Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 14, 2019 AT 6:30 PM IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark DeFruscio Vice Chairperson Jack Carroll Mr. Bob Bucher Mr. Joseph Nadeau ABSENT: Ms. Stephanie Couture ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 17, 2018 MEETING Chairperson DeFruscio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and asked if any of the Planning Board members had any comments on the proposed minutes from the December meeting. There being no questions, Vice Chairperson Carroll made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 113 REMSEN STREET FOR A MIXED-USE STRUCTURE WITH 5 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS Chairperson DeFruscio introduced the project and noted that this would be a site plan review for 113 Remsen Street and asked the applicant to come forward to explain the project. Mr. Daniel Oh presented a brief summary of the project, noting that the building used to host the business “Tables and Chairs” and that the location of the building was on the corner of Remsen and Euclid Streets. Mr. Oh explained that he was planning to renovate the top two floors of the building into loft-style residential unit while maintaining the commercial space on the bottom floor along with the one residential unit on the bottom floor. Mr. Oh noted that there were five parking spaces on-site and that he is requesting that the Planning Board consider the additional parking at 122 Remsen, which he owns, as there are 67 spaces at that property. Member Nadeau asked about the development of the property at 122 Remsen, and Mr. Oh explained that is currently an attorney’s office on-site, but he was planning on additional renovations to that building in the spring. Member Nadeau pointed out that there will be additional parking demands when that building is renovated, and Mr. Oh noted that he believed that the parking could accommodate the uses planned for 122 Remsen Street and 130 Remsen Street. Member Nadeau asked how the parking could be documented and R. Reynolds noted that she could keep a tally on-file with the site plan reviews. Mr. Oh explained he was also planning on purchasing a parcel with 12 additional spaces adjacent to Sargent Street. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked how many properties Mr. Oh owned downtown in general, and Mr. Oh clarified there were three – 113, 122, and 130 Remsen Street. Member Nadeau asked Mr. Oh what he would like to see move into the commercial space and Mr. Oh noted that he was open to ideas but that he would like the use to be compatible with the residents who will be living in the upper floors. Chairperson DeFruscio opened the public hearing for the site plan at 6:41 pm, and there being no one in attendance in the audience, closed the public hearing at 6:42 pm. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about the status of the property in relation to the Nationally Registered Historic District, and Mr. Oh noted that he had been working with SHPO, but that the building may not be historically significant. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there was any exterior work on the building, and Mr. Oh noted that he is planning to add some windows, an exterior entrance for the apartments, lighting above a door, and a light fixture. Mr. Oh clarified where the entrance will be as well and discussed storage for the apartments. There being no further questions, Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there was a recommendation for final approval for the site plan under consideration. Member Bucher made a motion for final approval for the site plan for a mixed-use building with five apartments at 113 Remsen Street, which was seconded by Member Nadeau and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson DeFruscio made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 pm which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously.