ROTTERDAM Plans may boost West Campbell Road Officials envision commercial stretch BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
For nearly seven years, land along West Campbell Road near Interstate 890 has become increasingly unsightly. After the Main Florist closed in 1999, its buildings deteriorated and added to a string of unkempt properties leading up to the Rotterdam Square mall. But with several new projects in planning and nearing construction, town officials envision the stretch as a revitalized and bustling commercial area serving a large residential neighborhood. Long Pond Village Apartments, a project that is to feature 192 dwelling units in an eight-building complex, is expected to break ground sometime within the month, town officials said. The developers have agreed to help upgrade the mall’s sanitary pump station, and the project should move soon. “They’re ready to go,” Planning Commission Chairman Lawrence DiLallo said Tuesday. Planning officials also heard the fi rst pitch for the property abutting Long Pond Village, where Flying W Caps Inc. is now. Paul Camelo, the owner of Dunkin’ Donuts shops at the Five Corners in Rotterdam and Broadway in Schenectady, proposed building another shop on the 0.85-acre property. Camelo said his new 1,840-squarefoot shop will include a 16-space parking lot, but not a bakery. The existing Flying W warehouse would be demolished and some contamination on the property from an improperly maintained heating oil tank would be cleaned up. The Planning Commission members were generally supportive of the plan, which would also extend the sidewalks from the apartment complex. However, they balked at a proposed temporary septic system included in the proposal. The developer hopes to eventually tap into the sewer line planned for Long Pond Village. Allowing a temporary sanitary system would allow the eatery to move forward quicker, explained Luigi Palleschi of ABD Engineers and Surveyors. “We’re willing to talk with them and work with them to maybe tie in,” he said. Commission members were also supposed to hear plans for an 8,700-square-foot banquet facility and 3,000-square-foot retail building on the former Main Florist property. Developer Frank Popolizio instead decided to revise the plans with the intention of pitching them later this month. Popolizio said he intends to build a casual pizza and grill restaurant, which he would then run himself. He said a 100-person banquet facility would be part of a second phase of the development. “The area is ready for it,” he said. “It’s going to be nice getting that area cleaned up.” Because of their location over a sensitive area of the Great Flats Aquifer, projects slated for the road often draw increased scrutiny, including from the Town Board and county Intermunicipal Watershed Board. The developers of Long Pond Village have spent nearly four years trying to build the upscale apartment complex. Even so, Planning Commission members expressed optimism over the planned revitalization of one of the town’s more visible entrances. “As long as they work together with the other projects to make it look nice,” board member David Savini said of the Dunkin’ Donuts project. “It’s kind of a gateway to that part of town.”
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BIGK75
September 5, 2007, 4:50am
Guest User
Nice way to make Campbell Rd. have a little upscale area...add a Dunkin Donuts. Come on, planning committee, this is not what we need.
All this development is getting pretty close to the aquifer, I thought that they were going to protect the water supply and restrict building and polution.
Ya know what I don't quite understand here...but wasn't the big brandee new proposed park suppose to be just across the street for this proposed new development of Mr. Popolizio's? And didn't DEC give the final word...NO! And yet we can build retail, resturants and apartments just across the street? Don't make too much sense to me here...can someone explain?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
You're absolutely right Bumble about that, why hasn't anyone contacted DEC about the potential risk to the aquifer? I know that the Friends of the Aquifer will be voicing their opinion at a meeting in the near future. I can't believe that all the surrounding towns whose water comes from the aquifer aren't up in arms about all this development near their water supply too.
Well, the only thing that I can think of is that since the GE polluted the hell out of that land for decades, what's the difference if a resturant, apts and retail are developed in that same area? The damage is done already. I really don't know...just trying to make some sense out of it.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
You're right about GE polluting the area between the mall and the GE property. I have personally seen rack trucks dumping 55 gallon drums off the back of the trucks then a bulldozer buried the drums.
ROTTERDAM Old Main Florist site plans shelved Town wants code violations rectified BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Plans for the former Main Florist property are on hold indefinitely, according to the current owner. Frank Popolizio said he’s shelved plans for a 3,000-square-foot retail building and an 8,700-square-foot restaurant on the three acres off West Campbell Road, citing the recent economic downturn. He is now trying to sell about half of the property, while waiting to determine a plan of action with the remaining parcel. “I’m waiting to see what the economy does,” he said recently. “I just want to take my time.” On several occasions last year, Popolizio had approached the town about plans to develop the land, which lies on a sensitive area of the Great Flats Aquifer. He last submitted a site plan in October, only to abruptly withdraw the project. Little has changed on the property more than a year after wrecking crews dismantled the buildings in February 2007. The dilapidated sign advertising the florist stands near rusted trash containers filled with demolition debris. The containers now also have a crop of spring weeds. They are also drawing rubbish from outside of the demolition site. Illegal dumpers had topped one off with furniture, clothing and other residential refuse. Town officials said Popolizo’s demolition permit has expired, meaning the site is now in violation of the town’s property maintenance laws. Public Works Director Michael Griesemer said the town will give him a warning to remove the debris before issuing a citation. “We are now in the process of code enforcement,” he said. “We’d like to get it cleaned up.” Popolizio said he wasn’t aware the property is in violation and would work to clean it up. He said he would contact his contractor to remove the trash containers shortly. Supervisor Steve Tommasone said completing the demolition and removing the remaining debris would be the first step before the town considers any new plans for the property. He said the town has inquired about the trash containers and has asked that they be removed. “When he removes the Dumpsters and pays for what he’s done there, we can talk,” he said. The entire property was listed for sale last month for $595,000. Town officials haven’t received any plans for a subdivision of the land. Records also show more than $38,000 is owed on the property in county, town and school taxes dating back to 2006. Nicholas Barber, the county’s Real Property Tax Service director, said the property could soon face foreclosure. “It’s not in imminent danger of foreclosure, but it will be by the summer,” he said. Meanwhile, plans for a Dunkin’ Donuts near Popolizio’s property are advancing. Rotterdam offi cials are expected to set a public hearing for the project, which needs both Town Board and Planning Board approval because of its position over the aquifer. Paul Camelo, the owner of Dunkin’ Donuts shops at the Five Corners in Rotterdam and Broadway in Schenectady, is proposing to build a 1,840-square-foot restaurant on the property, which is slightly less than an acre. Town Planner Peter Comenzo said the project has undergone several revisions to its stormwater management system, but could face additional scrutiny by the state Department of Transportation because of traffic concerns on West Campbell Road. “We’re trying to figure out how many curb cuts would be permissible,” he said.
Town officials said Popolizo’s demolition permit has expired, meaning the site is now in violation of the town’s property maintenance laws. Public Works Director Michael Griesemer said the town will give him a warning to remove the debris before issuing a citation. “We are now in the process of code enforcement,” he said. “We’d like to get it cleaned up.” Popolizio said he wasn’t aware the property is in violation and would work to clean it up. He said he would contact his contractor to remove the trash containers shortly.
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Records also show more than $38,000 is owed on the property in county, town and school taxes dating back to 2006. Nicholas Barber, the county’s Real Property Tax Service director, said the property could soon face foreclosure. “It’s not in imminent danger of foreclosure, but it will be by the summer,” he said.
Ok then, let's see if Mr. Popolizio will get the same treatment as Mr. Marotta did. Where are the Friends of the Aquifer, the Watershed committee and it's chair Mr. Gillen where Mr. Popolizio is concerned?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
DUNKIN’ DONUTS In other business, the commission approved the final site plan and special use permit for a Dunkin’ Donuts proposed for the former Flying W Caps property off West Campbell Road. The project is located near the Long Pond Village Apartments and will tie into the development's sewer main. The 1,840-square-foot shop will include a 16-space parking lot, but not a bakery, according to the restaurant's plans. Traffic studies of the area revealed the project would have little impact on the capacity of West Campbell Road, but might increase the rate of accidents. The town's conditional approval requires developer Paul Camelo to conduct a new traffic study within two years of the restaurant's opening. The state and town may require him to make improvements to the intersection. The project also requires a stormwater management system due to its location over a sensitive area of the Great Flats Aquifer. The development faced approvals from both the town and the Intermunicipal Watershed Board.
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