Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 14, 2016 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Joseph Nadeau Ms. Stephanie Couture Vice Chairman Jack Carroll Chairman Mark DeFruscio Mr. Bob Bucher ALSO PRESENT: Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 8th, 2016 MEETING Chairman opened the meeting at 6:30pm and asked the recording secretary to take roll call. Vice Chairman Carroll moved to approve the minutes. Member Bucher seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher ABSENT Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SUBDIVISION AT 23 EDWARD STREET The applicant Joshua Eiffe requested approval to subdivide land at 23 Edward Street into two properties. The existing two-family will remain and the subdivision will create a new vacant parcel that meets the zoning code requirements. Mr. Eiffe will construct a single family home on the vacant parcel. Therefore, Member Bucher moved to approve the special use permit conditioned on receipt of an accurate and detailed drawing. 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 LIQUOR STORE AT 77 ONTARIO STREET Timothy Fredette submitted drawings to renovate the former Cumberland Farms convenience store gas station into a liquor store. Neighbors welcome occupancy at the now abandoned structure. However siblings Dawn Juneau, JoEllen Smith and Ralph Ferguson requested an 8’ fence and arbor vitae along the east side property line to buffer the store from their property. The siblings also requested information on snow storage as the plow has damaged fencing in the past. Delivery trucks have also damaged the fencing. Finally they would like to limit hours of operation. Chairman DeFruscio explained that the store would use the same hours of operation as the current location west of the property, which satisfies the board. Snow storage and deliveries would no longer damage the neighbors’ fencing as the applicant proposes installing his own fencing. However, the Board is willing to consider enforcing the 8’ fencing and arbor vitae on the east side property line. CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 12 WHITE STREET Paul Halvax and Scott Townsend submitted a proposal to amend drawings regarding a mixed-use structure at 12 White Street. Generally the project will remain the same. However, the height of top stories reduced to 10’6” from 12’ in order to add a fourth story. Doing so adds a total of 6’ to the building height and 10 additional apartments (from 20 to 30). The original proposal was a sister project to the Sargent Street project which is part of a DHCR application for supplemental financing. Splintered off from that project the 12 White Street proposal would feature market rate apartments. Retail space and entrances would remain. Chairman DeFruscio pointed out the proposal will need Historic Board and Zoning Board approvals. He also expressed concern about the height difference compared to neighboring structures. He believes that HPARB will take issue with the windows not lining up with neighboring structures. Mr. Townsend explained that kitty corner to the project next to Hometown Restaurant is a five story building. The Cohoes Hotel is a four story structure. Member Bucher added that the undulating rooflines make a nice skyline. Windows along the Remsen Street buildings do not line- up. More important from an historic perspective is that the new construction exhibit symmetry so as not to detract from the existing historic building’s architectural details. He also understands the economics of private development. Chairman DeFruscio also questioned the addition of 10 apartments as well as the alteration to market rate apartments. Occupants would be more likely to own vehicles. Mr. Townsend reminded the board that the proposal is within 500’ of municipal parking, providing an exception to parking requirements under the City’s zoning code. Vice Chairman Carroll added that it would be ideal to have a parking problem so downtown businesses can enjoy foot traffic. The City would address any parking problem once it occurs. Member Bucher moved to approve the project subject to zoning board of appeals variance from height and historic board approval. 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 Couture moved to adjourn at 7:30pm. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously.