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, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Michael Briggs, Chairperson Ms. Joyce Baranski, Vice Chairperson Mr. Mark Cotch Mr. Paul Heroux Ms. Mary Shanks MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Deputy Director of Economic Development & Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 24, 2018 MEETING Chairperson Briggs called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm and asked for the consideration of the October 24, 2018 meeting minutes. There being no questions, Member Heroux made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, which Member Cotch seconded and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X R. Reynolds noted that the minutes for August and September were not correct given Member Sawyer had resigned before the August meeting and was not absent and asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect the same. Chairperson Briggs made a motion to amend the minutes from August and September to remove Member Gary Sawyer as being absent, which was seconded by Member Heroux and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF SEQR FOR A BEAUTY SHOP AT 150 REMSEN STREET R. Reynolds noted that this was an unlisted action and there were no expected environmental impacts from the reconstruction of the site from a pizza restaurant to a nail salon. That being the case, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to issue a negative declaration for SEQR purposes for the proposal to convert 150 Remsen Street from a pizza restaurant to a beauty shop, which was seconded by Member Cotch and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF A USE VARIANCE FOR A BEAUTY SHOP AT 150 REMSEN STREET Chairperson Briggs noted that this proposal was to convert the pizza restaurant at 150 Remsen Street to a nail salon which was an allowable use in the district under the old zoning code, but was now not an allowable use under the new zoning code. Chairperson Briggs stated the considerations for the Board for a use variance and asked the applicant to briefly explain the project. Mr. Daniel Sanders, representing the applicant, noted that the proposed project was to convert the vacant first floor of the property into a nail salon with six to eight stations. Mr. Sanders noted that the lavatories would be maintained, but that there would be significant renovation on the interior and exterior of the building. Mr. Standers stated that the project had already been reviewed by the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board and that the applicants were eager to get started on the project. Chairperson Briggs asked if there were any questions from the Board and there being none, asked if there would be abatement of the fumes from the nail salon. Mr. Sanders noted that the pre-existing exhaust system would vent through the alleyway and would suffice for this reconstruction. Chairperson Briggs asked if there was any necessary abatement process, to which Mr. Sanders that there was none and that the hood from the pizza kitchen would be more than sufficient. Member Cotch asked if there were specific hours of operation proposed, to which Mr. Sanders noted that there were not any specific hours locked in yet, and that they would follow City rules and regulations but they would be open on weekends. Member Cotch asked how many apartments were upstairs, and Mr. Sanders noted he believed there were two, but that there were not really any renovations taking place upstairs specifically other than the roof and other upgrades for the building overall. There being no further questions, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to approve the use variance for the beauty shop at 150 Remsen Street which was seconded by Member Heroux and the motion passed unanimously.  YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR A SIGN AT 218 COLUMBIA STREET Chairperson Briggs read the proposal aloud and stated that the variances requested were for a setback off of Columbia Street as well as the lower sign height. Chairperson Briggs noted that the proposal had already been heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals, but that SEQR had now been closed and the County had reviewed the project and deferred to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Hennessey, representing the applicant, reviewed the proposal and noted that they had moved the sign off of Mann Avenue for better line of sight and that they would be asking for a variance for the lower sign height as it would stand 12’ as well as the setback off of Columbia as it would sit 5’ from the property line. Chairperson Briggs asked if there were any questions from the Board, which there were none. Chairperson Briggs asked if the pole was at the back as this was a flag sign, to which Mr. Hennessey noted that the pole would be at the back of the flag sign. Chairperson Briggs asked about the capabilities of dimmable LEDs, which Mr. Hennessey confirmed they would be using for the sign. Chairperson Briggs noted he was happy that they had incorporated this into the final design. Chairperson Briggs asked if the audience had any questions, to which a neighbor asked about the dimensions of the sign. Mr. Hennessey noted he believed it was roughly 6 feet by 7 feet so about 42 square feet or 44 square feet. The neighbor asked why they were lowering the sign, to which Mr. Hennessey pointed out they were actually raising the sign to 12’ from the originally proposed 10.6’. The neighbor asked if it would block the view, to which Mr. Hennessey noted that they believed they were mitigating the issue and NYSDOT only requires 7’ of ground clearance. The neighbor asked if this would accommodate City plowing trucks, which Mr. Hennessey noted that he thought it would be ok. The neighbor noted that she had been cited for this before and Chairperson Briggs pointed out it may have been for something different. Mr. Hennessey noted dimensions of plow trucks and stated that given DOT standards, he would imagine that it would be no more than 7’ for line of sight for plows. The neighbor noted she is concerned for school children walking across the street. Mr. Hennessey pointed out that they raised it to address any clearance issues. There being no further questions or comments, Member Heroux made a motion to approve the area variances for the lower height of the sign as well as the setback off of Columbia Street, which was seconded by Member Cotch and the motion passed unanimously.  YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 pm, which was seconded by Member Cotch and passed unanimously.