Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 21, 2013 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Edward Carboni Ms. Sharon Gariepy Chairman Joseph Moloughney ABSENT: Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Mark DeFruscio Mr. Jake Dumesnil ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Ashline-Heil, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 9th, 2013 MEETING Member Carboni moved to approve the minutes. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 215 CONGRESS STREET Barb St. Phillips of Price Chopper proposed installing 36’ of 8’ high white vinyl privacy fencing under the overhang on the west side of the building which faces Congress Street. The fenced area would sit 8’ from the building and the southernmost end would be enclosed with fencing. The loading dock area at the northwestern corner would remain open. In order to dress up the store Price Chopper is also suggesting six concrete planters in front of the fencing. Neighbors complained that recycling piles stored on that portion of the property were unsightly. The City asked Price Chopper to remove or conceal the recycling. Price Chopper swiftly ordered fencing, but changed the order when the City asked for white vinyl instead of chain link with privacy slats. Mrs. St. Phillips explained that the fence location was selected based on several obstacles. First, the topography of the land is sloped. As a result, the side of the building that faces Main Street is one full story below the Congress Street side. The same problem precludes storing the items across the parking lot in its southernmost corner. In fact, the Risk Management Department for Price Chopper ruled out those locations. Second, the layout of the parking lot blocks placement. For example, the northernmost side contains the loading dock for deliveries. Finally the front of the building – the south side – lacks an overhang to protect the recycling from snow and rain. Conversely, the Congress Street side of the building has an overhang. The land is flat. In response to neighbor complaints it is deemed a no-parking zone. Finally it is close to the traffic path for trucks. Member Carboni questioned whether section 285-58 of Cohoes Code, Outdoor Storage of Materials and Equipment, would prohibit outdoor storage of the recycling. However the City Planner finds that the subsections of that code pertain to the storage of equipment such as trailers, boats and motor homes; unregistered vehicles; machinery; or supplies. Recycling involves the storage of trash or waste. The City Code does require trash storage behind a building on noncollection days. However, exceptions are granted by Code for lots with unusual topography or inadequate access. In those cases we do ask for screening as space permits. Chairman Moloughney asked Ms. St. Phillips if she had considered a 10X35 addition for the recycling. Mrs. St. Phillips explained that older buildings have higher maintenance costs that limit the company’s ability to invest in cosmetic improvements. She listed some of the projects completed this year: removal of guardrail, landscaping, painting, cleaning of debris dumped by neighbors, and concrete replacement at the store entrance. However, she will submit that request to her bosses. In the meantime Price Chopper will increase pick-up service. Second Ward Councilman Fred Turcotte agreed that Price Chopper should install something more substantial than a fence. Fourth Ward Councilwoman Diane Nolin agreed as well. Resident Bill Ricard of 23 Trull Street would also like to see more capital invested in the store. The existing facility is depressing. As a result Member Carboni moved to table the site plan. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 33 HART STREET Brennan Cleary and Brett Decker propose a site plan for a new brewery and tap room at 33 Hart Street. The partners of Ravenshead Brewery have invested $20,000 in maintenance on the building. Proposed renovations include carving out 5700 sq ft of manufacturing and 2700 sq ft of restaurant. The lot has 22 parking spaces and is in close proximity to another 149 municipal parking spaces within 600’. Future exterior renovations include removing the particle board entrance and installing handicapped access on the alley side of the building. Ravenshead would keep the docks and store snow on either side. A small dumpster would also be located near the dock. Since most of the waste –spent grains – can be sold to local farmers, the business does not generate much trash. Chairman Moloughney asked if the tap room would be closed on nights when the former St Josephs hosts large events, which Mr. Cleary confirmed. Chairman Moloughney expressed concern that the same parking issues should be addressed as those for the former St. Joseph’s. Although 149 municipal parking spaces are in the area, those spaces could be filled with vehicles for residents or patrons of other businesses. The applicant should count and provide the number of available parking spaces. Mr. Cleary discerned the proposals since the Brewery’s restaurant would not hold the same number of people as the former church. In addition, the music would be quieter: bluegrass and Irish string bands. Furthermore, he intends to provide the beverages for any weddings or large events at St. Joseph’s. During those events the restaurant and tap room would be closed. Regular hours would be 11am to 11pm or midnight at the latest while holidays would start late at either 12noon or 9pm and extend because of the holiday. Still Chairman Moloughney asked the applicant to submit proof of the parking agreement and work out an arrangement with the City. Member Gariepy asked if there would be tours or any large crowds in the brewery. Mr. Cleary explained that he only intends to offer a tour of the facility for the grand opening. Otherwise, vibrations interfere with the brewing process. Member Carboni asked if the applicant would install lights. Mr. Cleary explained that lighting is pre-existing. They will propose a wood sign with goose neck lighting at a later date. Ward Councilman Fred Turcotte asked how the applicant intends to improve the Columbia Street side which is a gateway for the City. Mr. Cleary began clearing weeds and debris from the lot. He will be removing the plywood and particle board from the ramp entrance. Although he wants fencing around the parking lot he would like to replace it with a nicer fence. He also intends to narrow the sidewalk path from the parking lot to the front entrance on Hart Street. Member Carboni would like to see landscaping of the parcel. Mr. Cleary proposes raised beds as the lot is covered in pavement, concrete or the building footprint. In addition it would deter dogs from killing plants. Chairman Moloughney asked to see that on the updated site plan for the next meeting. Councilman Turcotte also asked if the Brewery will have a distributor. However, Mr. Cleary chose NYS because he does not have to reach Tier 3 and distribute his product. He avers that brewers lose 30% of income to pay distributors. However the manufacturer has no control over how responsible the distributor is in selling. Chairman Moloughney summarized the Board’s request for an updated plan reflecting landscaping, signage, and parking with striping. He also asked that the applicant solidify the parking requirement by submitting an agreement with the owner of St. Joseph’s. Chairman Moloughney explained that the next owners of these properties might not have the same relationship as the current owners. Therefore an agreement should be drafted, signed and filed. As a result, Member Carboni moved to table the special use permit. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 96 REMSEN STREET Amy Zheng proposes opening an ice cream shop in the storefront facing Ontario Street. The building received site plan approval for a second store front. However the building owner did not know what business they would open. The space is currently vacant. Mrs. Zheng explained that the store would be seasonal from April to September. The business seeks to capture foot traffic and complements the neighboring Chinese restaurant. Moreover patrons would not loiter at the business as she does not intend to provide seating for customers. Hours of operation proposed would be between 12noon to 8pm. Finally the building and restaurant owners have arranged additional pick-ups for trash. Ward Councilman Fred Turcotte commented that the business has been pretty good since opening. Chairman Moloughney asked about a public trash can for napkins, dishes and spoons. Mrs. Zheng agreed to install a trash can in front of the store to prevent littering. Member Carboni asked if the Historic Board would need to review the proposal. The City Planner indicated that only signage would have to be reviewed. The Board’s only comment about the proposal is the hope that the applicant will paint the top two stories of the building. Mrs. Zheng agreed to paint the upper stories of the building. Regarding signage she intends to install window stickers – nothing permanent. As a result, Member Carboni moved to approve the application contingent on painting the building’s second and third story exterior; and placing a public trash can at the entrance on the sidewalk. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley ABSENT Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT DISCUSSION The parishioners of 8 Simmons Avenue attended the meeting with their design engineer, Luigi Palleschi. However, since the proposal was not on the agenda the Board was not able to take action. The applicant needs to schedule paving before the cold weather closes the asphalt plants. The Board proposed a neighborhood meeting first then consideration at the next Board meeting. Member Carboni moved to adjourn at 7:50pm. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.