Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD HELD VIRTUALLY ON NOVEMBER 9, 2020 at 6:30PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark DeFruscio, Chairperson Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Jack Carroll, Vice Chairperson Mr. Joseph Nadeau Ms. Kizzy Williams alternate member Mr. Bob Bucher (came on late) ABSENT: No members absent ALSO PRESENT: Joseph Seman-Graves, City Planner Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Chairperson DeFruscio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Roll Call: One member absent Chairperson DeFruscio was having difficulty with staying connected to the audio and visual of the meeting. Joe Seman- Graves asked Vice Chairperson Carroll if he would take over the meeting until Mr. DeFruscio could connect better. Mr. Bob Bucher connected late he was having trouble connecting in CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 5, 2020 MEETING Vice Chairperson Carroll; ok first thing on the agenda is consideration of the October 5, 202 meeting minutes. Are we going to have a roll call on that? Sharon Butler; are there any questions or changes or anything members want changed? All members present stated no Vice Chairperson Carroll; ok can we have a motion to accept the minutes as written? Member Nadeau made the motion 2nd by member Couture motion carried unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher ABSENT Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A PATIO AT 100 N. MOHAWK STREET Vice Chairperson Carroll; ok the minutes are approved, moving on to item #2 on the agenda; patio site plan resubmission at 100 N. Mohawk St. Is this the one we’re going to share the screen with? Yeah, this is Bill Mafrici from Hershberg and Hershberg. I can get ready to share my screen Joe Seman Graves; yes send that over Mr. Mafrici; it says host disabled participants screen sharing, Joe so I don’t know it must be something on your side? Joe Seman Graves; Bill let’s just go, I have a physical copy here just to save time, let’s go through the information you presented and I can hold the physical copy up and if there’s any other questions we can revisit this. Chairperson DeFruscio; I’m back on Joe, can you see me? Joe Seman Graves; yes and I can hear you This is Dan Hershberg; I made the application at last month’s meeting and since that time I understand, the city has approved a resolution to sell that small piece of the right of way, so I think we are in the position now to move forward with the site plan approval. Our patio plan has been updated and it shows a mixture of (site plan on the screen), that’s the view of the proposed site plan that we submitted. The actuary was acquired and a piece was acquired from the Elks. (Slide on screen) And this view gives you a pretty good idea. Some of the elements are still there, the lighting system. The layout is very similar to the patio you see on your right, the lighting system will be in place from, be crossing from side to side of that patio from the, when you take a look at the smaller plan in the middle (on screen) it has posts on it, string lights will be strung between those to light the area to be used at night. On the plan, on the left there’s a single table, there will be more, there will be more tables, there will be a fire pit, there will be 3 grilling stations and some benches, it’ll be meant for seating and for cooking various items and family eating at the site and that’s pretty much it. It does have a decorative fence around it and it is, that’s pretty much the plan as it is. Mr. Mafrici; we’re also proposing a partial canopy for shade, that would be taken down for the winter time, as it’s not a year round thing. But over, maybe ¾ of the patio will be shaded. Vice Chair Carroll; when you say canopy type thing, is it a tent? Mr. Mafrici; yea like a canvass but more attractive than a tent Vice Chair Carroll; ok Mr. Mafrici; it is just intended for putting sun screening over the top, it’s not enclosed. There’s only a roof top canopy. Mr. Hershberg; and during brief rainstorms you can certainly get under cover for a while, I don’t think it is for use during a monsoon or anything heavy, but then again it can certainly protect you from rain, a rainfall. Vice Chair Carroll; so it’s a portable pavilion? Mr. Hershberg; yea that’s exactly what it is. It can be taken down and put away for the winter, it’s not meant to support snow loads. Vice Chair Carroll; how big is it? Mr. Mafrici; it spans almost ¾ of the patio in a triangular shape. I think this would be a good time Joe, we can show what we submitter earlier with the actual components laid out more so than what we did here. We shared an updated plan, unfortunately we can’t view it right now. Member Bucher; so Bill it’s like a tensile type of structure right? Mr. Mafrici; correct and it goes from corner to corner then to the center pole, the center island and then to one corner so it’s architecturally pleasing in the way it’s shaped, it doesn’t just look like a tent. Member Bucher; right, it looks like a sail, they are very popular now in covering outdoor amenity spaces. They look like sort of free form sails. They’re very nice looking actually Chairperson DeFruscio; how are they secured? Member Bucher; Bill how’s it going to be secured to the, is it going to have probably deck mounted poles or something? Mr. Mafrici; yes the poles will be incorporated within the fence and the piers, those will be permanent and then they’d have eyelets or something to strap on and attach to the poles and tension wires through it. Member Bucher; yeah Mr. Mafrici; we had a layout that showed some anchored chairs, most of it was removable, Joe was kind of bringing that up on his screen Joe Seman Graves; I’m having problems letting you share right now, I apologize. Mr. Mafrici; that’s ok Mr. Hershberg; like most of the furniture can be removed, but some of it is fixed in place. There are some items that are fixed in place that will be weather proofed and would withstand the winter. Mr. Mafrici; and on our site plan we remunerated that would actually be on the, or used on the patio which Dan had mentioned. We do have a trash receptacle that’s going to be available also. The intent of this patio is to be used just by the patrons Mr. Hersberg; the residents Vice Chair Carroll; is the fire place going to be gas or wood? Mr. Mafrici; gas, if you can recall that portion of the underground gas line to the fire place and to the grills were already installed. And they’ve been tested since. Vice Chair Carroll; ok Member Nadeau; you anticipate any signage restricting it to residents? Mr. Mafrici; there is a gate sort of entrance which we could, I don’t know, I don’t think they would have any objection to doing that Member Nadeau; I’m just curious, for their own protection that some people don’t just take it upon themselves to start using the facility and it becomes an issue Mr. Mafrici; the main, you can see there is only one access to that patio, so it is confined and there is maintenance staff on board and obviously we have employees there that are aware of what’s going on out there. Member Nadeau; ok right, Mr. Hershberg; I think essentially there would probably be a small sign on the gate or very near by saying for residents only so that it is clear that they, just for liability protection it would behoove them to have some sort of warning like that. Member Bucher; yeah definitely Vice Chair Carroll; alright anybody have anything more to add? Any concerns, considerations? Is Mark back with us? Chairperson DeFruscio; I don’t know if you can see me or hear me. I think you can hear me but I don’t know if you can see me. Vice Chair Carroll; we can see you. You have the command back then, Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so based on that we’re looking for a final site plan approval of the patio at 100 N. Mohawk St or a motion for that, for final site plan approval of the patio at 100 N. Mohawk St. Vice Chair Carroll; so moved Chairperson DeFruscio; is there a 2nd? Member Bucher; I’ll 2nd it Joe Seman Graves; was that Bob? Member Bucher; yes Joe Seman Graves; Mark I’ll see how you want to handle it, we already had Kizzy vote in your place on one thing Bob Member Bucher; oh, sorry I’m sorry I was late Joe Seman Graves; I just don’t want to revisit the meeting because we had…… Alternate Member Williams; I’ll 2nd Sharon; so it’s 2nd by Kizzy then? Alternate Member Williams; yes Chairperson DeFruscio; is there anybody out there that has any public comment or anything before we do a vote? Joe Seman Graves; no one is raising their hand at the moment or commenting. Chairperson DeFruscio; no one is jumping up and down? Joe Seman Graves; not at the moment Chairperson DeFruscio; we’ll give it a little pause just to make sure that nobody is looking…..Alright so I guess we’ve got a motion and we’ve got a 2nd so let’s do a vote. Vice Chair Carroll; so moved Alternate Member Williams; I’ll 2nd motion carried unanimously YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X Chairperson DeFruscio; Joe for the meeting purposes…… Member Bucher; also Sharon you didn’t call my name my vote is yes Chairperson DeFruscio; well that’s my point Bob is, since Bob has joined the meeting, does Kizzy not revert back to an alternate? Joe Seman Graves; I’ll leave that one up to you, that’s kind of your preference on how you want to handle it. Member Bucher; that’s ok Vice Chair Carroll; you’re point Joe was to keep the voting record homogeneous instead of boom a ranging people in and out Joe Seman Graves; the only reason I say that, if someone looks back at the minutes, there’s not a question of why some people voted in some spots and not in the others. But I’ll leave it to the board to make that decision. Vice Chair Carroll; I’ll leave it to the Chair Member Bucher; its fine whatever the Chair wants to do is fine. I apologize for joining late, I had zoom connectivity issues. Chairperson DeFruscio; I had the same issues too Bob. So for this meeting what we’re going to do Bob is let Kizzy participate as an active voting member and you can just provide comment and assistance when necessary please. Member Bucher; perfect CONSIDERATION OF A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT AT 349-363 SARATOGA STREET Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, so the next item on the agenda is consideration of a lot line adjustment at 349-363 Saratoga St. I’d like to remind everybody that this was part of, this was discussed at some previous meetings, that this was going to happen, but is the representative for that property online? Fred Metzger; here yes sir Chairperson DeFruscio; how are you doing Fred? Mr. Metzger; good. I’m hearing that there is a little working and not working so hopefully everybody can hear me this evening. Chairperson DeFruscio; would you just like to describe this project? Mr. Metzger; absolutely. Again good evening, Fred Metzger land surveyor here this evening and for the Bazar’s regarding the project, the proposed lost line adjustment located at 349, 361, and 363 Saratoga Street. They currently own those 3 parcels, as we know one of them, the most northerly one is vacant, then next 2 have those 2 buildings which are about 2/3rd on the land and 1/3rd of each one of those parcels falls onto the former canal lands, which the city purchased some time ago and then we did the 4 lot subdivision, they a short time back purchased what is lot 3 of the subdivision that we did for the city which comprised of almost 0.89 acres and lies immediately adjacent on the easterly side of these 3 parcels. And now what the Bazar’s are looking to do is a lot line adjustment, an extra little lot, well actually it’s just going to be the remaining piece. But to take each of the property lines between 349, 361 and 363 and push those or continue them easterly til it hits the new property line of the lands that they acquired making each of the existing parcels much larger, a little bit more than double of what they were. And obviously larger and more functioning and then obviously having all the existing improvements clear and on the lands instead of it being on the former canal/city lands. And then as part of it to, that little remaining triangular piece, which we’re calling lot 4, is going to be conveyed to the City of Cohoes, it’s that little triangular piece. I know there was a little hold up back when we did the original work because they were, then they weren’t, include that original the old Champlain lot 2 because they had some historical value, but then in the end result it was included. But, after speaking with Mr. Bazar we decided, or he was ok with cutting that small triangular piece and deeding that back to the city, so the city can keep that with them and improve it or whatever it is they would like to do with it. And then that’s basically it in a nutshell. Open for any questions if you have any. Member Nadeau; I have a question. By extending these properties, is it the city actually giving up that space, how are we extending the property lines. Mr. Metzger; yea, it was lot 3 of the original subdivision when the city bought those lands, and they sold lot 3 to the Bazar’s. So the Bazar’s own all those lots there and they’re readjusting the lot lines between them. Chairperson DeFruscio; they own the property along Saratoga St, they purchase lot 3, which went behind all 3 properties and all they’re doing now is, they’re trying to subdivide the lot 3 property that they we’re given, that they bought so that they are included in the existing, what were the existing 3 pieces of property that were there already. They’re just taking additional property they purchased, dividing it among 3 existing lots and lot 4 is that piece of the canal locks that they’re giving to, they’re deeding to the city. Mr. Metzger; correct Member Nadeau; thank you that’s the explanation I was look for Mark. I guess I forgot that they had purchased that property and it’s theirs, now they’re just extending and dividing it up accordingly. Mr. Metzger; correct Member Nadeau; thank you Joe Seman Graves; and just for clarification, lot 3 that they’re referring to is lot 3 of Juncta and not lot 3 that you see on this map. Chairperson DeFruscio; right Mr. Metzger; yes, sorry if I confused you by saying that. Chairperson DeFruscio; yeah it was a piece of property that was also tied in with the Hoffman’s Car Wash property and the other lot 2 that isn’t being developed at this point. Mr. Metzger; correct Vice Chair Carroll; there’ no plans to develop this lots 1, 2, and 3 right now right? Mr. Metzger; no, these lots already had the structures on them and it was more so because about a 1/3rd of each one of those big structures fell off their lands an on the land that they recently purchased. So this way it kind of clears it up and they can actually do something with them or sell them because all the lands underneath those buildings actually can be sold with it now instead of having it partially theirs and partially of the canal lands. Joe Seman Graves; just so the board is also aware, lot 2 that is pictured on this map does have a substantial easement on it. Chairperson DeFruscio; substantial what? Joe Seman Graves; easement Chairperson DeFruscio; easement? Member Bucher; yea, I can see it Chairperson DeFruscio; and that easement is for? Mr. Metzger; sanitary purposes. If you see the light green lines labeled SAN, as you see them kind of zig zag across the map manhole to manhole, that’s all the existing sewer lines and the manholes that were located on those lands and again when the city sold them this lot they retained an easement over those because of the fact that is where the existing lines fall. So that way if they need to access them for ay work or repairs or replacement they have rights to do so. Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, so if the property happens to transfer ownership, that easement stay with it. Mr. Metzger; absolutely Chairperson DeFruscio; any other questions from board members? Vice Chair Carroll; I’m good Chairperson DeFruscio; Kizzy do you have any questions? Alternate Member Williams; no, I’m good Chairperson DeFruscio; anybody else? Do we want to open it up for public comment? Is there anybody on the thing that would like to make any comment regarding this lot line adjustment, hopefully we didn’t confuse you with lot 1, lot 2 lot 3 lot 4 and lot 5. Joe nobody’s raising their hand? Joe Seman Graves; no sir Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so we’ll close the public comment period. Now I’m looking for a motion to either approve or deny the lot line adjustment as submitted for 349, 361 and 363 Saratoga St. Member Nadeau; I’ll make a motion to approve the lot line adjustment. Vice Chair Carroll I’ll 2nd it. Motion carried. YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X Chairperson DeFruscio; ok it’s approved. Fred you can talk to Joe later on to come up with anything else you need to get done Mr. Metzger; got ya, I appreciate it have a good night. I’ll get the plans over to Joe quickly then I’ll get it to the county for filing and then I’ll put the legal descriptions together so that way I’m sure Gary will take care of his portion, but Joe you said the city was taking care of the deed portion for that little triangular piece correct? Joe Seman Graves; yes Mr. Metzger; ok I’ll take care of all that by the end of next week Joe Seman Graves; ok thanks Fred CONSIDERATION OF A CHANGE OF USE/NEW TENANT APPLICATION AT 130 REMSEN STREET Chairperson DeFruscio; Ok next item on the agenda is consideration of a change of use and new tenant application at 130 Remsen St. Is the applicant online? Yes I am, hello it’s Kelsey Knutsen Chairperson DeFruscio; how are you? Could you give us a little overview? Ms. Knutsen; yeah, not really looking to change the use of the location, just the tenancy. Previously it was home to the Olde’ Mercantile that sold various home décor items to different vendors. I’m looking to open a home décor store, name the Haven Home Décor. The front ¾ of the space would be used as retail for home décor items, wall décor, accents and gifts, soaps things along that line and then the back would have a few tables set up and a class room style for workshops, the painting workshop, the wooden sign workshop, things like that. Chairperson DeFruscio; painting workshops, could you tell me a little more about that please? Ms. Knutsen; sure. So someone would, it’s a pretty popular model for the past 10 years or so, where a teacher would come in give you the supplies you need to do some sort of craft and they would walk you through the steps on how to create that craft. So the main ones we’re going to do is wreath making, like a Christmas wreath, build your own terrariums which is a type of planter with succulents, we’re going to do a painting class where an artist comes in and teaches how to draw and paint on canvass and then a board making class where you would make your own wooden sign. Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, there’s no alcohol or anything involved in any of those? Ms. Knutsen; not from the location itself. I wanted to look into that down the road and I’ve been in talks with the SLA about using my catering permits from Café Monicole which I also own to do it as a catering event, but you’re only limited, you’re limited with how many catering permits are issued a year, I’m not sure that would work but in order for the establishment to be licensed itself they would need a full kitchen which this does not, so the actual establishment would not be licensed. Chairperson DeFruscio; what about rest rooms? Vice Chair Carroll; can guests bring in their own wine? Ms. Knutsen; bringing your own wine is illegal in NYS because the license doesn’t necessarily govern the sale of the alcohol, it’s the overview of the consumption, so people could bring their own wine if you had a liquor license and you wanted to allow that, but you still need a license, which you can’t have without a full kitchen. Vice Chair Carroll; alright Chairperson DeFruscio; what about restrooms? Ms. Knutsen; we have a rest room, its one handicap accessible, gender neutral restroom Member Nadeau; are both store fronts part of 130 or is it just one of them? Ms. Knutsen; the Olde Mercantile used to occupy both spaces. But they were previously separated into suites 101 and 102. The Olde Mercantile had taken possession of both of them, but now they are re-separated out so there is a wall and locked doorway that divides the 2 spaces so this is the space on the right which was the main entrance into the Olde Mercantile suite 101. Suite 102 is going to be the bakery. Member Nadeau; ok good, thank you Chairperson DeFruscio; any additional questions? And you’re going to use public parking on the street and in the public parking lots, is that the plan? Ms. Knutsen; that is the plan. The landlord also, I guess purchase some additional parking in the back and there is a back entrance to the building in this store, but I believe it’s still under construction, so at least for now it would be public street parking. Chairperson DeFruscio; there is a public parking lot within 500’ of the store right? Ms. Knutsen; yes there’s one right next to the Bye I Brewing. There’s a building between us and the lot. Chairperson DeFruscio; yes, wanted to make sure everybody knew. Members any other members have any other questions? Alternate Member Williams; what’s your hours? Ms. Knutsen; for now I was thinking of starting from 10AM to 6PM, depending on the holiday shopping season. We might extend those hours to a little later but, that would be the main Chairperson DeFruscio; and Kizzy we could put a contingency on the approval if we approve it, that they couldn’t go beyond 9PM or open before 9AM if we felt that was necessary Ms. Knutsen; normally I don’t think I would ever be open past 8PM, but with black Friday or Thanksgiving night, I might do some sort of sale which if possible, which would be after those hours. Member Couture; Kelsey is that Monday through Friday or is it 7 days a week? Ms. Knutsen; 7 days a week through the end of December and then come January I’d like to keep the store open a little longer, especially through the holiday shopping season to capitalize on that momentum and then look at different analysis to see which are days to figure out if we’re closing Monday, Tuesday or something of that sort. Member Couture; ok Ms. Knutsen; for now at least through Christmas we would be 7 days a week Chairperson DeFruscio; any other questions from board members? Ok so I guess at this time I’d like to open it up to public comments. Joe Seman Graves; none on my end Chairperson DeFruscio; Joe nothing on your end? Joe Seman Graves; no Chairperson DeFruscio; ok on that note I guess we should close the public comment and move on for a motion to either approve or reject the change of use, new tenant application for 130 Remsen St. Anybody want to make a motion? Member Couture; this is Steph, I’ll make the motion to approve Vice Chair Carroll; I’ll 2nd motion carried. YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X Chairperson DeFruscio; ok that’s approved, you can handle the rest of the process with Joe. I want to thank you for your time and your continued support in the downtown area of Cohoes. Ms. Knutsen; thank you guys, I appreciate it. CONSIDERATION OF A CHANGE OF USE/NEW TENANT APPLICATION AT 245 REMSEN STREET Chairperson DeFruscio; next item on the agenda is consideration of a change of use new tenant application at 245 Remsen St. Is the applicant online? Joe Seman Graves; I do not see the applicant Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, so essentially the applicant wanted to open a convenience store on the corner of Remsen St. and Columbia Street, traffic engineer, city engineer has issues with traffic from a customer perspective as well as for delivery/stocking perspective. The front, that store front is currently a bump out, which means there is not parking directly in front of the store. There is an alley behind the store that is used for deliveries for some of the other stores in that area. It is very tight area as well, so until the applicant comes up with some plan for parking, I would, can we just table this Joe or we can’t approve it because the city engineer has an issue with it? Joe Seman Graves; so technically he would have to go and get a variance for parking, since he’s not provided any. Now I did reach out and bring this to his attention again and I was hoping he’d be here to speak to it, because I don’t want to put any words in his mouth. But I have not been present a plan for any additional parking or parking agreements, so you can absolutely table it, no issues here on that. Chairperson DeFruscio; I would like, so I’m, board members consideration, we can make a motion to table it, somebody can make a motion to approve it or deny it, those are the 3 options at this point in time that I’m aware of. Vice Chair Carroll; I’ll make a motion to table it because the city engineer’s got concerns that should be addressed. Joe Seman Graves; just for the record, it was Paul Johnson the traffic engineer, I don’t want Garry Nathan being brought into this. Chairperson DeFruscio; I’m sorry Joe Seman Graves; you’re fine Member Couture; I will 2nd the motion to table the item Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so let’s have a vote Motion carried to table this application YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X  Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X CONSIDERATION OF A CHANGE OF USE/NEW TENANT APPLICATION AT 86 REMSEN STREET Chairperson DeFruscio; so let’s move on to the next item on the agenda, consideration of a change of use new tenant at 86 Remsen St. Is it right now next to or is it the old tattoo parlor? Member Couture; next to it Chairperson DeFruscio; is the applicant online? Ms. Brenda Hage; I am Chairperson DeFruscio; could you just give us an overview of what you’re proposing to do in that space? Ms. Hage; I’m planning on opening a 1950 style ice cream parlor at that location. Excuse my artist work here (slide on screen). There will be no major construction changes to the property. It will be all interior, just redesigning the layout, the dining and kitchen area. Vice Chair Carroll; is it going to be like a soda fountain setup? Ms. Hage; I’m sorry you broke up Vice Chair Carroll; a soda fountain setup Ms. Hage; yeas so we’re going to do old style, as far as the soda pops and the floats, everything will be made all in house Chairperson DeFruscio; including the ice cream? Ms. Hage; yes Vice Chair Carroll; is there going to be other foods? Ms. Hage; yea, we’ll do some pastries and puddings things like that Vice Chair Carroll; you go to have fries with the malts Ms. Hage; that would require a huge kitchen Member Couture; Brenda, how many employees do you anticipate having? Ms. Hage; I’m going to have the same as I do at the restaurant. So I’ll have up to 5 employees to start. And like I did with the restaurant, there will be no delivering, we will shop for our own products, so there won’t be obstruction of any traffic as far as deliveries go. Member Couture; and do you anticipate the hours to still be 10AM to 10PM? Ms. Hage; no, so this one here we’re going to start at 11AM, I’m going to start off with 7 days a week and end at 9PM. Just need to see what the down days would be and then there would be a schedule change as far as the days. Member Couture; ok Vice Chair Carroll; when do you plan on opening? Ms. Hage; so I would like to start construction for the interior as soon as possible and then I will end up opening the 1st week of April Vice Chair Carroll; first week of what? Ms. Hage; first week of April Member Couture; do we have anything for signage to look at? Ms. Hage; no I have not done anything with the signage yet because I know it’s the historical district and need to do a couple of layouts to see what’s yet to be approved by the historical society which I’ll be working with them on these signs to accommodate off that Member Couture; ok Joe Seman Graves; Brenda you have brought up the idea of a service window, and I know that’s not on this application, but do you want to have that conversation with the board while you’re here? Ms. Hage; yea, we can do that. So at the north front end of the building there is possibility of having a window put in for a walk up window. I’m not sure exactly how it would work because I know that land there is part of the city’s now. So I would not know exactly how to go about doing that Joe Seman Graves; the legality of it aside, so I’ll talk with the city council about that. But just from a strict planning perspective, if you just want to get everyone’ opinion. Ms. Hage; yea with the COVID and everything going one, who knows how long it’s going to last, I wanted to have an option for the customers to be able to decide whether they’re going to come in or if they were more comfortable in doing a takeout, as far as if I could put a window in that one section. Chairperson DeFruscio; it’s on the side of the building? Ms. Hage; yes, so if you’re facing the building from the south end of the park, where all the trees were planted there, it would be that front corner of the building on the side. Member Nadeau; is that currently a lawn area? Ms. Hage; it is Member Nadeau; how would you I guess, it’s a discussion with the city, but how would you accommodate a profit, if it is in fact a lawn area, would you get into pavers or paving or some kind of…… Ms. Hage; I would take a certain footage of that if allowed and I’d put in nice landscaping piece area there along with a barrier wall to just make it look really nice. Member Nadeau; ok Chairperson DeFruscio; that would require a new site plan submitted though. Sorry Joe didn’t mean to interrupt, do you want to finish your thought? Joe Seman Graves; I said I just had her bring this up just because she was here, it’s not something she submitted in this application at all. Ms. Hage; yeah it’s not something I have set in stone that I 100% want to do. With the COVID I just want to have a plan B and that would be a Plan B for me, if it was allowed because I do know that is the city property there, so maybe that’s something we can look at down the road. Chairperson DeFruscio; from a parking perspective, we need to discuss that too. The only parking for this, Joe’s putting up there that the retail space requires one space for each 400 sq. ft.. There are some parking spots out front but there’s no off street or leasable area that you have…. Joe Seman Graves; so I put in here and this is, I put 380 feet from a municipal lot and I put that because her building behind 130 there’s municipal parking and it is not well known but it’s back there, so technically she is 380 feet. It doesn’t seem that close but that how far she is so. But it’s ultimately up to the discretion of the planning board since it’s not clearly labeled or identifiable parking space. It is there but I’ll leave that to you guys. Chairperson DeFruscio; yeah there’s parking spaces across the street, diagonally on Remsen, the little lot there is being used by the tenant in the bank building directly across the street. A lot of city employees’ park on the side street going down towards city hall. So there is a lot of available parking further down towards the music hall in that area. Vice Chair Carroll; and there’s never really an issue with parking in that area unless you got an event at the music hall Chairperson DeFruscio; I wouldn’t disagree with that. So I guess that is something that all the board members need to consider, if we’re going to approve this without any additional parking identified which we can do, but want to have the conversation to make sure everybody is aware of it and it’s been there for, that building has been there a while. Any other comments or questions? Member Couture; my only question is for Joe. If there is that municipal lot that close but it’s not properly identified, would the city at some point be amendable to putting up signage? Joe Seman Graves; possibly, so the lot in question is, there’s actually 3 owners of the overall lot, we have a row of spots in the lots. So I think we have to figure out the total plan with the lot. As Kelsey mentioned thee some construction happening in the back right now of her building which is the lot that we’re talking about. Obviously I think we want to get some signage to any municipal parking we have. I think we’re just going to wait til that, either we solidify if we’ll keep that location over there or the property owner is trying to purchase that from us. I just haven’t been in conversations about parking in that lot so, long story yes we would put up signage. In the short term I think this will be solved before she opens. We just have to get the construction cleared up back there and figure out what we want to do. I don’t know if that answered you directly, but yes we would put up signage Member Couture; it lessens my concerns for parking for this applicant. Chairperson DeFruscio; ok anybody else have questions, comments? Alternate Member Williams; I just want to make sure I heard her right when she said the ice cream will be made on the premises? Ms. Hage; yes, so everything will be made in house, all of our products. Alternate Member Williams; I love that Ms. Hage; thank you Vice Chair Carroll; I can’t wait, I’m an ice cream fan Chairperson DeFruscio; ok on that note if the board members don’t have any other questions, can we open this up for public comment? The only thing I see is if somebody wants a hot fudge sundae as soon as you can get one. Joe you don’t have anybody? Joe Seman Graves; no but I would love to see egg creams there, I don’t know if that’s to far of a throwback Ms. Hage; that’s a special menu Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so moving on to looking for a motion to either approve or reject the change of use for a new tenant at 86 Remsen St. Member Nadeau; I make a motion to approve Chairperson DeFruscio; is there a 2nd? Alternate Member Williams; I’ll second it Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so let’s do a vote please Sharon. Motion carried YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, so hopefully your plan progresses, if once you get to the point where you can do the window come back and see us and we’ll see what we can do there, in the meantime good luck, thank you and we’ll see you soon. Ms. Hage; thank you very much members of the board, everyone have a good night. CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, CHANGE OF USE/NEW TENANT APPLICATION AND A SIGN PLAN REVIEW AT 2 PINE STREET . Chairperson DeFruscio; alright, so the next item on the agenda is consideration of a special use permit, change of use, new tenant application and a sig plan review at 2 Pine Street, which is Kendsersky body shop, so I’m curious as to what we’re doing there. Joe Seman Graves; and Mark just so you’re away I wasn’t aware of this until earlier today, there’s several presenters for this on different aspects. So we can let them introduce themselves but there’s going to be different special use permit presenters and then a different person for the change of use and sign Chairperson DeFruscio; ok thank you Hi I’m Linnea Means; I’m, I work for CC Cohoes NY LLC. We are the landlord for this property and I’m, my leg of it is for the special use permit for George’s Collision Repair. This body shops been a body shop since 1974, so we’re kind of staying in the same theme if you will. For continuing with a vehicle repair facility. Joe Seman Graves; for the record, the special use permit is just required for every new tenant so I think George’s been in there for a little bit. Ms. Means; yup since 74, but we need to do one as well Chairperson DeFruscio; so I guess I’m having a tough time understanding what you’re doing there? Is Joe staying there and there’s another tenant going in the building alongside him? What’s happening? Ms. Means; we will own the building and our tenant will be Caliber Collision. They are a nationwide vehicle repair facility and they’re on the line. And they’re on the line, and I think they have maybe 1,000 plus facilities nationwide. They will be our tenant. Hi I’m Christina Loayza; I’m with Caliber Collision. It’s going to be the same use, it’s the same people, it is just a different name. We serve about 34 states, we have over, almost close to 2,000 locations. And our vision is to be the company that improves the image of the collision repair experience, so we’re really excited to be in your town and we want to build that relationship with the community Chairperson DeFruscio; so what changes are going to be made inside the building? Ms. Loayza; no construction changes. Like I said it’s just going to be the name. We also have our sign company on to discuss any of the signage questions you might have Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so correct me if I’m wrong, you’re purchasing the business from Kendsersky, it’s going to remain a body shop, the same body shop with the same employees and the same interior structure and all of those things, you’re just changing the name to…… Ms. Loayza; yes that’s correct Ms. Means; there will be some renovations done inside, I’ll be putting a new roof on the building, I’m a part of that leg. So there will be some beautification if you will, inside and out. Chairperson DeFruscio; we’d like an overview of what you’re doing Ms. Means; me personally, I will be taking care of putting a new roof on the building. And then we have a construction team, there not going to change any of the dimensions of the building. They will just be cleaning it up and then we’ll be repainted in the Caliber colors, right Christina? Ms. Loayza; yes Chairperson DeFruscio; the outside of the building? Ms. Means; yes Vice Chair Carroll; what are the Caliber colors? Ms. Loayza; dapper tan and a black trim Chairperson DeFruscio; yea they have a store right up, right off exit 3 off of 87, Central Avenue heading towards Schenectady. They’re right off the exit Vice Chair Carroll; Coles? There’s a Coles Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, that’s Coles, that’s not Caliber, I’m sorry. Where’s the Caliber’s stores? Where do you have other stores in the area? Ms. Loayza; we have one in Webster Vice Chair Carroll; that’s out by Rochester Ms. Loayza; there are no other location, you would be our first in the Rochester, well actually there’s another coming up in the Rochester area Chairperson DeFruscio; we’re not in the Rochester area, we are nowhere near Rochester Ms. Loayza; Albany, there’s some in Albany Chairperson DeFruscio; we’re in Albany Ms. Loayza; right we do have quite a few locations in the Albany area. I don’t have them off the top of my head. Member Couture; there’s one in Troy on Oakwood Avenue Mark. Chairperson DeFruscio; yea, I knew there was a couple around Vice Chair Carroll; is that the one a couple of doors in from Hoosick Street? Member Couture; yes on the right hand side. Vice Chair Carroll; my daughter goes there. She’s very pleased with it. She’s recommended them all the time, they do good work and they’re easy to work with Ms. Loayza; I’m glad to hear that Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, so members have any other questions? Vice Chair Carroll; yes I do. Will you also be involved with having a rental agency in the building-car rental agency? Isn’t Enterprise affiliated with the garage over there in some way? Ms. Loayza; if there is sometimes we do have some in house. I’m not sure if at this location we’ll have one, but if not what we do is we have the enterprise will come and pickup our customers from our building and take them to their location. Vice Chair Carroll; ok Alternate Member Williams; I have something to say—when you speak about community, do you hire within our community and if so, how many employees do you have a this point? Ms. Loayza; so currently there’s 9 employees at George’s Collision and those 9 employees will also be joining us on board. And we absolutely hire, we like to grow our team mates. Another thing we do with our community is what we call the recycle rides and we give back to our community. We’re doing a huge one for the State of New York for all our emergency responders. Whether that be in emergency responders or the EMT’s. So we find families that are in need and we will restore a vehicle for them. We’re also heavily involved in the military and we have programs that will help them when they do get out of the military and come into the civilian world, that will train them on how to do body work or paint work if that’s something they’re interested in. Member Couture; that’s neat, thanks for sharing that Alternate Member Williams; and how would our community be able to know this? How would our community get access to what you offer? Ms. Loayza; we have a website and we also reach out and of course it by word of mouth with our team mates and our insurance partners. On the website there’s a lot of information on that, be we can definitely share that with you. Alternate Member Williams; thank you and I’m excited to be a part of your business as board member and we’re also excited to see what your company is going to do for Cohoes, and we welcome you. Ms. Loayza; thank you Ms. Means; one thing Christina didn’t say is the bode business is not just for guys. The girls are in there too. Alternate Member Williams; that’s good to know Chairperson DeFruscio; well I’m glad to hear we’re maintaining the 9 employees that are currently employed there and then that you’re looking to add additional diversified employees to the community. So any other questions from any other members? This is Sandy from the Jones Sign Company, we’re doing the signage for this facility, is there any questions in regards to the proposed signage plan? Chairperson DeFruscio; we’re going to come back to the sign plan, let’s do the application for new tenant first and then we’ll talk about the signage, ok? Sandy; ok Chairperson DeFruscio; thank you. So I’d like to open this up for public comment regarding a new tenant/change of use/new tenant application. Is there anybody out there that want to ask any questions or have any comments? Joe are you seeing anything? Joe Seman Graves; nope. And I’ll just say also, if you want to do the special use permit at the same time Chairperson DeFruscio; yes, thanks. So I’m looking for a motion to approve or deny a special use permit, change of use/new tenant application for this location and we’ll come back to the sign plan in a moment. Or do you want to do them all a t the same time? Do you want to do the approvals all at once Joe? Can we split them? Joe Seman Graves; it doesn’t bother me, however you want to handle it, if you have any more questions for the sign, I would say just get them out of the way if you want to do it that way. Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, let’s go back and have the signage individual give us an overview of the changes in signage. Sandy Mansfield; what we’re proposing is on the elevations that is fronting Saratoga Street, that is going to be the main sign for people who are driving by the location. So we are just proposing to take down George’s Collision letters that are on there and install Caliber Collision signage. This is a metal corrugated building so we would like to put these on a raceway for easy installation versus flat mounting them. And then we would also like to propose a sign over the bay area side as well for people who are driving into the parking lot. Chairperson DeFruscio; and then what’s the sign that seems to be in the trees there? (Picture on the screen) Ms. Mansfield; that is just a UCM aluminum panel that we would just replace, clean up the trees in there so that you can actually see it. That goes to the back of the building as you’re kind of driving up on Saratoga Street. Chairperson DeFruscio; ok. Joe do all these signs they’re proposing meet the current sign limitations and stuff? Joe Seman Graves; yes, I mean there big but it’s the percentage of the total space of the surface it’s one and those surfaces are also big so they do. They are within the size requirements. They look kind of big because the building is big Chairperson DeFruscio; just wanted to make sure we’re ok. Are there any members that have any other questions? Member Nadeau; I’m looking at one of the pictures, it looks like Caliber Collision will actually be smaller than George’s sign, is that fair to say? Chairperson DeFruscio; the one on the side of the building right? Member Nadeau; yes, when you’re comparing George’s to the one below which is Caliber Collision, it appears that it’s smaller. Joe Seman Graves; I don’t know how big George’s Collision sing is currently, but I’ll leave that up to the expert Ms. Mansfield; let me see if I have that. I don’t have it on hand, but yes it is smaller because we’re just going up to the maximum of 100 sq. ft. for that space. Chairperson DeFruscio; other questions, comments, concerns? Member Couture; the signage that’s currently blocked off by trees, is Caliber Collision just going to take up the left hand side and the right hand side will be nothing or it almost looks like a billboard from the pictures that we’re seeing here, there just aluminum signs? Ms. Mansfield; I was told by my surveyor that there just aluminum panels. We are just proposing to change out the one, I can’t really read what the other one is. Chairperson DeFruscio; I’m trying to remember what it is Ms. Mansfield; it looks like it’s a repair shop almost right? Bumper repair, I don’t think that’s part of George’s Vice Chair Carroll; how old is that sign Chairperson DeFruscio; it looks like it’s in the parking lot in the back Member Nadeau; maybe this is a good change to clean it up, find out if it was part of George’s Member Couture; yeah, that’s the part I was getting at, if we can clean it up Member Nadeau; good point Steph Joe Seman Graves; well to the operator or I guess the property owner, I’m sorry I’m blanking on your names right now Ms. Means; its ok, my name is Linnea. I can make a note of that and find out what that is. We can always rung a movie house, an outside theatre and put it up against that and then get ice cream from down the street. Member Couture; perfect Ms. Means; we can just bring in the whole town Member Couture; out of the box thinking, I love it Joe Seman Graves; you did say you’d be painting the exterior Ms. Means; yes Joe Seman Graves; ok, so I guess you’ll get to that part when, I’m assuming you won’t paint around it? Ms. Means; no Chairperson DeFruscio; any other questions or comments? Alternate Member Williams; I do have one more question. Back to the community, when Linnea said that training is also for women, is it a specific age? Ms. Means; to my knowledge, and jump in Christina, I think as long as you have, is she online? Ms. Loayza; I’m here, there is not age gap in there, its 18 and over Ms. Means; so it’s about work permit age? Ms. Loayza; yes Alternate Member Williams; thank you Chairperson DeFruscio; ok, anything else? Alright so let’s just slide through the public comment again. See if anybody raises their hand quickly, if not then we’ll move back into a motion to either approve or reject a special use permit, change of use, new tenant application and a sign plan for 2 Pine Street. Vice Chair Carroll; I’ll make that motion Member Nadeau; I’ll 2nd motion carried YES NO Bob Bucher Joseph Nadeau X Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture X Alternate Kizzy Williams X Chairperson DeFruscio; ok so that’s approved, good luck we look forward to the new brightening up of the building and cleaning up of the sign and hopefully you’ll prosper in the City of Cohoes Ms. Means; thank you for giving us your time this evening. Chairperson DeFruscio; so on that note, if there’s no other business that anybody want to bring up, I’m looking for a motion to close the meeting, it is 7:37PM Motion made by member Couture 2nd by member Nadeau motion carried.