Planning Commission

City of Schenectady NEW YORK CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes January 17 , 2024 I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Present: Mary Moore Wallinger; Chair, Bradley Lewis; Vice Chair, Jason Bogdanowicz-Wilson; Dharam Hitlall; Susan Nadler; Randall Beach; Michael Tearno; Hayden Engert; and Jack Connelly, Assistant Planner Excused : Colin Evers; Christine Primiano, Principal Planner; Maxine Barash, Corporation Counsel III. Conflict of Interest Check No conflicts of interest for this meeting Commissioner Wallinger : informed everyone that the meeting will start with the consent agenda, and she started with the roll call of all the Commissioners that were present, as stated above. Commissioner Wallinger went on to list the projects that were going to be discussed for the evening, and if anyone was there to speak about a project that wasn’t on the list, the Commission wasn’t going to be able to speak on it this evening. If the Commissioners have questions, the projects will be introduced, and applicants can come forward to speak about the project to the commissioners. The public will also have an opportunity to speak to the projects. Commissioner Engert made a motion to approve the December 20 minutes with Commissioner Tearno seconding. The motion was carried unanimously. I. NEW BUSINESS A. Electric City Horses LLC requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90M of a proposal to operate a restaurant at 912 McClellan Street, tax parcel # 50.21-3-24, located in a “C-2” Mixed Use Commercial District Mr. Thomas Nicchi , owner of Electric City Horses LLC came forward to talk with the Commission. Mr. Nicchi started by saying that the project is to reopen the old Horses Lounge with little to no modifications to the site. Mr. Nicchi stated that the distance from the curb to the post of the sign was 17.3 feet, putting it fully onto the applicant’s property and not at all in the right-of-way. Commissioner Wallinger guessed looking at the sign, even though the exact dimensions were unknown, that the sign itself extended into the right-of-way, which would then trigger the need for a revocable permit. In response to the staff comments made by the Engineering Department, Mr. Nicchi said he would be happy to provide a more accurate site plan for approval. Mr. Nicchi mentioned that the restaurant is ready to open, and any approvals from the Liquor Authority will be in place once approvals are granted from the City. Commissioner Wallinger asked about an ADA accessible ramp. Mr. Nicchi responded saying that there was not one proposed, and had the belief that the building would be allowed to remain as is in terms of ADA accessibility. Many facets of the building, including bathrooms and interior seating would need to be changed which would not be economically feasible for the applicant. Commissioner Wallinger believed that there was a possibility they could be grandfathered into not needing the ADA items, however Mr. Nicchi would need to check with the Codes Department for confirmation. Mr. Nicchi said he had no issue getting a Sidewalk Café permit, and confirmed with Commissioner Wallinger that that would not be needed until the warmer months when the patio was planned to be in use. Commissioner Wallinger mentioned that an area variance would be needed to allow for no on site parking. Mr. Nicchi briefly discussed that process with Mr. Connelly, and said that he would get application materials in for the February BZA meeting. Mr. Nicchi stated that he planned on doing some exterior beautification in the spring when he applied for the Sidewalk Café permit, including touching up the fence in the front. Commissioner Wallinger told the applicant that a street tree would be needed as a condition of approval. Given the fact that there are wires over the section that would have the tree, a smaller flowering tree would be needed. Commissioner Wallinger said that the planting of the tree should wait for the warmer months and would not hold up any approvals granted by the City. Commissioner Wallinger opened the public. There were no comments and the public hearing was closed. Motion made by Commissioner Nadler , Seconded by Commissioner Engert , to issue the site plan approval with the following conditions: 1. Revised site plan with accurate dimensions be submitted to the Engineering Department 2. Revocable permit is obtained for the sign 3. ADA accessibility is coordinated with the Codes Department 4. Area variance to be obtained from the BZA to allow for no on site parking 5. Sidewalk Café permit be obtained 6. All existing green space be maintained 7. One street tree be planted in front of building Motion carried unanimously. B. The Bahlman Group, LLC requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264- 90 H of a proposal to develop a self-service storage facility at 450 Duane Avenue, tax parcel # 49.58-2-13, located in a “C-5” Business District. Mr. Dave Kimmer of ABD Engineering came forward to discuss the project. Mr. Kimmer came with Casper Bahlman of the Bahlman Group. Mr. Kimmer mentioned that a similar approval for the site was given by the Planning Commission in 2022 but the sale of the property never occurred. The only difference with this proposal is the addition of a ramp to the loading docks. Mr. Kimmer stated they were open to adding street trees along Duane Avenue and had no issue with the rest of the conditions mentioned in the staff comments. Ms. Primiano recommended in previous conversations that Mr. Kimmer briefly go through an additional project that the Bahlman Group is planning on developing across the street to add another storage facility. The current proposal on 450 Duane would be climate controlled self-storage while the location across the street would be non-climate controlled. Mr. Kimmer noted that they were not expecting any approvals for the other site, just making the Commission aware that more applications regarding this area will be coming soon. Mr. Bahlman told the Commission that this would only be personal storage, and not used for professional or commercial purposes. Commissioner Wallinger said that she appreciated the landscaping detail proposed,and recommended taller shade trees as there were no power lines that would hinder their growth. Commissioner Nadler asked if they predicted traffic to be a concern as there would be a lot of new storage units added to the site. Mr. Bahlman said that some of their other sites averaged 2 visits per year for each storage unit, so traffic would not be an issue here. Commissioner Wilson noted that since there would be such minimal traffic, there may be an excess of parking on the site and asked if vehicular storage was a plan as well for the site. Mr. Bahlman said that there were no such plans, and they wanted to leave the parking situation as is for the time being. Commissioner Wallinger said that she was fine leaving the parking alone for now, but mentioned that the applicant would need to return if any additional plans for more storage or vehicular storage arose later on. As of now, there is no proposed signage outside of the monument sign, but Mr. Bahlman said they would return with any future sign plans. Additionally, the site will be gated for security. The applicant told Commissioner Nadler that the lighting was replaced previously and they did not plan on further modifying that. Commissioner Tearno asked about the equipment on the roof left by the former owners. Mr. Bahlman assured him that that equipment would be removed. Mr. Bahlman said that dumpsters on sites like these created problems, and therefore they were not going to add any to the site. In regards to the Watt Street site mentioned by the applicants, Commissioner Wallinger note that she would like to see trees added along Watt Street similarly to the proposal for Duane Ave. Commissioner Wallinger opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and the public hearing was closed. Motion made by Commissioner Beach to adopt a negative declaration for SEQR, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. Motion carried unanimously. Motion made by Commissioner Wilson , seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to issue site plan approval for the proposal with the following conditions: 1. The address will be prominently displayed so that it is easily visible from Duane Avenue. 2. Metal roll gates and iron bars cannot be installed on any doors or windows at any time in the future. 3. The sections of broken sidewalk on the northeastern side of the site will be replaced. A sidewalk replacement permit issued by the City Engineering Department is required. The sidewalk will be replaced prior to the opening of the business. 4. Cast Iron Detectable Warning Units will be installed on the sidewalk prior to the opening of the business. 5. Shade trees will be planted on the interior of the site pursuant to Section 264-50. All striped islands at the end of each parking row will be replaced with landscaped islands with shade trees and landscaping and shrubbery. 6. A minimum of 6 (six) street trees will be added to the green space along the perimeter of the site on Duane Avenue. 7. All landscaping will be planted prior to the opening of the business. 8. The sign details will be submitted to the Department of Development for final approval prior to purchase and fabrication of the sign. 9. The entry gate will be recessed 24 feet to allow for vehicles entering the site to allow space for queuing at the entrance. 10. Applicant to return to the Planning Commission if any additional storage plans for the parking are requested in the future. 11. A revised site plan will be submitted to the City Planner for final approval prior to the issuance of building permits. Motion carried unanimously. C. Starbucks Coffee Company requests an amended site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 I of a proposal to modify the exterior of the building and  configuration of the drive-thru at 2441 Watt Street, tax parcel # 60.29-2-3.1. located in a “C-5” Business District. Mr. David LoFrisco of Kimley Horn came forward to discuss the changes to the site plan for 2441 Watt Street. The amendments offer improvements to the drive-thru queuing of the Starbucks, a new garbage facility, and improved landscaping. The changes would prevent customers from backing out onto Watt Street which is what occasionally happens now. The façade will also be changed to match the newer store designs that Starbucks is putting out. Mr. LoFrisco said that a majority of the business for this location is drive-thru, with only a small portion of the business coming inside and sitting down. Mr. LoFrisco detailed the ‘Do Not Enter’ signs which would be painted to the asphalt. The additional signage would make it exceptionally clear the direction that the cars should be directed to avoid unnecessary collisions. Commissioner Wallinger recommended the arbor vitaes proposed be changed to shade trees to provide better visibility and shade for any patrons sitting outside. Mr. LoFrisco stated that there would be no changes to any of the vehicular entrances to the site. Commissioner Wallinger heard no comments from the public after opening the floor, and therefore closed the public comment period. Motion made by Commissioner Nadler , seconded by Commissioner Beach, to issue site plan approval with the following conditions: 1. The applicant would coordinate with the Engineering Department to locate the storm lines on the site drawings 2. The 8 arborvitaes would be changed to 3-4 taller shade trees, which would be confirmed by Department of Development staff. Motion carried unanimously. D. J&J Apartments LLC requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 F of a proposal to create 17 residential units at 3 State Street, tax parcel #39.63-3-34, located in a “C-4” Downtown Commercial District No applicant was present for this project. The Commission paused discussion until after agenda item E. Before progression to item E, members of the public living close by stated that they came with concerns on how the 17 new units would impact their privacy, and what measures would be taken to mitigate that. After Agenda item E, the Commission decided to table this application Motion made by Commissioner Engert , seconded by Commissioner Wilson , to table the application until the applicant could be heard in person. Motion carried unanimously. E. James Hesler requests site plan approval pursuant to Section 264-90 F of a proposal to construct three apartment buildings with a total of 12 residential units, at the corner of Kings Road and Menga Drive, tax parcel # 60.61-1-3, located in an “R-3” Multiple Family Residential District Mr. Don Cropsey came forward on behalf of the applicant and property owner James Hesler. Mr. Cropsey noted that this applicant had come before the Planning Commission before, but did not take action after their approvals lapsed. This application will comply with the updated fire code which was not in affect during their previous visits. Mr. Cropsey stated that they intended to put a sprinkler system with a Fire Department connection on the Menga Drive side of the property. In regards to staff comments regarding the proposed invasive burning bushes, Mr. Cropsey said that they were happy to replace those with native plants found in the Pine Bush area, which lies close by. Shadblow was mentioned as a possible replacement. The applicant would also be happy to comply with the staff comments of moving the Scotch pine trees back away from the road for visibility and safety. While building colors were not fully determined, Mr. Cropsey said that he planned on having them match buildings in the area, and would consult with the Department of Development before final decisions were made. The light fixtures would be constructed to shield nearby residents from glare. To mitigate stormwater runoff concerns, Mr. Cropsey said that a swale would be created behind the two buildings, directing water towards the eastern side of the property. Grading will take place so water does not run to adjacent properties. Mr. Cropsey confirmed for Commissioner Wallinger that 515 Kings Road would remain standing, but the barn on the property would be demolished. Mr. Cropsey told Commissioner Hitlall that he did not view stormwater as an issue, because any overflow would likely be infiltrated into the ground as the soil there was highly sandy due to its proximity to the Pine Bush. Commissioner Wallinger opened the public hearing. A nearby neighbor spoke during the public comment period, stating support for the developers and the project, but expressed concerns about the ongoing traffic and speeding issues on Kings Road. He mentioned that he was speaking on behalf of other neighbors who were unable to be in attendance and wanted to see stop signs added along Kings Road to slow passing cars down. The Commission unanimously agreed with the neighbor’s traffic concerns.  Commissioner Nadler made a motion express Planning Commission support for the City taking a stronger look at traffic along Kings Road. Seconded by Commissioner Tearno. Motion carried unanimously. Hearing no further public comment, Commissioner Wallinger closed the public comment period. Commissioner Wallinger stated that an updated grading plan would need to be submitted to the Engineering Department. Commissioner recommended that the applicant stay away from highly reflective glass for the windows, as there are a large number of birds living in that area near the Pine Bush. Motion made by Commissioner Beach, seconded by Commissioner Engert , to issue site plan approval with the following conditions:  All necessary fire code conditions be met  Sewer report to be submitted to the Water Department  Revised grading plan be submitted to Engineering  Burning bushes be removed from plan and replaced with a non-invasive species  Scotch Pine trees be set back at least 20 feet from the street  Color of buildings to be sent into Department of Development for approval  Especially reflective glass to be avoided as a construction material Motion carried unanimously. II. MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Nadler opened discussion regarding the large quantity of smoke shops opening up throughout Schenectady, particularly in the Upper Union Street region. The Commission voiced unanimous agreement with Commissioner Nadler that this was becoming an issue in the City, and discussed coming forward next month with an official recommendation to the City Council about taking action on this issue. III. ADJOURN Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Engert , seconded by Commissioner Tearno . The meeting adjourned at 7:32PM.