, since last year, six parts of the plan have been changed. The modifications are based on answering residents’ concerns and on following the town-designated engineer’s recommendations.

First, Andress said, there was debate over whether neighbors wanted a two-story building covering less ground or a one-story structure covering more ground. As was the plan last year, he said, the building will be one story.

Chairman Bryan Clenahan asked what most of the neighbors think of a one-story building.
"They’re very much in favor," Andress said. "They didn’t want two stories..."

Later, one Sunset Drive resident said he’d rather see a two-story building.

In the original plan, pavement surrounded the building, allowing traffic to circle it. Now, driving is only allowed on three sides, Andress continued.

The building will also be constructed further to the south, toward Mike’s Diner, with a parking lot in the front, near Carman Road. The parking-lot change is because neighbors were worried about headlights facing their properties, he said.

A large hill is on the property above the parking lot and to the left of the existing Capital Care building. On top of the hill are rows of tall, shade trees.

The hill and trees will be removed, Andress said earlier, so that the building can be placed away from the road. Last Wednesday, he said a north exit and entrance lane have been removed from the plan, allowing less of the hill to be removed.

A dead-end parking lot will be in the back of the building for staff, Andress said. There will be one major parking lot with much green space in the front, he said.

The zoning law requires 239 parking spaces for this project. The company is proposing 159 spaces, with green space left for the remaining spaces, if they are needed.
"We just don’t want to build it all because we really don’t think we need it," Andress said.
"We’ve been careful in the lighting design," he said. "We’ll have 16-foot-high poles and we’re careful to make sure they’re shining away from neighbors."

The lights will stop short of the property lines, he said.

Rob Osterhaut, the town-designated engineer, told the board that he did a cursory review of the plans.
"We still have technical issues to resolve, such as stormwater management," he said.
For traffic and access, Osterhaut said, the state’s Department of Transportation still must review the plan and issue a permit. Creighton Manning Engineering conducted a traffic study and, he said, "We’ll take a closer look, but it appears everything is justified."
Of noise control, Osterhaut said, "We’re looking for additional screening. They’ve provided more plantings, but there’s more work to be done for that."
He added, "Noise is relatively a minor issue. I suggest some additional plantings."
Osterhaut also suggested that more trees be planted in front of the building, possibly in place of a parking space or two, so that the view from Carman Road is "not so harsh."

Public comment
At last Wednesday’s meeting, several neighbors raised concerns about the project and, later, others spoke in favor of it.

Tom Bailey, of Sunset Lane, said he attended the neighborhood meetings and his concerns, such as about traffic and the size of the building, were not addressed.
"I don’t think a project this size lends itself to that neighborhood," he said, adding that he would prefer a two-story building.
"I’m also concerned with the removal of the dune and a substantial number of trees that serve as a buffer zone," Bailey said, referring to the hill in the back of the property.

Kimberly Bailey voiced the same concerns.
"If they take out the berm," she said, "you’re going to look right into our backyard." She then gave board members pictures of her property.
"In February and March, there’s upwards of 10 inches of water in our backyards and homes," Tom Bailey added, and said that he worries the project will cause his property to be flooded further.

Charles Norfleet, of Old State Road, said he represents the neighbors that live close to the project. Many know nothing about this project, he said, and were not notified about any meetings.
"My main concern is that this is a commercial building and parking lot in a residential neighborhood," Norfleet said. "This corner already has issues and you’re dumping more traffic here."

Carol Norfleet told the board that teenagers drag race on Old State Road and aren’t stopped. Patients from Central Avenue will take Route 155 and then Old State Road to get to the complex, she said, driving past her and her neighbors’ houses.

Ron DePersis, of Sunset Lane, said he, too, has concerns about parking, traffic, and drainage.
"If we don’t look at this closely, it will get out of hand," he said. "But, Dr. Tetrault has been an excellent neighbor. We’ve had issues....but he has been forthcoming with meeting with neighbors."
DePersis continued, "We’ve done a lot of soul-searching and thought about the dune. It was a berm a thousand years ago, but now it’s a nice piece of topography."

He doesn’t want a two-story building, DePersis added, and he said he’s never had standing water on his property or in his basement.

Bill DePersis also said he has lived on Sunset Lane for 37 years and has not had problems with water or drainage.
Tom Bailey later returned to the podium and said that, "In the dry season, I’m pumping water six hours a day."

Tetrault said he own a house next to the medical building and rents it to tenants.
"It’s been completely dry," he said. "When there were heavy rains, they had to call me to figure out how to turn on the sump pump."

Five others, who don’t live adjacent the property but who are patients of Tetrault, told the board that the services the doctor provides will far outweigh environmental concerns.

Traffic, too, they said, will not be increased greatly.

The board then continued the application for the town-designated engineer to further study certain issues and for the applicant to resolve outstanding concerns.

Other business
In other business, the board:
— Granted a variance to Robert Piazza, of 5101 Foxwood Drive, to replace an existing chainlink fence with a six-foot stockade fence, in a front yard on a corner lot;

— Granted a variance to Derek Martin, of 280 Longhouse Lane, to allow a six-foot high fence in a front yard on a corner lot;

— Granted a special-use permit to R. Charles Colehammer, of Prudential Homes, to use an existing office building, at 2301 Western Ave., as a real-estate office; and
— Continued a special-use permit application, of Verizon Wireless, for "the collocation of telecommunications antennas and their supporting accessory equipment" on the roof of a 10-story office building, at Stuyvesant Plaza.

The board wanted time to review the proposal and hear from a town-designated engineer.