Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON MARCH 8, 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 ABSENT: Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Mark DeFruscio Mr. Jake Dumesnil ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 18, 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 February 18th, 2010 meeting. Member Carboni made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 18th 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 Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SUBDIVISION AT 47 LANSING STREET Michael Spizowski proposed subdividing a City lot that contains two structures: a single family and a two family home. The single family home faces 47 Lansing Street and the two family home faces 116 Lancaster Street. Vacant land abuts each home stretching from Lansing to Lancaster. Member Carboni asked what the plan was for subdividing. Mr. Spizowski indicated that his parents own and occupy the structure that faces Lancaster Street and he would like to purchase the home facing Lansing Street. Member Carboni moved to approve the subdivision. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SUBDIVISION AT 201 BERKLEY Tony and Sandra LePage proposed subdividing a 3.8 acre lot across the street from their home at 201 Berkley Avenue. The LePages provided a plan with 86’ frontage for two lots and 70’ frontage for the other two lots. The couple explained that they intend to convey the corner lot closest to Berkley Park to their daughter to build a single family home. The lots all meet zoning requirements. Member Carboni moved to approve the subdivision. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR AN AGRICULTURAL USE 99 WESTERN AVENUE Steve Hennessey proposes constructing a barn and planting apple trees, pumpkins and corn on an acre lot at 99 Western Avenue. Located in the Land Conservation District, which permits agricultural uses, the property would meet all zoning requirements. Chairman Moloughney asked if there is a ravine in the rear of the property and whether the structure would have any water or sewer line connection. He also expressed concern about waste collection. Mr. Hennessey agreed that there would be no water or sewer hookup since there is a ravine behind the property and no connections in the road. He will take care of all waste collection. Member Carboni asked about the barn structure and whether there would be any livestock. Mr. Hennessey produced a picture of the proposed structure that will be built on the property. He assured the Board that there would not be any livestock on the premises. Chairman Moloughney asked if the driveway would be gravel and if the owner planned to supply electrical wiring in the barn. Mr. Hennessey confirmed that was the case. Member Carboni moved to approve the site plan. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR A COMMUNITY ROOM AND OFFICES AT 2 NORTH MOHAWK STREET Sue McCann explained that the Community Builders met with the Zoning Board of Appeals to discuss a parking variance. Plans were also submitted to the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board for suggestions which the Board issued in its minutes. After hearing the feedback the Community Builders would like to vet some of their ideas for responding to the concerns prior to committing funds to new drawings. Community Builders understands that the board members and residents want the façade simplified in order to fit in with the surrounding buildings. The interested parties also want the front setback to match the neighboring properties. In addition, the entry way does not fit in with the historic district. Therefore, Community Builders has agreed to push the building closer to the front property line, remove the entry way and smooth the façade. That way the entire front of the building will appear like the neighboring properties. The dormers, Melissa Ashline-Heil noted, were suggested by SHPO. Therefore, Community Builders, although not married to the idea of having dormers, would like to discuss removing the dormers with SHPO first before committing to it. Dave Sadowsky added that SHPO liked the dormers as a way to cut up the overwhelming roof. The roof came from the City’s preference. Initially residents and Board members were given two choices: a flat roof or gabled. Most people preferred the gabled roof. However, SHPO felt the roof dominated the appearance and decided that dormers would minimize the effect. Member Carboni asked if the roof line would remain the same. Architect Dave Sadowsky explained that they plan to make it one height, rather than the two heights with the entryway lower than the main building. Sue McCann added that the alteration to the entryway may make parking more difficult so she needs to have Dave look at the plans. Resident Mrs. Cherniak suggested placing brick on the dormers or placing one dormer instead of three. Dave reiterated that he would not mind removing them altogether. He agreed to draft a rendering and attend next week’s HPARB meeting to discuss in more depth. Member Carboni made a motion to adjourn at 7:45pm. 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 ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT