Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON March 2, 2009 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph Moloughney Mr. Jake Dumesnil Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Mark DeFruscio Ms. Sharon Gariepy MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 9, 2008 MEETING Chairman Moloughney called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Chairman asked the planner to take attendance call. Chairman asked the Board to decide whether to approve the minutes from the February 9, 2009 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 9th, 2009 meeting. Member DeFruscio seconded the motion, roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A PARKING LOT AT 31 ONTARIO STREET Tony D’Adamo asserted that the most recent plans submitted 1) divert more water from the streets; 2) provide better drainage from the upper parking lot; and 3) relies on the catch basin across RailRoad Street for 24 hour storm water. He also commented that the project received a parking variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals and a lease over RailRoad Street from the Common Council in exchange for extending Jackson Avenue to Delaware Avenue. His plans address neighbors’ concerns by limiting vehicles exiting the parking lot onto Jackson Avenue to a right turn only. Member DeFruscio asked about the lighting proposal and whether lights would be on the building. Mr. D’Adamo replied that he would place halogens with an antique finish along the sides of the parking lots. He expressed a desire to remove some of the existing telephone poles and replace with the antique lighting. However, that would depend on approval from the utility company. He would bury the lines while tearing up and repaving the parking lot for extending the sewer line. Chairman Moloughney asked if that was part of the lease agreement. Mr. D’Adamo answered no; the lease is only for land. A current business tenant in attendance pointed out that the current lighting from the telephone poles is sufficient. Chairman Moloughney asked to have the Fire Department review the placement of two parking spaces, 45 and 46, near the existing fire hydrant. He stated that it may need to be relocated. He also asked about the stormwater from the upper lot. Mr. D’Adamo answered that it would enter the 24 hour storm line for dedicated stormwater. Member Carboni asked about the stormwater for the lower lot. Mr. D’Adamo replied that the lot is existing and grandfathered. It does not have a catch basin; instead stormwater slowly runs onto the grassy area. Member Carboni then asked about the upper lot’s lighting. He pointed out that the plans show shrubs and a tree but no lights. Mr. D’Adamo indicated that three lights would be provided on each side of the lot. Member Carboni asked if there would be concrete car stops. Mr. D’Adamo did not think there was a need for them since bushes and shrubs buffer the parking lot from the bike path and street. In addition, the concrete stops would interfere with snow plowing. Member Carboni inquired as to snow storage. Mr. D’Adamo stated that snow would have to be removed since the lot does not have any space for snow storage. Member Carboni expressed reservations about the plan since other developers have promised snow removal to the Board and reneged on the deal. He asked if it could be made a condition of the approval. Mr. D’Adamo assured the Board that he would make it a part of the Homeowner’s Association and place it as a covenant in the owner’s deed(s). Member Gariepy asked if the building would be mixed-use. Mr. D’Adamo confirmed that he plans on keeping some of the businesses in the basement and renovating the top floors as the 40 apartments. However, he qualified his intent by acknowledging that the building department would need to approve this use. He added that the rents from business rentals would lower the homeowner association fees on the condominiums. Chairman Moloughney summarized the conditions for approval: 1) the Fire Department will check the placement of the fire hydrant by spaces number 45 and 46 on the plans; 2) six antique lights will be placed in the western lot only. The eastern lot is subject to getting cooperation from National Grid; 3) the owner or association will remove snow from the parking lot in order to maintain the maximum parking; and 4) all stormwater will discharge to a City approved basin. Member Carboni moved to approve the plans as conditioned. Member DeFruscio seconded the motion, roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR AN EXCAVATION PROJECT AT BROOKFIELD POWER CANAL Ray Wingert explained that water is diverted into the canal at the dam by gate structures. That water then travels to the power plan. Brookfield plans to dewater the canal beginning April 1st by closing the gates. Then the crew would clear the islands of timber and shrubs. They will excavate sediment from the bottom of the canal and place the 44,000 cubic yards of sediment on the two islands between the river and the canal. Despite the amount of fill, the view of the islands would only increase by 2’. With the vegetation the increase will not be at all detectable. Brookfield already applied for and obtained State and Federal permits. Examples of these include SHPO approval of the visual renderings; protection of historic sites; winterizing the habitat for eagles; and protecting sediments with top soil. Member Carboni asked about the on demand pump for the water supply. Mr. Wingert responded that the 18” pipe would be placed parallel to North Mohawk Street along the canal to a wetwell at the intake point. The pipe installation would begin on Monday of next week by placing four 1,000’ long pipe sections welded together. Backup pumps and power would remain available in case of power failure. The pipe would accommodate 3500 gallons per minute. Member Carboni asked about the time frame. Mr. Wingert indicated the project would last 90 to 100 days beginning April first and ending mid July. Chairman Moloughney asked if the new park would open. Mr. Wingert replied that the park would open on schedule and may be closed a few days during work within 100 yards of the foot bridge. Member Carboni asked if the park needed more work towards completion. Mr. Wingert pointed out that the staircase to the lower area and river were completed and the trails are finishing up now. Only the fishing platform remains and will be built mid summer when the excavation is complete. The park will open on May 1st. Mmber Carboni asked about pollutants and debris. Mr. Wingert replied that only trace metals and PCBs are in the soil. In addition, the concrete dam actually blocks and catches debris that personnel then remove from the water. In 2006 Brookfield dewatered the canal and found only the occasional tree or deer in the canal bed. Chairman Moloughney asked if any of the placements of fill would take place in the Town of Colonie. If so, did the Town approve the plan? Mr. Wingert confirmed that a sliver of the island is in the Town of Colonie and that the Town had received, reviewed and approved the plan. Chairman Moloughney asked if the Town of Colonie had referred the matter to the County Planning Board. The Brookfield group did not think so, but the Planner for Cohoes thought the matter had been referred last summer when it first came up. The Chairman asked that it be checked into. Chairman Moloughney asked if the Planning Board engineer reviewed and approved. The Planner replied that he had and the MS4 Notice of Intent form was mailed from Mike Higgins of Arcadis for completion. Member Carboni moved to approve the project per plans submitted. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X Member DeFruscio moved to adjourn at 7:25pm; Member Gariepy seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously.