Zoning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HELD IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark Cotch Ms. Theresa Thibodeau, Chairman Mr. Justin Gregory Mr. Michael Briggs ABSENT: Mrs. Joyce Baranski, Vice-Chairman Mr. Gary Sawyer ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 27, 2016. Chairman Thibodeau called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. The Chairman asked the recording secretary to take attendance. Member Cotch moved to approve the minutes of February 23, 2015. Member Briggs seconded the motion, roll of call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski ABSENT Mark Cotch X Gary Sawyer ABSENT Theresa Thibodeau X Justin Gregory X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FROM PARKING REQUIREMENTS AT 9-11 VAN VECHTEN STREET Dave Godette owns a six unit building at 9-11 Van Vechten. He proposes expanding the number of units to eight. In the Cohoes Zoning Code, such an expansion requires that the property owner meet the off-street parking requirements. In this case the owner must provide two parking spaces per residential unit for a total of sixteen. Member Cotch asked if the units were rented or if the property owner had any difficult renting the apartments or why the applicant seeks approval. Mr. Godette explained that the apartments were rented. He simply sees wasted space in each unit that would be better used as additional apartments. Member Gregory asked whether paving of the lot is required. Mr. Godette needs planning board site plan approval of the proposed parking lot. Paving would make it easier to stripe; however Mr. Godette argued that the 6” of crushed stone, posts and signs seem to guide vehicles to the right locations. \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 5.25.2016.doc The property owner has two parking spaces on the west side of the property; three parking spaces inside an existing garage; and last fall created an additional seven spaces. Member Briggs pointed out the variance stays with the property. Although Mr. Godette has more property that he could convert to off-street parking, he posits that his tenants generally use public transportation or own just one car. In addition he would like to preserve green space. He would be creating two additional units by splitting existing units in half, thereby reducing the occupancy of each resulting apartment. Van Vechten Street is at the end of Sargent Street with one other building on the one block-long street. However, the Zoning Code provides for banking of parking spaces so long as the proposed area is adequate and remains available to support parking. If the Zoning Officer determines a need exists, then the area would have to be used for parking. As a result, Member Cotch moved to approve the area variance. Member Briggs seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski ABSENT Mark Cotch X Gary Sawyer ABSENT Theresa Thibodeau X Justin Gregory X Chairwoman Thibodeau moved to adjourn at 7:10 PM seconded by Member Cotch. The motion passed unanimously. \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 5.25.2016.doc