Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2009 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph Moloughney Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Mark DeFruscio MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Jake Dumesnil Ms. Sharon Gariepy ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 10, 2008 MEETING Chairman Moloughney called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Chairman asked the planner to take attendance call. Chairman asked the Board to decide whether to approve the minutes from the November 10, 2008 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 10th, 2008 meeting. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion, roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Clarence Badgley X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A PARKING LOT AT 31 ONTARIO STREET Tony D’Adamo presented the parking lot plan for 31 Ontario Street to serve 40 apartments residents can lease to own. Each of the four floors would still have 10 apartments. The plan does not differ from that presented last year except that the developer uncovered the City’s ownership of the Rail Road Street portion of the parking lot. He is negotiating a lease with the City of Cohoes Common Council in exchange for extending Jackson Avenue to Delaware Avenue. Member Carboni asked why the developer decided to change the units into apartments. Tony answered that in today’s economy it is easier to obtain a loan to build apartments than condominiums. He emphasized that the residents can rent to own the units. Member Carboni asked if the lease of Rail Road Street land had been approved yet. Tony indicated that the Common Council has not yet acted on the lease agreement. Member Carboni then asked the location of the building’s entrances. Tony pointed out the eastern corner of the building’s front on Ontario Street and the eastern corner at the rear of the building. Chairman Moloughney asked if the parking lot was bidirectional. Tony indicated that for now the entrance on Ontario Street would be, but if the intersection became a roundabout it would be a one way parking lot. The exits onto Jackson Avenue would be right turn only so the cars would spill out onto Delaware Avenue. Member Carboni asked if the spaces were designated, reserved or assigned to each apartment. Tony answered they would not be because visitors would be using the same spaces. Chairman Moloughney indicated that the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) already granted a variance for the number of spaces. Melissa added that the ZBA’s rationale was that many of the units would have only one bedroom and so might not need two parking spaces. Member DeFruscio asked if the developer would stabilize the hill by grading. Tony answered that he would when repaving just to clean it up. He needs to see the need for it once he begins the work. Member DeFruscio asked about drainage issues and how the developer will handle water runoff. Tony pointed out a sand ditch drawn perpendicular to Ontario Street as shown on the new plans where water would collect for sheet drainage and storage in an underground tank sufficient for a 50 year storm. Chairman Moloughney questioned whether the runoff would empty into a Combined Sewer (CSO). He explained that the water would travel from that basin to the County which treats the water and would charge the City of Cohoes a fee for that service. Chairman Moloughney also pointed out that the plans lacked several other items required under City Code: lighting, landscaping, signage, paving and car stops. The new plans do indicate antique lighting, bushes and signage. The developer verbalized intent to use concrete curbs as car stops. Chairman Moloughney agreed to the use of concrete curb since there is 20 feet of vegetation between the bike path and parking lot, the City wishes to install a retaining wall on that land, and plows might knock out any curb stops and the concrete can easily be pinned back into place. Chairman Moloughney questioned whether the developer would pave the upper lot. Tony averred that it is not paved now but would be paved to serve the tenants. The Chairman asked if the lot was less than an acre, which Tony affirmed, which means it does not require NYSDEC standards. However, Chairman Moloughney pointed out that all the water normally absorbed by the soil would flow across the paved lot into the proposed sand ditch into a holding tank for discharge into a CSO. Chairman Moloughney asked that the City Engineer look at the site to determine where to discharge the runoff. Member Carboni asked where cars parking in the four diagonal parking spaces against the building would exit. Tony replied that those cars would exit onto Jackson Avenue since the aisle would not permit the cars to face Ontario Street after backing out of the parking spaces. Member DeFruscio asked if there were two handicapped parking spaces. Tony confirmed the two handicapped spaces. However, Chairman Moloughney limited any approvals to preliminary status until the developer resolved the remaining issues on the plans: 1) the board members need the most recent map showing the antique lighting, landscaping, signage, etc.; 2) the developer must resolve the CSO stormwater issues such as the dimensions of the ditch and where runoff will discharge; 3) the curb stops need to be shown; and 4) Jackson Avenue traffic patterns. Vice Chairman Badgley moved to recommend preliminary approval of the Site Plan. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Clarence Badgley X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A PDD AMENDMENT FOR THE JAMES STREET PROJECT TO THE COMMON COUNCIL Engineer Joe Bianchini represented the developer. He requested the Planning Board recommend approval of a Planned Development District (PDD) amendment changing the proposed condos to townhouses. Doing so would mean three more buildings and five fewer units. Most of the buildings would be twin townhomes with a four unit townhouse structure on the cul de sac. The units would still have an attached garage, two driveway spaces and three parking spaces in ancillary parking across the street. Residents would be able to landscape and would own the property. The developer proposes turning 6.7 acres of undeveloped land over to the City. Member DeFruscio asked why the developer wants to amend his PDD to build townhouses rather than condominiums. Joe replied that sales are flat. Member DeFruscio then questioned whether the project would be built in phases. Joe indicated that the structures would be built and sold one at a time during one construction phase. Member Carboni commented that in the first proposal the condominium association would maintain the entire infrastructure. Now the developer is asking the City to maintain the roads, and stormwater, water and sewer facilities. Melissa interjected that the City understands it will maintain the roads, water and sewer; however the City does not maintain the stormwater system of any new developments. During preliminary meetings with the developer, it was agreed that the homeowner’s association would maintain the stormwater system. Furthermore, the stormwater and infrastructure issues will be looked at in closer detail by the planning board engineer during a site plan review. At this time only the PDD is under consideration. Member Carboni also examined the placement of three five space ancillary parking areas on the City’s right of way for maintaining the street. Melissa explained that the City is aware of the issue and required the developer to maintain the parking spaces (plowing, repaving) while retaining the City’s right of way for maintenance of the street. In addition, many of the issues will be further discussed during site plan review. Chairman Moloughney agreed that many issues would be resolved later during site plan review. The lot coverage makes a minor difference which would require acknowledgement in the SEQR file. However, the Chairman expressed concerns about notes on the plans that the developer would convey the stormwater detention pond and surrounding land to the City. Chairman Molougney then asked the unit sizes. Joe answered that the units would be approximately 24X16 or 12-1300 square feet, including the garage. The units would be single story with an optional loft area. Chairman Molougney returned to the issues with stormwater, roads and infrastructure. He remarked that the City would need a representative to provide construction oversight. Furthermore, he is not comfortable with the plans “as is.” Vice Chairman Badgley moved to table the PDD. Member DeFruscio seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Clarence Badgley X Mark DeFruscio X Member Carboni moved to adjourn at 7:40pm; Member DeFruscio seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously.