Planning Commission

Wm. Patrick Madden Steven Strichman Mayor Commissioner of Planning Monica Kurzejeski Phone: (518) 279-7166 Deputy Mayor steven.strichman@troyny.gov Planning Commission 433 River St., Ste. 5001 Troy, New York 12180 MEETING MINUTES (DRAFT) The Planning Commission of the City of Troy, New York, conducted a public meeting at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, September 20th, 2021, on the 5th Floor of 433 River Street, to act upon the following requests, referred by the Bureau of Code Enforcement of the City of Troy, for review and approval. 6:02 pm – Meeting called to order Commissioners in Attendance Barbara Higbee (BH), Anthony Mohen (AM), Suzanne Spellen (SS), Roddy Yagan (RY), Sara Wengert (SW) Also in Attendance Andy Brick (Planning and Zoning Attorney), Aaron Vera (Executive Secretary), Dash Chrisner (Planning Technician) Administrative Items Adoption of Meeting Minutes from August 18th by Resolution • SS motioned to approve Meeting Minutes from August 18th. RY seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to approve Meeting Minutes from August 18th passed 5-0. Old Business PLPC 2021 0014 – King’s Landing II Federal Street and Fifth Avenue (101.38-9-7, 101.38-9-9, 101.38-9-10, 101.46-1-1, 101.46-1-2.1, and 101.46-1-3) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Type I) BDC Holdings Inc. proposes to construct a new building with seven (7) levels. The lower two (2) levels will be used for parking, retail, and office. The upper five (5) levels will be occupied by sixty-two (62) apartment units. Cosmo Marfione, PE, Managing Partner at BDC Holdings Inc., will be speaking on behalf of the proposal. • Applicant requested for project to be tabled to the October 20th meeting. Written by Dash Chrisner, On Behalf of the Executive Secretary Additional information regarding the above listed actions is available by contacting the Planning Commission’s Executive Secretary at aaron.vera@troyny.gov. As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. Please give one-week advance notice for services needed. Page 1 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 20 September 2021 • RY motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 4-0. PLPC 2021 0033 – 494 River Street (101.30-7-22) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, First Columbia LLC, proposes to utilize the site of a recently demolished church for a new five (5) story, 31,000 sq. ft. self-storage facility as part of the adjacent existing self-storage facility at 500 River Street. Chris Bette, P.E., Vice President of First Columbia LLC, will be speaking on behalf of the proposal. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • SW requested more detailed elevations. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • SW motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0034 – The Bargain Block 545, 549 and 558 River Street (101.22-9-1, 101.22-5-7 THRU 8, and 101.22-10-1 THRU 2) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Type I) The applicant, First Columbia LLC, proposes to construct a rock climbing gym on the south end of the Flanigan Square building, a 123-unit senior housing facility at 549 River Street, and a loading dock and entrance to the existing building at 558 River Street. Chris Bette, P.E., Vice President of First Columbia LLC, will be speaking on behalf of the proposal. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • RY inquired about pedestrian crossings and bike access improvements to the site. • Request for public comment. Public comments generally in opposition. 1. Amy Halloran – 221 10th Street, Food Security Manager at Unity House  Concerned about close proximity to “Save-a-Lot”  Inquired about affordability and food accessibility from the Bargain Block grocery. 2. Amy Klein – CEO of Capital Roots  Concerned with the potential conflicts of the grocery being so close to Capital Root’s future Urban Grow Center expansion, which breaks ground next month (1-year build). 3. Stewart Jones – Attorney  Claims a grocery is more needed in South Troy instead of a location so close to the Capital Roots project, causing economic disaster by creating competition. Page 2 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 20 September 2021 4. Danielle – 2522 5th Avenue  Inquired about the potential to work with local community organizations.  Asked about the financial accessibility of the gym and grocery store. 5. Matthew Schuler  Inquired about the non-pervious surfaces and the prevention of run-off into the Hudson River. 6. Ian Lenney – 54 Spring Avenue  Shared the World Health Organization’s definition of “food security.”  1st Pillar: Distribution, access.  2nd Pillar: Production, where it comes from.  3rd Pillar: Utilization, knowledge. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • RY motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. SW seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 5-0. PLPC 2020 0050 – 561-565 Congress Street (101.80-2-44) Site Plan Review (SEQR – Unlisted) The applicant, Adam Wilke, proposes to revert ground floor storefronts into residential units, construct a ten (10) car parking lot and a landscaped courtyard with patio. As a result of the Congress Street Reconstruction Project, parking has been eliminated in front of this project making it an unsustainable location for businesses. The applicant is represented by Fred Ring, P.E. and Redmond Griffin, Atty. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • SW advises against the use of stucco or EIFS on the exterior, and for brick veneer to be used instead. • It was observed that the applicant is not yet under contract to purchase some land involved in the proposal. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • RY motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 4-0. Page 3 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 20 September 2021 New Business PLPC 2021 0032 – 95 Hill Street (101.77-10-1) Change of Use – SEQR Type II The applicant, Command Developers Inc., is proposing to remove gasoline service from the site and maintain the commercial space within the structure. Removal of gasoline service will include the canopy, pumps, dispensers, and underground storage tanks. No changes to the store are proposed. The applicant is represented by Bill Hennessy, P.E., from Hennessy Engineering & Consulting. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. A revised site plan was requested, ideally displaying sidewalks. • Applicant response. • SW motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. RY seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0039 – 525 Fourth Avenue (80.63-4-2) Site Plan Amendment – SEQR Type II The applicant, Montroy Management LP, is proposing to relocate HVAC condenser units to alleyway between parking lot and building, within six (6) foot high chain link fence. Fence height and design to match existing adjacent fence. Original location of proposed condensers was along 114th Street adjacent to building. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • BH motioned to approve Site Plan Amendment. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to approve Site Plan Amendment passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0044 – 2001 Fifth Avenue (101.45-2-1.2) Change of Use, Site Plan Review, and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, 2001 Fifth Ave. LLC, is proposing to add a 2-story frame addition atop an existing 3-story steel frame with brick veneer office building. The building will contain forty-three (43) apartments with amenities and 3,500 sq. ft. of commercial space on the first floor. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. Page 4 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 20 September 2021 • Commissioner deliberation. More comprehensive elevations and parking layout requested. • Applicant response. • SW motioned to act as Lead Agency for SEQR review. RY seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to act as Lead Agency for SEQR review passed 5-0. • SW motioned to table proposal to the October 20th meeting. AM seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for proposal to be tabled to the October 20th meeting passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0043 – 155-157 River Street (100.60-3-11 and 100.60-3-13) Change of Use, Site Plan Amendment, and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, River King Development LLC, is proposing a renovation of a warehouse into a mixed-use building with A-2 and B uses on 1st floor and sixteen (16) 2-bedroom apartments on floors 2 through 5 (R-1) and a combination of A-2, B, and R-1 uses on the basement level. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • SW motioned to act as Lead Agency for SEQR review. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to act as Lead Agency for SEQR review passed 5-0. • SW motioned for negative declaration (SEQR). SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for negative declaration (SEQR) passed 5-0. Page 5 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 20 September 2021 • SW motioned to approve Site Plan Amendment. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to approve Site Plan Amendment passed 5-0. • AM motioned to adjourn at 8:45 PM. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:45 PM passed 5-0. Page 6 of 6