Planning Commission

City of Schenectady Planning Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wallinger called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. City Planner Primiano introduced the newest Commissioner, Evan Euripides, to the Commissioners, and explained that he would be observing the meeting but would not be voting until next month. II. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Mary Moore Wallinger, Chair; Ryan P. Bailey; Randall Beach; Andrew Healey; Jason Bogdanowicz-Wilson; Christine Primiano, Principal Planner; Rachael Ward, Deputy Corporation Counsel EXCUSED: Bradley Lewis, Vice Chair; Julia Stone; Richard Ferro III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECK None. IV. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to accept the Minutes of the September 19, 2018 meeting as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. V. NEW BUSINESS A. RHONDA HOOD requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a daycare facility at 2469 Albany Street, tax parcel # 60.21-3-1.1, located in a "C-5" Business District. Rhonda Hood presented the proposal. Ms. Hood stated that the interior renovations on the 4000 square foot space were completed in the early summer. She explained that she plans to open a daycare facility servicing 45 children, with approximately 12 employees, half of them full-time. She added that she plans to use the existing sign and change the face and the bottom corrugated metal portion. Commissioner Wallinger asked Ms. Hood if she believes that there is enough parking on the site. Ms. Hood stated that there is existing parking that she believes will be sufficient for parent drop-off and pick-up, but she has been exploring alternative locations for employees parking. She explained that she has spoken with the manager of the Aldi’s store in the nearby shopping plaza, and he stated that they could probably allow her employees to park there. City Planner Primiano stated that she would be happy to help Ms. Hood get in touch with the owner of the plaza, so she could speak directly to him. Ms. Hood stated that this would be helpful. Commissioner Wallinger asked Ms. Hood is she has any plans to add landscaping to the site. Ms. Hood stated that there is some existing landscaping but she hadn’t planned to add any more. Commissioner Wallinger suggested that a planting bed with some small shrubs around the base of the monument sign would help to soften the sign and make it more attractive. The Commissioners agreed. Ms. Hood stated that she would also like to light the sign, but she is not certain yet where the lights will be located. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, the neighbors whose property is adjacent to the rear of the site, spoke of their concerns regarding the location and maintenance of their fence, which they believe is set in one foot from their property line. After some discussion Ms. Primiano explained that the City cannot become involved in civil matters between neighbors. She and Commissioner Wallinger encouraged the parties to consult a survey of the properties to determine where the property line is located. Seeing no further members of the public wishing to speak, Commissioner Wallinger closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wallinger asked where the garbage storage shed is located on the site. When Ms. Hood explained where the shed is it became apparent that it does not have the three-foot setback required by City code. Ms. Primiano explained that had Ms. Hood been required to get a building permit for the shed she would have been informed of the setback requirement, but because the shed is less than 100 square feet a building permit was not required. It was determined that Ms. Primiano will discuss the matter with Ms. Hood and the Zoning Officer and determine whether it is best to move the shed or apply for a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Bailey, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Albany Street. 2. All garbage will be stored in the trash storage shed and kept screened from public view at all times.  3. The applicant will work with City staff to determine if the shed will be moved so that it will have the minimum 3’ setback from the property line required by the City code or they will apply for a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. 4. A planting bed with shrubs will be installed around the base of the sign. The applicant will submit a landscaping plan to the City Planner by December 1, 2018. 5. If the three trees at the rear of the lot discussed at the meeting are removed, at least one large shade tree, such as a Red Maple, will be planted in that area. 6. City staff will work with the applicant to ensure that the handicap parking space meets ADA requirements. Motion carried unanimously. B. FEROZE JAFFAR requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a restaurant and bar at 783 State Street, tax parcel # 49.25-3-20, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Feroze Jaffar and Tony D’Adamo of Capital Architecture presented the proposal. Mr. Jaffar explained that he has been running a successful restaurant next door to this site, but that because he does not have a bar or serve alcohol his business has been mostly take-out. He stated that he plans to open an eat-in restaurant and bar on this site. Commissioner Wallinger asked if the two establishments will be separate businesses. Mr. Jaffar responded that they will be. Mr. Jaffar noted that he has been trying to get in touch with the owner of the neighboring adjacent lot so that he might acquire the property for a parking lot, but he has not been able to reach anyone. City Planner Primiano stated that she could help him find more information about that property. Ms. Primiano stated that the existing parking on the two sites is enough, but Mr. Jaffar will have to draw up a parking agreement between the two business entities that own the properties stating that the parking will be shared. She noted that if in the future he acquires the neighboring vacant property and chooses to construct a parking lot on it he would have to return to the Commission for separate site plan approval. Mr. Jaffar stated that he understood. Ms. Primiano asked what changes Mr. Jaffar plans to make to the exterior of the building. Mr. D’Adamo stated that they will be painting, altering the storefront, and adding landscaping and a patio area for seasonal outdoor seating. It was determined that a final set of site plan and  elevation drawings showing the proposed changes discussed at the meeting must be submitted to Ms. Primiano for final approval prior to the beginning of any work on the site. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Healey, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from State Street. 2. The applicant must obtain proper approvals for parking prior to the opening of the business. 3. A Certificate of Use is required to operate the business. 4. The applicant will submit a detailed sign proposal for Planning staff approval prior to purchase and fabrication of the sign. 5. A shade tree will be planted to the left side of the property in the utility strip between the sidewalk and the curb. 6. Final elevation and site plan drawings will be submitted to the City Planner for final approval. The plans will show the proposed storefront, fence, and outdoor seating layout, paint colors, and the landscaping beds. 7. There will be no parking in front of the building. 8. Prior to the opening of the business all chipped and peeling paint will be repainted and the rusted metal on the front of the building will be removed. Motion carried unanimously. C. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT requests consideration to amend the regulations for Section 264-61 I. Electronic message boards. Commissioner Wallinger stated that the Commission’s request for a moratorium on the installation of electronic message board signs in the City was not placed on the City Council's agenda. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the proposed language distributed by Ms. Primiano, and suggested revisions, particularly regarding the percentage of signage allowed to be comprised of the EMB. Ms. Primiano noted that she has a contact who has a good depth of knowledge regarding the technical aspects of the signs. She stated that he has consulted with other municipalities regarding their guidelines, and she feels that he will be helpful in this process.  It was determined that Ms. Primiano would gather more information from her sources, incorporate the Commissioners’ suggested revisions, and disseminate another draft as soon as possible. VI. OLD BUSINESS None. VII. MISCELLANEOUS None. VIII. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.