Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, 2019 AT 6:30 PM IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairperson Jack Carroll Mr. Bob Bucher Mr. Joseph Nadeau ABSENT: Chairperson Mark DeFruscio Ms. Stephanie Couture ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 14, 2019 MEETING Vice Chairperson Jack Carroll 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 January meeting. There being no questions, Member Bucher made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Member Nadeau and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio Absent Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AT 188 REMSEN STREET FOR A MICROBREWERY WITH A RESTAURANT AS AN ACCESSORY USE Vice Chairperson Carroll briefly introduced the proposal, which includes converting space on the first floor of the building to a microbrewery with a restaurant as an accessory use. Mr. Paul Bonacquisti approached the Board and noted that this is a mixed-use building adjacent to Cake Street Sweets. Mr. Bonacquisti clarified that the building was once Harmony House and a bakery. Mr. Bonacquisti described the proposal, explaining that a microbrewery named Table 41 would be occupying the space with a brewery and pub. Mr. Bonacquisti noted that the proposal included brewing on-site and selling the product as well as operating as a restaurant. Mr. Bonacquisti pointed out that the brewers from Table 41 were also present to answer any questions and that the space would be renovated with two bathrooms, décor on the inside, brewing equipment, cooler for the beer behind a quality bar, a kitchen, and a floorspace with flexible seating. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked if there were any considerations put forward from the City. R. Reynolds noted that the City was very supportive of the project and were excited to see the space renovated. Mr. Bonacquisti noted this would be another addition to the City’s “Restaurant Row” area which is seeing a lot of action. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about the timeline for implementing the features described and Mr. Bonacquisti noted they would be getting started as soon as they obtained their permit. Member Bucher asked if there was any additions proposed for the space, and Mr. Bonacquisti clarified that everything in the proposal was for the existing footprint and they would be bringing the space up to code with an Ansul system as well as ensuring compliance with the County Health Department’s requirements. Mr. Bonacquisti explained that there was not a specific sign proposed yet for the business, but he understood that it was a separate permit and review process. Member Bucher asked if there would be a greasetrap in the floor, and Mr. Bonacquisti noted that the grease would discharge to the front of the building, but that he needs to look into this further. V Vice Chairperson Carroll asked if the audience had any questions, which there were none. As such, Member Nadeau made a motion to approve the special use permit, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio Absent Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 220 REMSEN STREET FOR A RESTAURANT Vice Chairperson Carroll asked the applicant to explain further details about the proposal for the restaurant at 220 Remsen Street. The applicant noted that this was once a podiatrist office and this proposal is to convert the space into an Italian restaurant named Anthony’s whose owner would be Don Russell. R. Reynolds noted that the proposal had gotten approval from the Historic Board and Zoning Board of Appeals for the sign. Member Nadeau asked about the bathrooms planned for the building and ADA compliance. The applicant confirmed the building is ADA accessible, and that there were adequate bathrooms planned for the quantity of people expected to be in the space. Member Bucher pointed out that on the drawings, the doors were swinging the wrong way, but overall the plan looked nice. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked the audience if there were any considerations or questions, which there were none. As such, Member Bucher made a motion to approve the site plan for a restaurant at 220 Remsen Street, which was seconded by Member Nadeau and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio Absent Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 326 ONTARIO STREET FOR A RESTAURANT Vice Chairperson Carroll asked the applicant to approach the Board and explain further details about the proposed restaurant. The applicant, Paul Peterson, noted he was proposing a pizza shop in the former Casey’s Corner location. The applicant explained that they were planning on the pizza shop with upgraded three-phase electric, an Ansul system, and that the building essentially is ready for the restaurant with minimal upgrades. Mr. Peterson explained that the name for the new restaurant would be Pizza Stop. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked if it was going to be an eat-in restaurant and Mr. Peterson clarified that it would host several tables and a counter space if people wanted to eat while in the restaurant as opposed to take-out. Member Bucher confirmed that there was no proposed redevelopment of the upstairs part of the building, only the retail space. Member Nadeau asked if there were any electrical upgrades proposed, to which Mr. Peterson clarified that National Grid would be coming to install three-phase power and he had electrical contractors planned to come to the site to conduct work. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked if there were any further concerns from the Board or audience. Member Nadeau asked about parking, and R. Reynolds noted this was in the MU-1 District, and there was public parking nearby that would suffice. Member Bucher asked if it was going to be mainly delivery, and Mr. Peterson noted he expected lots of deliveries as well as walk-in business from the construction crews. There being no further questions, Member Nadeau made a motion to approve the site plan for the restaurant at 326 Ontario Street, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio Absent Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture Absent ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Member Bucher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 pm, which was seconded by Member Nadeau and the motion passed unanimously.