Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Edward Carboni Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Chairman Joseph Moloughney Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Jake Dumesnil ABSENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 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 October 19th, 2009 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 19th meeting. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF A PARKING LOT SITE PLAN FOR 94 HOWARD STREET Mr. James Pigeon proposed using municipal parking in order to expand his home from a single family to a two family. Another building on the property – commonly referred to as 64 Main Street - also has two units. He received approval last year to install a four car off street parking area that serves the tenants of 64 Main Street. Mr. Pigeon argued that he has a three bedroom home that he would like to convert to two one bedroom apartments. He prefers renting to single adults or childless couples. Member Gariepy made a motion to approve the parking waiver. 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 Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF A PARKING LOT SITE PLAN AT 200 MOHAWK STREET The owners, Robert and Melody Joy Frascella, purchased the property last year with the understanding it was a two family home. It was originally classified as a two family. Somehow the structure was reclassified as a single family. The owners would like to reclassify the structure as a two family. Mr. Frascella averred that the area has plenty of on street parking. There are six houses on the block Member Gariepy pointed out that Dr. Lenz’s office takes up most of the street frontage, which is why there is plenty of on street parking. In addition the applicant measured the municipal lot to be less than 800’ from the alley at the rear of his home. Vice Chairman Badgley made a motion to approve the parking waiver. Member Gariepy seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed four to one. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN SITE PLAN FOR 35 NIVER STREET Hudson River Credit Union, represented by Chief Executive Officer Sue Commanda and Design Engineer John Latsko, proposed two wall signs and a standalone sign along 787. One wall sign would face Niver Street traffic while the other is visible from 787. The standalone sign would feature a community board for City events. All signs would be internally lit with LED lighting. Chairman Moloughney explained to the applicants that the sign request requires a short form SEQR as an unlisted action. The review will delay approvals for one month. The Planning and Zoning Boards cannot take any action until SEQR is closed. He proposed the Board could start the process by declaring intent to become lead agency. Member Carboni made a motion of intent to declare lead agency status. 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 Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X The applicant then asked for feedback on the proposal. Chairman Moloughney indicated he does not like LED lights due to the brightness. Mr. Latsko provided a study regarding the safety and legality of the new LED lights. Experts claim that the slow, smooth transition provides a needed respite from the monotony of driving without creating a distraction. Chairman Moloughney then stated that the Cohoes Code prohibits distractions from billboards. The Board discussed the definition of a billboard: advertising business unrelated to the subject property. Member Gariepy discerned the advertising of other businesses from advertising public events sponsored by the City of Cohoes. Chairman Moloughney asked how many foot candles each sign would emit because the code limits emissions to 50 foot candles. Mr. Latsko agreed to provide that information by the next meeting. Member Dumesnil asked why the bank wanted a moving sign. Ms. Commanda replied that the moving sign would attract more attention and the bank always gives back to the community. She thought the community board would provide a benefit to the community. Member Dumesnil also asked how the bank would split the time between City news and bank advertising. Chairman Moloughney inquired as to what time the bank would turn off the community board. Member Gariepy added that the Board must consider how 787 will appear overall since other businesses could ask for similar signage if the Board approves this proposal. Chairman Moloughney questioned the height of the standalone sign. The pole is listed as 15’ high; however, the sign will only appear about 4’ from grade along 787. Mr. Latsko agreed to provide more information by the next meeting. Ms. Commanda agreed to limiting the hours of the LED community board since it would save the bank money on electricity. Mr. Latsko pointed out that the rendition provided shows the signs in proportion to the building. In addition, DOT approved removal of the willow trees in exchange for a landscaping plan which includes apple trees and flowering bushes as shown in the artists’ rendering. Chairman Moloughney also expressed his concern that the proposed elevated sign would alter the nature of the Cohoes Boulevard corridor. He further questioned whether creating a proliferation of road signs in this corridor is the appropriate appearance that the city desires along its primary gateway into the community. Chairman Moloughney believes any signs approved in this corridor should be carefully scrutinized to ensure that they enhance the Cohoes Boulevard corridor and do not detract from it. Vice Chairman Badgley made a motion to adjourn at 7:45pm. Member Gariepy seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X