Planning Commission

City of Schenectady Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 19, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wallinger called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Mary Moore Wallinger, Chair; Bradley Lewis, Vice Chair; Randall Beach; Evan Euripidou; Richard Ferro; Andrew Healey; Jason Bogdanowicz-Wilson; Christine Primiano, Principal Planner; Andrew Koldin, Assistant Corporation Counsel EXCUSED: Ryan Bailey; Julia Stone III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECK None. IV. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to accept the Minutes of the November 14, 2018 meeting as submitted. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Euripidou absent from the vote. V. NEW BUSINESS A. LALLI VERMANI requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a liquor store and bottle redemption center at 1900 State Street, tax parcel # 60.55-3-1.11, located in a "C-5" Business District. Sarah Mailloux and Mike Roman of C2 Design Group presented the proposal. Ms. Mailloux explained that their client plans to renovate this former Ace Hardware store to a retail location with three commercial storefronts, one of which will be a liquor store and another a bottle redemption center. She noted that the third retail tenant has not yet been determined. Ms. Mailloux reviewed the site plan and pointed out the revised parking configuration and added landscaping. City Planner Primiano noted that the proposed changes to the site are seen by the City as positive improvements, and the City’s position is that to require the elimination of all the front parking on the site would compromise its viability as a successful retail location.  Commissioner Wallinger asked what the individual signs will look like for the businesses. Mr. Roman stated that they will all have channel set letters. He added that they are not proposing any monument or pole signage. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Beach, 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. Metal roll gates and iron bars cannot be installed on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. All barbed wire will be removed prior to the opening of the business. 4. A concrete sidewalk will be installed from the front entrance to the sidewalk adjacent, in between the handicap loading zone and parking spot to the west. Landscaping will be added to the entrance path leading to the front entry. 5. The handicap loading zone will be narrowed to the standard of 8 feet wide, the sidewalk 3-5 feet, and the remaining asphalt will be removed to create a landscaping bed on either side of the sidewalk. 6. All landscaping will be installed by July 1, 2019. 7. The abandoned pole sign must be removed in its entirety prior to the opening of the business. 8. Professionally prepared plans for the proposed signs will be submitted to the City Planner for final approval prior to purchase and fabrication of the sign. 9. Vehicles temporarily loading and unloading at the loading dock are permitted but cannot be left parked long-term. 10. All recycled materials will be stored within the building and not stored outside on the premises. 11. Building permits must be obtained prior to doing any demolition or new construction. 12. A sidewalk permit issued by the Engineering Department is required to replace the sidewalk and curbing on State Street. Motion carried unanimously. B. DAVID A. KOPECKI requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a tavern at 213 Front Street, tax parcel # 39.48-1-22, located in a “C-3” Waterfront Mixed Use District. David A. Kopecki presented the proposal. Mr. Kopecki explained that this location has been a tavern with residential space above it for over 100 years. He noted that it has been called “Uncle Ben’s Tavern” for over 78 years and the current owner is retiring. Mr. Kopecki stated that he and his partners are planning to freshen up the building but keep the same name and have a similar business model of a neighborhood tavern with some limited food served. He explained that they plan to add an awning and flower boxes to the front of the building and stripe the parking area. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mary Ann Ruscitto of East Front Street spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that she believes that it will be a positive business in the neighborhood. Seeing no further members of the public who wished to speak, Commissioner Wallinger closed the public hearing. She noted that she would like to have the applicants return to the Commission with more specific details regarding the proposed new windows and doors and exterior colors and finishes. The Commissioners agreed. Commissioner Wilson suggested that the applicants consider restoring the large storefront windows at the front of the building, which were partially closed in sometime in the past. Commissioner Wallinger agreed. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Front Street. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars cannot be installed on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. The awning details will be submitted to the City Planner for approval prior to applying for the revocable permit with the Engineering Department. 4. The “Guinness” banner must be removed prior to operating the business. 5. A Certificate of Use issued by Code Enforcement is required prior to operating the business. 6. The parking in the lot at the rear of the building will be properly striped. Each space must be a minimum of 8.5’ x 18’ and a 4-foot buffer between the sidewalk and first parking space is required. The pavement striping will be complete by June 1, 2019.  7. All refuse storage will be properly enclosed and screened from public view. The applicant will provide details of the planned enclosure for approval prior to applying for the permit. 8. The applicant will return to the Planning Commission for review of the plans for the exterior windows and doors, and colors and materials prior to completing the work on these elements of the design. Motion carried unanimously. C. YUHANG ZHENG requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a restaurant and bar at 1625 Union Street, tax parcel # 50.31-2-20, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Yuhang Zheng presented the proposal. Mr. Zheng explained that he owns a similar ramen restaurant in Albany and is looking to expand to Schenectady. He stated that the restaurant will only serve sake, wine, and beer and will not have a license to serve hard liquor. Commissioner Wallinger asked if Mr. Zheng has plans for signage at this time. Mr. Zheng stated that he does not, but that he understands that he must submit a professional proposal to the City Planner prior to purchasing the sign. Commissioner Wallinger asked where the garbage will be stored. Mr. Zheng stated that he will have a signed agreement with the owners of the neighboring City Squire restaurant to share garbage storage space and parking as well. City Planner Primiano noted that a copy of the parking and garbage agreements must be submitted to the City prior to the opening of the restaurant. Mr. Zheng stated that he understood. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Union Street. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars cannot be installed on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. The abandoned projecting sign will be removed prior to the opening of the restaurant. 4. The applicant must submit more detailed information to the City Planner for approval regarding the type of sign, construction,  illumination, and location prior to purchase and fabrication of the sign(s). 5. The sign band area of the façade will be repaired and repainted prior to the opening of the restaurant or by June1, 2019, pending proper weather conditions. 6. A Certificate of Use issued by Code Enforcement is required prior to operating the business. 7. The applicant will submit copies of the garbage storage and parking agreements to the City Planner prior to operating the business. Motion carried unanimously. D. DIONICIO CARRASCO requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a sports juice bar and restaurant at 844 Albany Street, tax parcel # 49.33-4-12, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Dionicio Carrasco and Fred Novicki presented the proposal. Mr. Novicki explained that he was helping to present the proposal because Mr. Carrasco is not completely fluent in English. He stated that Mr. Carrasco would like to convert this former barber shop to a bar and restaurant. Commissioner Wallinger stated that back property taxes of over $11,000 are owed on the property and until they are paid up to date the Planning Commission cannot act on the application. City Planner Primiano noted that there are other issues with the property that Mr. Carrasco should consider before moving forward with the proposed business. She noted that the change from a barber shop to a restaurant, which is an assembly space, will require extensive expensive renovations to the building to meet the fire code. PUBLIC COMMENTS A letter in opposition to the proposal from Mike Cremo of Viscusi’s Aluminum Products at 858 Albany Street was entered into the record. Marva Isaacs, President of the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association, spoke in opposition to the proposal, stating that the Association believes that a business of this type would negatively impact the neighborhood improvements that have been happening recently. Rev. Phillip Grigsby of SICM spoke in opposition to the proposal. He stated that there are areas of the City better suited to this type of business, which he believes would be detrimental to the improvements being made to Albany Street. He added that the proposed business has no onsite parking, which is required.  Greg Davenport, Trustee of the Neighboring AME Zion Church, spoke in opposition to the proposal, stating that he believes that it would have a negative impact on the neighborhood. Seeing no further members of the public who wished to speak, Commissioner Wallinger closed the public hearing. She noted that a bar and restaurant is an allowed use in this zoning district but added that there are other serious concerns with this location, including the outstanding taxes and required parking, which does not exist on the site. She stated that her position would be to table the proposal until the taxes are paid and further information is submitted. The Commissioners agreed. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to table the proposal pending the submittal of further information. Motion carried unanimously. E. BEESHAM RAMDEO requests a recommendation to the City Council to change the zoning of the land located at 1075 Strong Street, tax parcel # 49.50-1-17.3, from “R-1” Single Family Residential District to “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Beesham Ramdeo and Frank Gilmore, architect for the project, presented the proposal. Mr. Gilmore explained that the site was zoned commercial prior to the rezoning in 2008, and when Mr. Ramdeo bought it a few years ago he was led to believe that it was still zoned commercial. He stated that Mr. Ramdeo would like to locate his large engine auto repair shop on the site, a use which is not allowed in an “R-1” District. He reviewed the proposed site plan and explained that all engine repair would take place inside the building. Mr. Gilmore noted that building a new home on this site would not make economic sense, as the home would most likely cost more to build than it could be sold for. City Planner Primiano noted that while the application requests a change to the “C-2” zoning district it should be changed to “C-5”, which is what the adjoining commercial lots are zoned. Commissioner Wallinger asked if Mr. Ramdeo had spoken to any of the neighbors regarding the proposal. Mr. Ramdeo stated that with his application he submitted a letter signed by 12 of his neighbors who expressed their support for the zoning change. PUBLIC COMMENTS  Marion Porterfield, City Council member and resident of Strong Street, expressed her concerns regarding excessive diesel exhaust in the area, as well as heavy tractor trailer traffic going to and from the site. She added that she hoped that the Commission would consider limiting traffic to and from the site, so that it would enter and exit via the commercial portion of Strong Street and not through the residential portion of the neighborhood. Seeing no further members of the public who wished to speak, Commissioner Wallinger closed the public hearing. Mr. Ramdeo explained that only the tractors will be brought to the site, and the trailers will be stored at another lot he owns on Hamburg Street. He stated that the maximum traffic to the site would be five to six tractors on the busiest day. City Planner Primiano noted that New York State places regulations on exhaust emissions and other technical aspects of the business, and Mr. Ramdeo must adhere to those regulations or he would risk losing his repair license. Ms. Primiano asked Mr. Ramdeo if he is currently storing tractor trailers on the site. Mr. Ramdeo stated that he is storing his own trucks there. Ms. Primiano stated that this storage is not permitted under the current zoning and Mr. Ramdeo must remove the trucks or he could be facing a violation, which would then prohibit any further action being taken on the zoning change approval. Mr. Ramdeo stated that he understood and that he would move the trucks immediately. RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Euripidou, to recommend to the City Council that the zoning of 1075 Strong Street be changed from “R-1” Single Family Residential to “C-5” Business. Motion carried unanimously. VI. OLD BUSINESS None. VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to enter Executive Session. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Healey, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to close the Executive Session.  Motion carried unanimously. VIII. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.