Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 17, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph Moloughney Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Jake Dumesnil Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Mark DeFruscio ABSENT: Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 MEETING Member DeFruscio moved to approve the minutes from the September 12, 2011 meeting. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW AT WATER SIDE Attorney Peter Lynch represented the owner, Jim Finning, who also attended the meeting. The owner proposes installing carports along Dyke Avenue and Wood Street. Locations were drawn on the as-built survey of the development. Eight covered spaces would be adjacent to Wood Street and 12 adjacent to Dyke Avenue. The carports are pole barn type structures that can feature panels or remain open. TNT would bolt the carports to the pavement. Color choices would match the existing buildings: rawhide roof and pebble trim. That way the structures would blend with the existing buildings. Initially the developer proposed garages where the berm divides Kelman’s from Waterside. However, an ongoing property dispute has made it impossible to construct permanent buildings at that location. Regardless, the monthly expense of garages exceeds tenants’ demand at Waterside. After conducting a survey, Mr. Finning found that carports would meet the demand at an expense the seniors who rent could afford. The majority of the lot is first come first served parking. The covered spaces would become designated parking spaces in exchange for a consideration. The two locations are near the entrance to the parking entrance as well as close to the facility for ease of access. Since a percentage of the tenants have disabilities or mobility impairments, these covered spaces need to be close for accessibility purposes. The developer is not removing any parking spaces, just covering existing parking. The developer can easily remove the carports if they are unsightly or tenants do not rent them out. Since they are in lieu of the garages, Mr. Lynch sought an interpretation of whether the Board requires an amendment. Chairman Moloughney explained that this constitutes an amendment that should include consideration of the berm. Member DeFruscio further described the Board’s original review of the garages’ height and appearance. Mr. Finning explained that the ongoing property dispute prevented his surveyor from placing stakes inside the Kelman’s fencing. Therefore, the berm created the buffer garages were supposed to create in the original approval. Kelman stores scrap metal on a portion of property Finning’s surveyor indicated was Water Side property. Chairman Moloughney does not question the placement of the berm or its use as a buffer; however he would like to see it cleaned up. Initial discussions indicated that Mr. Finning might place a fence or tree line on the berm. At a minimum the Board would like the concrete chunks covered or removed and the berm seeded. Currently weeds and concrete stabilize the berm. Member Carboni concurred that it is an eyesore when he drives by. Chairman Moloughney expressed the same concern about the carports along Dyke Avenue. Metal structures seem industrial for the residential community. He also questioned placement of carports on DOT land where Water Side has an easement for parking. Mr. Finning agreed to consult with DOT to possibly amend the agreement. Member Gariepy asked how Dyke Avenue will appear with a row of carports. Mr. Lynch explained that without panels it will look like one unit although the carports actually come in sections of four. Member Gariepy asked the height of existing saplings and the proposed carports. Mr. Finning described the saplings as 10’ tall and the carports as 12’ tall to the peak. Member DeFruscio asked why Mr. Finning chose carports over garages. Mr. Lynch replied that the $120,000 expense of garages exceeded what tenants were willing to pay for monthly fees; whereas the carports cost $26,000 and can be removed if demand does not remain steady. Conversely more can easily be added if demand increases. Mr. Lynch reiterated that the carports cover existing parking so the amendment boils down to a row of parked cars versus a row of parked cars covered by a carport. Chairman Moloughney questioned compatability with the building. Mr. Finning assured the Board that no one is more concerned about aesthetics than he is as it impacts rental rates. He suggested he would be willing to landscape or enclose the carports with panels if the roof looks too industrial for the site. Mr. Lynch asked if panels would mitigate the visual impact. Chairman Moloughney thought panels would make the structure look like a metal shed. Mr. Finning indicated he purchased the carports in pebble and rawhide. He proposed installing them as temporary structures in lieu of submitting a rendering. The Board agreed to grant a 60 day temporary approval for evaluation with final decision on landscaping and permanence dependent on final approval of the site plan from the Board. Member Gariepy moved for such a conditioned approval. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio X Member DeFruscio moved to adjourn at 7:15pm. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.