Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Mark Torpey, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: PRESENT: Mark Torpey, Chairman; Janet Casey; Clifford Van Wagner; Ruth Horton, alternate; Todd Fabozzi LATE ARRIVAL: Jamin Totino arrived at 7:03 P.M. ABSENT: Bob Bristol, Vice Chairman; Amy Durland STAFF: Kate Maynard, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs Justin Grassi, Counsel for the Land Use Boards ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: 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: 1. 15.049 LANDS OF STONE, 68 Weibel Avenue, sketch plan review of office, retail, and multi-family residential in the Transect-4 Urban Neighborhood (T-4) District. 2. 16.040 WEST AVENUE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT, 106-120 West Avenue, Special Use permit for mixed-use development within the T-5 Neighborhood Center (T-5) District. 3. 16.025 MENDENHALL SUBDIVISION, 101 Old Schuylerville Road, 4-lot preliminary conservation subdivision within the Rural Residential (RR) District. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: - 316-318 Ballston Avenue-Administrative Action request regarding removal of required streetlight, and replacement of landscaping required. ACTION: Approved. -City Square-Layout, Porches, Window Wells, Privacy Fences, Unit Reconfiguration. ACTION: Approved with conditions. -Buff Road Subdivision-Additional Clearing area to rear of lots proposed. 3 areas approved for selective clearing. Lot 12 Denied for 30’ Additional clearing into 100 ft DEC wetland buffer. UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS/AGENDA WORKSHOPS: Planning Board Caravan, Monday, March 9, 2017 at 4:00 P.M. Planning Board Workshop, Monday, March 9, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: None heard. A. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 15.020.1 BETHESDA PARISH HOUSE, 26 Washington St., Site Plan extension with the T-6 District. SEQRA: SEQRA Negative Declaration issued for project by the Planning Board. No further action is required with site plan extension. BACKGROUND: Planning Board approved the site plan for 4-story 30,602 square foot addition consisting of office, retail, group entertainment, educational facilities and day care center with conditions on September 9, 2015. Expiration of approval is March 9, 2017. Applicant: Bethesda Episcopal Church Agent: Dave Carr, LA Group Mr. Carr stated the applicant is before the Board this evening for a Site Plan Extension. The applicant is requesting an 18 month extension. The reason for the extension is once the approvals were in effect the church began fundraising efforts. They have been very successful. They have contracted with a builder and construction will begin in late June or July of this year. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the Planning Board has been coordinating through review of the Rip Van Dam, Adelphi Partners Projects and Bethesda. Currently in concert with project construction timing, required work in being coordinated with plan to complete primarily through Rip van Dam and Adelphi partners projects as they are expected to progress first. Bethesda will be required to provide all future elements for connection to infrastructure. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Clifford Van Wagner made a motion in the matter of the Bethesda Parish House, 26 Washington Street for an 18 month site plan extension to September 9, 2018. Jamin Totino seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 6-0 City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 2 of 7 2. 15.004.3 OAK RIDGE PHASE 2 SUBDIVISION, Meadowbrook Road, Residential conservation subdivision extension within the Rural Residential District. District. SEQRA: No further SEQRA action is required with proposed extension. BACKGROUND: Subdivision approved by the Planning Board on November 5, 2015. The latest approval for subdivision extension is February 5, 2016 was expiration date. Application for extension was submitted prior to this date, preserving approval. Requested new extension to May 5, 2017. Applicant: Jeff Snyder Agent: Dave Carr, LA Group The applicant is looking for a 90 day extension. Saratoga Plan will be administering the conservation easement as per code. Additional time is needed for the project Letter of Credit to be issued, easement details secured with Saratoga PLAN prior to final signature and filing of plans. This extension will expire on May 5, 2017. Janet Casey made a motion in the matter of the Oak Ridge Phase 2 Subdivision, Meadowbrook Road, extension of residential conservation subdivision to May 5, 2017. Ruth Horton, alternate seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, abstained; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Janet Casey, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-1 3. 17.008 BELMONTE 4-LOT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION, 319 and 321 Jefferson Street, Final subdivision Review in the Urban Residential-2 (UR-2) District. SEQRA: Action appears to be an unlisted action. BACKGROUND: Application for a 2 lot subdivision formerly submitted by Magnatta. Withdrawn. Application for a 2-lot subdivision at site proposed by Belmonte, approved with conditions on March 24, 2016. Conditions included: 1. Both lots shall provide detached or side/rear loaded garages to assure driveway length to City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 3 of 7  Accommodate on-site parking. 2. Mature trees shall be preserved within the setback area, reflected within a note added to the plans and a tree protection detail for during construction. 3. Final plans shall be provided t technical satisfaction of the City Engineer. (This includes widening of Street pavement, extension of curb and utilities site. 2-lot subdivision never progressed. Proposal for 4 lot subdivision now being made which includes further land to the north and reconfiguring of proposed lots. Applicant: Peter Belmonte Agent: Gavin Vuillame, Environmental Design Mr. Vuillame stated this project has been before the Board before. A visual presentation of the site of the project was provided to the Board. This is a UR-2 District. This began as a two lot subdivision each lot approximately 8700 square feet each. Mr. Belmonte was looking to purchase additional property in this vicinity and allowed the former approvals to lapse. The property became available and the applicant is looking to subdivide this into a 4 lot subdivision. A visual presentation of the configuration of the lots was provided to the Board. Each lot will be 60 feet wide and approximately 120-145 feet in depth allowing for several different types of houses. This is consistent with the lots in the neighborhood. Key improvements were are incorporating into the design of the project are extending the sidewalks all the way to East Broadway and run it all the way to the north. Along with the proposed sidewalk in that area, we are also going to relocate the terminus of the sidewalk and bring it into the new sidewalk system we are proposing. Currently there is a small handicap ramp which goes into a crosswalk but there is no sidewalk in this area of the neighborhood. We felt it would be better to extend that sidewalk and bring the crosswalk a little further to the north, and hook it into the new intersection we are creating. As part of the new external sidewalk system, we are proposing to bring narrow the entrances, there is a very wide gap, the road is a bit irregularly shaped, so we are bringing it into conformity with the city standards and curbing on both sides to control traffic and for pedestrian safety. Mr. Belmonte stated one of the property owners approached Kate Maynard and expressed interest in subdividing his property on mobile home park property across street. One of the things we are looking for clarification on is it is the desire of the city to have sidewalks on this side of the street. I am confident they will be looking to have sidewalks on that side of the street. Since this landowner will be developing this piece of land, that section of curbing would be his responsibility. Kate Maynard, Principal Planner stated for clarification there was no communication regarding subdividing his property, discussion was more general regarding property in question. Mr. Vuillame stated Mr. Belmonte has reached out to the people at the Racino concerning the fencing in the area. Information will be forthcoming. Mr. Vuillame provided several house footprints which could be used but not necessarily what will be built there. The applicant will be hooking into the water line on East Broadway. Sanitary sewer terminates here and we will be extending the sewer to service the last two homes closer to the Jefferson Street. As part of the stormwater design per the City’s request we will be installing catch basins. The water table in this area is low. Test pits show no water at 8 feet. Discussion ensued concerning the saving of several trees on the lots especially two large maples. Also discussion continued on driveway locations. Mr. Vuillame provided the location of the trees. Explanation of the possible location of the driveways. The applicant is eliminating one curb cut. City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 4 of 7 Mr. Belmonte stated there are three opportunities here. One of them is at the cost of the tree. The second one is locating the driveway to the right which will be relatively close to the intersection and I am not sure that is the worst thing in the world. The third one is that we come out directly into Jefferson Street. This is a busier street but this might be a good compromise. We are looking for direction from the Board. Clifford Van Wagner stated the applicant does not need any variances from the ZBA. Every subdivision loses some trees. We can ask the developer and see what he can do to mitigate the loss of the two large maples. Discussion ensued among the Board concerning the lot sizes, location of garages and curb cuts and the trees. Mark Torpey, Chairman questioned if the applicant would be willing to add two larger specimen trees to be planted on two of the lots in this location. Mr. Belmonte agreed to the planting of two large trees on the two lots in question. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there were any other questions or comments from the Board. None heard. PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman opened the public hearing at 7:38 P.M. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. John J. Cromie, Attorney for Trotter View Estates, mobile home park on south side of East Broadway. Mr. Cromie stated his clients have no objection to this project. We are very appreciative that the applicant is very cognizant of the residents of Trotter View Estates and is working to minimize the impact on them. Mr. Cromie did question the entrance and exit from the trailer park when construction begins and access for the residents. The applicant reassured counsel to Trotter View Estates that access would be maintained to the best of the applicant’s ability. Mr. Belmonte requested the names of the residents in the trailer park to keep them apprised of the construction schedule. Mr. Cromie also voiced concern regarding the sanitary sewers ability to handle the extra homes. Mr. Vuillame stated the sanitary sewer capability is reviewed by the City Engineer and will be to his specifications. Mark Torpey, Chairman reviewed the items discussed concerning this subdivision. -Extension of the sidewalk along East Broadway as well as Jefferson Street. -Extension of the sidewalk across the street. -Relocation of the fence – working with NYRA. -Crosswalk striping and the handicap pad as well. -Narrowing the entrance on Broadway with a 22 ft width roadway consistency. -Street lights, and utility connections as per the subdivision regulations. -DPW recommendation concerning on street parking and possible signage. -Extending the sanitary sewer line along East Broadway to Jefferson. -Catch basins and dry wells. -Preserving the trees on the north property line as they exist to date. Pine trees along the northern property line as well as small species trees on Lot #2 in the setback area. In kind replacement of the two maple trees one City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 5 of 7  on Lot 1 and Lot 4. -Preserve privacy fence on the northern property line. Resolution of survey overlap between subject property and adjacent Schwartz property. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. SEQRA: Part I of the SEQRA EAF form was submitted by the applicant and reviewed by the Board. Part II of the SEQRA EAF form was reviewed by the Board. SEQR DECISION: Clifford Van Wagner 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. Jamin Totino seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Clifford Van Wagner made a motion in the matter of the Belmonte 4-lot residential subdivision, 319 and 321 Jefferson Street that the application be approved as with items identified and noted on the drawings. Jamin Totino seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 6-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Clifford Van Wagner made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2016 Planning Board Meeting as submitted. Ruth Horton, alternate, seconded the motion. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 6 of 7  Clifford Van Wagner, in favor; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, abstained; Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 Jamin Totino made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2017 Planning Board Meeting as submitted. Janet Casey seconded the motion. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, abstained; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, abstained; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 4-0-2 Jamin Totino made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2017 Joint Board Meeting with clarifications as submitted. Ruth Horton, alternate, seconded the motion. VOTE: Clifford Van Wagner, abstained; Jamin Totino, in favor; Ruth Horton, alternate, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Mark Torpey, Chairman, abstained; Janet Casey, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 4-0-2 B. SARATOGA SPRINGS 2016 DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY Kate Maynard, Principal Planner provided Planning Activity Report copies to the Board and reviewed the information provided. Discussion ensued among the Board concerning the information provided. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Jamin Totino, Acting Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 7/13/17 City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board – February 23, 2017 - Page 7 of 7