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, JANUARY 23, 2019 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Michael Briggs, Chairperson Ms. Joyce Baranski, Vice Chairperson Mr. Mark Cotch Ms. Mary Shanks Mr. Paul Heroux MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Deputy Director of Economic Development & Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM JANUARY 23, 2019 MEETING Chairperson Briggs called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm and asked for the Board to review and comment on the January 23, 2019 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 CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR A SIGN AT 151 SARATOGA STREET Chairperson Briggs read the proposal aloud noting that the applicant was proposing a 3 foot by 4 foot hanging sign for their doggie daycare business and noted that there were additional signs proposed, but they were temporary signage. Chairperson Briggs noted this was in the MU-1 district, and R. Reynolds corrected an error on the memo provided to the Board to clarify it was in the C-1 District. Chairperson Briggs noted the six factors that the Board must consider when reviewing a variance. The applicants, Andrea and Keith Hancock approached the Board to explain the proposal and Andrea noted that it was a very large building and they designed the signage so that it wouldn’t get lost and wanted the signs to be seen by both directions of traffic passing the site. Chairperson Briggs noted that the zoning code requirement is that hanging signs measure 6 square feet at a maximum, and Ms. Hancock noted that the only permanent sign proposed would measure three feet by four feet. Chairperson Briggs asked if there were an questions. Member Cotch asked if this was the only business in that building. Ms. Hancock notes that Tom Brennan owns the building and that he uses it partially for storage and that the sign is delineated based on the building usage. R. Reynolds clarified that technically this variance would be for two things, one for the size and the other for the amount it hangs off of the building. Mr. and Ms. Hancock noted that the sign does project outward onto the pavement, but it’s still on the property. Chairperson Briggs noted it will be up high enough not to obstruct passersby. Member Cotch asked if there would be any lighting on the sign, and Ms. Hancock noted that there wouldn’t be yet, but they would like to put a solar light underneath the sign at some point. Member Cotch noted there wasn’t really anything around that this would conflict with. Mr. Hancock noted that they would be closing at 6 pm, so the lighting wouldn’t be on in the nighttime. Chairperson Briggs noted that he saw no further issues and commented that he thought that this business would be great for the area. There being no further questions, Member Heroux made a motion to approve the two variances for the area and for the amount that the sign hung over the allowable 2 feet, which was seconded by Chairperson Briggs 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, Member Heroux made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 pm, which was seconded by Chairperson Briggs and passed unanimously.