Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 20, 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 Vice-Chairman Clarence Badgley ABSENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio Mr. Jake Dumesnil ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Ashline-Heil, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 21st, 2013 MEETING Member Gariepy moved to approve the minutes. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 8 SIMMONS AVE Tom Andress, P.E. represented the owners in this request for final site plan approval of a parking lot, grading, stormwater runoff, lighting and landscaping. The review engineer, Tom McGrath P.E., signed-off on the project with two outstanding comments with which the developer is willing to comply. First, the developer will cap the abandoned pvc pipe. Second, the design engineer will provide additional findings regarding the stormwater basin and whether it will need a clay lining to seal the bottom. At the neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, November 6th at the Church, the review engineer also recommended roof drains that would divert water away from the slope and into the stormwater basin. The developer agreed to install these pipes. Chairman Moloughney asked how much water that diverts. Mr. Andress explained that the 12” roof drains cover half the existing building and the entire addition on both the east and west sides. Mr. Andress also described the lighting as 14’ poles mounted with downcast lighting. He submitted a photometric plot plan which shows no impact to neighboring properties. Member Carboni asked if the applicant would landscape in the spring which the applicant confirmed. Member Carboni asked about the City Engineer’s comments. The City Engineer requested installation of a fence. Member Gariepy asked what type of fencing the developer proposes to install and whether it would be visible from the street. Mr. Andress indicated a chain link fence would be installed. However, landscaping would obscure the fence. Chairman Moloughney pointed out the fence is 120’ from the property line abutting the street. However he asked whether the fence will be gated for vacuum truck access to perform cleaning of the sediment. Mr. Andress confirmed the gate will be wide enough for a truck. Member Gariepy asked what else changed on the site plan. In response to neighbor requests Mr. Andress added mixed vegetation; additional buffering with shrubs at the top; a grass island in the parking lot; and shorter lamp posts but with more poles to compensate for the loss of coverage. Chairman Moloughney asked if the applicant will pave now, which the applicant confirmed. However, the developer will only pave to 10’ beyond the lighting as marked by stakes and agreed to by the City Engineer. Chairman Moloughney asked how the stormwater system will function with the pavement when the system will not yet be built out? Mr. Andress explained that the site naturally drains to the basin. An outlet control is the only piece to construct. Councilwoman Diane Nolin asked what percentage of the parking will be constructed this fall. Mr. Smolovic explained that approximately 60 out of 84 spaces would be constructed, or three quarters of the proposed parking lot. Councilwoman Nolin also asked the maturity of plants. Mr. Andress described 6’ at 2 ½” caliper foliage on the lower level so the slope will be visible. On the upper level 24-30” shrubs will be planted at a height that will obscure headlights. Mr. Andress explained that rhododendrons planted at 36” site distance will fill in within the year. A neighbor questioned when the applicant intends to remove existing construction debris. Mr. Smolovic needs to install the proposed storage shed to house those materials. Due to its proposed location on the portion of parking lot slated for spring, the shed cannot be constructed at this time. Vice Chairman Badgley moved to make a negative declaration for SEQR purposes. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. As a result Member Gariepy moved to approve the site plan. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Joseph Moloughney X Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Jake Dumesnil ABSENT Sharon Gariepy X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT DISCUSSION Member Carboni moved to adjourn at 7:15pm. Member Gariepy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.