Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 11, 2016 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Bob Bucher Mr. Joseph Nadeau Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Jack Carroll Chairman Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 14th, 2016 MEETING Chairman opened the meeting at 6:30pm and asked the recording secretary to take roll call. Member Carroll moved to approve the minutes. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SEQR FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT 134 REMSEN STREET Paul Bonacquisti and his design team – Luigi Palleschi, PE and Dan Sanders, RA - represented the project. Mr. Bonacquisti proposes to convert the three-story Cohoes Hotel at 134 Remsen Street into a six unit apartment house, constructing an “L” shaped addition that would front the corner of White and Main Streets. In total the building would contain 26 apartments and a storefront facing White Street. The developer also proposes removing the shed and constructing an addition on the south side of the building for a gym facility and community room. Chairman DeFruscio questioned treatment of the façade. Mr. Bonacquisti’s representative, architect Dan Sanders, explained that the proposal would include submission for Historic tax credits. As a result, SHPO would review the proposal for compliance with historic guidelines. All porches would be maintained as well as the two existing stair cases. Moreover, the local HPARB would also review to certify the building as historic and ensure the new construction fits the district guidelines. Mr. Bonacquisti added that the parking would be the Main Street lot and a rear parking lot. In addition the developer would improve the yards. For instance, the side yard would feature a garden and paver patio. The rents would be set at market rate. Member Nadeau declared an intent to act as lead agency for SEQR purposes. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A THREE-FAMILY STRUCTURE AT 53 EGBERT STREET Scott Boisvert proposes constructing a three-family building with a ground story garage at 53 Egbert Street. The first floor unit would contain a three bedroom apartment while the second floor would contain a two bedroom and a one bedroom unit. Mr. Boisvert lives on Egbert Street which boasts beautiful views of Cohoes Falls. The property contains a steep slope, requiring Harmony Street access to the garage structure with man-door access from Egbert Street. The property abuts a paper street which would be the natural extension of Morris Street. On the other side of the paper street Mr. Boivert owns the vacant lot at 65 Egbert Street as well as a single family home at 67 Egbert Street. Due to the lot constraints – in addition to the steep slope the property only measures 47’X160’ – Mr. Boisvert will need area variances from setbacks in order to construct the 40’X60’ structure. Design drawings show a 0’ setback along north side property line abutting the paper street. In addition the Harmony Street rear property line is at about a 25 degree angle from the back of the building. Therefore the Morris Street north corner is setback 0’, but the building is setback up to 20’ from the southernmost corner. Chairman DeFruscio asked the applicant about meeting green-space requirements and obtaining variances from setbacks. Chairman DeFruscio also expressed concerns about the applicant paving a public ROW. He asked that the applicant contact the City and conduct a title search to determine ownership. In addition, he pointed out that the board will need additional information on lighting, garbage removal and landscaping before taking action on the proposal. Member Nadeau asked about the trees, elevation changes and utility access. Mr. Boisvert explained that he will remove the trees. However he cannot remove the tree that touches 51 Egbert Street because the structure is clad in asbestos siding. Community and Economic Development Director Mike Jacobsen explained that the Albany County Land Bank would be taking possession of the 51 Egbert Street property. As to elevation changes, Mr. Boisvert agreed to provide proposed topographical information on a subsequent submission. The property slopes 10’ over the course of five parking spaces under existing conditions. Typical parking spaces are 9’ wide, creating a 10’ drop within 45’. As to utility access City of Cohoes water and sewer are available on Egbert and Harmony Streets respectively. Underground private utilities are also available. First Ward Councilman Bill Smith applauds the development. His only concern is parking on Egbert Street which is already narrow and congested. Board members were concerned that the sixth parking space (six total are required under the local zoning code) is located on the paper street. Mr. Boisvert agreed to create the sixth space on the site. Member Carroll moved to declare the proposal a Type II Action for SEQR purposes. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X The applicant must apply for area variances from setbacks at the Wednesday April 27th ZBA meeting. In addition the board asked the applicant to add the following information to updated plans prior to the next planning board meeting: 1. paper street ownership 2. access to parking 3. exterior lighting 4. building elevations 5. green-space 6. snow storage 7. trash CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN SITE PLAN FOR 175 PARK AVENUE Sandy Vardine proposed installing an internally lit 4x8 monument sign at the corner of Park Avenue and Adams Avenue advertising the museum activities. However, the code limits signage to one 16 sf per façade for museum purposes. Ms. Vardine also installed a 3x1 wall sign over the Adams Avenue entrance. Member Couture commented that the lighting is disruptive to neighbors. Chairman DeFruscio added that the residential neighborhood requires consideration of aesthetics. The proposed internally lit sign that had been installed then removed does not meet the aesthetics of the building or neighborhood. In fact, external lighting would fit the neighborhood better. He asked the original use of the platform where the owner installed the sign. Sixth Ward Councilman Koniowka answered that it had been installed for a statue when the building was occupied by the Roman Catholic Diocese. Chairman DeFruscio asked the applicant to pick a product and present the proposal to the Board. Member Couture recommended visiting other area churches or museums to look at lighting. At 8 Simmons Avenue a wood sign had been installed at the entrance. Member Carroll added that the Board could seek middle ground with the applicant. CONSIDERATION OF EXPANSION OF USE AT 8 WHITE STREET Anthony LePage proposes adding a basement studio apartment and converting a portion of the first floor to office space which he and his sister would use for offices. Municipal lots are located within 500’ at the library and kitty corner from the address next to Smith’s restaurant. He also proposes a bronze placard for signage and a lamp post in front. However those exterior alterations will be considered by HPARB. The basement has two exists, adequate height and large enough windows. Chairman DeFruscio asked that the applicant submit a letter indicating no other site details would be altered. Member Nadeau moved to declare the proposal a Type II Action for SEQR purposes. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Member Carroll moved to approve the expansion conditioned on the receipt of a letter from the applicant. Member Bucher seconded the motion which also passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF POOLS AT 352 NORTH MOHAWK STREET AND 158 WESTERN AVE Since neither applicant appeared before the board, Member Carroll moved to table the pool requests. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Member Carroll moved to adjourn at 8:15pm. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously.