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, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Michael Briggs, Chairperson Ms. Joyce Baranski, Vice Chairperson Ms. Mary Shanks Mr. Mark Cotch MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Greg Mollnow ALSO PRESENT: Joseph Seman-Graves, City Planner Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 22, 2020 MEETING Chairperson Briggs called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm and asked for the Board to review and comment on the January 22, 2020 meeting minutes. There being no questions, Member Cotch made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, which Chairperson Briggs seconded and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Greg Mollnow Absent Mary Shanks X CONSIDERATION OF A AREA VARIANCE FOR 378 SARATOGA STREET; Chairperson Briggs asked the applicant to give an overview of their project. City Planner Joe Seman-Graves reminded members that they would not be voting on the project because the SEQR process is open. He told members that the applicant wanted to give an overview of the project to see if members had any questions or needed further information. Presenting the Hoffman Car Wash project was Frank Palumbo, Tom Hoffman Jr. and Tom Hoffman Sr. Mr. Palumbo discussed the zoning of the area and why they would need an area variance from the Board. Mr. Palumbo had a visual of the area and where they want to place the car wash along with parking and vacuum area. The area is Lot 1 of the Juncta on Saratoga Street, it is close to the intersection and they are not opposed to joint access to the lot. There will be 2 automated tellers, 5 parking spaces for employees and the area for vacuuming vehicles. Mr. Palumbo said this design is the same as the one on Rte 50, a contemporary building design. Tom Hoffman Jr stated where they would do landscaping, explaining that they have an irrigation system to keep things watered so it always looks nice and neat. He also stated that they have a recycling tank for the water. Member Cotch asked about their hours. Tom Hoffman Jr. stated 8am – 8pm in the summer and they close at 7pm in the winter. Chairperson Briggs asked about the lights on the signs. Tom Hoffman Jr. stated they are led fixtures and lights go off at 8pm. Mr. Palumbo explained that the area being mixed use would require more parking, etc. and the area is not conducive to mixed use. City Planner Joe Seman-Graves said the use variance is for Industrial Use, which is across the street from this proposed project. Chairperson Briggs asked if the members had any other questions, being none the presentation closed. City Planner Joe Seman-Graves asked Chairperson Briggs if the Zoning Board had an interest in being lead agency for the SEQR process for this project. Chairperson Briggs said he is fine with the Planning Board taking lead agency. Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Briggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:54 pm, which was seconded by Member Shanks and passed unanimously.