That building and other projects are up for public comment
By Gwendolyn Craig
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority is looking to build a new three-story office building near the former Lake Placid Hospital, which the Adirondack Park Agency will potentially vote on at its June 10 meeting. The project is also out for public comment through Wednesday, June 9.
The project’s footprint is 9,620 square feet on nearly 29 acres, with a total of 29,000 square feet of office space. The building would be located on Church Street and Old Military Road in the town of North Elba and measure over 40 feet tall. The building’s proposed height is one of the reasons the APA has jurisdiction over the proposal.
The new office building would also need parking area construction, installation of utilities, landscaping and stormwater management, in addition to connections to municipal water and sewer, according to the APA’s agenda.
A draft APA project order notes that Town Supervisor Jay Rand wrote in a comment letter the “Town acknowledges and supports ORDA’s application to the APA for the Administration Offices Project on Town-owned land.” The state has plans to demolish the Adirondack Medical Center, which does not require an APA permit, records show.
The APA’s regulatory programs committee will hear a presentation on the project. It is not clear if the committee and full board will vote on the proposal. The agenda says APA action is “to be determined.”
Members of the public wishing to comment on the project should email Ariel Lynch at RPComments@apa.ny.gov. The APA is also accepting comments on its website at this address: https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/ApaCommentPopup.cfm?ProjectNumber=2021-0090.
The APA has no other business to discuss, according to its agenda.
Meeting details
The meeting will take place virtually at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 10.
To review the meeting materials go to https://www.apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2021/06/index.htm.
To access the meeting either go to https://tinyurl.com/AgencyMeetingJune2021Thu or call 1-518-549-0500.
For anyone who wishes to submit a public comment, email AgencyMeeting.PublicComment@apa.ny.gov.
Projects open for comment
There are a number of other projects out for public comment. To learn more about them and comment directly on the APA’s website go to apa.ny.gov/Hearings/index.cfm. The proposals include the following:
- The Lyme Timber Company is looking to harvest 408 acres on its 9,643-acre Corinth Tract in Saratoga County, according to a proposal. One harvest would involve a 149-acre clear-cut “with reserves harvest to establish a vigorous young stand.” The other would involve 255 acres of “shelterwood removal with reserves harvest to release a well-established understory.” Public comments are accepted through June 10 and may be emailed to Aaron Ziemann at RPComments@apa.ny.gov.
- A reminder that the APA is still accepting public comments on the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposal for upgrades to Fish Creek Pond Campground. Comments are accepted through June 14 and should be directed to Richard Weber at SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov.
- An applicant, Gregory Johnson, is looking to build a 10-tent campground with restrooms and storage containers in Clinton County in AuSable. The area along Route 9 would also have a recreational hub for guests to use kayaks, paddle boards and bikes. Comments should be emailed to Matt Brown at RPComments@apa.ny.gov.
- Two family subdivisions are also up for public comment through June 24. The first proposal is by Craig Patterson for a three-lot subdivision on a 24-acre parcel on Town Line Road in the Town of Saranac. Comments should be directed to Chris Blue at RPComments@apa.ny.gov. The second is proposed by Don and Jill Renuart for a three-lot subdivision on 328 acres in the Town of Franklin. Comments should be directed to Milt Adams at RPComments@apa.ny.gov.
- More housing could be coming to the Village of Saranac Lake. Developers have proposed a 3,000 square-foot commercial building and a 17,500 square-foot residential building at Broadway and Depot Streets in the Village of Saranac Lake. The applications come from Parkview Development. The first building would include commercial space and six residential units. The second residential building would contain 63 housing units. The proposal also includes on-site parking and vehicle and pedestrian access to Broadway and Depot Streets. Comments should be submitted by June 24 to Devan Korn at RPComments@apa.ny.gov.
- The state Department of Environmental Conservation is applying to use a pesticide on Long Pond in Debar Wild Forest to remove non-native golden shiners, according to a project proposal. The DEC would then stock the lake with native brook trout after the pesticide degrades. Comments should be submitted by June 24 to Leigh Walrath at RPComments@apa.ny.gov.
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Without knowing any background info I am just wondering why the old Hospital building could not be refurbished and reused as the new ORDA building?