Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, Dan Gaba; Philip Klein; Robert Bristol; Howard Pinsley; Mariesa Coppola STAFF: Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs CALL TO ORDER: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 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: 12.027.1 HOME OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, 394-402 Church Street, site plan review of senior assisted care facility and senior housing in the Urban Residential-1 District. 13.033 SUBDIVISION OF LANDS OF MISSIONARY (ST. CLEMENTS CHURCH), 231 Lake Avenue, public hearing for a three lot subdivision in the Institutional-Education District. 12.004 RYNICK PROPERTIES SARATOGA SPRINGS LLC (DENNY'S), 468 Louden Road, sketch plan in the Weibel Avenue Planned Unit Development District. ADJOURNED PENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 1. 13.031 RIP VAN DAM HOTEL, 353 Broadway, site plan review of hotel and banquet hall in the Transect-6 District. 2. 13.032 ELLSWORTH MIXED USE BUILDING, 120 Division Street, site plan review of mixed use building featuring residential and commercial space in the Division Street Planned Unit Development District. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS: - SARATOGA STRIKE ZONE – Letter of credit extension requested for 3 months. ACTION: Approved by the Chair. - 285 JEFFERSON – Letter of credit extension – requested for 3 months. ACTION: Approved by the Chair. - SARATOGA ROWING ASSOCIATION – Letter of credit extension requested for 3 months ACTION: Approved by the Chair. - SCRIBNER VILLAGE REPLACEMENT – Letter of credit extension requested for 3 months. ACTION: Approved by the Chair. -11.001.1 420 BROADWAY – Proposed action includes reconfiguration of rear stairway from building to pedestrian connection to Putnam Street, and reconstruction of sidewalk/installation of radiant heated sidewalk for extent to Putnam Street. ACTION: Approved by the Chair. LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS: -11.025.2 UNLIMITED POTENTIAL, 36 Cady Hill Boulevard: Action proposed lot line adjustment for conveyance of 50' strip of land from Munter Enterprises Property to the east to Unlimited Potential. Both parcels meet underlying zoning requirements with the proposed action. ACTION: Approved by the Chair. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, July 22, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, July 22, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 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. 11. 002.1 BUFF ROAD SUBDIVISION EXTENSION, Buff Road and Route 9N, extension of 15 lot subdivision in the UR-1 and RR Districts. BACKGROUND: Subdivision approval granted November 12, 2013 with 180 day approval with an expiration on May 12, 2013. The application for extension was received prior to the expiration. A 90 day extension would be until August 12, 2013. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 10, 2013 - Page 2 of 6 Applicant: Manuel Ballestero Agent: Jere Tatich, Principal Élan Planning. Mr. Tatich requested an extension to address some review items, primarily the DEC review of the water and sewer and the final completion of the formal easement language. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Dan Gaba made a motion for the extension of the Buff Road Subdivision project for an additional 90 days. Howard Pinsley seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Dan Gaba, in favor; Bob Bristol, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 13.049 SARATOGA HOSPITAL MEDICAL/PROFESSIONAL PUD PROPOSED MAP AND TEXT AMENDMENTS, 211 Church Street, request for advisory opinion from City Council. The City Planning Board has 60 days to render a written advisory opinion to the City Council, unless extended by mutual consent. The Planning Board may hold a public hearing at their discretion. The scope of the Planning Board review shall include but not be limited to: - Whether the proposed revision is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and - Whether the proposed revision is not contrary to the general purposes and intent of this Chapter. The applicants are requesting to amend the Saratoga Hospital Medical/Professional PUD legislation to increase the permitted total square footage to accommodate a new surgical suite (replacing the existing Cramer House) and to remove a portion of real property currently located within the boundaries of the PUD. Applicant: Saratoga Hospital, Kevin Ronayne – Vice President of Operations and Facilities Agent: Matthew J. Jones, Attorney; Mike Ingersoll, LA Group Mr. Jones stated the impetus for the amendment to the PUD is the addition of a surgical suite addition. A three story addition that will house 10 operating rooms, increasing the size of the operating rooms from about 400 to 600 square City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 10, 2013 - Page 3 of 6 feet. We are also looking to modify the PUD boundary to remove the property located on the south side of Church Street from the PUD. Removal of this parcel from the PUD will require designating an appropriate zoning district for this parcel, adjacent and neighboring parcels to the west and east along Church Street are currently zoned Office Medical Business-2 (OMB-2). Mr. Kevin Ronayne, Vice President of Operations and Facilities provided the Board with a visual rendition of what the new addition will look like. This will be a construction of a 33,900 square foot surgical suite addition. This will be a 3 story addition which will house 10 operating rooms, including the relocation of the 7 existing rooms, pre and post care operating rooms, pre-admission testing and waiting areas and elevators. The structure will be engineered to accommodate potential future vertical expansion up to a total of 5 stories. We met with key constituents and their request was basically to keep everything on one floor. This new construction will keep with the current architecture. Discussion ensued regarding the Cramer House and if it has any Historic significance. Mr. Jones stated they were in contact with the Saratoga Preservation Foundation and the research has not revealed any historic significance. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner questioned the height of the proposed structure at 5 stories which is noted in the application. Mr. Jones stated they will clarify their plans to reflect 3 above grade stories. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner questioned the applicants in relation to the Zoning District re-establishment to OMB- 2 and the current land use. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the only action which can be taken this evening is a non-binding advisory opinion to the City Council. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated this project is certainly moving along with the nature of the expansion of the hospital. The hospital is doing exceptionally well. It is a PUD. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was any more information the Board would like to request. None heard. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman made a motion for a positive Advisory Opinion to the City Council on the Saratoga Hospital Medical/Professional PUD proposed map and text amendments. Howard Pinsley seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. VOTE: Dan Gaba, in favor; Bob Bristol, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman, in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 7-0 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 10, 2013 - Page 4 of 6 3. 13.046 PLAZA 15 STORAGE, 30 Gick Road, public hearing for modification to a special use permit for self storage facility expansion in a Transect-4 (T-4 Urban Neighborhood) District. 13.025.2 PLAZA 15 STORAGE, 30 Gick Road, site plan for self-storage facility expansion in a Transect-4 T-4 Urban Neighborhood District. SEQRA: The DRC deferred Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board on April 3, 2013. The ZBA deferred Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board on April 8 2013. The Planning Board issued a SEQR negative declaration for current proposed expansion on April 24, 2013. BACKGROUND: Site Plan Review approval September 8, 2004 (self storage addition). DRC Architectural Review approval on November 6, 2003. Area Variance granted from the build-to, frontage build-out and two story requirements of the T-4 to construct five additional self storage structures total 24,300 square feet on October 22, 2003. Permanent Special Use Permit issued "to allow outdoor storage" (.30 acres) on October 22, 2002. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the applicants currently propose to construct four additional self storage buildings totaling 26, 200 square feet to the existing self storage use of the property; area variances received on May 13, 2013 for relief from the build-to line and minimum two-story requirements of the Transect-4 District. Architectural Review from the DRC is also required. Applicant: Plaza 15 Storage, LLC, Joel Aronsen Agent: Michael Toohey, Attorney; Don McPherson, LA Group Mr. Toohey briefly reviewed the project with modifications proposed by the applicant per the Board's request. A review of the evaluation of criteria for Special Use Permits was conducted by Mr. Toohey. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated Saratoga County Planning Board Referral approved this application however, they stated with review of the area variances in April, we did want to address efforts to remediate visual impacts that may be part of the City Planning Board review. It was this agency's recommendation that some form of buffering fencing or low growth evergreen be considered to ameliorate the see through aspect of the existing vegetation into the site from the Route 50 slip ramp. We note that the plan does address the addition of such planting and note that the City Planning Board should determine the sufficiency of such. The applicants modified their plans to help ameliorate the visual impacts. PUBLIC HEARING: Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman closed the public hearing at 7:57 P.M. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 10, 2013 - Page 5 of 6 Philip Klein made a motion to approve the modification to the Existing Special Use Permit for the Plaza 15 Storage. Dan Gaba seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Dan Gaba, in favor; Bob Bristol, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 7-0 Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated we will now move on to site plan approval for the Plaza 15 Storage with the following conditions, the garbage dumpster is enclosed, no additional employees, no additional parking required, LED lighting on four of the new buildings with down facing LED lighting on timers. Longer two buildings blocks the tail end of some of the buildings. Don McPherson, LA Group reviewed the site plan reviewing storm water management, grading, tree line and SWPPP comments were received this afternoon. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Dan Gaba made a motion for site plan approval for the Plaza 15 Storage as proposed. Howard Pinsley seconded the motion. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Dan Gaba, in favor; Bob Bristol, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Mariesa Coppola, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman in favor; Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 7-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Meeting Minutes was deferred until the next Planning Board meeting on July 24, 2013. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 9/25/13 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 10, 2013 - Page 6 of 6