Planning Commission

City of Schenectady Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wallinger called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Due to the closure of City Hall because of the Covid-19 Virus, the meeting was conducted online via WebEx. II. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Mary Moore Wallinger, Chair; Bradley Lewis, Vice Chair; Ryan Bailey; Randall Beach; Richard Ferro; Jason Bogdanowicz-Wilson; Matthew Smith, Senior Planner; Andrew Koldin, Corporation Counsel; Jennifer Mills, Secretary EXCUSED: Andrew Healey III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECK Commissioner Wallinger recused herself from the consideration of New Business Item E, the James T. Pollard application. IV. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Ferro, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to approve the Minutes of the July 15, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. V. NEW BUSINESS A. STEWART’S SHOPS CORP. requests site plan approval and Special Use Permit review pursuant to Section 264-90 J and Schedule B of a proposal to develop the site at 1751 & 1757 Van Vranken Avenue, tax parcel # 39.43-2-48 & 49, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District. Marcus Andrews from Stewart’s Shops presented the proposal. Mr. Smith noted that Stewart’s must obtain an area variance for the project before the Planning Commission can vote on the Special Use Permit, so this would just be an informal review of the site plan. Mr. Andrews briefly reviewed the site plan and explained the landscaping plan. He explained that Stewart’s plans to purchase the adjacent Marty’s Hardware property, raze that building and their existing shop, and build a new store with gas islands on the combined site. He stated that Stewart’s  is willing to make the Van Vranken side of the building as attractive and welcoming as possible, with added outdoor dining tables and green space, although due to the inside configuration of the store, the location of the gas islands, and security challenges they do not believe that having an entrance on the front-facing side of the building would be a workable plan for their business. The Commissioners and the applicant briefly discussed the layout of the site and the proposed landscaping. PUBLIC COMMENTS A letter from Richard Vale, resident of 1128 Rugby Road and the owner of residential rental property on Van Vranken Avenue, was entered into the record. Mr. Vale expressed his concern over cars playing loud music while refueling at the gas pumps, as well as the loud noises from the speakers that allow the attendants inside the store to communicate with the gas customers. He stated that in the past when there had been gas pumps at this Stewart’s his tenants complained to him about the noise generated by them. Brendan Nally, resident of Avenue A, spoke in favor of the project, stating that Stewart’s is a good neighbor and that he believes the new store will be a positive addition to the area. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to table the proposal as incomplete pending the submittal of additional information by the applicants and their obtaining the necessary area variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Motion carried unanimously. B. TEEKAH LACHMAN requests a one-year extension of the site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-93 L of a proposal to redevelop 1151 Hilderbrandt Avenue into a 9-unit apartment building, tax parcel # 49.34-2-18, located in an “R-2” Two Family Residential District. Teekah Lachman presented the proposal. Corporation Counsel Andrew Koldin explained that Mr. Lachman has been under contract to purchase the property from the City for several years but due to legal issues the City had to foreclose on the property a second time and still has not obtained clear title, thus they have been unable to complete the sale to Mr. Lachman. Counselor Koldin noted  that the delays have in no way been Mr. Lachman’s fault and that they hope to complete the sale before the end of the year. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Bailey, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to accept the proposal to extend the previous site plan approval by one year, with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Hilderbrandt Street. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. Motion carried unanimously. C. TOM LYNCH requests site plan approval and Special Use Permit review pursuant to Section 264-90 I and Schedule B of a proposal to develop the site at 27, 31, & 35 Waldorf Place for use as a storage facility, tax parcel # 49.42-5-24, 25, & 26, located in a “C-2” Mixed- Use Commercial District. Luigi Palleschi of ABD Engineering presented the proposal. Mr. Palleschi briefly reviewed the revised site plan, which he had originally presented at the July 2020 Commission meeting. He explained that the applicants had received the necessary variances from the BZA and that they had shifted the building on the lot to allow for the proper setbacks on each side. He noted that additional landscaping and street trees had been added to the revised site plan. Commissioner Wilson asked if the applicants had decided on the exterior colors and materials for the building. Mr. Palleschi provided materials from the building manufacturer showing the exterior design. He noted that the applicants had chosen the Saddle Tan shade shown on the color chart. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SEQR RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Ferro, to accept the Negative Declaration. Motion carried unanimously.  SPECIAL USE PERMIT Motion by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Ferro, to approve the Special Use Permit with the following findings of fact: 1. The proposed use will not substantially impact upon the nature and character of the surrounding neighborhood. The site is currently utilized as outdoor storage, and the site will still be used as such, with the addition of some indoor storage space through the construction of a storage structure. 2. The 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 use of the property is essentially staying the same, to be used for storage. The only change is that some of the storage will now occur indoors. 3. Nuisance will not be more objectionable to nearby properties than use not requiring special use permit. The use is consistent with many uses allowed by right in the C-2 district and less objectionable than many more intensive uses with higher traffic and noise generation, such as motor vehicle repair or restaurants. 4. The proposed use will be served adequately by infrastructure. The proposed use will not require the installation of additional infrastructure. 5. The proposed use will not result in loss or destruction of significant features. The site currently does not have any significant features. 6. The proposed building or use complies with all additional requirements imposed on it by the provisions of this chapter. Variances were granted by the BZA on August 5, 2020. And with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Waldorf Place. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. Motion carried unanimously. D. JONATHAN WOCHER requests site plan approval and Special Use Permit review pursuant to Section 264-90 J and Schedule B of a proposal to develop the site at 1108 State Street, tax parcel # 49.50-4- 1.11, located in a “C-2” Mixed-Use Commercial District. Jonathan Wocher presented the proposal.  Mr. Smith noted that the Commission would not be voting on the proposal at this meeting as the applicants must still obtain variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals, however the applicants had asked to appear to present their revised site plans and the results of the traffic study. Mr. Wocher briefly reviewed the revised site plan, pointing out the additional landscaping and decorative fence that had been added around the perimeter of the site to better direct pedestrian traffic. He also reviewed the traffic study, noting that the study concluded that traffic levels at the surrounding intersections were not enough to prove that this type of business would be inappropriate for this location, however the study did conclude that the entrance and exit on the Brandywine Avenue side of the site should be right turn in and out only. The Commissioners and Mr. Wocher also discussed the signage on the site and briefly reviewed the proposed changes to the building facades. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. J. Reeks, owner of the property, spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that he believes that it will be a positive addition to this key entrance point into the City. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to table the proposal as incomplete pending the submittal of additional information by the applicants and their obtaining the necessary variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Motion carried unanimously. E. JAMES T. POLLARD requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 F for a previously approved temporary parking proposal at 102, 104, 110, 122, 134, and 136 State Street, 105 and 111 South Church Street, and 2 Mill Lane for a mixed use development with 74 residential units, tax parcel # 39.71-1-11.11, located in a “C- 4” Downtown Commercial District. Luigi Scochetti of Re4orm Architecture presented the proposal. Because Commissioner Wallinger recused herself from consideration of this application, Commissioner Wilson led the discussion. Mr. Scochetti briefly reviewed the changes that had been made to the site plan since their last appearance before the Commission. The Commissioners indicated that they had no objections to the proposal.  PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Healey, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The dumpster will be screened to meet the City Code. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Wallinger recusing herself from the vote. F. RYAN SMITH requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264- 90 M of a proposal to operate a barbershop at 2334 Guilderland Avenue, tax parcel #’s 48.83-2-28.1, located in a “C-1” Neighborhood Retail Business District. Ryan Smith presented the proposal. Mr. Smith explained that he plans to open a barber shop on the site. He stated that he has been working successfully as a barber for several years and would now like to open his own shop at this location. The Commissioners discussed the landscaping on the site and indicated that a landscaped buffer between the parking lot and the sidewalk is required. They also discussed signage with Mr. Ryan, who stated that initially he would like to use window decals for signage, but he understand that if in the future he chooses to have a different sign he must return to Planning Staff for approval before purchase or installation of the sign. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Lewis, 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 Guilderland Avenue. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. A four-foot landscaped buffer will be added between the back of the sidewalk and the parking lot. The applicant will submit a plan for the landscaping to the City Planner for approval prior to installing the landscaping. The work will be completed by October 1, 2020.  4. If the applicant decides that he would like to add a sign to the property, in addition to the approved window decals, he will submit the sign to the City Planner for review and approval prior to the purchase or installation of the sign. Motion carried unanimously. G. CHANDRAWATIE PEETUM requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 A of a proposal to operate a banquet facility at 1309 Fifth Avenue, tax parcel # 49.54-2-32, located in an “R-2” Two- Family Residential District. Chandrawatie Peetum presented the proposal. Ms. Peetum explained that she has purchased the former VFW Hall and would like to open a banquet facility there. She stated that the VFW frequently hosted banquets and events in the space so the general use of the building would not change. The Commissioners discussed the minimal landscaping on the site as well as the lack of an entrance into the building on the Fifth Avenue side. Ms. Peetum stated that she would not have an objection to adding the Fifth Avenue entrance as she believes it will help to make the building more aesthetically pleasing. Commissioner Wallinger stated that street trees should also be added to the site and the sidewalk should be replaced, as it is in disrepair. The other Commissioners agreed. Ms. Peetum commented that she would like to make the required changes and wants the building to be attractive, but if the cost proves prohibitive she will not be able to follow through with the business. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. SITE PLAN APPROVAL Motion by Commissioner Bailey, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to accept the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Fifth Avenue. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars are not permitted on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. The applicant will submit a final revised site plan to the City Planner. The site plan will show the changes discussed at the meeting and listed below, as well as the landscaping that will be added to the site. 4. The dumpster will be enclosed, and privacy slats added to the rear chain link fence.  5. The sidewalk will be replaced, and a landscape buffer and street trees will be added to the site. 6. A building entrance will be added to the Fifth Avenue side of the building and a walkway will be installed from the sidewalk to the entrance. 7. The above conditions will be completed by October 31, 2020. Motion carried unanimously. VI. MISCELLANEOUS None. VII. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.