Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, 2013 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Edward Carboni Ms. Sharon Gariepy Mr. Jake Dumesnil Mr. Mark DeFruscio ABSENT: Chairman Joseph Moloughney ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Ashline-Heil, Director of Building and Planning Mayor George E. Primea, Sr. Councilwoman Diane Nolin, Fourth Ward Edward Tremblay, Community and Economic Development Director CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 14th, 2012 MEETING Member DeFruscio moved to approve the minutes. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney ABSENT Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A MINOR SUBDIVISION FOR 53 BAKER AVE and 34 HAVEN LANE Surveyor Fred Metzger represented the owners, Armand and Alice LePage, in the proposed subdivision of two lots into a total of three lots. Two of the lots contain residential single family homes. The third is a vacant lot. All three meet the current zoning requirements for lot size, width, depth and setbacks. As a result Member Gariepy moved to approve the subdivision. Member DeFruscio seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney ABSENT Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A FINAL SITE PLAN FOR 480 COLUMBIA STREET Chuck Marshall presented the final site plan for the Stewart’s and car wash at 480 Saratoga Street. Member Carboni asked if the review engineer’s comments had been met. Mr. Marshall indicated that mostly notes, identification notes, labels of details and handicap ramps had to be addressed. The site plan had not changed significantly, and some stormwater details remain to work out with the review engineer. However, even the stormwater system is substantially designed. One minor change involves a freestanding sign advertising Stewarts. Like the monument sign for the car wash, the sign will require an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Member Gariepy also asked for a Stormwater Maintenance Agreement, which Mr. Marshall promised by the end of the week. He also explained that both properties need to maintain the system even after resale in the distant future. Mr. Marshall will file easements along with the as-builts post construction. Member Carboni questioned the freestanding sign in front of Stewarts which he stated would need a variance. Mr. Marshall explained that the addition of a diesel handle on the pump made a canopy sign impossible. Member Carboni questioned the placement of the sign which is at the Columbia Street entrance. Acting Chairman Badgley questioned when the noise levels would be tested. Mr. Marshall agreed to check randomly post construction. He asked the City for a timeframe. Member DeFruscio asked about other noise from the operation, such as loud radios or unmaintained cars. He wondered to whom neighbors could report problems. Mr. Marshall agreed neighbors could call Stewarts, the City or the Weaver group running the carwash. A sign with a phone number will be posted at the carwash for any complaints. Member Gariepy asked about the tree line buffer at the rear of the property that would preserve existing growth. Mr. Marshall agreed that as many trees as could be kept would remain. In addition the contractor will install a berm and place the 8’ natural wood stockage fence along the berm. Councilwoman Diane Nolin would like to ensure that issues acted upon throughout the process are duly recorded and enforced. She accepted that there would not be a sidewalk on Monroe Street. However, she wants to alleviate excessive noise at night without having to call police. Chuck Alonge of 4 Wilson Lane added that he hoped Weaver Car Wash is as good a neighbor as Stewarts. Mr. Marshall expects construction to start at the end of March and continue for at least 8 weeks. Construction hours are limited by City Code §189-2B from 6am to 9pm. Member Carboni listed the conditions discussed as 1) establishment of a stormwater easement; 2) submission of a stormwater maintenance agreement to be given to the City; and 3) the applicant must obtain variances for the Car Wash’s monument sign and the Stewart’s freestanding sign. Based on those conditions Member DeFruscio moved to approve the final site plan. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney ABSENT Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 94 COLUMBIA STREET Chuck Marshall represented Stewarts’ conceptual plan to expand the existing store by 700 sq ft. and add 5,000 sq ft of parking at the rear of the property. In addition, the applicant proposes installing elevan additional parking spaces along Central Avenue and behind the business. Member Carboni questioned the safety of the left turn onto Columbia Street. Mayor Primeau commented that the City made the Bedford Street stop “No Turn on Red” in order to alleviate that hazard. Although he agreed there is always the potential for an accident Mayor Primeau finds that the additional parking spaces behind the building will enhance the corner and the traffic problem will self-correct. Mayor Primeau also explained that the City has arranged to convey a portion of the Fire Station’s land for the Stewart’s parking lot. Stewarts has agreed to permit Fire Department personnel to park in the lot during emergencies. Member DeFruscio questioned the slope between the Fire House and Stewart’s property. He expressed concern that the slope is too steep to install parking. Mr. Marshall agreed to provide a topographical map with the survey. Member Carboni asked if Stewarts would provide a handicapped parking spot. Mr. Marshall pointed out one with access from Central Avenue. However, he is willing to install another handicapped accessible parking space along Columbia Street as well. Member Carboni asked if landscaping would only be provided along Sandusky. Mr. Marshall explained that there isn’t any curbing along the other sides. However, if the City would like a planting on the corner of Columbia Street and Central Avenue then Stewarts would plant a garden on the corner. Board members agreed that would enhance the corner. Member DeFruscio asked about where deliveries would be dropped off. Currently the trucks drop off goods on Central Avenue – on the west side of the building. Delivery trucks make a u-turn during deliveries. However, the addition would have a delivery door at the rear of the building. Member Carboni asked if lighting would remain the same. Mr. Marshall described softer LED lighting that would replace the existing lighting. Member DeFruscio questioned whether the addition and changes would reduce the carbon footprint, which Mr. Marshall hopes will result from the changes. Councilwoman Nolin asked if Stewarts would install outdoor seating. Mr. Marshall indicated that picnic tables would be added. He also intends to fix the railing on the retaining wall. Mr. Marshall would revisit the Board at next month’s meeting for approval. Melissa Ashline-Heil will double check the SEQR requirements for the project. Member DeFruscio moved to adjourn at 7:35pm. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Please note the next meeting will take place March 11, 2013.