Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JUNE 10, 2013 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Chairman Joseph Moloughney Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Jake Dumesnil Ms. Sharon Gariepy ABSENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Ashline-Heil, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 13th, 2013 MEETING Member Dumesnil moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chairman Badgley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A POOL AT 2 WILSON LANE Scott Tenace sought approval to replace his existing 24’ pool with a 30’ above ground pool. He has a catch basin in the back northeast corner of his lot with a swale along the property line. As a result, Member Dumesnil moved to approve the special use permit. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A POOL AT 118 SPRINGHOLLOW DR Scott Clark sought approval for a 21’ pool in his backyard at 118 Springhollow Dr. The proposal meets all setback requirements. Chairman Moloughney questioned drainage for the property. Mr. Clark explained he has a ditch on the left side property line that leads to a sewer drain. He also noted that the neighbor has a pool as well and the property is otherwise surrounded by woods. Vice Chairman Badgley 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 X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AND SUBDIVISION OF 161 MASTEN AVE Luigi Palleschi of ABD Engineering represented the subdivision and site plan review for 161 Masten Avenue. Developers Daniel Lill, Jerry Krug and Jeremy Krug were also in attendance. Mr. Bianchine described the 9 lot subdivision as owner occupied townhouses with a single unit on the end. The developer will connect to City water but will need to extend the sewer line. Each two story unit will have a two car garage and a two car driveway with 25’ between the garage and the sidewalk. Councilwoman Diane Nolin expressed concerns about density because the homes will face several single family houses. In addition the project is at the end of a quiet, dead-end street. She and neighbors find the increased traffic will change quality of life. However, she concedes that the neighbors have had ample opportunity to attend meeting and discuss their concerns with the developers. In response to a comment from a neighbor concerning varying the structures, Dan Lill brought siding samples to show how each structure will differ. Member Gariepy questioned the density. Mr. Jeremy Krug explained that the number of units justify the costs. Mr. Palleschi added that extending the sewer line is a major undertaking. Dan Lill believes the single family homes which will sell for around $200,000 will market well because of the location. Although the existing homes don’t sell for $200,000 that amount is a target for that street. Member Gariepy moved to make a negative declaration for SEQR purposes. Member Dumensil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Member Gariepy moved to approve the subdivision and final site plan. Member Dumesnil seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT DECLARATION OF LEAD AGENCY STATUS FOR SEQR PURPOSES AT 217 DELAWARE AVE The engineer, Scott Lansing, represented the applicant, Jeff Myers of Shelco. The applicant proposes constructing a multi-family building containing 40 condominiums on a 1.79 acres parcel located on the east side of Delaware Avenue. The proposal meets permitted uses, minimum lot dimensions and setbacks for the mixed-Use Waterfront (MU-2) zoning district. Chairman Moloughney pointed out that the front of the building faces the water where there is a 50’ easement. Mr. Lansing described the units as similar to those on Saratoga St in the City Lofts, except larger. The building will be three stories high with a ground floor garage. The ground floor garage will contain 31 parking spaces; an additional 42 spaces will be available outside the building. The developer is also offering a pool, dock and fitness facility. As for site conditions the developer will treat stormwater onsite. The property is adjacent to the river. Therefore, the developer has to treat for water quality more than for quantity. Finally, the proposal will require two area variances: one from the maximum number of units and another for the height. The local code limits building height to 45’ and the instant proposal proposes a 46’ high building. Member Dumesnil asked about the number of bedrooms per unit. Mr. Lansing described the units as mixed with between 2-3 bedrooms per unit. Member Dumesnil asked if the developer would be renting the dock to tenants or the public. He also questioned the location for the pool as it blocks access to the waterfront. Mr. Lansing thought the dock would be rented solely to tenants. As for the pool the proposed location is the sunniest spot whereas next to the building it would be in the shade. Furthermore, placing the pool on the side property would be unsightly. Instead he suggests installing a waterfront path between the pool and the structure, which Board members did not support. Chairman Moloughney questioned the cumulative visual impact of the proposal on neighboring properties – especially since the proposal will require an area variance from height requirements. Furthermore, the City’s own master plan recommends mixed use development while Delaware Avenue has been developed solely for residential. Ed Tremblay, Director of Community and Economic Development, has reached out to potential developers with little success in attracting mixed use developers in that area. Neighbor Ellen Sweet is concerned the proposal will block the view from her two-family home where she occupies one unit and rents the other. As a real estate agent she finds it difficult to attract newcomers to Cohoes; however once people move to Cohoes they understand its charm and aesthetics. If this project obscures the view she will be losing one if her home’s perks. Board members indicated the Zoning Board of Appeals will consider the area variance from height requirements. Neighbors will receive notice of the meeting in the mail. At the next Planning Board meeting the members would like to see an alternative location for the pool. The Board decided to begin the SEQR process by declaring lead agency. Member Gariepy moved to act as lead agency. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil X Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT The Planning Board decided to table the special use permit for a pool at 49 Continental Avenue as the applicant did not attend the meeting to answer questions. Rachel Stark and Nevin Ricks of 35 Garner Street brought a conceptual plan to the Board to conduct a microbrewery and catering business out of the home. All products would be sold off- site at Farmer’s Markets, special events, fairs, festivals and parties. The Board’s only concerns revolve around potential nuisances associated with on-site customers. The proposal does not create any nuisances: odors, noises, additional traffic or parking, or signage. Product would be shipped in the owners’ SUVs. A formal submittal will be made for the next Planning Board meeting. Member Dumesnil moved to adjourn at 8:00pm. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Please note the next meeting will take place July 8th, 2013.