Zoning Board of Appeals

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Bill Moore, Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 P. M. SALUTE TO THE FLAG PRESENT: Bill Moore, Chairman; Keith Kaplan, Vice Chairman; Oksana Ludd; Skip Carlson; Gary Hasbrouck; ABSENT: Adam McNeill, Secretary; James Helicke STAFF: Susan Barden, Senior Planner, City of Saratoga Springs Tony Izzo, Assistant City Attorney 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. NEW BUSINESS: 1. #2777 CITY CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE, between Maple and High Rock Avenues, consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency for 500+ space parking structure within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On June 11, 2014 the City Center Authority classified the action as Type I, initiated Coordinated Review and sought Lead Agency Status. Involved agencies include the City Council and Land Use Boards. The ZBA is an involved agency – an area variance is required from the frontage build-out requirement in the T-6 along High Rock Avenue. On July 1, 2014 the City Council resolved to defer Lead Agency to the Planning Board should they request it. On July 2, 2014 the DRC resolved to defer Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board should they request it. It is anticipated that the Planning Board will request Lead Agency on July 9, 2014. A long EAF was provided as required for Type I actions. PUBLIC HEARING: Bill Moore, Chairman opened the public hearing at 6:35 P.M. Bill Moore, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Bill Moore, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion from the Board. None heard. Bill Moore, Chairman closed the public hearing at 6:37 P.M. Bill Moore, Chairman presented the following resolution. RESOLUTION REGARDING LEAD AGENCY STATUS FOR CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE PROJECT BETWEEN MAPLE AND HIGH ROCK AVENUES SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY WHEREAS, the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority seeks to construct a new parking garage adjacent to the City Center on property owned by the City of Saratoga Springs; and WHEREAS, the Authority has prepared an Environmental Assessment Form and circulated it along with its request that the Authority serve as Lead Agency for the purpose of review of potential environmental impacts pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act; and WHEREAS, the Authority has acknowledged the status of the City Council as an Involved Agency because Council approval would be required to lease the property to the Authority; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Board of Appeals (“Zoning Board”) understands that the City Council, Design and Review Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board are Involved Agencies pursuant to the City’s zoning ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Board understands that the City Planning Board intends to seek lead agency for review of potential environmental impacts of the parking garage project; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Board believes that the Planning Board can better serve as SEQRA Lead Agency for review of potential environmental impacts of the parking garage project. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Zoning Board hereby does not consent to designation of the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority as SEQRA Lead Agency for the parking garage project; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zoning Board hereby consents to the City Planning Board serving as Lead Agency for review of the City Center Authority’s proposed parking garage project should they request Lead Agency status. Keith Kaplan, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Bill Moore, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. Sara Burger, City Attorney provided some background information regarding the project and the request for Lead Agency Status. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs Zoning Board Minutes – Wednesday, July 9, 2014 - Page 2 of 3  Bill Moore, Chairman, in favor; Keith Kaplan, Vice Chairman in favor; Oksana Ludd, in favor; Gary Hasbrouck, in favor; Skip Carlson, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Bill Moore, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6:47 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved Sept. 8 City of Saratoga Springs Zoning Board Minutes – Wednesday, July 9, 2014 - Page 3 of 3