Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 13, 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. Jake Dumesnil Mr. Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Melissa Ashline-Heil, City Planner CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 9, 2010 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 August 9th, 2010 meeting. Member Dumesnil made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 9th meeting. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSTAIN CONSIDERATION OF A MINOR SUBDIVISION AT 147 CONGRESS STREET Property owner Gary Ethier requested approval of a minor subdivision at 147 Congress Street so the two separate buildings would have independent lots. Chairman Moloughney pointed out that the subdivision created lots smaller than what the code permits; however, the size of the lots would be grandfathered as legal nonconforming. As a result, Member DeFruscio moved to approve the subdivision. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW AT BURGER KING ON SARATOGA STREET Jim Meinecke represented Carroll’s Corp’s request for site plan review. The existing building suffered minor fire damage. However, Carroll’s Corp decided to demolish the existing structure and rebuild on a smaller footprint. Burger King (BK) could then expand the existing drive-thru path to create a passing lane and add a second window to decrease queuing up of cars. Mr. Meinecke also explained that the 600 sq ft smaller building would be constructed to 2020 standards. Carroll’s Corp. purchased the building from another fast food company and found that the existing structure and drive-thru window did not meet Burger King’s needs. This alteration will create the best configuration on a less than perfect lot. The City of Cohoes has been negotiating with BK concerning the left hand turn from New Courtland Street into the BK parking lot and vice versa - the left hand turn out of the BK parking lot onto New Courtland Street. Using DOT funding the City would like to install medians on New Courtland to improve safety by preventing cars from crossing traffic in that location. Doing so will improve the City’s chances of obtaining approval for establishing a Quiet Zone through the Federal Railroad Administration. As a concession, the City agreed to permit BK to install a standalone sign on City property at the corner of Ontario Street and Shanahan’s Way. BK proposes a 14’ high pole with a 16 sq ft BK sign. Although Board members found the sign seemed to clutter the streetscape, the sign would need Zoning Board approval as well. Member DeFruscio expressed concerns about the proposed 4’ grade change on Shanahan’s Way. He noted that the underground facilities lie 4’ underground according to the plans. In addition he remarked that the Saratoga Street entrance has a steep drop that hits the undercarriage of entering and exiting vehicles. Mr. Meinecke responded that the City and Carroll’s Corp engineers will review the plans. BK intends to create a gentler grade change at the Saratoga Street entrance. So far neither has perceived a problem with the grade change on Shanahan’s Way. Chairman Moloughney added that the contractual lease agreement between the City of Cohoes and Carroll’s Corp will handle the issue of liability for any damage to City utility lines. Member Gariepy asked if Shanahan’s Way would remain a City street open to through traffic, which Chairman Moloughney confirmed. Member DeFruscio asked about the existing retaining wall and sign on the property. Mr. Meinecke confirmed these items would remain the same. Board members pointed out that the entrance and exit on New Courtland Street could confuse drivers. Chairman Moloughney recommended appropriate signage to clarify flow of traffic at the Shanahan’s Way outlet onto New Courtland Street. Then BK should submit the plans reflecting striping and signage to the Traffic Commission for approval. Member DeFruscio questioned snow storage on the property. Mr. Meinecke replied that Carroll’s Corp arranges for removal once the snow becomes overwhelming. In the interim, Chairman Moloughney added, snow storage on the site has always been beneath the existing stand alone sign. Member Carboni asked what material BK would use for the new structure. Mr. Meinecke indicated that BK would construct a new masonry building. The EIFS on the existing structure – a synthetic stucco – becomes easily worn and requires higher maintenance than masonry. Member Dumesnil asked about the landscaping between Shanahan’s Way and the drive-thru windows. Mr. Meinecke anticipates cleaning up the area, removing all mulch since a cigarette dropped in the mulch started the fire, and laying down decorative stone in its stead. Member Gariepy requested more green space to spruce up the area. Vice Chairman Badgley asked if BK anticipated lighting for the new standalone sign. Mr. Meinecke explained that the contractors would internally light the sign. Member DeFruscio asked about the hours when it would remain lit. Mr. Meinecke anticipates that two controls would affect the hours: one would provide a solar onset at dusk for the light and the other would turn off the light an hour after staff members close the restaurant. Chairman Moloughney suggested two conditions to any approvals: 1) install “Do Not Enter” signs at the north end of Shanahan’s Way; and 2) realign or redisign the median between BK and Shanahan Way to direct cars into the BK bypass lane and not to enter Shanahan Way, to avoid two-way traffic on Shanahan Way. Member Gariepy moved to approve the conditioned proposal. The proposal also needs a variance and formal Traffic Commission approval. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Sharon Gariepy X Jake Dumesnil X Mark DeFruscio X Vice Chairman Badgley made a motion to adjourn at 7:40pm. Member Carboni seconded the motion. Roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously.