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, APRIL 24, 2019 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Joyce Baranski, Vice Chairperson Mr. Mark Cotch Ms. Mary Shanks Mr. Paul Heroux MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Michael Briggs, Chairperson ALSO PRESENT: Robyn King, Deputy Director of Economic Development & Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 27, 2019 MEETING Chairperson Briggs called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm and asked for the Board to review and comment on the February 27, 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 Absent Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR A FENCE AT 33 HART STREET Vice Chairperson Baranski read the proposal aloud stating that the applicant proposed constructing an 8 foot fence on the back corner of the building facing Columbia Street along the property line and the applicant is therefore asking for two variances, one for the height of the fence and the other for the fence not being set back from the property at least 6 feet. The applicant, Amy Chen and her partner, noted that they would like a fence that is 8 feet tall as a 6 foot fence is easier to climb and that there’s a fence in existence on the property that’s 8 feet tall and he would like to have it match in height. The applicant also noted that it would be a black chain link fence with radius corners so that it would have a nicer finish and there would be access gates. R. King asked the applicant if the entire fence would be transparent, as there are considerable line-of-sight concerns on the corner. The applicant noted the fence design would not block views of traffic. Member Cotch asked what they are using the armory building for currently and the applicant noted that they are currently living in the armory and have been for three and a half years. The applicant noted that they are trying to stabilize the building and bring it back to life so that it might be able to host events in the future. Member Cotch asked if at one point it was to be used as a microbrewery and the applicant noted that the person they bought it from had that plan, but that before then it was abandoned for 25 years and there’s a lot of work to be done. Member Heroux asked how long the section was that they were intending on installing a fence on and the applicant noted it was roughly 70-80 feet. Vice Chairperson Baranski asked if there were any other questions, and there being none, Member Heroux made a motion to approve the height and setback variances for the proposed 8 foot fence, which was seconded by Member Cotch and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs Absent Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF AREA VARIANCES FOR A MIXED-USE PROJECT AT 70 DELAWARE AVENUE R. King gave some background on the project, noting that the Zoning Board of Appeals had already reviewed the project once and had granted several area variances as well as a use variance, but that through the site plan review process, additional variances pertaining to parking lot design standards for stormwater practices were needed as a result of site constraints. Mr. James Easton of MJ Engineering representing Prime Companies LLC presented on the project noting the variances that have already been granted and giving an overview of how the project has evolved. Mr. Easton highlighted that the applicant is requesting minor area variances relating to the use of impervious paving materials which is necessary due to the traffic, the height of the buildings, and requirements under the fire code. Mr. Easton explained that it’s not advisable to have a fire truck driving on porous pavement. Mr. Easton went on to note an additional variance requested is for landscaped islands as the code dictates that per a specific number of parking stalls, a certain number of landscaped islands need to be present. Mr. Easton explained that due to the number of spaces needed for the development, the landscaped islands would not fit onto the site. The last variance requested at this meeting would be a reduction of the number of trees within the parking lot and Mr. Easton pointed out that with the current requirement, the trees as requested may end up dying due to their proximity to one another and that the current plans note about 40-50 tree plantings but elsewhere on the site. R. King pointed out that SEQR had been closed on the project and the County Planning Board had already reviewed the variance as well as the site plan and deferred to local approval, so the Zoning Board of Appeals could vote on this proposal tonight, if they so desire. Vice Chairperson Baranski asked whether or not the parking is adequate for the site. Mr. Easton pointed out that the Cohoes Zoning Code had changed during the project, and how the first variance granted for parking was under the old code and at this point in the project under the newly adopted code, they are roughly 20 spaces over-parked but that the developer wanted to give adequate space for visitors to use the waterfront park. Vice Chairperson Baranski echoed concerns about parking, and Mr. Easton noted that they did not want the parking lot to be similar to retail locations in holiday-time where the lot was full, but they felt that the amount of parking was adequate for the adjacent development and park. There being no further questions, Vice Chairperson Baranski made a motion to approve the variances requested pertaining to impervious surfaces, landscaped islands, and tree plantings, which was seconded by Member Shanks and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs Absent Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X Adjournment There being no further business, Member Cotch made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 pm, which was seconded by Member Heroux and passed unanimously.