Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 9, 2006 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph Koval Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Edmund Rigney Mr. Mark DeFruscio Ms. Sharon Gariepy MEMBERS EXCUSED: Mr. John Scavo ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Erin Thomas, City Planner Ms. Patricia Bishop, Recording Secretary MINUTES Chairman Koval called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. he asked the recording Secretary to call the order of attendance. The first order of business was the consideration of the minutes of the meeting held December 5, 2006. Chairman Koval asked if anyone had any questions, comments or corrections. Since there were none Mr. Rigney made a motion to approve the minutes as published. Mr. Badgely seconded the motion, which passed without a negative vote. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REVISION TO A MAJOR SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED “SUBDIVISION MAP OF PLEASURE FIELD TOWNHOUSES” The next item on the agenda was a public hearing and consideration of revisions to a major subdivision submitted by Mr. Kevin Vandenburgh. Chairman Koval opened the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. Mr. Vandenburgh was present for questions. Chairman Koval asked Mr. Vandenburgh what prompted the change in the subdivision. Mr. Vandenburgh stated it was to make a lot line adjustment of the two center lots to add two-car garages to the three units. Mr. Koval asked if the living area would be affected by this change. Mr. Vandenburgh stated that just the garages, not the living space. He added that he had drawings if the Board wanted to review them. Since there were no comments from the public and no further questions from the board, Chairman Koval closed the public meeting at 6:35 p.m. he read into record Resolution # 1 for 2006. Resolution 1-2006 and the roll call vote read as follows: Resolution #01 for 2006 Cohoes Planning Commission Resolution of the Cohoes Planning Commission Approving the Revised Final Subdivision Plat entitled, “Subdivision Map of Pleasure Field Townhouses—Revised 12/19/05,” SBL#10.11-3-50 & 10.11-3-51  __ Clarence Badgley ___________ presented the following Resolution, which was seconded by Edmund Rigney . WHEREAS, Mr. Kevin Vandenburgh, of 41 112th Street, Troy, County of Rensselaer, New York did present for approval pursuant to Section 250 of the City Code, an application for approval of the Revised Final Subdivision Plat entitled, “Subdivision Map of Pleasure Field Townhouses—Revised 12/19/05,” City of Cohoes, County of Albany, New York, and WHEREAS, said Planning Commission did meet at its offices at Cohoes City Hall, New York, on the 9th day of January, 2006, at 6:30 o'clock P.M., and did then and there hear all persons interested in the subject matter concerning the same, Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the application for approval of the Final Subdivision Plat entitled, “Subdivision Map of Pleasure Field Townhouses—Revised 12/19/05,”City of Cohoes, County of Albany, New York, be and the same is hereby approved as per plans submitted. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was put to vote as follows: AYE , Joseph Koval, Chairman AYE , Clarence Badgley, Vice Chairman AYE , Sharon Gariepy AYE , Edmund Rigney AYE , Mark DeFruscio ABSENT , John Scavo CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE- FAMILY HOME AT THE CORNER OF PARK AVENUE AND FOREST AVENUE The next item for consideration was for an area variance to construct a single family home submitted by Mr. Vincent DeChiaro. Chairman Koval read the proposed zoning requirements. According to Section 285-18(B) of the Cohoes Code, when only one building exists on the same side of the street with the building to be erected and within 100’ thereof, the building setback from the street line shall be not less than the average between the setback of the existing and 30’. The neighboring home has a front setback of 4’. The proposal is 2’ deficient of the required 17’ for a front setback. Mr. DeFruscio asked if the house would be facing Forest Avenue. Mr. DeChiaro responded in the affirmative. Since there were no other questions, Chairman Koval read Resolution #2 for 2006. Resolution #6-2006 and the roll call vote read as follows: Resolution #02 for 2006 Cohoes Planning Commission Resolution of the Cohoes Planning Commission Recommending Approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an Area Variance to construct a two-story single family home, not to exceed 35’ in height, at Forest Avenue, SBL#11.69-1-9 __Mark DeFruscio___________ presented the following Resolution, which was seconded by Clarence Badgley . WHEREAS, Mr. Vincent DeChiaro of 87 Adams Avenue, Cohoes, County of Albany, New York did present for approval pursuant to Section 285-18 (B) of the City Code, an application for a 2’ variance from the required 17’ building setback from the front street line at Forest Avenue (intersection with Park Avenue), and WHEREAS, said Planning Commission did meet at its offices at Cohoes City Hall, New York, on the 9th day of January, 2006, at 6:30 o'clock P.M., and did then and there hear all persons interested in the subject matter concerning the same, Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the application for a 2’ variance from the required 17’ building setback from the front street line at Forest Avenue (intersection with Park Avenue), Cohoes, County of Albany, New York, be and the same is hereby recommended for approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals as per plans submitted. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was put to vote as follows: AYE , Joseph Koval, Chairman AYE , Clarence Badgley, Vice Chairman AYE , Sharon Gariepy AYE , Edmund Rigney AYE , Mark DeFruscio ABSENT , John Scavo  CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE- FAMILY HOME AT THE CORNER OF PARK AVENUE AND FOREST AVENUE The next item for consideration was for an area variance submitted by Mr. Vincent DeChiaro. According to Section 285-18(E) of the Cohoes Code, in case of a corner lot, both yards abutting streets shall be considered front yards in terms of setback requirements. According to Section 285-18(B) of the Cohoes Code, when only one building exists on the same side of the street with the building to be erected and within 100’ thereof, the building setback from the street line shall be not less than the average between the setback of the existing and 30’. The neighboring home has a front setback of 6'. The proposal is 6' deficient of the required 18' for a front setback. Chairman Koval stated that he had some concerns with the garage and driveway. With the average length of a car, if you park in the driveway the car will block the sidewalk. (City right-of-way). After a brief discussion with Mr. DeChiaro, Resolution #3 for 2006 and the roll call vote read as follows: Resolution #03 for 2006 Cohoes Planning Commission Resolution of the Cohoes Planning Commission Recommending Approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an Area Variance to construct a two-story single family home, not to exceed 35’ in height, at Forest Avenue, SBL#11.69-1-9 Chairman Koval _______ presented the following Resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Badgley . WHEREAS, Mr. Vincent DeChiaro of 87 Adams Avenue, Cohoes, County of Albany, New York did present for approval pursuant to Section 285-18 (B) of the City Code, an application for a 6’ variance from the required 18’ building setback from the side street line at Forest Avenue (intersection with Park Avenue), and WHEREAS, said Planning Commission did meet at its offices at Cohoes City Hall, New York, on the 9th day of January, 2006, at 6:30 o'clock P.M., and did then and there hear all persons interested in the subject matter concerning the same, Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the application for a 6’ variance from the required 18’ building setback from the side street line at Forest Avenue (intersection with Park Avenue), Cohoes, County of Albany, New York, be and the same is hereby recommended for approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals as per plans submitted with the following stipulation: 1) The recommendation for approval only pertains to the portion of the structure that is considered living space. The Commission did not favorably recommend approval to allow the garage portion of the structure to be placed closer than 18’ from the Park Avenue R.O.W. line. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was put to vote as follows: AYE , Joseph Koval, Chairman AYE , Clarence Badgley, Vice Chairman AYE , Sharon Gariepy AYE , Edmund Rigney AYE , Mark DeFruscio ABSENT , John Scavo Since there was nothing further, Mr. Badgley made a motion to adjourn, Mr. DeFruscio seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.