Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JULY 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 Vice Chairman Jack Carroll Chairman Mark DeFruscio ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 13th, 2016 MEETING Chairman opened the meeting at 6:30pm and asked the recording secretary to take roll call. Member Couture moved to approve the minutes. Member Bucher seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A POOL AT 2 ST AGNES HIGHWAY The applicant Stacy Burgess requested approval to install a 21’ round above-ground pool in the enclosed yard. The proposed location meets setbacks. Chairman DeFruscio asked about drainage. The applicant explained that her neighbor is off to the side. As a result the pool will drain to the applicant’s side yard where there’s a 42’ setback. Therefore, Member Couture moved to approve the special use permit. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A POOL AT 149 MASTEN AVENUE Brandon Dame requested permission to install a 15’ round above ground pool in the backyard of 149 Masten Avenue. Unfortunately the lot only measures 25’. Installing the pool in the center of the backyard 15’ from the back of the house would create a 20’ rear setback. However the side setbacks would be 5’, or 5’ shy of the local zoning code requirement on each side. As a result the proposal will require area variances from setbacks. In the interim Chairman DeFruscio asked how far the neighbor’s homes are from the side property lines. Mr. Dame explained that the neighbors are 30’ and 15’ from each side property line. Any water would pond on the applicant’s property since the backyard is the low point. As conditioned on an area variance from the side setbacks, Member Couture moved to approve the pool. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A PARKING LOT AT 9-11 VAN VECHTEN STREET The applicant’s assistance, Lisa Donato, presented an updated site plan showing a 40’ deep parking area to accommodate tandem parking. The tandem spaces would be used by occupants of an apartment; however even the interior car could egress to the alleyway. Still, Chairman DeFruscio and members of the board preferred continuing parking along the alley. The new drawing reflects 11 spaces on east side while the Board prefers seven existing spaces and five banked spaces along the alley on the west side of the property. The Board needs that proposal illustrated on a drawing. In addition the Board had asked the applicant at the last meeting to address paving, striping, signage, and the banked spaces on the drawing. As a result, Member Nadeau moved to table the application as conditioned. Member Bucher seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A PARKING LOT AT 59-61 CANVASS STREET Nate Marks proposed constructing a parking lot behind 59-61 Canvass Street. The existing multi- family home contains five apartments. As-is, the property remains grandfathered regarding parking. It is also within 500’ of a municipal lot at the corner of Canvass St, Ontario St and Van Rensselaer, creating a waiver from off-street parking. Consequently, the off-street parking lot is unnecessary, but benefits the tenants and eases on-street parking in the area. The lot proposed contains eight parking spaces with four banked. Mr. Marks would store two City issued garbage cans along the left side of building. He will construct a deck and stairs on the back of the building. He proposes installing security lights on the second floor. Lighting would only impact the train tracks and commercial properties facing Saratoga St. The plans also reflect snow storage near the deck where a downspout-disconnect will empty into large flower pots. Member Nadeau asked about the shed. Mr. Marks removed the shed and cleaned out the back yard upon taking possession of the property. Member Bucher asked about the rain barrels shown on the plans. Mr. Marks explained that the downspout disconnect would empty into the rain barrels and flower pots. Member Nadeau moved to approve the pool. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 134 REMSEN STREET Paul Bonacquisti and his architect, Michael Roman of C2 Architecture, proposed renovating the Cohoes Hotel at 134 Remsen Street into six apartments. The existing structure will require repointing of brick, new windows, and a new roof. The Courtyard will become a brick-lined walkway from Remsen Street to the new and existing buildings. The proposal includes new construction along Main Street to White Street of a 21 unit apartment house separate from the Cohoes Hotel. The new structure is a three story hardy board clad multi- family with a brick-faced tower and a black aluminum fence on the corner of White and Main Streets. Two entrances on Main Street are set apart by bump outs. The proposal is mostly comprised of one bedroom market rate apartments ranging from 930-1200 SF. A fitness center and roof garden in the center tower will provide recreation space to tenants of both buildings. Trash will be stored inside the building. The new structure also provides an area for bike storage. Ms. Cherubino added that the developer determined parking needs of 71 Canvass Street as well as a 105 unit apartment complex in Schenectady. Both projects feature market rate apartments. Most tenancies are single occupancy owning one car. Chairman DeFruscio pointed out that although the elevation drawings look good the Board needs an updated site plan. The original conceptual site plan was promising. However the updated version should contain specifications regarding lighting, snow storage, landscaping, garbage- removal and building footprint. Member Nadeau moved to table the project subject to submission of more details on an updated site plan. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AT 330 ONTARIO STREET AND A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT 12 WHITE STREET Scott Townsend of 3T Architects and Andy Rymph of Chazen Companies proposed two separate projects in the downtown corridor. The two projects will create 91 units total, 71 at Sargent Street between White and Ontario and 20 units at 12 White Street. Most of the units are one bedroom apartments between 6-700 SF. Between the sites 25% of units are dedicated to adults on the autism spectrum as part of an integrated model. An additional 25% are market-rate apartments. A support center through Living Resources will be available on the ground floor of the Sargent Street project. Both sites will contain first floor retail space. Mr. Townsend explained that he has requested a change of address for both projects. The 12 White Street project will have three entrances from Remsen Street so he has requested at least three numbers, possibly a fourth. The Sargent Street project entrances all face Sargent Street so he has requested two Sargent Street addresses – 53 and 55 – for the two buildings. Mr. Rymph first described the 12 White Street proposal. The back walkway provides access for garbage removal, which would take place twice a week to prevent excess trash. In addition, the walkway will be constructed of porous pavement. In front a canopy on the south side covers bike racks. In the front south corner location an 18”-21” deep planter will collect Stormwater runoff. The developer will clean-up the sidewalk and re- create the 6” curb reveal. The developer proposes uplighting under the canopies, but will mostly rely on street lighting. In fact, an additional street light is proposed for the White Street side. A motion sensor activated light would be installed at the back path. Entrance to the path would remain locked. All access is via swipe card. The building itself matches the surrounding building’s height, setback, lines, materials and rhythm. In fact, through periodic indentations in the façade, the building appears as several buildings. Windows, the flat roof line and floors match up to surrounding three story brick buildings. The Remsen Street side is comprised of brick with a pre-cast concrete base along the first floor retail. The White Street side is fiber cement. Chairman DeFruscio added that the proposal is exempt from parking due to proximity to the municipal lots on Remsen and Main Streets. The applicant will work with the City Engineer to determine any details affecting public right of way. Member Nadeau moved to approve the final site plan for 12 White Street. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X As to 330 Ontario Street, the Planning Board accepted and incorporated the County Planning Board’s determination. Essentially the County deferred to the municipality as the project does not impact any state or county resource despite proximity to Route 470. Member Bucher moved to accept the County recommendation. Member Couture seconded the motions which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X At 330 Ontario Street the applicant proposes two buildings with a connection between the second and third floors. The building further north would be three stories while the south side building would contain four stories. The change in grade and presence of a retaining wall serve the purpose of the blocking views from Bedford Street to the rooftop mechanicals. Board members were concerned that headlights would enter the windows of fourth floor tenants. However Mr. Townsend intends to install blinds. Most traffic is parallel to the building, with a High Street turn north onto Bedford Street occurring south of the proposed project. The building was designed to create a streetscape instead of a block. The developer will add a sidewalk and angled on-street parking. The proposed retail uses are not set in either location. However at Sargent Street Living Resources would occupy the first floor. Although tenants in the building would visit the office, staff would visit most clientele in the home(s). A preschool is considering the northern end of the structure with a playground on Ontario Street. None of the proposed uses are certain so signage will require later approval. Board members questioned the fire access. The Chief and Engineer decided that the large ladder truck would fit under the overpass, but would not make the turn radius. Regardless the fire trucks can better fight any fire from the streets which nearly encircle the project. The tunnel does provide a temporary drop-off area. Moreover the tunnel is accessible to ambulances, smaller fire and box trucks. As a result, moving vehicles and emergency services would be able to enter the site through the tunnel and make the turn radius. A private hauler would provide garbage removal. The developer proposes recycling and garbage chutes from the 4th floor down. Interior garbage collection would be emptied frequently to prevent build-up. Common areas throughout the buildings feature a number of conveniences. An interior canopied bike storage area is available. A mail room is proposed indoors, subject to the post office approval. Storage areas are available to tenants. Finally gas meters would be installed indoors. Member Couture questioned whether a laundry room would be provided. It isn’t. Mr. Townsend explained that each apartment will have its own washer dryer hook-up as well as the necessary appliances. Regarding parking the developer will create on-site parking as well as 30 on-street angled parking spots. Chairman DeFruscio pointed out that the on-street parking will help the tenants living on the east side of Sargent Street. As a result, Member Nadeau moved to approve the final site plan for development on the west side of Sargent Street between White and Ontario Streets. Member Bucher seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X Member Couture moved to adjourn at 8:35pm. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously.