Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, Amy Durland, Dan Gaba; Howard Pinsley; Mariesa Coppola ABSENT: Philip Klein STAFF: Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs CALL TO ORDER: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the proceedings of this meeting are being recorded 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: -11.022 181 PHILA NEIGHBORHOOD ROOMING HOUSE, 181 Phila Street, public hearing for special use permit for neighborhood rooming house in the Urban Residential-3 District. -12.044 SARATOGA EXIT 15, 84 Weibel Avenue, site plan review of telecommunications tower in the Transect-5 District. -12.047 ADVISORY OPINION REFERRAL FROM ZBA JC BEEKMAN LLC SUBDIVISION, 192 Beekman Street, area variance for a two lot subdivision of land creating a lot for construction of a two family residence; seeking relief from the minimum average lot width requirement in the UR-3 District. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, thanked staff Kate Maynard, Principal Planner; Deb Wertheim, Secretary Planning and Economic Development and Diane Buzanowski, Recording Secretary, Land Use Boards and presented them with a token of the Board's appreciation. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated he would be remiss in not pointing out Amy Durland is completing her 7th year on the Planning Board. Planning Board Members and Kate Maynard, Principal Planner would like to thank Amy and appreciate her input. Amy and I have been on this Board together for the last seven years and we have had some interesting cases and the depth of Amy's research on these projects has always given us something to think about. So, on behalf of the Planning Board and City Planner a little token of our appreciation and good luck in your future endeavors. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, January 7, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, January 7, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Opportunity to allow citizens to address planning issues not on the scheduled agenda. Commissioner Chris Mathiesen, 28 Friar Tuck Way, Saratoga Springs. I had the opportunity to work with Amy on the Zoning Board of Appeals. She has been serving on Land Use Boards for the last 12 years. Amy had a tremendous impact on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Changes that were made because of Amy's influence benefited that Board tremendously. I thoroughly enjoyed serving with her she was very thorough and very insightful. I have great appreciation for her service to the City and I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and she is one of my favorite people. Thank you Amy. Congratulations for your service. Ron Kim sent a letter which was read into the record by Eileen Finneran. I served with Amy Durland on the Zoning Board of Appeals from 2002 to 2005 and she was the consummate professional. Later on when I was on the City Council I was pleased when Mayor Valerie Keehn appointed her to the Planning Board because I knew she would do a great job for the City. Now I have an opportunity to thank her for her many years of service to the City from the perspective of a private citizen. My thanks spring from the knowledge that the City's greenbelt never had a more articulate, thoughtful and courageous advocate. This City has reaped enormous benefits for having Amy Durland on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board over the past 11 years. Her passion and commitment for doing the right thing is unequaled. Her ability to ask the tough questions and hold decision makers accountable is an essential quality for any Zoning or Planning Board member. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Thank you Amy. Sincerely, Ronald J. Kim. Eileen Finneran. I have know Amy since 1996. We first worked together on school committees. I then worked with her on the Zoning Board of Appeals for over two years. I found Amy to be smart, kind, fair and passionate about the things she believes in. Above all extremely professional. This City is a better place because of people like Amy. I thank her for all her years of service and I am very happy to be able to call her my friend. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. -11.044.1 DOTEN AVENUE SUBDIVISION, 32 Doten Avenue. Extension to subdivision in the Urban Residential-2 District. SEQRA: SEQRA negative declaration issued on November 22, 2011. BACKGROUND: Subdivision approved November 22, 2011. Application for extension received in Planning Department before expiration. Applicant proposes an extension per revised Subdivision Regulations, 90 day extensions are permitted to be considered by the Planning Board. Applicant is finalizing last steps with subdivision. Recreation fee has been provided, letter of credit remains to be established. Additional time sought to fulfill requirements. Applicant: Ravmor, LLC, David Redgrave; Jim Morrill City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – December 12, 2012 - Page 2 of 5 Agent: David Boardus, Northeast Land Survey Mr. Morrill stated there are finalizing the last steps with the subdivision. Recreation fee has been provided. Working with staff to fulfill all requirements. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. DISCLOSURE: Mariesa Coppola disclosed she did assist the applicant in the completion of the application. She has been family friends with Mr. Morrill for many years. She has no financial interest in this application. Disclosure only no recusal. Dan Gaba made a motion for 90 extension the Doten Avenue Subdivision. Howard Pinsley seconded the motion. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0. 2. 12.032 324 WEST AVENUE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING, 324 West Avenue, site plan for medical office building in the Transect-4 District. SEQRA: SEQRA Negative declaration issued on September 12, 2012. Applicant: Rik Woldring, Dr. Tracey Brennan Agent: Gavin Vuillame, Environmental Design Partners. BACKGROUND: This existing 1750 square foot structure was previously utilized as an Attorney's office. No expansion or exterior alteration of the structure is anticipated at the present time. Area variance was received, and special use permit was granted July 26, 2006 for a 200 square foot telecommunications facility equipment building currently located on-site. Special use permit was granted on September 12, 2012. Mr. Vuillame, Environmental Design Partners, representing the applicant. We did appear before the Board in September when we presented the project. It is a very unusual project in that it is very linear parcel and does not have sewer service. We discussed this with the YMCA and they will provide a sewer easement in the rear of the property to run 200 feet and connect to the large 36 inch diameter trunk run maintained by the Saratoga County Sewer District. The Saratoga County Sewer District did approve connection. We did provide a SWPPP for this particular project. This project has been changed somewhat to incorporate green infrastructure a dry swale, a vegetative swale, and an infiltration basin. All stormwater will be managed on site. We are adding one additional parking lot on the north side of the building. Parking spaces were outlined as 16 spaces. The applicant does know her practice and feels very strong about the number of spaces requested. Waiver for additional parking spaces is requested. The Board does require sidewalks, street trees, and street lights. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – December 12, 2012 - Page 3 of 5 Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the Saratoga County Planning Board stated they preferred only one curb cut. As we look at this and see and appreciate the practice does require additional parking with a waiver and no ability to connect the parking lots. It does not make sense to limit this to one curb cut. Amy Durland stated since the parking does face the front she recommended screening for West Avenue. Perhaps we can get some information from the Traffic Consultant regarding screening so as not to obstruct the field of vision. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was a motion for Site Plan Approval for 324 West Avenue. Tom L. Lewis made a motion. Dan Gaba seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the applicant is allowed 9 parking spaces on this parcel. The applicant is requesting 16 so they are requesting a waiver of 5 parking spaces seems reasonable. Amy Durland stated she hates to see this as a precedent in the Transect Zones. The transect zones are thought to reduce the auto dependence. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman stated this is so far out of the core. This is a special development area. Dan Gaba, stated he agrees with Amy. This is a unique linear lot in nature. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated we need to look at each case individually. Howard Pinsley made a motion to approve the waiver for additional parking. Mariesa Coppola seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – December 12, 2012 - Page 4 of 5  Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2012 Planning Board Meeting with corrections and additions as submitted. Howard Pinsley made a motion. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, abstained; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2012 Planning Board Meeting with corrections and additions as submitted. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman made a motion. Howard Pinsley, seconded the motion. VOTE: Amy Durland, in favor; Dan Gaba, abstained; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 1/9/13 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – December 12, 2012 - Page 5 of 5