“With an agreement finally reached on environmental testing for the controversial Atateka subdivision, a lawyer representing the developers added a twist: He withdrew the project proposal.
Donald Zee, an attorney representing Ken Meyer and Paul DiCocco of Atateka Development LLC, pulled preliminary sketch plans of the development during a special Planning Board meeting last month. Initial plans called for a 31-unit cluster development off Turnbull Road just west of Delanson.
The development’s cluster arrangement would have needed town variances. Instead, the developers intend to submit a similar plan using conventional style of development, which would utilize larger lot sizes that conform to the local code.
“Essentially, they’re coming in and starting all over,” said Planning Board Chairwoman Sandra Scott, “It took everyone by surprise.”
Zee said the abrupt change was made to streamline the application. With fewer approvals needed, he said the development will likely move through the planning process much quicker. And after nearly a year of wrangling on the plan, he said his clients are eager to move the project along.
“Obviously, [their comments] told me there would potentially be a lot of dialogue and a lot more discussion,” he said. “My client couldn’t afford that.”
The change in design came just moments after town officials agreed on a more rigid testing protocol for the development, to ensure none of the building lots are contaminated from a former chemical dump on the property. Suspected contamination on the property stalled the project.
The property became the subject of a joint state Department of Environmental Conservation and state Department of Health probe in March 1984, after more than 140 corroded barrels were found buried in a pair of marshy pits. Among the items uncovered in the dump site were burlap bags, test tubes and the barrels, which originally contained phenolic resins.
Nearby residents indicated a local farmer had accepted money from Schenectady Chemical Inc. to dispose of the barrels sometime during the 1950s. Even though the property was given a clean bill of health by the DEC during the 1980s, town officials wanted the property scrutinized under current environmental standards.
Zee said new plans for development would be submitted to the town in time to get the project on the agenda for the planning board’s October meeting,
“We’re starting from square one here,” Scott said.
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Mason, Jason. Schenectady Daily Gazette 15 October 2007.