Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD HELD IN CITY HALL ON DECEMBER 3, 2019 at 6:30PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio, Chairperson Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Bob Bucher ABSENT: Mr. Jack Carroll, Vice Chairperson Mr. Joseph Nadeau ALSO PRESENT: Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Economic Development and Planning Joseph Seman-Graves, Planner Chairperson DeFruscio called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 12, 2019 MEETING Chairperson DeFruscio asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minute from the November 12, 2019, meeting. With no questions, Member Bucher made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Couture seconded and the motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Absent Mark DeFruscio Abstain Jack Carroll Absent Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO FAMILY DWELLING AT 10 BROADWAY Chairperson DeFruscio asked if the applicant could approach and give a brief overview of the project. Mr. Luigi Palleschi approached. Mr. Palleschi explained that Mr. Krug owns the property at 10 Broadway and it is a vacant piece of land due to a fire back in 2015. Mr. Palleschi told the board there was a two family dwelling on the site prior to the fire and the property has been vacant for approximately 3+ years. They are proposing to construct a 2 story twin home on the property and they already received the area variance from Zoning. Mr. Palleschi told the board that there are other two family dwellings on and around the area, but because of Zoning two family residences are not an allowed use without site plan approval and a special use permit. Mr. Palleschi told the board that there is off street parking equaling 2 spaces per dwelling. Mr. Palleschi also explained the grading they planned on doing near the rear retaining wall, as they want to grade towards Fulton Street, they plan on keeping the wall but do some grading next to the wall. Mr. Palleschi explained that it is a free standing wall of old stone that they are willing to do some minor repairs to in order to keep it in place and protect the wall. Member Bucher brought up the concerns the board had at their last meeting regarding yard drainage, swale and removal of trees on Fulton Street. Member Bucher stated that he thought some kind of vegetation would help with drainage control on Fulton Street and other neighboring properties. Mr. Palleschi explained that with the sheet drainage on Fulton Street, they would cut back the slope a little as they are trying to avoid dirt against the building and the drainage would be the same a previously. Member Bucher asked if the retaining wall was on Krug property which Mr. Palleschi responded yes and there is a wall on Fulton Street which would come down. Member Bucher asked if they would plant some kind of shrubs/greenery on Fulton Street to alleviate any drainage issues, which Mr. Palleschi responded that they would do that. Member Bucher also asked if they would do some repointing of the wall so it is not so porous and Mr. Palleschi agreed to do that. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there were any other questions or concerns from members. Member Couture stated that all the concerns brought up were addressed. Chairperson DeFruscio then asked for a motion to approve the site plan and special use permit with the understanding that Mr. Palleschi installs shrubbery to alleviate any drainage issues and to point up the retaining wall. Member Bucher made a motion which was seconded by Member Couture motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Absent Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll Absent Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY AT 35 DUDLEY AVENUE Chairperson DeFruscio asked the applicant to approach the board. Mr. Steve Macomber approached and explained that the property is owned by his mother and step father and he was here representing them. Mr. Macomber explained that there is no garage at the dwelling and to alleviate some parking issues, they proposed to install a driveway and construct a garage at the rear of the property. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if he had a sketch showing where the garage was going to be located on the property, and showing the setbacks. Mr. Macomber stated that he did not have that available. Chairperson DeFruscio stated that the board could do a conditional approval contingent on the applicant submitting to Sharon a sketch/drawing of the garage and the driveway showing all setbacks from the front, sides and rear property lines and the sketch/drawing being approved. Mr. Macomber agreed to let his mother and step father know and Sharon also said she would email them stating what needs to be submitted. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if any members had any other questions or concerns, being none Member Couture made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit as contingent based on the applicant submitting the drawing, seconded by Member Bucher, motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Absent Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll Absent Stephanie Couture X City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves reminded members that they need to complete their 4 hour training by December 31st. He said he would email to the members the link for online training, so they can complete this. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Member Couture made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 pm, which was 2nd by Member Bucher and the motion carried unanimously.