Frank Barbera of Barbera Homes invited representatives of the Green Meadows Neighborhood Association and SAVE Colonie, and local county legislators, to review his plans to develop the “Foegtli Farm” property on Albany Shaker Road. The owner is Starlight LLC. owned by Don Luccarelli; Barbera Homes is the builder; Dan Hershberg is the engineer. The original plan submitted by another builder several years ago, had proposed 80 duplex and triplex residences and a Planned Development District, and was not approved by the Town. Meeting attendees Suzanne Maloney, Patrick Quinn, and Paul Burgdorf examine Barbera's plans.
The new plan, now named Cold Springs, proposes 39 single family ranch and colonial style structures. The design has a single entrance dividing into two roadways, each terminating in a cul de sac, with a short road required by fire department linking both. The plan leaves a large treed portion of the property untouched, and a ground water fed seasonal pond undisturbed, covered by a conservation easement. It makes use of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to collect and hold storm water and allow it to drain naturally. The soil in this area is mainly sand so drains well. A 25 ft no-cut treed buffer would remain untouched along the north and east boundaries.
There was much discussion regarding this natural visual buffer benefiting existing neighbors on James and Danielwood, and perhaps expanding these buffers somewhat, where possible. It was suggested that Mr Barbera depict them in illustrations to be shown at the public meeting, in addition to the tree inventory he is doing, as required by the Town of Colonie tree ordinance Chapter 177 of the Town Code.
Mr. Barbera will hold a similar meeting for immediate neighbors at the Shaker Rd Firehouse on Jan.29th.
SAVE thanks Mr. Barbera for holding these meetings with neighbors early in the process. We encourage other builders to follow suit.
