LAKE PLACID — A local couple planning to build new condominiums by the shore of Lake Placid is requesting that three of their properties be rezoned, which would allow them to build taller buildings and give them more flexible setback requirements.

Rich Kroes and Katrina Lussi Kroes of Lake Placid, through Lake Placid Marina Corp. LLC, submitted the rezoning request to the town-village review board. A public hearing on their application is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday in the third-floor meeting room at the North Elba Town Hall. This hearing will be on the zoning request, not on the Kroes’ broader building plans.

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The properties

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The Lake Placid Marina Corp. properties are a combined 3.69 acres, according to planning documents. They’re located on George and Bliss Lane and Mirror Lake Drive by the Lake Placid Marina and the state boat launch. They’re also next to a set of 12 condominiums previously built by Lake Placid Marina Corp.

Historically, the properties have housed a bar, restaurant, a theater building, an office, a boat storage area and an ancillary building, according to planning documents.

One of the properties includes a building that currently houses the Helping Hands Thrift Shop, which was founded by Linda Young in 1992.

“We will definitely be closing,” Young said. “The building is extremely old. We’re very grateful for having it as long as we’ve had.”

The building’s condition has been degrading for some time, according to Young.

“All I know is that we definitely need to be out of the building for various reasons. It’s in very, very bad shape,” she said.

As for the future of the thrift shop, Young said it’s a “matter of timing.” Its volunteers have been looking around for a new location and trying to see what’s available. Property owners who may have space opening up to house the thrift shop can contact Young.

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The plans

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Lake Placid Marina Corp. plans to build two condominium buildings with approximately 18 units, plus a smaller structure along Mirror Lake Drive with an additional six units, according to planning documents.

The buildings would be designed with retention drainage to retain stormwater onsite. Parking would be included underneath one of the condo buildings, and the applicants hope to beautify the existing parking area on site and add more green space, according to the documents.

The style and color of the buildings would likely be similar to the Hampton Inn & Suites on Mirror Lake Drive, according to the case materials. The Hampton Inn, owned by the Lussi family, has a dark brown facade with red trim around the windows.

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What rezoning would mean

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Town-village Code Enforcement Officer Michael Orticelle said if the rezoning request is approved, it would effectively change the zoning for the three properties from “South Lake Residential District” (in the town of North Elba, outside of the village) and “Village Residential” (inside village boundaries) to “Planned Development District.”

Planned Development District zoning would allow the applicants to construct buildings up to 45 feet tall rather than a maximum of 30 feet tall, and they’d have more flexibility when it comes to the setbacks they’d need when planning the location of their condominiums, according to Orticelle. However, the state Adirondack Park Agency could ultimately take jurisdiction over the project because it’s on the water.

Wednesday’s public hearing will include the town-village review board, the Lake Placid Village Board of Trustees and the North Elba Town Council, which will cut down the number of public hearings needed, according to Orticelle. If they didn’t schedule a joint public hearing, the applicants would need to wait for three separate public hearings before each individual board.

After Wednesday’s hearing, the review board will likely take no action that night, but its members could begin to put together their recommendation for whether they believe the properties should be rezoned. After the review board issues its opinion, the village board and town council will likely take a vote on the applicants’ rezoning request at their next meetings in August, according to Orticelle. If the rezoning request is approved by both boards, the applicants could then come back to the review board at a later date with more detailed construction plans for the rezoned properties. If the APA takes jurisdiction, that would add another layer of review.

Those who can’t attend the public hearing on Wednesday can still submit comments to the town-village Building and Planning Department by writing and view the application materials at the North Elba Town Hall.