Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 11, 2010 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. Mark DeFruscio Mr. Jake Dumesnil ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 14, 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 December 14th, 2009 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 14th meeting. Member DeFruscio 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 Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR A COMMUNITY ROOM AND OFFICES AT 2 NORTH MOHAWK STREET Sue McCann of Community Builders (CB) presented the proposal. CB is a non profit organization that purchases, renovates and manages older, low-income housing apartment buildings often in historic districts. The organization does not flip buildings. Instead, Community Builders improve the properties to meet state code requirements, creating energy efficient housing that is an asset to the community. In this instance the proposal entails purchasing 9 units on North Mohawk Street and 66 in all. Member Gariepy asked where the other units are located. Ms. McCann replied that the other units are on Olmstead, Willow, White, Lancaster, Vliet, North Mohawk and Fountain Place. In addition to renovating those existing properties, CB would like to construct a mixed-use building on the vacant lot at 2 North Mohawk Street. The mixed-use building would feature offices for the property managers, a maintenance shop and garage, and a community room for the tenants to reserve for special events and meetings. Member Gariepy asked why Community Builders chose that location. Ms. McCann indicated that it is the only vacant lot and is within walking distance of many of the properties. Member Carboni asked if CB owns the properties at this time. Ms. McCann answered that the properties are currently under a sales contract. Member Carboni then asked if the properties would be tax exempt due to Community Builders’ non profit status. Ms. McCann pointed out that although CB is a non profit, they act as a partner in a general partnership that actually owns the properties. The partnership will pay all taxes. Ms. McCann introduced architect Dave Sodowsky. Dave Sadowsky added that the project will be just shy of a gut rehab to bring the existing properties up to energy and state code standards. Mr. Sadowsky submitted two designs for the one story mixed-use new construction: one with a gabled roof and one with a flat roof. Residents preferred the sloped roof, whereas SHPO preferred the flat roof. He passed out copies of a new design that uses the sloped roof and includes three dormers along the façade. Chairman Moloughney asked about the use of the community room and offices. Ms. McCann emphasized that it will not replace the City’s community center. Instead, the tenants can reserve the room for meetings and events. However, the evening usage would be limited since staff would not always be available to monitor after hours. Therefore, the neighbors will not be deluged with traffic after hours. Ward Council Representative April Kennedy commended Community Builders. She explained that the previous proposal stressed out the available off street parking. However, the new proposal shows the organization’s willingness to work with neighbors. Ms. Kennedy described Community Builders’ meeting with the neighbors on January 7th, 2010 - organized by the Ms. Kennedy and the Mayor. Based on that meeting Ms. Kennedy wanted the Planning Board to be aware that residents do park on the vacant lots at this time, although not excessively. In addition, there is no on street parking on North Mohawk Street. However, Community Builders is willing to permit residents to park in the visitor spaces after hours on an as needed basis. Chairman Moloughney asked CB when the DHCR submission is due. Ms. McCann needs to submit the application by February 10th, 2010. Chairman Moloughney explained that the Board cannot act without completing SEQR. It appears from the SEQR form submitted to DHCR last year that DHCR did not make any findings. Therefore, the Planning Board needs to begin the process by stating intent to declare lead agency. After 30 days if other interested parties agree to it, the Board can declare lead agency, review SEQR and close the process. At that time the Board can make decisions on the proposal. Ms. McCann indicated that February 8th is not 30 days. However, she can supplement the application at a later date. Daniele Cherniak, Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board member, expressed concerns about the prominent place 2 North Mohawk Street holds in the historic district. She asserted that the building should fit in with the neighboring properties. However, it appears that the proposal is headed in the right direction. Mr. Sodowsky added that Elizabeth Martin of SHPO has not yet reviewed the design thoroughly. However, she also thinks the proposal is heading in the right direction. Ms. McCann reiterated that Community Builders is open to any issues or feedback from neighbors or Cohoes residents. Vice Chairman Badgely made a motion to declare intent to take lead agency status for the SEQR review of the site plan. 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 Mark DeFruscio X Member Carboni made a motion to adjourn at 7:15pm. 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 Mark DeFruscio X