City Council

December 5, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 10:00 AM 10:00 AM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION(S) 1. Presentation: Moore Hall Proposed Project CONSENT AGENDA MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT FINANCE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion: Site Visit Moore Hall Proposed Project SUPERVISORS ADJOURN City Council Meeting 12/5/15 December 5, 2015 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Council Room 10:00 AM PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. Assistant City Attorney Anthony Izzo explained that under New York Law every municipality – City, Town or Village – has the authority to establish a Planning Board and a Zoning Board of Appeals. No local legislature has to create either board. They can do the work of the board themselves if they want to, but once a board is created the statutory authority goes to the board and the local legislature doesn’t have authority to approve or deny applications before the board. A local legislature can disband a board also, but as long as the board exists the local legislature cannot override it. Strongly suggest that concerned persons continue to voice their opinions to the proper board that has to make the decisions. Several questions were asked by the public such as what are they even doing here. Tony Izzo advised the council wanted to hear citizens’ opinions and familiarize themselves with the project. They felt that as elected representatives that they should do this. Another question asked was if the council can remove one member of a board. Tony Izzo advised that generally, a board member can be removed for cause under proper circumstances. Another question asked was what about a lawsuit to sue city officials? Tony Izzo advised the only action usually available is an Article 78 proceeding to overturn a decision. At this point, the City Council members went out to view the Moore Hall property. Meeting reconvened after the site tour of Moor Hall. PUBLIC COMENT Tom Fox of Saratoga Springs asked if they get the project passed and then don’t get all approvals, do they have to start all over again? Tom Richards of 73 Union Avenue stated they’d need to get enough for a C.O. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting 12/5/15 Brian Rodin of Saratoga Springs stated several property owners retained an attorney. He submitted a letter. The Council approved zoning for this property before and this project is like a bait and switch for new a project that was never talked about before. Tom Richards of 73 Union Avenue stated he has submitted letters. Jan of 118 White Street asked what is next step for council after this? Jeffrey Allen of 48 York Avenue stated the original plan was OK. The lawyer for the developer said there was no such zoning in the 1950’s, but this is now and we can make an impact on it. The real estate market has changed. Sonny Bonacio says the condo market is different now. It’s a bait and switch. Naomi Allen of 48 York Avenue stated Mr. Toohey got to talk as long as he wanted, but we had to cede time to our lawyer to let him talk. It’s very unfair to do this. Bob Wright of 37 Clark Street stated this reminds him of the fight against the casino. This doesn’t impact everybody but this is a small neighborhood and we don’t want this building. It’s an eyesore and no one wants it. If the board has pre-determined anything, that’s not right. Kathleen O’Connor of Wright Street stated she has no objection to the building, but objects to the number of units. Steve Mittler of 54 Bath Street stated 54 rooms on the site is going to make a big difference in how the site will look and feel. It’s not a variance; it’s really a zoning change. It’s just too much. Also, we need to hear from you about Gary Hasbroak and his socializing with the applicant. Mr. Stone of Saratoga Springs stated this makes no sense whatsoever. I want to hear something positive. Bev Mastrianni of 125 Green Street stated cars drop off kids in this neighborhood. There are little kids all over the place. She is really concerned about traffic for residents and the safety of all who live here. Mr. Richards of 73 Union Avenue stated the parking and traffic studies are wrong. Also, property values will drop. This is a historic district. Mitch Mahoney of 55 White Street stated 54 apartments is bad idea. There is possibility of criminal activity in a place like this. Chuck Martin of 32 White Street stated there has not been any talk yet about how many parking spots will be lost to dumpsters and snow removal. Small alleys are going to be a problem. Lawrence Wright of Saratoga Springs asked the Council to consider the college and the buses. Why are we doing this? For some investors? Diana Goodman of 161 Spring Street stated when she heard about the cost of the apartments and the parking, she changed her mind. This is not affordable housing. Jeff Maney of Saratoga Springs stated cleanup for the property has not been discussed yet. Bert Porter of 14 1/2 Cottage Street stated he understands that the Council is reluctant to intervene. Variance is for minor adjustment. This isn’t minor and Council should have it as a rezoning issue. Barbara Opus of 40 Clark Street stated she has been in the neighborhood 40 years. Skidmore had safety people and people taking care of the property. Apartments are small with 7 foot ceilings. Who is going to be moving in to these apartments? Safety issues for traffic. When cars are parked on Union Avenue, you have to creep out into the driving lane. It’s not about 1 or 2 persons’ money. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting 12/5/15 Melanie of Saratoga Springs stated she is new here and doesn’t want to have to move again. John Kaufman of 44 White Street stated he likes Sonny Bonacio but this is not his best work. This is too large a project in too small an area; designed for 18 units and he wants to put in 53. This is really a community decision. The ZBA’s decision will be essentially a rezoning. Sonny Bonacio should be asking for a redesign of the district. Scott Johnson’s appointees are favorable to development and one of them having a drink with Sonny Bonacio is a problem. Sonny Bonacio believes in the marketplace. How many years will he go without redeveloping this site? It can’t go on like this forever. False to say we have to act to develop it now. Margo Olsen of Saratoga Springs stated it is good for the neighborhood to have traffic issues addressed now. They should discuss safe crossings, islands, etc. Naomi Allen of 48 Union Avenue stated her window looks out on the Pink Palace. I’d rather go on seeing it there than see this project. The light will impact on my house and it’s just too dense. Traffic is unsafe and she is concerned. Lynn Whitten of George Street stated she was stunned at how this project has morphed from meeting to meeting. It’s been called affordable but it isn’t. If Moore Hall is too big to fail, then that’s an issue the whole community should discuss. An area variance is not about hardship. The ZBA actually tried to redesign it for the applicant. We said yes to the 2006 project. Vote against this. That concluded the public comments. Mayor Joanne Yepsen stated there are things we need to look at further. We’ll take everything you said and talk with the attorneys about zoning changes and other issues. It was well worth it this morning to hear these issues. We’re looking into affordable housing through a task force. Commissioner Mathiesen thanked everyone for coming here. We need to understand the issues presented. This is a real challenge. It is difficult to say what to do with this building. It was built originally for Skidmore’s purposes and now things have changed. It is expensive to tear it down. Can other things be done with it? Not for City Council to interfere with land use boards. Rezoning in 2005-06 was consistent, but what could we rezone it to now? We’re thinking about pedestrian access now. Our role is to listen and familiarize ourselves with issues. We can express our feelings to boards but can’t direct them to do anything. We respect the process. Commissioner Scirocco stated his biggest concern is that the City might have to take this building over someday. He hopes that doesn’t happen. They need to address snow removal and safety issues. Going from 18 units to 53 units is an issue too. It’s not a City Council decision. We can’t override the boards. I worked for Skidmore in the 1970s and I remember the transition. There was worry that we’d lose historic buildings. It’s to your credit that you renovated the old dorms into single family residences. The council can’t override the Zoning Board’s decision but I can go to the Zoning Board with my concerns. Commissioner Franck stated we should have more meetings like this; go to people in different parts of the city. Property values are back almost to where they were in 2006. I thought back then that this building was going to come down. I’m going to review my notes from back then. I think they wanted to do it then but the numbers didn’t work. Maybe something can be done now to take part of it down or some other solution, but it won’t make everybody happy. Commissioner Madigan stated this message is what you need to tell the ZBA. We can’t interfere with the boards, but still a lot has to happen. This still needs to go to the Planning Board and the Design Review Commission. Your voice is powerful and I’ll be surprised if the boards don’t hear what you have to say. I had a chance to see the building’s deterioration and understand the project better. We hear you loud and clear. Keep speaking out. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting 12/5/15 Mayor Yepsen stated she learned that this proposal is a big change over what was proposed before. The building needs to be either re-used or torn down. I agree with Commissioner Madigan. Keep speaking out. She looks for board members with varied interests. They should represent the whole community. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Anthony J. Izzo Acting Clerk Approved: 1/5/16 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 5 of 5