Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, Amy Durland; Philip Klein; Dan Gaba; Howard Pinsley ABSENT: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman; Mariesa Coppola STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development CALL TO ORDER: Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman stated 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. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADJOURNED PROJECTS ADJOURNED AT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST: -11.002 BUFF ROAD SUBDIVISION, BUFF ROAD AND ROUTE 9N, public hearing for a final 15 lot subdivision in the Urban Residential-1 and Rural Residential-1 Districts. -12.032 324 WEST AVENUE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING, 324 West Avenue, site plan for medical office building in the Transect-4 District. -11.022 181 PHILA NEIGHBORHOOD ROOMING HOUSE, 181 Phila Street, public hearing for special use permit for neighborhood rooming house in the Urban Residential-3 District. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman stated Broadway received a recent designation as Great Street –American Planning Association Award Provided to the City. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated 10 streets are designated nationally per year as a Great Street by the American Planning Association. This year the National American Planning Association Award was provided to the City for Broadway as one of the ten best streets in the United States. It is a pat on the back to the efforts of the community, Council and all Boards. Congratulations. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday October 22, 2012 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, October 22, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Opportunity to allow citizens to address planning issues not on the scheduled agenda. None heard. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 08.068.3 GRIDLEY STREET STABLES, Gridley Street at Jefferson Street, site plan extension for stable in the Institutional Horse Track Related District. SEQRA: Negative declaration for SEQRA was issued by the Planning Board on March 10, 2010 for 36 stall horse barn. The first 18 month extension issued on April 13, 2011, expiration of September 10, 2012 (Request for extension received prior to expiration date). Request is for final possible 18 month extension available per the Zoning Ordinance. BACKGROUND: Site Plan approval was issued by the Planning Board on March 10, 2010 for a 36 stall horse barn. The first 18 month extension was issued on April 13, 2011, expiring on September 10, 2012. A request for an extension was received prior to the expiration date. The current request is for a possible final 18 month extension per the Zoning Ordinance. Permanent Special Use Permit for horse stables approved by the Planning Board will expire in January 2013. Applicant: Jim Doyle Mr. Doyle stated he has recently purchased this property. He respectfully requests an 18 month extension. Mr. Doyle also informed the Board that he has submitted an application for the Special Use Permit which is due to expire in January 2013. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman asked if the Board had any further questions or comments. None heard. Philip Klein made a motion in the matter of the Gridley Street Stables, Gridley and Jefferson Street to grant an 18 month extension for site plan. Howard Pinsley seconded the motion. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 10, 2012 - Page 2 of 6  2. 12.038 UNION GABLES BED & BREAKFAST INN, 55 UNION AVENUE, modification to site plan for swimming pool in the Urban Residential-4 District. SEQRA: Action is less than 4,000 square feet, thus appears to be a Type II action, no further review under SEQR is required. BACKGROUND: Permanent Special Use Permit for a 10 room Bed and Breakfast was issued on October 2, 1991. Renewable Special Use Permit issued for 24 public gatherings February 1, 1995. Permanent Special Use Permit issued for special events (24 public gatherings) July 27, 1999. Last site plan modification was approved by this Board on March 7, 2007. Applicant: Tom Fox Agent: Tom Frost, Frost Hurff Architects Mr. Frost stated updated information has been provided to the Board regarding changes to the property since the last appearance before the Board, mostly landscaping and plantings. The applicant is before the Board this evening to request a modification to the site plan for a swimming pool in the yard to the east, with an approximate size of 20 x 40. What triggers us is the amount of impermeable which has been increased to 5.5%. The property will be accessed during the construction along the east side of the carriage house. The parking lot will not be affected by the construction. Discussion ensued regarding the handicapped parking space and its location to the ramp. The Board discussed the possibility of relocation of the handicapped space closer to the ramp for ease in navigation. The applicant was amenable to the relocation of the handicapped parking space. Discussion was held regarding replanting following construction and safety measures during construction. Amy Durland asked for a rendering of what the fence will look like since this is Union Avenue which borders on the historic district and she would like some sense of how it would be consistent with a visual impression of that area. Also, she questioned the Board's authority and the degree of review and what triggered this is the increase in impermeable area on the property it is also the addition of a pool. Do we have the authority to review the site plan standards with regard to this pool for this commercial property and the impact on the neighbors since this is a modification to the site plan. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated there are three triggers for site plan review. A pool is a permitted structure in this area. You have your standard list to review with regard to the pool on the site, everything from circulation, screening from neighbors to landscaping on site. There is two permanent Special Use Permits on this site. One is for the 10 unit Bed and Breakfast which is on the site and the other is the commercial activities which take place on the site. Amy Durland questioned the plans for the pool and the impact on the neighbors and to make sure those impacts are mitigated. The events that are allowed and the hours of operation are also listed. I want to be assured that the inclusion of the pool is not going to alter any of this at all. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 10, 2012 - Page 3 of 6 Tom Frost stated the pool will take away half of the space used for wedding and events of that nature. There will be a reduction in the size and scope of the allowed parties that he can have here. The pool will substantially reduce the public use of that space. Tom Fox stated the pool will closed at 10:00 PM and reopen at 9:00 AM. Discussion ensued regarding the lighting, and neighborhood feedback regarding the pool addition. Tom Frost stated this is not a problem in terms of the historic character of the area because it is set so far back from Broadway; approximately 60 feet from the sidewalk. It will have almost no effect on the perception of the property from Union Avenue. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner confirmed that the pool will not be tied into any storm or sanitary sewer. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman asked if there were any further questions from the Board. Amy Durland questioned if the street trees and trees on the property would be affected. Tom Fox stated no trees will be disturbed. Philip Klein asked if there was any intention of adding any cabanas or a restroom facility. Tom Fox stated his intent is not to put in any additional buildings. Philip Klein made a motion in the matter of the Union Gables Bed and Breakfast Inn, 55 Union Avenue modification to the site plan, with the reconfiguration of the handicapped parking space and the parking lot re-striping. Dan Gaba seconded the motion. VOTE: Philip Klein, in favor; Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0 3. 12.027 HOME OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY, 394-402 CHURCH STREET, sketch plan review for senior housing, senior assisted living in the Urban Residential-1 District. Applicant: Home of the Good Shepherd Agent: Jason Tommell, Tommell and Associates; Owen Neitzel, Harris A. Sanders Architects, P.C., Jeremy Schneibel, Tommell and Associates City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 10, 2012 - Page 4 of 6 SEQRA: No SEQRA review required with sketch plan. Action appears to be Unlisted. BACKGROUND: Project site was previously approved as a 13 lot subdivision. Application proposes senior assisted care facility – permitted in UR-1 single family residential district) with special use permit and site plan review. Architectural review is required with the DRC. Jason Tommell reviewed the project with a visual presentation to the Board. Layout illustrates a proposed college concept as was expressed at the last meeting. This is 5.8 acres in total. Review of how the Senior Living Community fits in with the character of the neighborhood. The cottages will be for independent living only. The facility will offer assisted living and enhanced assisted living. Parking has specific requirements 50 spaces are required, the applicant is providing 60. Mr. Tommell reviewed construction access, storm water and sanitary sewers and utilities on the site. There is an archeologically sensitive area on the eastern side of the site. An archeologist has been retained by the applicant and there will be no disturbance in this area. This will require a full SWPPP. Mr. Neitzel, the architect reviewed the layout of the building. The building is efficient. Cottages will be for independent living. The facility will encompass assisted living and enhanced assisted living. This façade of the building will be reviewed for Architectural review by the DRC. Mr. Neitzel did review a layout of the cottages. The same type of materials will be used on the cottages as on the building to look like a part of the same project. The object is to create a mini neighborhood look. A privacy fence will be installed to help buffer the neighbors from seeing some of the parking lot areas. Outdoor common areas will be included as well as a front porch on the the main building and a second floor balcony porch as well. Jason Tommell stated we are continuing to review the landscaping plan. We have considered moving some of the mature trees on the property along the streetscape. Discussion ensued regarding parking lot locations, shared parking, on street parking, common space areas, and neighbor buffering. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner provided the applicant with communication from the CDTA regarding their current service, and the fact that they do not provide any transit service past the site and do not plan to do so at this time. Also departmental comments were reviewed with the applicant. Amy Durland summarized by stating she would like the applicant to try to make this more of an integrated project. It is all part of the same project to whatever extent you can make tighten it up make it a more cohesive project that has more of a neighborhood feel. Some suggestions such as on street parking, and trying to avoid a sea of pavement, should be given consideration. Kate Maynard questioned the height of the buildings along the frontage. Owen Neitzel stated the building along the frontage is 35 feet to the median of the pitched roof. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 10, 2012 - Page 5 of 6 Approval of Meeting Minutes was deferred to the next Planning Board Meeting scheduled for October 24, 2012. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 11/14/12 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 10, 2012 - Page 6 of 6