Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 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; Tom L. Lewis ABSENT: Bob Bristol, Vice Chairman STAFF: Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs. Mark Schachner, Counsel to the Planning Board arrived at 8:48 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Torpey, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:01 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. 14.056 DRUTHER'S BREWING ADDITION, 381 Broadway, Modification to Site Plan in a Transect-6 (T-6) District. 14.065 EAST AND EXCELSIOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT, sketch plan review for office and residential uses in a Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. COMMENTS FROM CHAIR: UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, December 8, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, December 8, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Opportunity to allow citizens to address planning issues not on the scheduled agenda. Matthew J. Jones, local attorney questioned the Board regarding the December meeting schedule. This is purely for scheduling purposes. Clifford Van Wagner made a motion to schedule the second Planning Board Meeting for Wednesday, December 17, 2014, if necessary. 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 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 A. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 10.049.1 166-168 JEFFERSON STREET, Site plan review of multi-family residences in an Urban Residential-4 District. Applicant: Steve Ethier Agent: Paul Male Mark Torpey, Chairman stated this project was previously approved by the Planning Board. A SEQRA Negative Declaration was also issued for this project back in 2011. This approval has lapsed. No attempts by the applicant to extend this application. Plans have not changes since the approval was issued, however due to the expiration of the approval, this is required to be seen by the Planning Board as a new application. The site plan review is a project for 12 units. We have spoken to Tim Wales regarding the water connection agreement so that is in place as well as updating the Letter of Credit to assure all information is correct. DISCLOSURE: Dan Gaba stated that he has had some real estate dealings with Mr. Ethier in the past. He has no financial interest in this project. No recusal is necessary, simply disclosure. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner provided the following: BACKGROUND: Site plan for 12 units approved on 2011. Applicant failed to advance project within 18 month approval timeframe, or request an extension. Plans have not changed since approval, however due to expiration of approval, this is required to be seen by the Planning Board as a new application. Several items which need to be discussed are screening on the north and east. Trees along the property boundaries. Fencing. Streetscape improvements as well, such as curbing and sidewalks. Stormwater provisions which were part of the earlier approval the Board may wish to revisit such as adding additional curb cutouts along Jefferson, tree belt between the sidewalk and the curb. Provide porous concrete sidewalks to be approved by the City Engineer. Another area the Board may wish to revisit is 166 Jefferson Street, the streetscape, what the general intent there is and any elevation rendering, windows, or some articulation. The same standards apply as what was proposed prior. Addressing recommendations were made. Signage proposal, and points of egress were also discussed. Also, updating of the trees that are shown on site. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – November 25, 2014 - Page 2 of 5 Clifford Van Wagner stated after viewing another of Mr. Ethier's projects it will be necessary to recommend specifically what the Board would like to see. Note this in the drawings a minimum caliper or minimum height to provide screening since theses are two story homes. Discussion ensued regarding 8 to 10' trees for buffering as well as the fencing which is proposed. It was the consensus of the Board that the trees be a mixed group of trees. The applicant can work with the City Arborist to provide property buffering, particularly on the north side. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated another condition of approval back in 2011 was a bike rack to be installed on the premises. Fencing along the eastern property boundary is to replace the chain link with something more aesthetically pleasing. Dumpster placement with enclosure to be moved so it cannot be viewed from the street. Cutouts for stormwater management is subject to the City Engineer's approval. Mr. Male stated standard pavement to be used for the sidewalks. Discussion ensued regarding lighting, location of fire hydrants, ingress and egress as well as snow removal. It was the consensus of the Board to have the applicant return in two weeks with more information regarding the stormwater management plan as well as more than one exit out of the project and how that affects the sidewalk plan, and the sidewalk view from Jefferson Street. 2. 14.063 86 WOODLAWN AVENUE, Special Use Permit for multi-family residences in the Transect-5 District. Applicant: Tom Roohan Agent: Matt Brobston, LA Group SEQRA: Type 2 action, no further environmental review is required. Pre-existing non-conforming uses (allowed to continue if no changes were made). 76 – Woodlawn – 7 units 82 – Woodlawn – 3 Family use confirmed as pre-existing non conforming use in August 29, 2000 correspondence from Mr. Mike Biffer. 94 – Woodlawn – 2 family permitted under previous R-3 Zoning District. Special use permit contemplates consideration of multi-family residence within structures as noted above, adjacent parking lot, with addition of 86 Woodlawn Avenue. Sketch plan should be updated to reflect the inclusion of items. 86 Woodlawn is currently a single family residence. Proposed special use permit would increase # of units to 4. Mr. Brobston stated the whole reason to come forward is to change the house at 86 Woodlawn Avenue which is currently a single family home which has 7 bedrooms. The owner is looking to configure this home to a four unit apartment house with a more professional look. These properties have been purchased over time utilizing the spaces for parking for his business as well as residential properties. He has obtained special use permits for the parking. What we are here for is to change the use of this property from a one family unit to a 4 unit structure. 6 parking spaces are required per code. Within the 37 spaces in these lots 6 spaces will be allocated to the newly created 4 unit structure. Currently we are focusing on the special use permit for the residence and following City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – November 25, 2014 - Page 3 of 5 the approval we will then apply for the lot line adjustment application. Additional issues relating to parking can be addressed at that time. Also a waiver of site plan is requested. Two Sternberg lights are in place. 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. None heard. Mark Torpey, Chairman closed the public hearing at 8:02 P.M. Clifford Van Wagner, made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit to allow for a multi-family residence at 86 Woodlawn Avenue in the T-5 District. Tom L. Lewis, seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated a recommendation for the Board to note 6 Parking spaces will be allocated in the parking lot for this residence. 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 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Tom L. Lewis made a motion to waive site plan review for 86 Woodlawn Avenue. Howard Pinsley 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 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 APROVAL OF MINUTES: Tom L. Lewis, made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2014 Planning Board as submitted. Philip Klein seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – November 25, 2014 - Page 4 of 5 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 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Mark Torpey, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:06 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved 12/10/14 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Minutes – November 25, 2014 - Page 5 of 5