Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES WEDNESDAY , FEBRUARY 11, 2009 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Clifford Van Wagner; Chair, Jamin Totino; Vice Chair, Amy Durland, Michael Perkins, Laura Rappaport (arrived at 7:06), Philip Klein, Dan Gaba ABSENT: No one STAFF: Jaclyn Hakes, Principal Planner CALL TO ORDER Clifford Van Wagner called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING Clifford Van Wagner said the proceedings of this meeting are being 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 of the recording. REPORT ON ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS BY THE CHAIR Clifford Van Wagner said that he approved the Fasig-Tipton request for a lot line adjustment to join all small parcels into one, which was required by the Area Variance that the Zoning Board granted Fasig-Tipton. Laura Rappaport arrived at 7:06. ADJOURNED APPLICATIONS: 09.004 Fallon Zoning Amendment, 69 Lake Avenue, the applicant has requested to adjourn to a later meeting in order to speak to some neighbors. 08.069 S&D Realty Management Zoning Amendment, 126 West Avenue and 261 Grand Avenue. Mr. Kamen is now asking that the Planning Board grant what it had originally recommended a long time ago; however, he needs to amend his application. 05.057 Beaver Pond Village, 98 Geyser Road, adjourned to February 25, 2009. 08.015 Railroad Run PUD Zoning Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment Advisory Opinion to the City Council, adjourned to February 25, 2009. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR There were no comments from the Chair. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Clifford Van Wagner gave this opportunity to allow citizens to address planning issues not on the scheduled agenda. No one spoke. APPLICATIONS  09.005 Saratoga Hospital Medical/Professional PUD Amendment, 211 Church Street This is an advisory opinion on proposed PUD change in the Saratoga Hospital PUD District. Clifford Van Wagner stated that the City Council has been asked for a zoning amendment for the Saratoga Hospital PUD and is requesting an Advisory Opinion from the Planning Board. There will be no vote taken tonight. Based on the information given tonight, the Planning Board members will visit the hospital in the next 2 weeks, and this application will come before this Board again in 2 weeks. DISCLOSURES: Jamin Totino disclosed that his family physician is in the building in question. Amy Durland disclosed that her husband and child’s regular physician is also in this building. Michael Perkins disclosed that his wife is an employee at the hospital. Clifford Van Wagner disclosed that his wife is an employee at the hospital. Philip Klein disclosed that he was on the hospital board for a number of years, and he is also on the fundraising committee for the emergency room. Jaclyn Hakes said none of the disclosures will keep the Board members from being objective. Each member who had a disclosure agreed. Appearing before the Board were Stephanie Ferradino, representing the hospital, and Marisa Coppola. Stephanie Ferradino said last time the PUD was amended was in 2003, at that time the hospital was growing and they were contemplating adding the radiation oncology center and the Emergency Department. She said at that time, they decided to add more parcels to their campus, which was done through a PUD amendment. She said the applicant is back again because they are again seeking to acquire more properties. They are under contract to purchase 35 Myrtle Street to utilize for parking. She said the hospital already owns 238 Church Street, that had previously been utilized as a thrift store. She said they are seeking to change that use, so they are seeking to add it to the PUD at this time. She said the other item added to City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – February 11, 2009 - Page 2 of 5 the amendment is a request for signage to be included as part of PUD legislation so that, in the event the hospital campus shifts and changes, as it tends to do, the hospital doesn’t have to return each and every time for very similar signage. She said she will be doing significant re- drafting of signage language and she will get those modifications to the Board in advance of the next meeting. Stephanie Ferradino said the City Council has declared themselves as lead agency and initiated coordinated review under SEQR. The City Council has asked the Planning Board to weigh in on an advisory opinion, and the Design Review Commission to weigh in on the signage provisions contained in the modification. Stephanie Ferradino said 238 Church Street currently houses the hospital thrift shop, which will move to West Avenue. Clifford Van Wagner asked if the thrift shop is tax exempt. He said if it is added to the PUD it will be taken off the tax roles. Stephanie said her guess is that it is tax exempt, but she will check on this. Cliff said this will happen with 35 Myrtle. Stephanie Ferradino said the hospital is seeking to raze 35 Myrtle Street, which will be utilized for 46 parking spaces. She said if the PUD amendment passes, the Planning Board will see that site as part of the PUD site plan process. She said 238 Church Street will be utilized for a physician respite area. Clifford Van Wagner asked if total pavement will decrease, as indicated on application. Stephanie Ferradino said her engineer will answer this. Stephanie Ferradino said the applicant had been granted 57 variances for signage from 2000- 2006, all of which came to either the DRC or the Planning Board, so there was a significant amount of time and effort spent in obtaining approvals. She said they are currently seeking, in the current legislation, to take those variances that were granted and allow those similar type signs. She said if they move a sign because a function of the hospital has moved and it is no longer necessary, they will to be able to replace it with a similar sign. She said they haven’t changed any dimensions, height or size. She said they will be working on the number of signs with Bradley Birge, because they don’t want the campus to be overcrowded with the number of signs. She said since the hospital continues to evolve and change, and they haven’t always had the foresight to know exactly where some change will occur, they are requesting the hospital have some flexibility with some administrative oversight by the City and the Planning Board Chair with some weigh in from the DRC Chair, in order to streamline the process. Clifford Van Wagner said when it comes to location, the Planning Board has more issues with location, the site distance and things like that. He asked Stephanie if they are asking for that to be approved once and then have the flexibility to move them. Stephanie said they are asking for any changes that they are proposing to come in on a more administrative basis. She said they would have the building inspector or the city engineer sit in also on the group to weigh in on whether the change is appropriate. Cliff said typically for administrative actions, the Planning Board Chair leans on staff, the Chair does not make an independent decision on administrative actions. Philip Klein suggested that if it is not unanimous or does not have a consensus, that the hospital should come before a full Board. Cliff said he is not sure the Planning Board is willing to grant carte blanche to never have to come back before the board for signage, because of safety or other issues that require the whole board to look at, and that is the system now, which works well. Stephanie said the signage language will be revised and submitted. Stephanie Ferradino said the other 2 changes that are of note, are A-6, which is the central plant expansion, as it was built is now 59,010 square feet, instead of the 5,000 that was City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – February 11, 2009 - Page 3 of 5 allowed. She said this had been worked out with the City, so they will fix it in the PUD. She said it is already up and has been inspected and is part of the hospital campus, but the numbers don’t make sense. She said B-2 has been approved by the Planning Board for temporary parking, and they are seeking to include that change so it is noted in the PUD legislation to conform with regulations. Clifford Van Wagner said right now there are no finite locations for signage. Stephanie said as the hospital’s needs change, as property becomes available, they need to get the signage that they need. She said they are proposing to streamline the process to move an identical existing sign to a new location, rather than go to possibly 5 meetings for a sign that has already gotten variances. Cliff said will have to come back to the Planning Board to amend the PUD if they buy another parcel. Stephanie said if the use is okay, the hospital will not have to add it to their PUD. Cliff said in order to add it to the PUD for tax exempt status, they would have to come to the City Council and the Planning Board. Jamin Totino asked if 35 Myrtle Street needs any consideration for preservation. Stephanie said she will check. Jaclyn Hakes said even with a PUD amendment, any changes to these parcels will require a PUD site plan amendment, so the Board will get a chance to see it again. PUBLIC COMMENT: Hearing none. Jamin Totino said once the building on Myrtle Street is razed, a buffer may be needed in the rear. OTHER ITEMS Jaclyn Hakes said the Planning Board has received a draft revision updating their rules and regulation, updating their procedures and creating a more consistent format with the other land use boards’ procedures and regulations. Jaclyn Hakes said on February 18th there is a public storm water management plan discussion at 7:00 at the library. Jaclyn Hakes said the Board has received a packet of 75 Standard Details for subdivisions and site plans, which are details that are typically included on site plans and subdivisions. She said in an in effort to create a process that is more user-friendly, the Engineering and Planning Departments have developed this set of standard details. She said the intent is to adopt them and post them on the website for applicants to include on their applications. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Philip Klein moved to approve the January 14 Planning Board minutes, with submitted corrections. Seconded by Dan Gaba. Vote: Jamin Totino, in favor; Amy Durland, in favor; Michael Perkins, abstain; Laura Rappaport, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, in favor. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – February 11, 2009 - Page 4 of 5 Motion carries 6-0, one abstention. Laura Rappaport moved to approve the January 22 Planning Board minutes, with submitted corrections. Seconded by Michael Perkins. Vote: Jamin Totino, abstain; Amy Durland, in favor; Michael Perkins, in favor; Laura Rappaport, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, in favor. Motion carries 6-0, one abstention. NEXT MEETING The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Clifford Van Wagner adjourned the meeting at 7:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Livsey Recording Secretary Adopted: March 11, 2009 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – February 11, 2009 - Page 5 of 5