Waterfront Residential Committee 2018-2019
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The Town of Queensbury created this committee to address the concern of the Coalition that stricter regulations were needed for buffer protection and tree retention along lakeshores. It was chaired by Catherine Atherden and its members included the Waterkeeper and residents of Assembly Point and Glen Lake. Their task was to review the rules governing site plan review for new developments. Previously, no site plan review was required if the application complied with Town codes except if the development was on a slope of 15% or more or if the development increased living space on a non-conforming lot or entailed installing a hard surface or a storm water project within 50 ft of a water body. Their most important recommendation was that a site plan review was required within Critical Environmental Areas (an area within 500 ft of a water body) for any new construction including new buildings and additions to existing buildings that results in the creation of an increase in floor area. In addition, their other recommendations were also incorporated into the zoning code on 05/06/2019 :
Vegetative buffers were increased from 15 ft. to 20 ft. for Glen Lake, Lake Sunnyside, Dream Lake and Round Pond Vegetative buffers were increased from 15 ft. to 35 ft. for Lake George and DEC classified streams and regulated wetlands The no cut zone was increased from 35 ft. to 75 ft. for all classified streams and regulated wetlands and rivers.  In recognition of the Town’s environmental efforts, it received the Irving Langmuir Award in 2019.  Atherden said that she “enjoyed leading this project and working with folks committed to improving the water quality of Lake George and all our water bodies.”