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 NOVEMBER 14th, 2016 MEETING Acting Chairman Nadeau opened the meeting at 6:30pm and asked the recording secretary to take roll call. Chairman Nadeau moved to approve the minutes. Member Bucher seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A LIQUOR STORE SITE PLAN AT 77 ONTARIO STREET Timothy Fredette submitted drawings to renovate the former Cumberland Farms convenience store gas station into a liquor store. At the last meeting neighbors welcomed 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. In addition, the neighbors asked that the Board limit the store’s hours. Board members explained that the store would use the same 9pm closing time as the current location west of the property, which satisfies the board. Mr. Fredette asked permission to open earlier than the current 12noon opening. Instead he would open at 10am, which the Board accepted. As to snow storage and deliveries neither would damage the neighbors’ 4’ chain link fencing as the applicant proposes installing his own fencing. However, the Board is willing to consider enforcing the 8’ fencing on the east side property line. Mr. Fredette agreed to install 8’ white vinyl privacy fencing on the east property line. Member Bucher asked that the fencing stop 6-8’ before the sidewalk or cascade in order to permit sight distance for customers leaving the parking lot. The applicant agreed. However, Mr. Fredette argued that arbor vitae would cover too much property. Therefore, the Board dropped that request. Mr. Fredette described the project as phased. The first phase would require blacktopping and striping the parking lot. It would also involve building improvements. The Board requested building alterations different from the submitted proposal. For example, the goose neck lighting does not match the façade. Instead can-style lights under the eaves would hide the lights and provide downcast lighting. In addition, the proposed signage will require mock-up submission and review. Completion of the CDTA Bus Rapid Transit stop would trigger the second phase of landscaping and black aluminum fencing. The applicant would install four foot black aluminum fencing on the front, side and rear property lines. He would also install hedges to landscape the site. Finally, tolling of five years would trigger the third and final phase, expansion of the building to the sidewalk. This construct would meet the walkable streetscape vision for Ontario Street on the Van Schaick and Simmons Islands. The applicant looks forward to the expansion as an investment in his business as well as the City. Under the conditions, Member Bucher moved to approve the site plan. Member Couture seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio ABSENT Jack Carroll ABSENT Stephanie Couture X Member Couture moved to adjourn at 7:00pm. Member Nadeau seconded the motion which passed unanimously.