Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JUNE 8, 2009 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio Mr. Edward Carboni Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Jake Dumesnil Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Chairman Joseph Moloughney ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2009 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 June 8, 2009 meeting. Member DeFruscio made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 8th, 2009 meeting. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A POOL AT 204 COLUMBIA STREET Gail Wason proposed approval of a temporary above ground pool in her backyard at 204 Columbia Street. The pool would be setback at least 10’ from the rear property line and one side property line. Chairman Moloughney emphasized that the most important concerns are setbacks, location and maintenance of the pool. Member DeFruscio asked where the owner planned to drain water. The owner drains pool water to the street. Member DeFruscio then asked whether the pool has a ladder. The owner added that the ladder can be removed from the pool to meet state safety code. Member Carboni commented that all pool requests should submit a diagram showing placement of the pool for the City’s records. Member DeFruscio agreed, adding that the claimed setbacks of 20’ on each side of a 16’ pool do not equal the 42’ lot width. The owner concurred that the setback to the side property line opposite the shed is only 5’. Member DeFruscio informed the owner that a variance is required of the pool is less than 10’ from the side property line. Member DeFruscio made a motion to approve the special use permit conditioned on obtaining a variance by the August Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT for a HOME OCCUPATION AT 138 VAN SCHAICK AVENUE John Feeley owns a four bay garage at 138 Van Schaick Avenue next door to his residence. The residence has a two bay garage for the owner’s personal vehicles. As a result, Mr. Feeley proposes turning the four bay garage into the site of his car detailing business as a home occupation. Home occupations require a special use permit from the planning board. Mr. Feeley described his proposed home occupation as car detailing for auto dealers. He would work on 5-7 cars a week. Only two employees are required at any given time, which is typically comprised of him and his wife. Sometimes they would hire a per diem employee to take their place in case of a scheduling conflict. The applicant brought MSDS sheets on the chemicals used in the process, which he handed out to board members. He also commented that since he or his wife pick up the vehicles and return them, the home occupation would not cause additional traffic, garbage or signage. He added that in time he would like to improve the appearance of the brick garage. Member Carboni asked if he provides services to used car dealers. He described how auctions could bring in 5 to 6 cars at a time and neighbors would not appreciate the congestion. Mr. Feeley explained that he had clients from 30 different dealerships last year, including used car dealers. However, he now provides detailing to two main dealers: Marquis Ford and a truck dealer. He has limited his work to these two dealers because they are higher end and pay better. Chairman Moloughney asked how many cars would be at the garage at any one time. Mr. Feeley replied that two cars would be at the garage at any given time. Member Gariepy asked if both the cars would be in the garage. Mr. Feeley admitted that only one could fit in the garage at this time. He intends to alter the garage from a four bay to a two bay garage next year to work on two cars at once. Member Carboni asked about the chemicals used in detailing. He described the kerosene smell of upholstery cleaners. Mr. Feeley replied that chemicals for car care have changed over the years. The silicone based cleaners are no longer used by his business. He limits his use to six chemicals and he prefers the greener solutions. In addition, most cleaners stay on the car. However, he admits that two chemicals require rinsing: the tire wash and the degreaser. These he dilutes 16:1 with water. He also uses wax 1 – 2 times a year. A full binder of the chemicals is available at his current location off Everett Road in Tobins Building. Member Carboni asked if the owner would need to heat the garage. Mr. Feeley intends to use a kerosene heater. Chairman Moloughney asked the current use of the space. The applicant indicated that the garages are rented out for $200 per month total. Member Gariepy asked if there would be work on the weekend. The owner would only check his work on the weekend by bringing the vehicles onto the driveway to inspect for missed spots. Member Gariepy asked about potential noises associated with the proposed work. Mr. Feeley admitted that the buffer, shampooing machine and the two stage compressor all make noise. However, he cannot hear them when he is outside the garage. In addition, he would agree to keeping the garage windows and doors closed during hours of operation and installing an air conditioning unit. Member DeFruscio asked whether the Board should also conduct a site plan review given the proposed changes mentioned by the applicant. Chairman Moloughney agreed that the proposal should come back for site plan approval on the physical changes discussed. In addition he described the following nuisances the home occupation should avoid and would be discussed during site plan review: unregistered cars, signage, washing in driveway, noise, drainage, loitering, parked cars, chemicals, etc. Chairman DeFruscio made a motion to approve the conditioned special use permit. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed three to one. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF FINAL SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR HUDSON RIVER CREDIT UNION AT 35 NIVER STREET The Hudson River Credit Union Environment Notice was published in the Bulletin on Wednesday, May 20th. Therefore, the thirty days has not yet expired and the applicant did not request any action this month. Member Gariepy made a motion to approve the site plan. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed six to one abstention. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X Member Gariepy made a motion to adjourn at 8pm. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Mark DeFruscio X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X