Possible subdivision is responsible planning
Harrisena Community Church in Queensbury is looking to subdivide land that it owns just south of its parsonage at 1616 Ridge Road.
Financially, the church is fine, Head Trustee Hal Payne said in an interview today.
“There’s no plan at this time to sell it, just to get it subdivided,” he said.
The Queensbury Planning Board was presented the initial plan from Matthew C. Steves of Van Dusen and Steves professional land surveyors during its Dec. 15 meeting.
The plan seeks to divide the 3.8 acre property into three lots along Ridge Road. The issue the church runs into is the size of the lots. At 1.2, 1.3 and 1.3 acres each, they run shy of the 2.0 acres each should be by code.
Board members suggested possibly dividing the property into two, instead of three, parcels. Steves said that the church is trying to maximize value as any property owner would and that the lot sizes fit with the area.
The board forwarded the plan to the Zoning Board of Appeals which also looked over the plans.
Payne said today the church’s finances are fine, and in fact, despite COVID and restrictions on meeting at the church, tithing “is up a little bit.”
He said they are just trying to prepare for the future, to have a long term strategy for finances.
“That land is just sitting there, and it’s been sitting there for 50 years,” he said, adding that looking to subdivide is “the responsible thing.”
It’s due back in front of planning later this month.
14 of 14 negative tests
9 Miles East, the farm-to-table cafe and pizzeria, reopened yesterday staff said today. The cafe had shut down in an abundance of caution earlier this week after a staff member contracted COVID-19.
After abruptly closing Monday, the business stopped meeting with customers while staff cleaned the building and got tested for the virus, said owner Gordon Sacks. They continued with noncontact services such as catering deliveries.
“What I think is pretty impressive, so far we’ve gotten 14 tests back and 14 out of 14 were negative. There was no spread,” among the staff, Sacks said in an interview today.
He said this is a reflection of his team’s commitment to the safety of staff and customers.
Carry out service of their to-go salads, pizzas, coffee and other goods has returned. They had stopped indoor dining at Thanksgiving, and that is still the rule. Readers can find more on their facebook page.
The focus on what's open
Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce plans to unveil an updated webpage next week focusing on the positive side of the #SaveOurLocals campaign.
“We’re going to set up a different page on the website. We’re going to focus on who’s open,” chamber President Todd Shimkus said on Monday.
He said many people are looking for which restaurant is open or if it has changed hours. The plan is to have a web page that helps out. Find more at #saveourlocals.
Warren County wants better use of fairgrounds
Courtesy Warren County
Aerial view, Warren County Fairgrounds.
From a press release: The Warren County Board of Supervisors is hoping to revive the historic Warren County Fairgrounds property on the Schroon River in Warrensburg as county officials look for new uses of the idyllic 22-acre site.
The venue includes a stage, three pavilions, restroom facilities, barns and parking as well as open acreage and Schroon River access. The site is 22 acres, the fairgrounds portion about 11 acres.
Owned by the county since 1826, the fairgrounds has had a variety of uses over the years, most recently by the annual Warrensburg Bike Rally, Warren County Youth Fair and a company that offered upscale, glamorous summer camping known as “glamping.” County leaders believe the picturesque property, minutes from the Warrensburg business district, has more potential.
The fairgrounds can be rented currently, but in an effort to raise awareness, the county issued a “request for proposals” seeking ideas from individuals or businesses who would be interested in leasing or renting the property.
“We invite any and all who have ideas for the fairgrounds to step forward and offer them. Let’s think outside the box and have some fun in reimagining this asset,” Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore said in the press release.
RFP deadline is 3 p.m. Feb. 25. For more information, email Julie Butler, Warren County’s Purchasing Agent, at butlerj@warrencountyny.gov.