Planning Commission

City of Schenectady Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 18, 2019 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wallinger called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Mary Moore Wallinger, Chair; Bradley Lewis, Vice Chair; Ryan Bailey; Randall Beach; Kimberly Case; Richard Ferro; Andrew Healey; Jason Bogdanowicz-Wilson; Christine Primiano, Principal Planner; Andrew Koldin, Assistant Corporation Counsel III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECK Commissioner Beach recused himself from the consideration of New Business Item A, the application submitted by Aneesa Waheed. IV. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to accept the Minutes of the November 20, 2019 meeting as submitted. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioners Lewis and Beach absent from the vote. V. NEW BUSINESS A. ANEESA WAHEED requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to renovate the existing building to operate a day spa at the corner of Clinton Street Extension and Van Guysling Avenue, tax parcel # 39.79-2-14.11, located in a “C-4” Downtown Commercial District. Aneesa Waheed and her architect, Michael Roman of C2 Architecture, presented the proposal. Ms. Waheed explained that she is the owner of Tara Kitchen, a Moroccan restaurant in the City, and that she has been looking for a location for her new business, Tara Hammam, for several years. She stated that she believes that the previous weighing station will be an excellent location for the Hammam, which will offer traditional Moroccan spa services, including exfoliation and masking procedures in a hot environment. She explained that there are believed to be both mental and physical benefits of the treatments. Mr. Roman briefly reviewed the elevation drawings and site plan and explained that there will be very few changes made to the exterior of the structure. He stated that the current open-air center of the building will be enclosed to allow for an infill addition, and a decorative gate will be added that will allow a central light fixture to be seen from the exterior. He added that they will be adding some small windows to the ends of the building to add more natural light to the interior space. The traffic flow on the site then discussed. Mr. Roman explained that the parking lot is owned by Metroplex and has permitted parking only, so visitors to the Hammam will be using the parallel parking available close to the site. Commissioner Case asked if there would be room for a sidewalk along the long side of the building of the building where the decorative gate will be located, even though the entrance to the building is around the corner. She commented that it would appear to make the building more inviting to pedestrian traffic. Mr. Roman responded that he does not believe that there is sufficient room for the landscaping beds and a sidewalk, and he and Ms. Waheed feel that the green space is necessary to help soften the look of the building and help provide a proper setting for it within the large parking lot. He noted that they believe that pedestrians coming from this direction will most likely just cut across the parking lot anyway, and not walk along the side of the building. Commissioner Wallinger suggested that perhaps they might add a small concrete pad on the end of the building opposite the entrance to allow for a safe place for pedestrians to stand out of the traffic lane. She asked if they had considered continuing the proposed rose bushes in front of the gate area to make it clear that this is not an entrance to the building. Mr. Roman stated that they had considered it, but they do want the gate to appear as an important architectural feature and to stand out as the focal point on that side of the building. Commissioner Case suggested that shade trees be added to the end of the walkway where it meets the sidewalk. Mr. Roman stated that they would not be opposed to the addition of trees in this location as they would not interfere with the site lines of the building. Commissioner Wilson asked if the sign will be flat. Mr. Roman stated that it will be backlit and dimensional, but that they have not finalized the sign plans yet and will be submitting the package at a later date. City Planner Primiano noted that they are allowed two signs on the building and one freestanding sign, but the freestanding sign must be on the property or it would require a variance. PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Case, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 2. The address must be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Clinton Street. 3. A sidewalk will be installed on the Clinton Street side of the property. 4. The final sign(s) will be submitted to the City Planner for approval prior to permits and installation. 5. Metroplex will submit a subdivision map and legal description to the City Engineer for approval. Once the approval is issued, the map and deed must be filed with the County Clerk’s office prior to the issuance of a building permit. 6. A revised site plan showing final site plan details including the sidewalks discussed at the meeting, lighting, final landscaping design, and exterior colors and materials will be submitted to the City Planner for final approval. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Beach recusing himself from the vote. B. ROBERT DERRICK requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to renovate the exterior of the building at 433 Liberty Street, tax parcel # 39.72-3-9, located in a “C-4” Downtown Commercial District. Nick Tisenchek of IBL Engineering Architecture presented the proposal. Mr. Tisenchek explained that his client does not have any tenants changing in the building, but he is simply undertaking a renovation of the exterior to improve the appearance of the structure. He briefly reviewed the plans and explained that they will be replacing the windows, adding awnings on the first floor, covering the second-story portion of the building with a stucco cement board, and adding new trim. Commissioner Wallinger asked what colors they plan to use. Mr. Tisenchek stated that the stucco will be a dark gray to complement the existing stone, and the trim will be white. Commissioner Wallinger cautioned against using a stark white for the trim as it can quickly become dirty and unattractive in a high-traffic area. Mr. Tisenchek stated that they would not be averse to choosing a light gray instead of the white. He noted that they will also be replacing the aluminum siding on the side of the building with a vertically hatched metal siding.  Commissioner Case asked Mr. Tisenchek if there are awnings proposed for all of the first-floor windows. Mr. Tisenchek replied that they will be on all of the windows and will be a basic metal awning. Commissioner Wallinger asked if there will be any new signage provided for tenants. Mr. Tisenchek responded that signage has not been decided on yet. Commissioner Wilson asked Mr. Tisenchek if he had any specific product specs or samples to provide for the Commissioners. Mr. Tisenchek responded that he did not have any specifics yet, but he would be happy to submit them when he does. After a brief discussion of all the different proposed materials and features it was determined that a conditional site plan approval could be granted, and Mr. Tisenchek would return to the Commission with the material and color specifics prior to the installation of any new materials on the building. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 2. The address must be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Liberty Street. 3. The applicant will return to the Planning Commission with final design details, including samples of the proposed materials and colors, and the design of the proposed awnings, prior to installation of any of the new materials. Motion carried unanimously. C. SLIMAN HAMDARD requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to convert the existing auto repair shop to a space of worship at 1221 Albany Street, tax parcel # 49.59- 2-39, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Dan Morelli appeared before the Commission on behalf of Mr. Hamdard. Commissioner Wallinger asked Mr. Morelli if he had any further information for the Commissioners beyond the survey drawing that had been submitted with the application. Mr. Morelli stated that he did not have any written information but could provide verbal comments. Commissioner Wallinger explained that there was no site plan information submitted and thus the Commissioners had not had any information to consider. Mr. Morelli responded that he had not been  aware that any further information was needed until the day before the meeting and added that no changes are being proposed to the site and the Commissioners could google what it currently looks like. Commissioner Wallinger stated that she would propose tabling the application pending the submittal of the required site plan information. The Commissioners agreed. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Beach, to table the proposal due to an incomplete application. Motion carried unanimously. D. JADELL WHITFIELD requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 M of a proposal to operate a restaurant at 1361 Lower Broadway, tax parcel # 49.37-2-12 located in an “M-1” Light Manufacturing and Warehousing District. Jadell Whitfield presented the proposal. Mr. Whitfield explained that he plans to open a restaurant in this space where his mother previously operated a bar and grill. He stated that he will be subleasing the site from his mother. Commissioner Wallinger asked Mr. Whitfield if he had any further information to submit as his application had been incomplete. Mr. Whitfield replied that he did not. He stated that he had called the Department of Development after he had received the staff comments but had not received a call back, so he did not know what additional information was needed. Commissioner Wallinger stated that he should meet with City Planner Primiano to clarify what information is needed to complete the application. It was determined that the application should be tabled pending the submittal of the required information. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Healey, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to table the proposal due to an incomplete application. Motion carried unanimously. E. 1552 UNION STREET LLC requests a Special Use Permit pursuant to Chapter 264 Schedule A to operate a professional dental office at 1552 Union Street, tax parcel # 50.30-2-2, located in an “R-2” Two Family Residential District. Dr. Avril D’Souza, DMD presented the proposal. Dr. D’Souza explained that she is moving her practice to this building that had previously housed a dental practice for many years. City Planner Primiano explained that the proposed sign is too large and must be resubmitted. A brief discussion of the sign concluded with Dr. D’Souza agreeing to submit a new sign proposal to Ms. Primiano for final approval. It was determined that the new sign will have a pale yellow background with dark blue lettering, and that Dr. D’Souza’s name will be added to the sign. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SEQR RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to adopt the Negative Declaration. Motion carried unanimously. SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Healey, seconded by Commissioner Beach, to approve the Special Use Permit based on the following findings of fact: 1. Proposed use shall not substantially impact upon the nature and character of the neighborhood. The dental office is proposed in a location adjacent to several other dental offices. 2. Proposed use will not have a substantial or undue adverse effect upon adjacent property, the character of the neighborhood, traffic conditions, and utility facilities. The neighborhood is a mix of residential and professional uses. The proposal will not have an impact on traffic or utilities. 3. Nuisance will not be more objectionable than use not requiring special use permit. There are no anticipated nuisances. The business will operate during the daytime hours of 9 am to 6 pm. 4. Use shall be served adequately by infrastructure. The proposed use will not require the installation of additional infrastructure. 5. Proposed use will not result in loss or destruction of significant features. There is nothing proposed that will result in loss or destruction of significant features. 6. The proposed building or use does not comply with all additional requirements imposed on it by the provisions of this zoning chapter. There is the required amount of onsite parking, and there is sufficient greenspace throughout the property, but the proposed sign does not comply with sign regulations. A revised sign must be submitted for approval. And with the following conditions:  1. All landscaping and green space will be maintained at its current level and condition. If replacement is needed, the applicant will submit plans for new landscaping to the City Planner for approval prior to installing the landscaping. 2. A revised sign proposal must be submitted. The maximum allowed square feet in a residential district is 6 square feet. The maximum allowed height of a freestanding double-post sign is 6 feet tall. Motion carried unanimously. VI. MISCELLANEOUS None. VII. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Case, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.