The complaint criticizes the Knox Town Board over what is described as a lack of transparency before voting to send a proposed multi-use district to the town and county planning boards.
An application submitted recently to the town would bring 283 apartments and 80,5000 square feet of commercial space to the wooded land near the Guilderland YMCA.
There is no easy or immediate answer to the question of what to do with rundown properties like the Rustic Barn or the former gas station near Crossgates — both on Route 20 in Guilderland.
GUILDERLAND CENTER — Over the objections of about 10 residents who called the density too great for a rural-agricultural zone, the town’s planning board granted concept approval last month to Black Creek Estates, a conservation subdivision that will build a maximum of 20 houses between Hurst Road and Route 146.
New town planner Kenneth Kovalchik is aware of the high level of interest among residents in having a planner look at the big picture of development in Guilderland. Several large projects await his review, including the development proposed for Hiawatha Trails Executive Golf Course.
Also, the developer for Hiawatha Trails still wants to build 256 apartments on Route 155 across from the Farnsworth Middle School, but will need to submit a new application, and has given up on including an office building.
After years of pushing to create a business district at the intersection of routes 156 and 157, the supervisor changed course to propose a multi-use district instead, which the Knox Town Board backed, 3 to 2.
The Albany County Planning Board determined the proposed Knox business district was incompatible with the town’s zoning and character, and suggested the comprehensive plan first be reviewed.
