Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON JULY 8, 2019 AT 6:30 PM IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark DeFruscio Mr. Joseph Nadeau Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Bob Bucher ABSENT: Vice Chairperson Jack Carroll ALSO PRESENT: Robyn King, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 10 MEETING Chairperson Mark DeFruscio called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm and asked if any of the Planning Board members had any comments on the proposed minutes from the June meeting. There being no questions, Member Couture 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 Absent Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO CONVERT A ONE FAMILY TO A TWO-FAMILY DWELLING AT 27 MCELWAIN AVENUE Chairperson DeFruscio noted that this was a very good application as there was a lot of information provided and pictures to describe the proposal. Chairperson DeFruscio asked the applicant to come forward to give an update on the proposal. Mr. Dustin Krause of 27 McElwain Avenue approached the Board and noted that he had owned the house for the past five years and he has only used the basement a handful of times but that it’s fully finished. He explained that he had fixed the pipes, put on a fresh coat of paint, and that he was looking to rent it out. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that he had gotten the applicable variances and that the approvals of those variances were contingent upon the Planning Board’s review and approval of the project. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there’s a secondary point of egress for the proposed unit, and Mr. Krause noted there is a large window that he’s hoping will count as a second point of egress. Member Bucher commented that an egress needs to be a certain size and operable for a certain square footage and asked if the unit was below grade. Mr. Krause answered that the unit is partially below grade and that the property elevates from the front to the back and thinks that the larger window might suffice as it’s larger than the other windows. Chairperson DeFruscio noted in the past, this space was a beauty salon. Mr. Krause noted that he understands he would need to get an inspection and that it would be a studio apartment. Member Bucher commented that the bedrooms need to be a certain size in order to pass code inspection. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there were any existing walls and Mr. Krause noted there was one and it essentially is a large closet. Member Bucher pointed out some specific elements in the photos provided and asked Mr. Krause whether it would be a one-bedroom or a studio, to which Mr. Krause noted he would prefer it to be classified as a one-bedroom, but it may depend on the code enforcement inspection. Chairperson DeFruscio asked R. King for clarification on what the Planning Board has purview over, and R. King noted that the Planning Board should consider whether this proposal is compatible with the neighborhood, would have any adverse impact, and if it meets zoning code requirements. Member Bucher asked Mr. Krause if there were separate electric meters, and Mr. Krause noted that he would like to have an inspector come and do an assessment on electric and windows if the Planning Board approves the proposal. Member Bucher clarified that the window and means of egress is a code issue, not the electric. Member Nadeau noted that he thought the proposal was conducive with the neighborhood, and he was supportive so long as it meets building code requirements. With there being no further questions from Board members or the audience, Chairperson DeFruscio noted he would be looking for a motion to approve the special use permit so long as there’s a means of secondary egress. Mr. Krause asked if this would be a stipulation of the approval, and members discussed the need for this to be a stipulation as there are certain safety issues the Board would like to note they had considered in the review. Member Nadeau then made a motion to approve the special use permit to convert the one-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling at 27 McElwain Avenue with the condition that the additional unit have a secondary means of egress, which was seconded by Member Couture and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll Absent Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR A MIXED-USE BUILDING WITH AN OFFICE AT 202 ONTARIO STREET Mr. William Springle approached the Board to explain that he was the owner of Collar City Medical Transport and he was planning on moving into the storefront on the corner, that it would be a small 20 foot by 20 foot office that would be perfect for his operations. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that this is for a transport company and he asked where the two vehicles were stored that he mentioned in the application. Mr. Springle noted that two of the vehicles are stored at employees’ homes in Latham and Watervliet and that the additional two cars had been stored at his apartment as there are currently 4 cars total in the fleet. Chairperson DeFruscio asked what kind of operations would take place in the office and whether or not there would be visitors. Mr. Springle confirmed that it would just be a place where he would take care of paperwork and there would be no visitors on-site. Member Nadeau asked Mr. Springle what he would be transporting, and Mr. Springle noted that they transport people to hospital and medical visits and that no one will really ever go into the office except for him. Member Nadeau asked how Mr. Springle worked out the parking spaces, and Mr. Springle noted that he understands there would be no dedicated parking spaces near the office and he would just take up the spaces available on the street as they are available. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that there’s really only a parking issue on days where there are church services, and Mr. Springle noted he’s aware of the church operations. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if he does not bring clients to the office, is all of the billing through Medicaid, and Mr. Springle noted that it was. Member Nadeau asked if the company, Collar City Medical Transport, is out of Troy and Mr. Springle explained it was his father’s company and that he now runs the company. Member Bucher asked if he might consider changing the name to Spindle City with the relocation, and Mr. Springle noted that that name had already been taken. Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that the hanging sign for the company would have to be reduced in size in order to meet the zoning code, and clarified there were no other signage restrictions, per the application, and R. King agreed. There being no further questions, Member Bucher made a motion to approve the site plan for the office in the mixed-use building at 202 Ontario Street, which was seconded by Member Couture and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll Absent Stephanie Couture X ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson DeFruscio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 pm, which was seconded by Member Nadeau and the motion passed unanimously.