BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- A new 19-lot subdivision is coming to Potsdam after St. Lawrence County Planning Board members approved the site plan last week. 

The subdivision includes 19 residential lots to be located at 8029 Route 11, which is between the village of Potsdam and the town of Stockholm, officials said. 

As part of the plan, the developer requested a permit for a driveway entrance off of U.S. Highway 11, which was approved as part of the application. 

Though the property does contain wetlands "on a couple of the proposed subdivisions," review falls to the state and federal agencies. 

The lots mentioned by Planner 1 Preston Santimaw contain state designated wetlands, while others contain federally designated wetlands. 

In total, four lots contain both state and federal wetlands. 

Planning officials recommended some conditions related to approval, requiring the applicant to consult with DEC officials, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers to determine potential wetland impacts, as well as mitigation measures on four lots. 

Officials said the developer discussed the matter with them, telling county officials they had already spoken with the DEC and Army Corps of Engineers, with DEC officials already being onsite to "delineate the wetland areas for them." 

The site, which is located in an R2 zone, also meets the criteria as R-2 zoned districts have a residential classification for low-to-medium-density housing, officials said. 

To meet the requirements for a project in an R2 zone, developers must have a 65,000 square foot minimum lot size, with lots containing a 200-foot minimum width, 60-foot front yard setback, 20-foot setback on one side, 40-foot total size yard setback and 30-foot rear yard setback. 

Officials said the project contained more than five lots, which totaled five acres or less in size, which means the developer will need to consult with the state Department of Health to ensure they meet water and sewer safety requirements. 

Street development was also addressed by the board, with the saying the proposed street design was "sufficient to accommodate for prospective traffic, emergency vehicles, snow removal, and road maintenance equipment." 

Per the town's subdivision regulations, minor streets must include a 50-foot minimum right of way and 22-foot minimum impervious surface. 

Santimaw said the plans met the requirements. 

As part of the approval, county officials also said the applicant needs to obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation for driveway construction on Route 11. 

Officials said the driveway must be constructed to mitigate "noise, dust or other nuisances created from the construction of the access driveway." 

County Planning officials also recommended the developer meet all Department of Health requirements, as well as the town's subdivision regulations.