Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Mark Torpey, Chairman; Robert Bristol, Vice Chairman; Clifford Van Wagner; Dan Gaba; Philip Klein; Howard Pinsley; LATE ARRIVAL: Tom L. Lewis, arrived at 7:23 P.M 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: 14.038 CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE, 522 Broadway, SEQRA environmental review for a parking facility within the Transect-6 (T-6) District. 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. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS: (Cumulative since April 2014). - Home of the Good Shepherd Lot Line Adjustment – Discussed during site plan review. ACTION: Approved by Chair. - Romano, Lot Line Adjustment, Old Schuylerville Road ACTION: Approved by Chair. - 15 Church Street – Lot Line Adjustment ACTION: Approved by Chair - 30 Caroline and 68 Putnam – Lot Line Adjustment ACTION: Approved by Chair. - Navarra, Lot Line Adjustment, Meadowbrook Road ACTION: Approved by Chair. - RR Depot and Lands of Golub, Lot Line Adjustment, Railroad Place  ACTION: Approved by Chair. - Macica Lot Line Adjustment, Old Schuylerville Road ACTION: Approved by Chair. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, October 6, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, October 6, at 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, October 8, 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: 14.023 DEMEO/HENDERSON SUBDIVISION, 28 Garfield Avenue, public hearing for a two-lot subdivision in the Residential-2 (UR-2) District. SEQRA: Appears to be an Unlisted Action. Applicant: Roseann DeMeo & Ken Henderson Ms. DeMeo co-applicant stated they would like to subdivide one lot on 28 Garfield Avenue into two lots. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated we did discuss several issues at our workshop with the City Engineer. We spoke about the potential of widening Garfield Avenue to a standard City street width of 20 feet. We spoke regarding two encroachments on the property one of which is a shed encroachment, the other is a storage container on a substandard lot, a sliver of a parcel adjacent to the property to the north. The Board questioned the possible acquiring that substandard lot. Sidewalks and curbing were discussed as well. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman opened the public hearing at 7:02 P.M. Ms. DeMeo stated a discussion was held regarding the encroachment on lot two the substandard sliver of a parcel. We were not able to reach a price which was workable for both parties. The second encroachment concerning the shed, it will be resolved following a discussion with the neighbor. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs stated plans which were recently received and emailed to the Board which state Phase II of Park Row which abuts the rear of these parcels on Shaw Drive. On those plans there is actually a note which states that access for those two lots will be from Shaw Drive, which also contains a no cut buffer zone. Clifford Van Wagner, questioned what the infrastructure requirements will be for these two lots. Ms. DeMeo stated the infrastructure will come up East Broadway and into the new lot. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – September 23, 2014 - Page 2 of 6 Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated there is infrastructure in place to be brought up Garfield to lot #1. Currently there exists enough of room in the public right of way to accomplish this. All standard details need to be provided by an engineer outlining the process infrastructure placement. Discussion ensued regarding curbing, street trees and sidewalks from Garfield to East Broadway. A storm water retention plan would also be required. A suggestion was made for the applicants to check with DPW regarding a cost sharing agreement for the costs of sidewalks and curbing as well as increasing the width of the street to city standards. Three street trees are proposed as well as one street light on Garfield Avenue. Kate Maynard stated that East Broadway is being widened with the Chloe's Way project. A water connection agreement is necessary with the DPW. Setbacks have been corrected on the lots. Screening is to be added between the two lots. Street addresses need to be proposed for the second lot. Saratoga County Planning Board correspondence stated no countywide or intercommunity impact. There were a number of violations cited on the project, however all prior violations have been rectified. Tom L. Lewis arrived at 7:23 P.M. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Wally Berger, 10 Cleveland Avenue, questioned the status of Garfield Avenues connection to Joshua. Charlene Berger, 10 Cleveland Avenue. Has concerns regarding water problems and issues the neighbors are having and this needs to be researched. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated there is a storm sewer connection project which is being sought within the Capital Budget Improvement Project. This is a large improvement project the City is proposing for the neighborhood in the Capital Budget which will serve to provide the storm sewer connection in this area and offer the ability to connect in to this neighborhood with the overall larger system. Recommendation was made to contact Tim Wales directly to discuss this proposed plan and for detailed information. Mark Torpey, Chairman closed the public hearing at 7:28 P.M. SEQRA: The Board reviewed the EAF Part I which was submitted by the Applicant. No corrections were noted. Short EAF Part II was reviewed by the Board. No large or important areas of concern were noted. Howard Pinsley stated that based upon the information provided by the applicant in Part I of the SEQR Full Environmental Assessment Form, and analysis of the information provided and presented in Part II of the SEQR Full Environmental Assessment Form, the project will not result in any large and important impacts and, therefore, is one that will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Based on this, I move to make a SEQR negative declaration for this action. Tom L. Lewis, seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – September 23, 2014 - Page 3 of 6  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 Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board regarding the subdivision project. None heard. Mark Torpey reviewed the conditions of the subdivision approval: to provide appropriate street addresses; having a water agreement in place for the two properties; co-ordination with the City Engineer regarding the street width to city standard at 20'. Regarding the encroachments removal and placement of shed off of the applicants property; removal of storage container and speaking with the zoning officer concerning that encroachment. Curbing shown from Garfield Avenue to East Broadway as well as sidewalks and appropriate placement of street trees; a street light at the corner of Garfield and East Broadway; conversation with the DPW as to the cost sharing of the roadway enlargement. Philip Klein made a motion in the matter of the Demeo/Henderson Subdivision, 28 Garfield Avenue that we approve the two lot subdivision with the above cited conditions. Clifford Van Wagner, 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. 14.051 BENEDICT STREET LOT SUBDIVISION, 165 Ash Street, subdivision within the Urban Residential-2 District. SEQRA: Action appears to be Unlisted. BACKGROUND: Matt McPadden has a recently approved subdivision located directly adjacent on Grand Avenue. Proposed subdivision would create an additional lot from two existing parcels. Proposed parcel meets minimum dimensional and area requirements for the UR-2 District. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated there were two areas of concern noted at the workshop. One was the unusual configuration of the lots as well as wrapping the curbing and sidewalks around the corner from Benedict to Ash for connectivity. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – September 23, 2014 - Page 4 of 6 Applicant: Matt McPadden Mr. McPadden stated we are looking to do a single lot subdivision. Visual presentation of the project was provided the Board. Our plan is to divide a single lot in the rear of the 2 lots existing. It divides the three lots into equally sized lots. Existing infrastructure goes along Ash Street and wraps up around the corner almost to the proposed lot corner. Sidewalks currently exist to north property boundary on proposed lot and to existing properties on Ash Street. These sidewalks will be connected to provide connectivity. A street light is proposed on the property line. Street trees, and a 20' maple proposed to be preserved on Benedict will be protected during construction and sidewalks will curve around tree. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated another concern was the widening of Benedict Street to conform to City's standard. Mr. McPadden stated that he did widen this street about 3 feet last year. Clifford Van Wagner, stated he would offer the same recommendation to Mr. McPadden as he did the previous applicants. Speak to the City Engineers and DPW and see if they will cost share the road widening. Discussion ensued regarding the conditions for the subdivision application. Widen the road to 24 feet and continue sidewalks to provide connectivity to the east. Cut down the 20' maple tree which has reached the end of its life cycle. Buffering and screening new building lot from adjacent lots. A list of approved street trees and shrubs can be obtained from staff. Discussion ensued regarding the placement of the home on the site. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman opened the public hearing at 7:56 P.M. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Mark Torpey, Chairman closed the public hearing at 7:58 P.M. SEQRA: The Board reviewed the EAF Part I which was submitted by the Applicant. No corrections were noted. Short EAF Part II was reviewed by the Board. No large or important areas of concern were noted. Howard Pinsley stated that based upon the information provided by the applicant in Part I of the SEQR Full Environmental Assessment Form, and analysis of the information provided and presented in Part II of the SEQR Full Environmental Assessment Form, the project will not result in any large and important impacts and, therefore, is one that will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Based on this, I move to make a SEQR negative declaration for this action. Bob Bristol, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – September 23, 2014 - Page 5 of 6  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 Mark Torpey, Chairman stated we will now move onto the subdivision application. We have several issues which will condition into the subdivision approval: wrapping the sidewalk all the way around both north and east. If it becomes necessary to jog around tree the width of the sidewalk can go to 4 ft; Concept of widening and curbing Benedict Street, to the north pending conversation with the City Engineer on cost sharing. Maintaining trees as much as possible. Removal of the Northway Maple which currently exists. Proposed light on Benedict to City's standard. Buffering between the properties. Dan Gaba made a motion for the Benedict Street Lot Subdivision application that the application be approved with above cited conditions. Bob Bristol 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 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Clifford Van Wagner, made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2014 Planning Board Meeting as submitted. Tom L. Lewis seconded the motion. 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 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Mark Torpey, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 10/22/14 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – September 23, 2014 - Page 6 of 6