Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 8, 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 Ms. Stephanie Couture ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Robyn King, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 11, 2019 MEETING Chairperson Mark 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 March meeting. There being no questions, Vice Chairperson Carroll 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 X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SEQR FOR A MIXED-USE PROJECT AT 70 DELAWARE AVENUE Mr. James Easton of MJ Engineering approached the Board and noted that MJ had submitted revised site plans with a response to CHA’s comments and they believe they have addressed all outstanding issues as they relate to SEQR review which mainly focused on the Bald Eagle nesting habits and the dragonfly habitat area. Mr. Easton explained that CHA is currently reviewing revisions for the plan set and that they have provided one rendering but they will be providing additional elevations and renderings of the full site at the upcoming meeting. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about the relationship between the Bald Eagles and the tree cutting, as per a comment submitted by DEC. Mr. Easton noted that there are not a lot of tall trees on site, but generally the roosting period for Bald Eagles begins in November/December which is where that comment originated. Vice Chairperson Carroll commented that this means they are asking the applicant to get ahead of next year’s nesting cycle. Mr. Easton gave additional clarification on the bald eagle thresholds, and Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that in this case it seems like it’s not really an issue. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if they were planning on submitted additional materials for the overall review process, and Mr. Easton noted that while they were only in process for the SEQR review at this meeting, they are planning on submitting additional renderings for review at upcoming meetings. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that he sees that the County Planning Board review is outstanding as well as the final site plan approval with additional information requested, but that at this meeting they were looking for a resolution for a negative declaration for SEQR purposes. Member Couture made a motion for the Cohoes Planning Board to make a negative declaration for SEQR purposes, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that the was looking forward to seeing the applicant next month to wrap up the review process. Member Bucher pointed out that he would like real consideration paid to the Ontario Street gateway and for the applicant to show some architectural features. Mr. Easton noted that they are looking at significant landscaping to soften the area and give it a less industrial look but they expect comments. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that there’s lots of traffic on that corner, and whichever vendor ends up in that location should be successful. Member Bucher noted that there should be a nice presentation and Mr. Easton commented on some elements including a rooftop parapet and considerations about the bridge approach. There was some discussion over the end tenant of that space, and Mr. Easton noted that he does not think it would be fit for a restaurant as it’s too small, but that it would likely be a traditional retail establishment. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR A RESTAURANT AT 93 ONTARIO STREET Chairperson DeFruscio introduced the proposal, which was for a restaurant at 93 Ontario Street in the former location of Island Spirits. Stephanie Phillips approached the Board and noted the building owner, Tim Fredette was also in attendance. Ms. Phillips introduced herself and noted the new restaurant would be called Monique’s Café and that she would be the owner, cook, and supervisor of the business. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if it would mainly be a to-go business and noted that she had in her application that there would be roughly 2-4 people inside at a time and she would be using a combination of street parking as well as some parking in the Island Spirits lot. Mr. Fredette commented that he will be putting up signs in the parking lot noting that some spots were reserved for her business, and Chairperson DeFruscio noted he thought this was important. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if Ms. Philips could review some information she submitted, and Member Nadeau thanked her for providing so much detail. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about hours and Ms. Phillips noted that she would be open 6 days a week and Member Bucher asked if it would be for all meals. Ms. Phillips commented that she would be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and noted that lunch and dinner were essentially the same meal. Member Couture asked about employees and Ms. Philips noted she was employing her son and daughter as employees. Member Bucher asked about changes to the exterior of the building, and Mr. Fredette noted that the taxi company used the building last and that he was planning on helping Ms. Phillips with a hanging sign. Member Bucher confirmed that the stacked stone would be retained. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about the prep work, and Ms. Phillips noted it would all be done on- site. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about deliveries and Ms. Phillips noted that delivery service would come later in the restaurant’s operating plan. Vice Chairperson Carroll clarified that he was speaking about supply deliveries and Ms. Phillips noted that she has made contact with vendors, and Mr. Fredette clarified that they can do deliveries in the back of the building. There was some conversation about traffic flows and it was determined that this could be done on a schedule that works well for everyone. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about signage, and Ms. Phillips said she understood the dimensions that the sign needs to adhere to and she showed a simple graphic with a logo. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about the floorplans and Ms. Phillips approached to clarify the layout. Member Bucher asked if she was planning on installing an Ansul system and where it would discharge to and Mr. Fredette noted that it would go out the back wall and Ms. Phillips noted she had been consulting a contractor for this. Member Bucher clarified that she would need to submit plans to the Building and Code Enforcement department for a permit. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that he was appreciative of Ms. Phillips hard work and dedication to this submission. There being no further questions, Member Nadeau made a motion for a conditional approval based on the recommendations of the Albany County Planning Board, which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X 151 SARATOGA STREET SITE PLAN – FOLLOW-UP Chairperson DeFruscio noted that there was an additional floor plan submitted with more detail. R. King noted that the County Planning Board had deferred to local approval in their review of the project. Member Nadeau noted that this provided additional clarification and moving forward, they would like to know if part of a building would be occupied, what the other use of that building would be and how much rentable space would be left. DISCUSSION ON PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL ZONING CODE AMENDMENT R. King gave some background on the proposed changes – that they were proposing no special use permits for private swimming pools moving forward, but that the setbacks would be retained and private swimming pools would be allowed for all residential uses. Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out his concern over City liability if there’s no cursory review by the Planning Board to ensure that if a pool fails, there would be adequate drainage. Chairperson DeFruscio commented that he would want the building code aspect of the current language to be retained. Member Couture echoed this concern and asked who ultimately would be liable. Member Bucher noted that he was ok with the Planning Board not conducting a review, so long as the City’s Corporation Counsel agreed that there was limited liability on the City without a Planning Board review. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Member Couture made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 pm, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously.