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, AUGUST 28, 2019 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Michael Briggs, Chairperson Ms. Joyce Baranski, Vice Chairperson Ms. Mary Shanks Mr. Paul Heroux MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Mark Cotch ALSO PRESENT: Robyn King, Deputy Director of Economic Development & Planning Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant to Economic & Community Development CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 24, 2019 MEETING Chairperson Briggs called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and asked for the Board to review and comment on the July 24, 2019 meeting minutes. There being no questions, Vice Chairperson Baranski made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, which Member Shanks seconded and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch Absent Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR A SHED AT 59 GRANT STREET Chairperson Briggs read through the proposal of the variance request and confirmed the applicant Darlene Greco was in the audience. It is a shed 12 feet by 24 feet to be constructed in the R-2 Zoning District which would measure 352 square feet, needing a 232 square foot variance. The shed will be closer to the house as opposed to coming out from the sides of the structure. The area variance would be for the SF only. Chairperson Briggs read aloud the six considerations that the Board has to review in exploring an area variance. Chairperson Briggs asked the applicant Darlene Greco to approach and explain the application. Chairperson Briggs asked Ms. Greco if it is a garage or shed she is looking to construct Ms. Greco responded it is a shed. Chairperson Briggs asked Ms. Greco if she is looking to make it twice as big. Ms. Greco then explained that it will be an enclosed, heated shed with a small porch on the other side for her mother to sit on, it will be twice the size but it won’t be all indoor space. Chairperson Briggs asked if any of the Board members had any questions. Vice Chairperson Baranski asked where the shed would be. Ms. Greco responded on the other side of Younglove, big house with a huge lot. Vice Chairperson Baranski said she remembers the house. Chairperson Briggs asked is there is a pool there. Ms. Greco responded the neighbors have a pool or gazebo. Chairperson Briggs stated he didn’t see any issue with the variance and asked if there were any comments from the public. There being no further questions or comments, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to approve the variance, which was seconded by Member Shanks and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch Absent Paul Heroux X Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR A SIGN AT 122 REMSEN STREET Chairperson Briggs read through the proposal, noting the applicant is opening a new brewery, and is looking for an area variance for a sign with total are of 7.9 square feet, and it will project out more than is allowed. Chairperson Briggs again read aloud the six considerations that the Board has to review in exploring an area variance and the Zoning Codes referencing signs. Robyn King clarified that the area variances needed are 1.9 feet for the area of the sign and 1.8 feet for the projection. Chairperson Briggs asked the applicant Robert Newberry to approach. Mr. Newberry gave a description of the sign indicating the pictures that the Board had to look at that Vital signs drew for him and he did pick historical colors from the historic color palette. Chairperson Briggs asked if it is a Lingualinx building. Mr. Newberry responded that it is. Vice Chairperson Baranski asked how may floors he was going to occupy. Mr. Newberry responded he was just going to be on the first floor Chairperson Briggs stated he had no issue with the request and was happy that they chose Cohoes to have their business in. Chairperson Briggs asked if there were any other questions or comments from the public. There being no further questions or comments, Chairperson Baranski made a motion to approve the variances, which was seconded my Chairperson Briggs and the motion passed unanimously. Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 pm, which was seconded by Member Shanks and passed unanimously.