Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 9, 2012 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph Moloughney Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Jake Dumesnil ABSENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio Ms. Sharon Gariepy CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 6, 2011 MEETING Member Carboni moved to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2011 meeting. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A POOL AT 11 HILLTOP DRIVE Richard Longtin proposed constructing an above ground pool in his backyard that would meet all setback requirements and discharge runoff into an existing stormwater detention pond behind his property. Board members did not have any concerns about the proposal. Therefore Member Dumesnil moved to approve the special use permit. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A GARAGE SITE PLAN REVIEW AT 625 SARATOGA STREET Mr. Joseph Hostig Sr. proposed constructing a 50’X100’ garage on a vacant lot at 625 Saratoga Street. The property dimensions of 75X100 would not permit required setbacks. Therefore the applicant proposed merging two adjacent vacant lots he owns on Saratoga Street. He also agreed to divert stormwater runoff through gutters and a swale on the property. Neighbor Ed Sokol of 9 Edsel Place complained that since the construction of a multi-family structure behind his property stormwater ponds between his home and 5 Edsel Place. His sump pump runs constantly during storms. Saratoga Street does not have any catch basins in the vicinity and the new multi-family structure is higher than the existing homes on Edsel Place. Member Dumesnil asked how long ago the multi-family structure was built. John Sokol of 10 Edsel Place suggested it was constructed over 5 years ago. Member Dumesnil asked the neighbors if they had alerted the City of the problem. Ed Sokol indicated he did discuss it with the City. Chairman Moloughney would like to see engineered plans for a swale that captures runoff from all properties: the two neighbors at 5 and 9 Edsel Place as well as the multi-family structure and the garage proposed in this instance. Ed Sokol also believed that the applicant intended to rent out the garage to an auction house. The applicant indicated he would be renting another warehouse he owns further up at 167 Saratoga Street. Chairman Moloughney agreed use would be a concern since as a storage facility the proposal does not require parking. However, if any business is conducted on the premises the planning board should review a parking plan submitted by the applicant. Conditioning any approval will eliminate that concern. Both John and Ed Sokol are concerned that the garage will not fit in with the residential neighborhood. They believe that it will provide a place for vandals to paint graffiti. Chairman Moloughney explained that the Board can condition approval on creating a residential feel such as landscaping. The applicant indicated the doors would face Edsel Place and the parking lot for the multi-family. Neighbors also asked about setbacks because of site distance concerns. The garage would be 10’ from the City’s ROW along Edsel Place and 20’ from Saratoga Street. The other side of the garage would be 30’ from 5 Edsel Place. Vice Chairman Badgley moved to table the item until next month to answer questions on placement of doors and engineered stormwater plans. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni RECUSED Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy ABSENT Mark DeFruscio ABSENT HARMONY MILLS LEAD AGENCY FOR SEQR PURPOSES Vice Chairman Badgley moved to declare intent to act as lead agency for SEQR purposes with regard to the Harmony Mills project. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Member Carboni moved to adjourn at 7:40pm. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously.