For Immediate Release: November 7, 2008
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY –The Adirondack Park Agency will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY. The meeting will be webcast live. Please use the link found on the Agency’s homepage to view the webcast (http://www.apa.state.ny.us).
The Full Agency will convene on Thursday morning at 9:00 for the Acting Executive Director’s monthly report. At 9:15 a.m., the Regulatory Programs Committee will review and consider a Verizon Wireless telecommunication application. The project includes the construction of a new tower with a 12-panel antenna array mounted flush to the top of the tower and a 10-foot lighting rod above the antennas for a total height of 89 feet. The project is located northeast of State Route 73 in the Town of Keene, Essex County. The site is accessed from an existing road and will be adjacent to the Town of Keene’s water tank. Key issues include visibility and public benefit.
At 10:15 a.m., the Legal Affairs Committee will convene to address ongoing rule making involving (1) definition of "hunting and fishing cabin"; (2) subdivision jurisdiction "involving wetlands"; (3) definition of "floor space"; (4) expansion of non-conforming shoreline structures; and (5) subdivision of parcels crossed by fee rights-of-way. The current proposals were first introduced before the Agency in 2003 and have been the subject of extensive interaction between affected constituencies. These proposals would improve clarity and consistency of the rules; reduce unintended consequences from their administration, and improve the protection of shorelines and wetlands consistent with the direction of the Adirondack Park Agency Act.
At 1:00 p.m., the Park Policy and Planning Committee will hear a presentation from NYS Department of Transportation staff on their snow and ice management program.
The Committee will then consider adopting the proposed policy on Energy Supply, Conservation and Efficiency in the Adirondack Park. The policy is intended to ensure that the Agency integrates concerns for energy supply, conservation, and efficiency into its Park planning, public education and project review functions. It is also intended to implement and support executive orders and other State energy programs currently being implemented by this administration.
The committee meeting will conclude with a discussion on ongoing efforts to develop an affordable housing policy. The draft policy is intended to ensure that the Agency, in exercising its land use planning and regulatory responsibilities, considers the critical need of many communities in the Park for an available supply of affordable, well-constructed, energy-efficient housing for year-round residents.
On Friday, November 14 at 9:00 a.m., the Economic Affairs Committee will hear a presentation on broadband deployment in New York State and the Adirondacks Park. J. Daniel Corcoran, Acting Director of IT Infrastructure Delivery Services, NYS Office for Technology, will focus on the State’s current objective to provide universal access to affordable broadband to all New Yorkers.
The Committee will also be updated on the progress of two regional efforts: the Open Access Telecom Network (Development Authority of the North Country) and CBN Connect (Technical Assistance Center at SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Research Foundation). Speakers will include Howard Lowe, Executive Director, Technical Assistance Center; and Tom Sauter, Deputy Executive Director of the Development Authority of the North Country.
The Full Agency will convene at 10:30 a.m. to conclude its meeting with committee reports and take actions as necessary.
Meeting materials are available for download from the Agency’s website at: http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Mailing/0811/index.htm.
The next Agency meeting is December 11-12, 2008 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.
January Agency Meeting -, January 8-9, 2009, Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.