GUILDERLAND — Garry Robinson wants a bigger parking lot for his Ace hardware store at 1874 Western Ave. He plans to tear down the building next door that has been, over the years, an auto-parts shop, a jewelry store, a bicycle store, and a Dairy Queen. 

The grassroots organizations Guilderland Coalition for Responsible Growth, Save the Pine Bush, and the Rapp Road Historical Association have launched a GoFundMe drive to fund hiring their own, independent scientists to evaluate any studies provided by Pyramid in its DEIS. But as of Jan. 10, the group had raised just $2,925 of its $100,000 goal. 

TJA Clean Energy, which was planning to propose a solar farm in Berne that spans up to approximately 25 acres near the intersection of Switzkill and Canaday Hill roads, says that the town’s newly adopted industrial-scale solar-energy facility regulations “throw a wrench” in the development process. The town’s law restricts the size of solar facilities to 10 acres. ​

After deciding to put off making a decision until after the holidays, the Altamont Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Feb. 11 for Stewart’s Shops variance requests for its proposed Altamont Boulevard project.

The town supervisor said he will start involving the public soon, but that the form that involvement will take is not yet clear. 

Three grassroots groups — Save the Pine Bush, the Guilderland Coalition for Responsible Growth, and the Rapp Road Historical — are raising funds to hire experts that will help them challenge Pyramid’s plans for development.

Albany Country Club President Tom Cullinan told Guilderland’s Development Planning Committee that, while a proposed project to double the size of Weatherfield will not be age-restricted, it will be marketed to those age 50 and older. 

Pickleball courts, a pool, and a clubhouse are among the amenities proposed for a new residential development on Carman Road in Guilderland.

Nearly a year after approving the rezone of 107-109 Helderberg Ave., which triggered a lawsuit over the decision, the Altamont Village Board again voted to rezone the property. 

Deb Hext was recently appointed chairwoman of the Altamont Planning Board after Tim Wilford resigned.