Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD HELD IN CITY HALL ON JANUARY 13, 2020 at 6:30PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio, Chairperson Mr. Jack Carroll, Vice Chairperson Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Bob Bucher Mr. Joseph Nadeau ABSENT: All members present ALSO PRESENT: Joseph Seman-Graves, City Planner Sharon Butler, Administrative CED and Planning Chairperson DeFruscio called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 3, 2019 MEETING Chairperson DeFruscio asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minute from the December 3, 2019, meeting. With no questions, Member Couture made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Bucher seconded and the motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll Abstain Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING AT 50 PLEASANT ST AKA 309 VLIET STREET Chairperson DeFruscio asked if the applicant was going to be here to address the Board. City Planner Joe Seman-Graves stated that the applicant did know when the meeting was, but apparently failed to show. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about the zero setback in the front. Member Nadeau stated that all the other properties on the street have some kind of setback to them. Chairperson DeFruscio then asked if letters went out to neighbors. Sharon stated yes for the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting as that is what is required. Joe stated that he did receive a couple of phone calls on the project because there is a sign on the property. Chairperson DeFruscio stated he thinks it’s too much for the site and area and the other Board members agreed stating that it does not fit with the character of the neighborhood. Member Nadeau asked about the application going in front of Zoning. Joe stated that Zoning would only review and possibly approve variances for Green Space requirements and any setbacks. Joe also stated that it is a Non-Conforming use for the area as it is R-1 district. Joe also explained what the duties of each board and who should be reviewing what parts of applications submitted. With the applicant not being present to address the Board, Joe gave some background on the project; there are 2 2 family homes on the lot now, applicant is proposing a much larger development, which consists of 4-2unit homes. Joe explained to the Board that he can only advise the applicant of the codes and guidelines of projects, but the Board can approve or disapprove projects. This project if approved by the Planning Board would still require approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Member Nadeau stated that the Board needs to look at what is good for the City and neighborhood quality of life and still be fair to any developers/contractors. Chairperson Couture stated that this project is not in character of the neighborhood. Member Bucher stated if the applicant wants to submit something more in character of the neighborhood/smaller proposal they could review that after Joe (City Planner) reviews it. Member Nadeau stated that the applicant can come back in front of the board with another proposal as they are open to review it and not close the door on the applicant. All members were in agreeance that if the applicant wants to submit another project proposal that is more in character with the neighborhood they would review it. A motion was made by Member Bucher to reject the project as proposed based on mass and scale 2nd by Vice Chairperson Carroll. Motion carried unanimously YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT AT 6 DELAWARE AVE/1101 CAPTAINS LOOKOUT WAY Chairperson DeFruscio noted that the applicant was not present to address the Board. The members reviewed the documents regarding the lot line adjustment and determined that it would be appropriate to approve this proposal based on the area being zoned at PDD and the developer would have to work within the criteria that has already been approved. If the developer makes any changes to what has already been approved, they will have to come back in front of the Planning Board members. Member Bucher made a motion to approve the lot line adjustment as proposed as the development is in a PDD zone and any other changes would need approval of the Board, 2nd by Vice Chairperson Carroll. Motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUIRED SKETCH SUBMITTED FOR A DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE AT 35 DUDLEY AVENUE. After review of the sketch submitted, Vice Chairperson Carroll made a motion to accept the sketch 2nd by Member Couture. Motion carried unanimously YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF ONE MEETING CHANGE; OCTOBER 12, 2020-WHICH IS A HOLDIAY AND CITY HALL IS CLOSED After discussion for an alternate date, Member Couture made a motion to change the October 12, 2020 Planning meeting to Monday October 5, 2020 2nd by Member Nadeau. Motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves reminded Chairperson DeFruscio, Vice Chairperson Carroll and Member Bucher that they still needed to complete their training requirements for 2019 and it needed to be completed by the next meeting. Joe stated that he would send the link for the online training as that is the only thing available now to be in compliance. City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves discussed the procedure of receiving project proposals as after conversations with the Zoning Chairperson and Codes, it seems that Zoning only receives items requiring variances and Code doesn’t know to send projects to the Planning Office for review of compliance. The Board members stated that they just want consistency with project reviews as that was an issue in the past. Member Couture state that all projects should be reviewed by the Planning Board Members just to maintain consistency. City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves discussed the amendments and corrections with the Zoning Code, as there are numerous spelling errors and items that are not consistent with zoning districts uses and table A and table B have inconsistencies in them which need to be corrected. Joe also spoke on allowance for businesses and Café Signs, a draft application for a Café permit and adding in the Code language for bees, chickens, and small animals. Joe asked the members to review the documents and contact him with any thoughts and ideas. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Member Vice Chairperson Carroll made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm, which was 2nd by Member Bucher and the motion carried unanimously.