Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 6:00 P.M. ZOOM WEBINAR CALL TO ORDER: Mark Torpey, Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: PRESENT: Mark Torpey, Chairman; Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman; Ruth Horton; Todd Fabozzi; Sara Boivin; Kerry Mayo; Lexie Bonitatibus; Jason Doty, Alternate STAFF: Susan Barden, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs Vince DeLeonardis, City Attorney, City of Saratoga Springs 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. A. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred to the end of the meeting. B. POSSIBLE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: NOTE: The intent of a consent agenda is to identify any application that appear to be “approvable” without need for further evaluation or discussion. If anyone wished to further discuss any proposed consent agenda item, then that item would be pulled from the “consent agenda” and dealt with individually. NONE AT THIS TIME. C. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. #20181055/18.059 96-116 BALLSTON AVENUE TOWNHOMES, 96-116 Ballston Avenue, Permanent Special Use Permit for 18 multi-family residences within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center (T-5) District. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated this is a previously opened application. The applicant is before the Board this evening for a Permanent Special Use Permit. Previously the Planning Board classified this as a Type I action and assumed Lead Agency Status and issued a SEQRA Negative Declaration on January 10, 2019. Tonight, the Board should identify any new or different impacts which were not previously considered. If there are none, we will then reaffirm the previous Negative Declaration. The public hearing was noticed for this evening. REQUIRED REFERRALS: The Saratoga County Planning Board noted since nothing has changed from the initial submission and review the County Planning Board noted no need to re-refer under the General Municipal Law 239. Applicant: Ballston Avenue Partners, LLC Agent: Brandon Ferguson, Environmental Design Partners Mr. Ferguson stated nothing has changed with the project since the initial Special Use Permit was issued on January 10, 2019. The Special Use Permit was not extended and expired on July 14, 2020. The approved site plan remains in effect. The footprint remains the same with the same number of units and parking as previously presented. The applicants are currently working with the City Arborist regarding plantings and CDTA regarding the proposed structure. The applicants are also working with the Real Estate Committee regarding the paper alley. Vince DeLeonardis, City Attorney stated the Real Estate Committee is still moving forward, the matter is still pending. Mr. Ferguson stated the applicants are under contract with the builder and the project is moving forward. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or concerns from the Board regarding the project and the re-affirmation of the SEQRA Negative Declaration. None heard. Ruth Horton made a motion in the matter of the 96-116 Ballston Avenue Townhomes; the Planning Board reaffirms the SEQRA Negative Declaration originally issued on January 10, 2019. Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman, in favor; Ruth Horton, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Sara Boivin, in favor; Lexie Bonitatibus, in favor; Kerry Mayo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 PUBLIC HEARING: Mark Torpey, Chairman opened the public hearing at 6:14 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 6:15 P.M. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the Board will now move onto the Permanent Special Use Permit. There are no changes to the project and the conditions should remains as initially set forth and stated on January 10, 2019. Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the 96-116 Ballston Avenue Townhomes application for a Special Use Permit for 18 multi-family residences be approved with all conditions as previously approved and noted on January 10, 2019. Todd Fabozzi seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman, in favor; Ruth Horton, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Sara Boivin, in favor; Lexie Bonitatibus, in favor; Kerry Mayo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board October 8, 2020 - Page 2 of 5  2. #20200590 WEST AVENUE MIXED USE SITE PLAN, 106-120 West Avenue, Site Plan Modification for a previously approved project including 4,100 square feet of retail, 26 multi-family residential units within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center (T-5) District. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the applicant is before the Board this evening for consideration of site plan modification. The modification request is for proposed revisions to the previously approved landscaping plan per the information submitted to the Board. The building and site are currently under construction. Applicant: West Avenue Development Saratoga, LLC Agent: Nicholas Costa, Advance Engineering & Surveying, PLLC Mr. Costa noted as the Chair stated the site is currently under construction. The exterior construction is completed, and the interiors are now being completed. One item remains from the original site plan approval. A modification is requested to revise the approved landscaping plan. A visual of the site was provided. Last month the owners began to discuss the landscaping buffering. There were some trees proposed to be planted under the balconies and a change is required due to height restrictions. Behind the retaining wall along the property line a great deal of vegetation remained. This eliminates some of the proposed tree plantings in this area and could be problematic. The existing landscape buffer in the rear is on the adjacent property. If the applicant does not provide additional plantings in this area the neighboring property could remove the existing trees which now serve as a buffer between the development and the residential neighbor to the rear. Also, no new trees are proposed along the right property line since it conflicts with the 30-foot easement to the adjacent parcel. The applicant is proposing suggested trees from the City’s list, but it is difficult to obtain specific species because of the lack of supply. The new landscaping plan eliminates the planting of 12 trees. Mark Torpey, Chairman questioned the changes made to the pedestrian streetscape or the front façade. Mr. Costa stated only the type of trees has changed the number remains the same. Mark Torpey, Chairman encouraged the applicant to engage with the neighbor in the rear of the site to see if they would request additional buffering or evergreen plantings. Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman agrees with the Chair regarding the buffering. The landscaping plan should equal the plantings on the original site plan. Mr. Costa stated he will speak with the property owners. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated he visited the site. He questioned if the interior garage needs to be vented. There is currently a large vent to the right of the garage facing the neighbors and questioned the amount of noise produced from this vent. Mr. Costa stated he will reach out to the architect George Olsen regarding the vent. Mark Torpey, Chair indicated there is an electrical transformer near the other neighbor and questioned the screening proposed for this area. Benches and fountain were proposed for an internal civic space area. Further information in this regard would be appreciated. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated the applicant should assure consistency with the Site Plan for buffering and landscaping. Trees and shrubs which are appropriate for the location should be used in conjunction with the recommendations of the City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board October 8, 2020 - Page 3 of 5 City Arborist. Buffering and plantings for the neighbors in the rear. Reach out to the neighbors providing an opportunity to increase and improve the buffering with approximately one dozen trees. The easement area could be accommodated down the road with proper plantings and landscaping elements approved by the City Arborist. Concerning the garage venting in the rear the nature of the venting and degree of noise level emitted should be investigated and brought before the Board at a subsequent meeting and handled via Administrative Action. Provide a revised landscaping plan reflecting what was discussed to be reviewed administratively. No reaffirmation of SEQRA is required. Kerry Mayo made a motion in the matter of the West Avenue Mixed Use Development, 116 West Avenue, Site Plan Modification be approved with all the items as noted and discussed by the Chair. Ruth Horton seconded the motion. Mark Torpey, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman, in favor; Ruth Horton, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Sara Boivin, in favor; Lexie Bonitatibus, in favor; Kerry Mayo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. 20200582 HOMELAND PROPERTIES SUBDIVISION, 50 Crescent Street, sketch plan review of a two-lot Residential subdivision in the Urban Residential-2 (UR-2) District. Mark Torpey, Chairman stated this application is before the Board this evening for a sketch plan discussion and review of a proposed two lot residential subdivision in the UR-2 District. There will be no action taken on this project this evening. This discussion is to provide advice and guidance. SEQRA: This appears to be an Unlisted Action. No other involved agencies. A short EAF has been submitted by the applicant. Applicant: Homeland Properties, LLC Agent: Brien Ragone, EDP Mr. Ragone stated this is a half-acre site at the corner of Crescent Street and Joshua Road surrounded by other single- family homes. A visual of the site was provided to the Board. Mr. Ragone stated both lots meet the minimum lot requirements of the UR-2 District. Single access driveways off Crescent. Municipal sewer and water will service these homes. Discussion ensued among the Board regarding the installation of sidewalks along Crescent Street, waiver of sidewalks of Joshua Road and fee in lieu of extending sidewalk further on Crescent to the corner of Doten Avenue. The advantage of one driveway to access off Joshua Street, streetscape elements such as street trees and Sternberg lights on Crescent Avenue. Mr. Ragone thanked the Board for their input. The applicant will return before the Board in the future to continue to move the application forward. DISCUSSION: Discussion ensued among the Board and Staff regarding the UDO, and the timeline for comments. Susan Barden, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs stated there are several weeks for final review and edits. Sometime in City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board October 8, 2020 - Page 4 of 5 January the final draft will be available. Discussion ensued among the Board regarding assembling the Board Members comments and brainstorming them as a Board. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Mark Torpey, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2020 Planning Board Meeting Minutes as submitted. Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. VOTE: Mark Torpey, Chairman, in favor; Jamin Totino, Vice Chairman, in favor; Ruth Horton, in favor; Todd Fabozzi, in favor; Sara Boivin, in favor; Lexie Bonitatibus, in favor; Kerry Mayo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 UPCOMING MEETINGS: Planning Board Workshop, Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. Planning Board Meeting, Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 6:00 PM. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Mark Torpey, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 11-5-20 City of Saratoga Springs – Planning Board October 8, 2020 - Page 5 of 5