Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD HELD IN CITY HALL ON FEBURARY 18, 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 6:35 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 13, 2020 MEETING Chairperson DeFruscio asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minute from the January 13, 2020, meeting. With no questions, Member Couture made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Nadeau seconded and the motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN FOR 134 REMSEN STREET COHOES HOTEL PHASE II Chairperson DeFruscio asked if the applicant would approach to explain the project. Paul Bonacquisti gave an overview of the project. Mr. Bonacquisti stated that all plans showed 21 units and did not state anything about mixed uses. Joe Seman-Graves, City Planner stated the City has a site plan that has mixed use language, wants to make sure what is approved is built so there are no issues in the future. Paul Bonacquisti stated that the 21 unit wraps around in an L shape, and they are not proposing any mixed use or commercial use, it is all residential. Chairperson DeFruscio said he doesn’t remember any mixed use being approved. Paul Bonacquisti stated that there is a lot of retail on Remsen Street so there isn’t a need for any mixed use or commercial retail. Chairperson DeFruscio stated there was never any retail, need to look for final approval, as none of the Planning Board members remember any mixed use in their previous approval, only apartments. Paul Bonacquisti asked if he wanted to do more apartments would he have to come back in front of the Board. He asked if they could put it on the record to have up to 24 apartments. Chairperson DeFruscio stated no, without a plan in front of them they would not approve anything extra. Chairperson DeFruscio did state that if extra apartments would not impact the outside of the building and the foot print stayed the same, handicap accessibility stayed the same, it would probably be relatively easy to obtain approvals for additional apartments. Chairperson DeFruscio asked for a motion to approve the final site plan with 6 apartments in the Hotel and 21 apartments in the L shape branch with NO mixed use. Motion made by Member Bucher 2nd by Vice Chairperson Carroll All in favor motion passed unanimously. Chairperson DeFruscio reminded the applicant Paul Bonacquisti that if he has any changes he will need to come back in front of the board.  YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR 378 SARATOGA STREET JUNCTA LOT 1 TO CONSTRUCT A HOFFMAN CAR WASH Chairperson DeFruscio asked the applicant to approach to explain their project. Frank Palumbo from CT Male, Marty Andrews and Tom Hoffman Jr. approached with visuals for the Board to see. Mr. Palumbo gave an over view of the project stating that they are looking to construct a new car wash on Saratoga St. and Dyke Ave. The entrance would be on Saratoga Street, there will be vacuum area, employee parking and automated teller system. The building would be 140 feet long which is smaller than most existing car washes but would be a good fit in that area. This site was chosen because of the volume of traffic. Chairperson DeFruscio stated that the lots were divided and that they wanted to make sure anyone interested in Lot 2 has knowledge that Lot 1 has access so there isn’t another curb cut, because putting additional access is a concern. Chairperson DeFruscio said they were very clear on the access part when they approved the sub division of the lots. Frank Palumbo stated that Hoffman’s would not be opposed to shared access, and they would have to work with the land owner on the access. Chairperson DeFruscio said he is in favor of mixed use to accommodate the people in area, but when the tracks are in use they shut down the whole area, as it’s a difficult intersection. Tom Hoffman said the peak hours of business are in the middle of the day, unlike a Star Bucks or Dunkin Donuts when the bulk of their business is rush hour traffic time. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if they were intending to make an entrance access in the north and south bound lanes. Frank Palumbo stated yes. Chairperson DeFruscio stated that there is a lot of traffic from 787 and he had a concern about someone trying to turn into the car wash. Frank Palumbo reiterated that most of the people washing their vehicles would be at off peak hours from traffic on 787. Chairperson DeFruscio asked how many cars would be in the que before backing traffic up. Tom Hoffman stated 17. He stated it is the same design as Rte 50 and they have no traffic backups—it’s a flawless system. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if it was full service or drive thru. Thom Hoffman stated it is drive thru, he also stated the vacuum system is new technology and is a quieter design. Chairperson DeFruscio asked about noise because people in the area would have a concern with that. Tom Hoffman stated there isn’t any noise with the drive thru and the vacuum area is extremely quiet with the new system to be installed. The hours of operation are going to be 7AM to 7PM and 8PM in the summer. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked if they would have employees. Tom Hoffman said yes to help people with the automated teller transactions. Member Couture asked if there was a traffic study completed. Tom Hoffman stated that they did not do a specific traffic study but based their numbers on peak times of other locations. Member Nadeau stated that they did a good job with the elevations of the area because it is a difficult area. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if they had any intentions for small retail. Tom Hoffman stated there would be a vending machine but no actual retail. Member Bucher asked if this design was the same as the Saratoga one Tom Hoffman said yes. Member Bucher stated he is ok with the site not being mixed use and their design was nice. Member Bucher also stated that the Board did approve the subdivision with the shared access and it needed to be looked into. City Planner Joe Seman-Graves stated that they would need to complete the SEQR process because of the projects closeness to historical site and he would look into the notes on the subdivision. Frank Palumbo stated that they would like to continue the dialog with the Zoning Board. Chairperson DeFruscio stated they have to look into the mutual access and the Planning Board would be willing to take lead agency on the SEQR process. Chairperson DeFruscio asked for a motion to start the SEQR process and issue letters to other interested agencies the intent for the City of Cohoes Planning Board to act as Lead Agency. Motion was made by Member Couture and 2nd by Vice Chairperson Carroll motion passed unanimously YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Member Nadeau asked about storm water. Frank Palumbo stated they needed to have more conversations with the City Engineer on storm water and sanitary sewer. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson DeFruscio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 pm, which was 2nd by Member Couture and the motion carried unanimously.