Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT : Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Edward Carboni Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Jake Dumesnil MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio Chairman Joseph Moloughney ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2008 MEETING Acting Chairman Badgley called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Chairman asked the planner to take attendance call. Chairman Badgley asked the Board to decide whether to approve the minutes from the October 20, 2008 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 20th, 2008 meeting with one change to the approval of County Planning Board recommendations for 3 McElwain Ave. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion, roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Edward Carboni X Clarence Badgley X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A PDD, LEXINGTON HILLS, TO THE COMMON COUNCIL The applicant, William Hoblock of Capital District Properties, introduced Tom Johnson of Creighton Manning who prepared the traffic study submitted for the project. Mr. Johnson explained the traffic study report he provided to Board members. Since the project will be built in phases, Mr. Johnson considered the traffic impacts in phases and what improvements would be necessary to handle those impacts. The first phase will take place in 2010; the second in 2012. The project will impact two intersections: the roundabout at St. Agnes Highway with Boght Road and Johnson Avenue; and the signalized intersection of St. Agnes Highway, Baker Avenue and Columbia Street. The Town of Colonie installed a roundabout at the first intersection which will accommodate even the increased traffic from the Lexington Hills project. However, the level of service for the signalized intersection is already low. Where A is the best and F the worst in terms of delays, Mr. Johnson graded the intersection C and D during normal times and E and F during peak hours: 7-9am and 5-7pm. Using trip generation manual standards based on building out the proposed uses, Mr. Johnson estimated that 65% of the traffic would travel south on the roundabout; 35% north to Columbia Street with 15% of those traveling through Cohoes and 20% traveling to Route 9R. This would not create an impact at the roundabout. However, it would create 5% more traffic at the signalized intersection, resulting in a small increase in delays (approximately 20 seconds) at that intersection. The difficulty lies in how to resolve the problem. Constructing an east bound turn lane or another roundabout would require purchasing land for a right of way. Sharon commented that the road is flanked by gutters. Mr. Johnson indicated those would be enclosed if the road was widened. Member Dumesnil indicated we do not have a turn lane for east to north. He asked whether the more difficult turn was east bound to St. Agnes Highway. Mr. Johnson replied that only 15-20 cars travel from Cohoes, creating a B-C range in terms of delays. In fact, once the turn arrow stops, the opposite direction – west to south – has a gap in traffic. Member Carboni commented that the north bound split is unsafe because it turns into Stewarts. He suggested it should have a curb. Mr. Johnson replied that he and DOT looked at the situation. Both entities found only 3 accidents per year result from the slip ramp configuration. Instead, accidents tend to occur east of Stewart’s on Columbia Street. He suggested that landscaping could define the curb cuts. Member Dumesnil pointed out that development east of Stewarts on the adjacent property plans to install a drive through facility. He indicated that this may impact traffic patterns because cars would be turning off and onto Columbia Street. Member Gariepy added that we want more traffic through Cohoes because we want Cohoes residents patronizing Cohoes businesses. Member Gariepy then summarized that the conclusion of the traffic impact study was to allow the communities to work together to resolve traffic issues. Mr. Johnson agreed. Member Gariepy continued that we still want to be mindful of all projects and prevent problems through traffic and road alterations. Member Carboni moved to recommend approval of the PDD to the Common Council. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Edward Carboni X Clarence Badgley X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X Member Carboni moved to adjourn at 7:15pm; Member Gariepy seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously.