Planning Commission

Wm. Patrick Madden Steven Strichman Mayor Commissioner of Planning Christopher Nolin 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, May 18th, 2022, in person and via Zoom conferencing, to act upon the following requests, referred by the Bureau of Code Enforcement of the City of Troy, for review and approval. 6:06 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), Steve Strichman (Commissioner of Planning), Eric Ferraro (Assistant Planner) Administrative Items Adoption of Meeting Minutes from April 20th by Resolution • R.Y. Motions to Adopt Meeting Minutes on 4/20/22. S.S. seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to Adopt meeting minutes from April 20th passed 4-0. Consent • PLPC 2021 0033 – 494 River Street (101.30-7-22) Extension Request 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. The Applicant is requesting an extension of their approvals. 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) Extension Request. 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 Written by Eric Ferraro, 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 5 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 16 March 2022 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. The Applicant is requesting an extension of their approvals. PLPC 2021 0068 – 2368 Fifth Avenue (101.30-8-42) [HWD: Hoosick Street Waterfront District] Site Plan Review, and SEQR (Unlisted) The applicant, Commission on Economic Opportunity, is proposing to change an existing plan that calls for the removal of the storage space facing Earl St & the addition of an open-air pavilion in that location as part of a new two-story daycare facility fronting Fifth Avenue, an outdoor play area, and associated parking. The applicant is represented by Dennis Rigosu, R.A., of Syvertsen Rigosu Architects, PLLC. …Commissioner Higbee enters (6:08 PM)… **1624 Highland Ave project is removed from Consent agenda and placed under “New Business”** • A.M. motions to approve Consent Agenda except for 1624 Highland Ave, to be placed under New Business S.S. 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 except for 1624 Highland Ave. passed 5-0. Old Business PLPC 2022 0027 – 1 Monument Square (101.53-1-1) [B-4: Central Commercial] Site Plan Review – SEQR (Type I) The Applicant is proposing to construct a mixed-use building, public plaza, and public park area. The proposed structure will include 92 units (102,500 sq. ft.) of residential and commercial/retail uses as well as 2 underground parking levels totally 56,000 sq. ft. The applicant is represented by 1 Monument Sq. LLC • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. 1. R.Y. asks about the viability of rooftop space.  General interest in public vs private space on site. • Request for public comment. No public comment • Commissioner deliberation. General acceptance. • Applicant response. • B.H. Motion to Declare a negative SEQR declaration on Type 1 action S.S. seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to Declare a negative SEQR declaration on Type 1 Action passed 5-0. Page 2 of 5 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 16 March 2022 • S.W. Motion to Approve Site Plan S.S. 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 passed 5-0. PLPC 2022 0048 – Uncle Sam Garage Demo(101.45-3-2) Site Plan Review – SEQR (Type I) The Applicant, Bryce Companies, LLC, proposes to convert parcel into a temporary ground level parking lot to accommodate approximately 170 parking spaces along with accommodations for CDTA public transportation busses. • Applicant presentation: Applicant was not prepared. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • A.M. Motion to _Table item to June 15th Planning Commission Meeting. R.Y. seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to Table item to June 15th Planning Commission Meeting passed 5-0. PLPC 2022 0043 – 37 First Street (100.60-4-4) [B-4: Central Commercial] Site Plan Review – SEQR (Type II) The Applicant, Russell & Joanne Brooks, with ZBA and Historic Review approval, are proposing the construction of a 30x24 ft, 2 story garage in the historic district. • Applicant presentation. Applicant provides updated schematics for garage. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. Yes/No • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. 1. Applicant states he will comply with any of the recommendations made by PC or Bldg. Dept. • A.M. Motion to Approve Site Plan S.S. 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 passed 5-0. Page 3 of 5 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 16 March 2022 New Business PLPC 2022 0053 – 806-814 River Street (90.62-3-39, 90.62-3-41, 90.62-3-42, 90.62-3-43) Site Plan Review, Subdivision/Lot Line Adjustment, Change of Use – SEQR (unlisted) The Applicant, Habitat for Humanity, with permission from the owners, The Troy Community Land Bank & Vesta Community Housing Dev. Board, Inc., proposes to subdivide 4 vacant lots into 6 in preparation for 2 story, wood framed, single family semi-attached row homes. The applicant’s surveys are provided for by Colliers Engineering& Design. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. 1. R.Y. inquries about any green space 2. S.W. requests to see exterior elevations and for a description of home construction  Do any homes have bedrooms on the 1st floor? • Raises concerns regarding ADA accessibility 3. B.H. inquires about gangways • Request for public comment. Yes/No • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. 1. In response to S.W. question about  Construction, applicant states, “wood frame, real brick façade”  1st floor bedrooms, applicant states, “No” 2. In response to B.H. question about gangways, the applicant states that each will be 3 ft in width. • S.W. Motion to Designate PC as lead agency for SEQR & Adoption of a negative declaration B.H. seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to Designate PC as lead agency for SEQR & Adoption of a negative declaration passed 4-0. • S.W. Motion to Approve site plan upon condition that all ZBA variances are approved B.H. seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Roddy Yagan X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X • Motion to Designate PC as lead agency for SEQR & Adoption of a negative declaration passed 4-0. PLPC 2021 0071 – 1624 Highland Ave (101.71-12-8) Change of Use – SEQR (unlisted) The applicant, Soor Ahmad, proposes to add a takeout restaurant to their current use as a deli/grocery by including a 6 ft overhead vent hood and griddle and a deep-frying station for hot food. • Applicant presentation. • Commissioner comments and questions to applicant. 1. General interest in the exhaust vents and how they will be constructed. • Request for public comment. Yes, neighbor’s express concern about the direction of ventilation. • Commissioner deliberation. Page 4 of 5 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Planning Commission 16 March 2022 • Applicant response. All proposed construction will be to code and not conflict with neighboring properties • A.M. Motion to Approve site plan upon conditions that ALL ZBA variances are approved. B.H. 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 upon conditions that all ZBA variances are approved passed 5-0. A.M. motioned to adjourn at 6:59 PM. R.Y. 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 6:59 PM passed 5-0. Page 5 of 5