Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 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 PENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 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: UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, November 13, 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. A. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 13.066 PROPOSED 3368 SOUTH BROADWAY ZONING MAP AMENDMENT (TURF HOTELS), 3368 South Broadway, Consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency for proposed Zoning map amendment from Office Medical Business-1 (OMB-1) District to Tourist Related Business (TRB) District to permit construction of a 4 story, 109 unit hotel. Agent: Matt Jones, Attorney for the applicant SEQRA: City Council initiated SEQRA coordinated review and sought Lead Agency status on October 15, 2013. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the City Council sought an Advisory Opinion from the Planning Board regarding the proposed zoning map amendment. The Planning Board issued a favorable advisory opinion with a 7-0 vote. Discussion ensued regarding deferral of Lead Agency Status. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs, stated there are two ways for the Board to go. One would be to defer Lead Agency Status to the City Council noting the information which was provided in the Advisory Opinion. The other would be to request Lead Agency Status for this project. Dan Gaba made a motion to defer Lead Agency Status for the proposed 3368 South Broadway Zoning Map Amendment from Office Medical Business-1 (OMB-1) District to Tourist Related Business (TRB) District to permit construction of a 4 story 109 unit hotel. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman 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. 13.057 SARATOGA HOSPITAL ICU, 211 Church Street, site plan review of 3 story Operation Room Suite with associated programs within the Saratoga Hospital Medical Professional Planned Unit Development. Applicant: Saratoga Hospital, Kevin Ronayne, Vice President Facilities Agent: Matt Jones, Jones Firm; Mike Ingersoll, Matt Brobston, LA Group. SEQRA: City Council issued a SEQR negative declaration on October 1, 2013. BACKGROUND: City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 23, 2013 - Page 2 of 5 Planning Board issued a favorable advisory opinion on the PUD amendment that allows for the demolition of the Cramer House, addition currently subject of the site plan application, and the removal of a property on the south side of Church Street from the PUD boundary. The City Council approved the PUD amendment on October 1, 2013. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the City Engineer referred this project to an outside agency Chazen was chosen and all information was completed and returned in a timely manner. Mr. Jones stated the site plan was reviewed initially and seen by this Board on September 25, 2013 and at that time deferred Lead Agency Status to the City Council. Site plan has remained virtually the same as what was presented earlier. Parking was discussed as well as traffic information. Mike Ingersoll, LA Group stated the new ICU will be almost entirely within the footprint of the Cramer House and the outside area. Stormwater management issues were discussed. Elevations were reviewed and a new sewer connection will be provided. The project utilizes the current water service. Landscaping plan was discussed. Several mature trees will be salvaged and street trees will be planted. Security lighting will be placed in the rear of the building. Street lights are already present at this time in the front of the building. Mr. Jones discussed the proposed pedestrian connection across the west side of Church and Myrtle Street a possible light and crosswalk. This would allow for the remaining strip of sidewalk to be completed along the Herzog building as well as a crosswalk and signal, which Dr. Herzog escrowed $5,000. This project received final architectural approval by the Design Review Commission on October 2, 2013. Saratoga County Mental Health vacated the premises approximately one week ago. Subject to the asbestos review and is ready for demolition pending return of bids. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated the only point which requires conversation is the intersection. This project simply replaces the footprint of the former building. There is no concern with this project. Philip Klein stated he is in favor of completing the sidewalk to the corner which is approximately 50-60 feet. What would be the additional cost for the signalization of this crosswalk. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated in conversations with Mark Benaquista, Traffic Safety, stated a cost of an estimated $20,000 generally speaking is for the sidewalk, crosswalk, signal pole and crosswalk signal. Philip Klein would like to see the crosswalk completed at the very least. This is the opportunity to do it. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated Mark Benaquista, Traffic Safety is opposed to a crosswalk without signalization stating it is not safe. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman stated there is not enough going on there. I don't think it is needed. Howard Pinsley stated what he they have offered is satisfactory. Discussion ensued regarding signalization. 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 is any further comment from the Board regarding this application. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 23, 2013 - Page 3 of 5 None heard. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman made a motion that the application for site plan review for the 3-story Operation Room Suite with associated programs within the Saratoga Hospital Medical Professional Planned Unit Development be approved with all the engineering points which were agreed with the City Engineer and I recommend that we add $5,000 which was proposed to the escrow account plus the $5,000 escrowed by Dr. Herzog. In the event that the City is so inclined as to enhance this intersection 50% of the funding is already escrowed, which will expire on June 13, 2017. Tom L. Lewis, Vice Chairman 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 3. 13.063 BEEKMAN STREET PROPOSED MAP AND TEXT ZONING AMENDMENT ADVISORY OPINION, area bounded by South of West Circular Street, Western Alley, Grand Avenue and South Franklin Street, Advisory Opinion to the City Council to consider: - a map amendment to expand Neighborhood Complementary Use 1 District (NCU-1) to existing Urban Residential-2 (UR-2) District, Urban Residential-3 (UR-3) District, Urban Residential-7 (UR-7) District and Warehouse District (WD) properties: - a text amendment to existing NCU-1 regulations. RECUSAL: Board member Bob Bristol recused himself from this application. Applicant: Commissioner John Franck BACKGROUND: Commissioner Franck has submitted the petition on behalf of the Beekman Street Association. The proposed amendment contemplates a map amendment that would extend the NCUD-1 District to surrounding properties. The Planning Staff has had additional meetings with the Beekman Street Association members to discuss the intent of the zoning changes and review unintended consequences of the proposed action. The Beekman Street Association members and staff will be able to provide additional information for the Board's consideration. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 23, 2013 - Page 4 of 5 John Haynes, member of the Beekman Street Zoning Committee. We have been in existence for approximately two years. We have been working with Kate Maynard, Principal Planner and Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development. Our goals are to create a better pedestrian connection. This area is approximately 2 ½ blocks long, with many restricted uses. Many dilapidated properties and we hope to invite prospective buyers. The Planning Board staff recommended a public hearing process be a part of the Advisory Opinion. We are here to request the public hearing be set. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman agrees that on the caravan the Board noted many closed businesses at 4:00 P.M. There are approximately 100 to 150 properties impacted and who will have to be notified officially. Staff will help with this process. Amejo Ameyot , I have been working with this project for approximately 12 years. Artists came in and rehabbed many homes and made a very nice street. The Beekman Street Association have been a really busy and active group and mostly volunteers working on committees to bring about changes in this area. We have raised the tax base of the area. It has been an economic boost to the area. We are looking to stop the further decline in the area. Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman stated a public hearing is exactly what is needed. Kate Maynard can help to set up the public hearing. Discussion ensued regarding the scheduling of the public hearing. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated the Board has 60 days in which to respond to the Advisory Opinion. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mariesa Coppola made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the October 9, 2013 Planning Board Meeting. Dan Gaba seconded the motion. VOTE: Dan Gaba, 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: 6-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Clifford Van Wagner, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 11/13/13 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – October 23, 2013 - Page 5 of 5