Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Mark Torpey, Chairman; Robert Bristol, Vice Chairman; Clifford Van Wagner; Philip Klein; Dan Gaba; Tom L. Lewis, Howard Pinsley STAFF: Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Torpey, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Mark Torpey, 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: 14.010 SUBDIVISION OF LANDS OF HARRISON, 180 Meadowbrook Road, public hearing for a two-lot subdivision in the Rural Residential District. 14.008.1 CONGREGATION AND YESHIVA PARDES YOSEF DORMITORY, 1 Veteran's Way, consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency and SEQRA project review in the Urban Residential-1 (UR-1) District. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, July 21, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, July 21, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 23, 2014 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. 14.038 CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE, 522 Broadway, consideration of SEQRA lead agency for a parking facility within the Transect-6 (T-6) District. Applicant: City Center Authority; Tom Roohan, Member, Board of Directors Agent: Chazen Engineering SEQRA: Action appears to be a Type I action with involved agencies of City Council (City property, lease agreement), City Center Authority, Planning Board, DRC and ZBA. City Center Authority initiated coordinated review and requested lead agency status in their June 11, 2014 correspondence. A 30 day window for response by all involved agencies is July 11, 2014. City Council deferred lead agency on July 1, 2014 with anticipation that Planning Board will seek lead agency. DRC deferred lead agency status on July 2, 2014. The ZBA is deferred on July 7, 2014. Steve Shaw, City Zoning Officer issued a letter providing that per the City's Zoning Ordinance, the project proposed by the City Center Authority is subject to local regulations thus review by the land use boards as required. BACKGROUND: The City Center Authority is proposing a 511 space parking facility on City owned property between High Rock and Maple Avenues. A lease agreement is required to be signed with the City to allow for the structure to be built on City property. Per the City Zoning Officer and the City Attorney the project is subject to: Proposed variance from required 80% build out along the frontage from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Site plan review for parking facility by the Planning Board and Architectural review for the parking facility by the Design Review Commission. To assist in reviewing the project a joint meeting is proposed for all land use board members to be introduced to the project, and allow for a comprehensive review among the Boards. Clifford Van Wagner made a motion for the Planning Board to accept Lead Agency Status for the City Center Parking Garage, 522 Broadway. Tom L. Lewis seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Bob Bristol, Vice Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 14.022 109 WASHINGTON STREET, 109 Washington Street, site plan review for multi-family residences within the Urban Residential-4 (UR-4) District. SEQRA: Action appears to be an Type II action, no further environmental review is required. BACKGROUND: The Planning Board last saw this project at the May 29, 2014 meeting. At that time an advisory opinion was requested by the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding parking. The Planning Board requested 3 parking spaces on City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 9, 2014 - Page 2 of 5 the proposed site. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted approval for variances for minimum lot size for 3 residences and minimum setback for parking from 25' required to 0' at the June 23, 2014 meeting. Site Plan is required by the Planning Board. Architectural review is required by the Design Review Commission. Applicant: Bruce Graham Agent: Brett Balzer, Dennis McGowan, Balzer, Tuck Architecture Mr. Balzer stated we were before this board at a joint meeting at the end of May. At that time an advisory opinion was requested by the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding parking. The Planning Board requested 3 parking spaces on the proposed site. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted approval for variances for minimum lot size for 3 residences and minimum setback for parking from 25' required to 0' at the June 23, 2014 meeting. Since that time we have revised the parking area. The parking will now be pull in to the parking space. To pull out the tenant will back up and pull out. This has been revised to ensure cars can turn around on site and not back into traffic. Two street lights standard City detail. Two street trees are proposed as well. This information has been submitted to the Board. Discussion ensued regarding the parking configuration and proposed landscaping. Saratoga County Planning Board correspondence stated no significant countywide or intercommunity impact. Mr. Balzer stated updated plans will be submitted to the City and will be in accordance with the City's standard. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Howard Pinsley made a motion for Site Plan Approval for 109 Washington Street. Clifford Van Wagner seconded the motion. Mark Torpey asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Dan Gaba, in favor; Philip Klein, in favor; Howard Pinsley, in favor; Tom L. Lewis, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Bob Bristol, Vice Chairman, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. 14.035 TRIPLE CROWN SUBDIVISION, Richard Avenue, public hearing for a three-lot subdivision within the Urban Residential-2 (UR-2) District. SEQRA: Action appears to be Unlisted. BACKGROUND: Proposed subdivision within a neighborhood experiencing large amount of redevelopment activity. Proximate projects include recently completed Southside Subdivision (John Witt) and 2 lot subdivision at the corner of Penn and and Doten Avenues. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 9, 2014 - Page 3 of 5 Applicant: Andrew Kazanjian Agent: Stephen Hart, Hart Engineering, Dan Wheeler, Surveyor Mr. Hart stated we are proposing a three lot subdivision on Richard Avenue. Total parcel area is approximately 20,000 square feet in size. This is in the UR-2 zoning district which requires 6600 square foot lots and 60 foot road frontage. We do meet all the criteria as far as lot sizes and the frontages. The parcel does have water and sewer situated on the Richard Avenue. The plan is to tap into the existing water and sewer lines. We have been in discussion with the City Engineer to extend both the water and sewer lines to the end of our properties. Stormwater management was discussed with the City Engineer and discussions will continue. Visual presentation was provided to the Board. Elevations were reviewed with the Board. Discussion ensued regarding stormwater management, width of the roadway, the right of way, and the suggestion to make the street a one way street with one side parking. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner reviewed the 28 foot Urban Local Standard for street width for two travel lanes with alternate side parking. The 20 foot one way would allow for one sided parking or alternate side parking. Mark Benaquista would have jurisdiction. This would require City Council approval. The Board could condition this as a recommendation which would then need Public Safety and City Council approval as required. The context has changed greatly in that area since John Witt's development was built. There has been a lot of activity in that area. Neighbors in that area always speak about storm water management and the availability of parking. Clifford Van Wagner stated he believes we should wait until Public Safety weighs in on this before making any decisions. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated subdivision regulations require in a substandard right of way that half of the difference to be conveyed to the City. In this case it would equal 7.5 feet. Alternatively the Board has considered easements or other agreements that allow for public use along the frontage of lots if necessary. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman, opened the public hearing at 8:01 P.M. Mark Torpey, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Bill Ussess – 283 Jefferson Street. Suggested measuring the streets. Then you would have an idea of what you we are dealing with. Mark Richardson, Broker for the Maxine Washington who owns the house. Regarding Richard Avenue, one way designation or no parking designation is warranted. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated we do not have enough information to move forward. The parking and the street width is one thing. We are awaiting information from the perk tests and what would be required in terms of the water table, where it is located plus the water retention systems to deal with the storm water management issues are still somewhat vague. No resolution or action tonight. Further discussion regarding the road dimension issues as well. We do not want to perpetuate the problem which exists on the roadway now. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the public hearing will remain open. Further information obtained should be submitted to the Planning Board staff. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE BOARD: Letter received from Bob & Linda Pommerer dated July 9, 2014. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 9, 2014 - Page 4 of 5 4. GOBLE SUBDIVISION SKETCH, 58 Kaydeross Avenue West, sketch plan review for a 2-lot subdivision in the Rural Residential (RR) District. SEQRA: Sketch plan review, no SEQRA action required. Action appeared to be unlisted. BACKGROUND: Two lot subdivision is proposed within Rural Residential District. Conservation subdivision required. Applicant: Donald and Emily Goble Agent: Fred Metzger, Land Surveyor Mr. Metzger stated this is an 11 acre parcel is being portioned off for the daughters home. Run in shed for horses with fencing is proposed. Sketch plans were provided for the Board. The applicant plans on utilizing the existing driveway. Density calculation was completed. Plans are to utilize the existing driveway. Septic system design must provide 100% absorption bed replacement reserve with Department of Health approval per the City Engineers comments. Guidance was requested regarding the conservation subdivision requirement. Formal subdivision submission is required. Discussion ensued regarding what is being proposed and what is allowed in a conservation subdivision. It was the request of the Board a separate driveway be provided for this project, keeping in mind a safe site distance. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the Board is requesting a completed conservation analysis, work through the calculations. Easement versus buildable area. No cut buffer. Keep in contact with the Planning Board staff and they will offer guidance. Applicant needs to put a packet together for the application and will then be placed back on the agenda. A second sketch plan is available to the applicant. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred to the next meeting. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Mark Torpey, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 7/23/14 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – July 9, 2014 - Page 5 of 5