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 Wednesday, December 15th, 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. 6:00 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 (Counsel), Aaron Vera (Executive Secretary), Dash Chrisner (Planning Technician) Administrative Items Adoption of Meeting Minutes from November 17th by Resolution • SS motioned to approve Meeting Minutes from November 17th. 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 November 17th passed 5-0. Consent PLPC 2021 0071 – 1624 Highland Avenue (101.71-12-8) [R-3: Multiple-Family Residential, Medium-Density] Change of Use – SEQR (Type II) The applicant, Anthony Behan, is proposing to open a grocery with a deli in a vacant storefront. PLPC 2021 0076 – 1467 Fifth Avenue (101.61-12-9) [B-4: Central Commercial] Change of Use – SEQR (Type II) The applicant, Yesfolk LLC, is proposing to renovate and convert an existing masonry industrial building into a non-alcoholic kombucha beverage canning operation with tasting room. • Request for public comment. No public comment. 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 15 December 2021 • SW motioned to approve Consent Agenda. BH seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to approve Consent Agenda passed 5-0. New Business (from Consent) PLPC 2021 0075 – 443 Fifth Avenue (80.71-4-15.2) [B-2: Community Commercial] Change of Use Extension – SEQR (Type II) The applicants, Jeff and Melissa Jackson, are proposing to open a bar and restaurant titled “The Empire Lounge.” • Moved from Consent Agenda to New Business. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. Public comment generally in favor. 1. Name: Ron Williams Address: P.O. Box 56, Latham, NY  In favor of proposal. 2. Name: Rich Altieri Address: Amsterdam, NY  In favor of proposal and the applicant’s character. 3. Name: Paolo Barbolla Address: Rotterdam, NY  Speaking in favor or proposal as consultant and chef to the business. 4. Name: Bruno Address: business owner in Latham and Colonie, NY  In favor of proposal and the applicant’s character. 5. Name: Ryan Uno Address: unknown  In favor of proposal. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • SS motioned to provide a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals. BH seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to provide a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals passed 5-0. Old Business PLPC 2020 0073 – Taylor Apartments Building 1 – 125 River Street (100.68-1-1.1) [R-5: High-Rise Residential, High-Density] Site Plan Amendment – SEQR (Type I) amended by Planning Commission, November 17th, 2021 The applicant, Taylor I LLC, proposes to demolish both apartment buildings, Taylor 1 and 2, and construct a new 7- story, 153,375 sq. ft. mixed-use, mixed-income building in place of Taylor 1. Architectural plans support 141 residential units, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. All of these apartments are replacement affordable housing units reserved for current residents of the Taylor 3 and 4 apartment buildings. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. Page 2 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 15 December 2021 • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • SS motioned to close public hearing. BH seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to close public hearing passed 4-0. • SS motioned to approve this Site Plan Amendment with the following conditions below. BH seconded. 1. Completion of final technical review. 2. Approval of final exterior architectural materials by a subcommittee of the Planning Commission. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for Site Plan Amendment approval passed 4-0. • RY motioned to nominate Commissioner Wengert to lead the subcommittee. SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to nominate Commissioner Wengert to lead the subcommittee passed 4-0. PLPC 2021 0057 – 3367 Sixth Avenue (90.54-2-2) [R-4: Urban Neighborhood Res, Med- to High- Density] Change of Use - SEQR (Type II) The applicant, Hamza Almukhtar, is proposing to open a smoke shop in a former retail space. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. Public comment generally in opposition. 1. Name: Frank Mavin Address: North Central Solidarity Group, 250 Ninth Street  Strongly opposes a smoke shop in this neighborhood. 2. Name: Councilwoman McPherson Address: Council District 2, 355 Sixth Avenue  Noticed work being done on the property. 3. Name: Charles Burkes Address: United Ordained Church, 3370 Sixth Avenue  Lead pastor of United Ordained Church.  Strongly opposes a smoke shop in this neighborhood. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. Page 3 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 15 December 2021 • AM motioned to dismiss proposal. RY seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to dismiss proposal passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0061 – 40 Fourth Street/403 Fulton Street (101.45-7-1) [B-4: Central Commercial] Change of Use - SEQR (Type II) The applicant, Clermont & Fourth LLC, is proposing to open a deli with retail in a former nail salon. The applicant is represented by Barb Nelson, R.A., of TAP Inc. • Applicant presentation. • Applicant stated that there will be no sales of beer or lottery tickets at this establishment. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. Public comment generally neutral. 1. Name: James Kehoe Address: 42 Fourth Street  Excited for the proposed deli.  Concerned about the proposal evolving into a less desirable attraction. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • SS motioned to approve this Change of Use with the following conditions below. RY seconded. 1. Operating hours to be 8AM to 10PM daily. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for conditional Change of Use approval passed 5-0. New Business PLPC 2021 0065 – #9 w/in 3-11 Monroe Street (111.36-5-1.1) [WCD: Waterfront Commercial District] Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, Troy Slag Products Inc., is proposing to construct a new warehouse to match existing. Vehicles and materials from site are to be moved into the new warehouse. Parcel 111.36-5-1.1 is a portion of the entire site owned by the applicant. The applicant is represented by Barb Nelson, R.A., of TAP Inc. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. Page 4 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 15 December 2021 • RY motioned for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) and to establish Lead Agency. SW seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) passed 5-0. • SW motioned to approve this Site Plan. RY seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for Site Plan approval passed 5-0. PLPC 2021 0069 – 97 Fifth Avenue – Unity House Offices (90.46-2-1.1, 90.46-2-1.22, 90.46-2-3, 90.46-2-40.2) [B-2: Community Commercial] Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, Unity House of Troy Inc., is proposing to renovate the existing building for their administrative offices. Site redevelopment will include milling and repaving of three existing parking lots, installation of ADA accessible stalls in each lot, in addition to a basketball court, playground, raised planter beds, and bicycle racks. The applicant is represented by Sara Drury, EIT, of Chazen Engineering. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • BH motioned for a 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 a Negative Declaration (SEQR) passed 4-0. • SS motioned to approve this Site Plan with the following conditions below. RY seconded. 1. Provide sidewalk plan per City Engineer 2. Provide final drawings for Engineering and DPU review Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion for conditional Site Plan approval passed 4-0. Page 5 of 6 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 15 December 2021 AM motioned to adjourn at 8:18 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 8:18 PM passed 4-0. Page 6 of 6