Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Edward Carboni Mr. Joseph Nadeau Ms. Stephanie Couture Vice Chairman Clarence Badgley Mr. Jack Carroll ABSENT: Chairman Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 10th, 2015 MEETING Vice Chairman Badgley opened the meeting at 6:30pm and asked the recording secretary to take roll call. Member Carboni moved to approve the minutes. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF SEQR FOR A MULTI_FAMILY AT 217 DELAWARE AVENUE Scott Lansing, P.E. represented the developer in proposing a 24 unit multi-family condominium project at 217 Delaware Avenue. The proposal includes a pool, poolhouse, fitness center and boat launch for the condominium residents. Although the site will include public access along a walking path parallel to the River, and the boat launch will be available for emergency services, only condominium residents will be able to use the pool and fitness facilities. The 1.79 acre property contains some archaeological artifacts. Developer Shelco hired Hartgen to conduct testing and extensive digging on site. Artifacts are mostly contained on the north side of the parcel. The developer sought permission from SHPO and the Mohican Nation to encapsulate the artifacts. As a result, the parking lot would encapsulate the artifacts on the north side while the building would be constructed on the south side so the contractor can install footings to support the structure. The first floor would contain 30 indoor parking spaces and an additional 42 surface spaces would be available. However, the available parking would exceed the Cohoes Zoning Code requirement of two spaces per unit. Since the proposal includes three off-street parking spaces per unit and the one to two bedroom apartments don’t appear to warrant so much parking, the Board asked that the developer bank any additional parking spaces beyond the 48. The developer could propose pavers to create the banked spaces so long as it remains green space. Mr. Lansing agreed to ask the developer. Member Carboni pointed out that it would negate the need for an area variance from green space requirements. The Code requires 50% green space and the proposal includes only 44% green space. Member Carboni asked about the Stormwater pond – is it a retention pond. However, Mr. Lansing explained that it would not retain water to treat quantity. Instead the pond will provide a filtration system to treat quality of water. Since the Hudson River is a fourth order stream the site does not need to limit quantity of water, only quality. Chairman Badgley asked about the number of bedrooms per unit, price point and handicapped accessibility of the condos. Mr. Lansing described one to two bedroom units, but did not know the rental rate proposed. As to handicapped accessibility the building would contain an elevator and the units could be converted to accommodate an individual with mobility impairments in accordance with the NYS Uniform Code and ADA. Members Nadeau and Carboni wanted to know the water pressure, sanitary capacity, proximity to Shanahan’s, building height of proposal as well as the neighboring building height at Captain’s Lookout. He pointed out the importance of consistency along Delaware Avenue. He also questioned the City’s plan for Delaware Avenue development. The Van Schaick Study available on the Community and Economic Development webpage for City of Cohoes describes residential and mixed-use development along Delaware Avenue as well as mixed-use development along Ontario Street. The City Planner will answer the proposed questions at a subsequent meeting. Member Carboni asked about a traffic impact study. The City Planner indicated that the small size of the project usually precludes a full study. Most projects on Delaware Avenue have used the Creighton Manning Engineering study which concluded that installation of the traffic signal at Delaware Avenue and Ontario Street would sufficiently handle traffic. Mr. Lansing added that NYSDEC SEQR standards for a moderate to high traffic impact would require 100 trips per peak hour. Given that 24-48 additional people and vehicles would result in one trip per morning and one per evening peak hour, the proposal does not trigger a moderate to high impact. As a result, Member Carroll moved to declare an intent to act as lead agency for SEQR purposes. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Next the Board will meet on Wednesday October 14th at 6:30pm to consider SEQR subject to the following questions: 1. two parking spaces per unit, banking remaining surface parking; 2. price per unit; 3. roof style – peaked or flat; and 4. final building height dependant on flood elevation level. YES NO Leo Badgley X Edward Carboni X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Vice Chairman Badgley moved to adjourn at 7:35pm. Member Carboni seconded the motion which passed unanimously.