Zoning Board of Appeals

Wm. Patrick Madden Steven Strichman ,'vlayor Commissioner of Planning Monica Kurzejeski Phone: (518) 279-7166 Deputy 1'vlayor stevcn.strichman@troyny.gov Zoning Board of Appeals 433 River St., Ste. 5001 Troy,NewYork 12180 MEETING MINUTES (DRAFT) The Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Troy, New York, conducted a public hearing at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December I'', 2021, on the 5th Floor of 433 River Street, to act upon the following requests for approvals and appeals from decisions made by the Bureau of Code Enforcement of the City ofTroy. 6:01 PM - Meeting called to order Board Members in Attendance Catherine Conroy (CC), Marc Pallozzi (MP), Katie McLaren (KM), John Normile (JN), Jack McCann (JM) Also in Attendance Andy Brick (Planning and Zoning Attorney), Aaron Vera (City Engineer), Dash Chrisner (Executive Secretary) Administrative Items Adoption of Meeting Minutes from November 3 rd by Resolution " JN mot1one d to approve Meetmg mutes flrom Novem er secon de d Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X rd • Motion to approve Meeting Minutes from November 3 passed 5-0. Old Business PLZBA 2021 0056- Taylor Apartments Building I - 125 River Street (100.68-1-1.l) [R-5: High Rise Residential, Medium to High Density] Area Variance (parking deficiency of79 spaces) SEQR Determination (Type I) - SEQR amended by Planning Commission, November l 71h, 2021 The applicant, Taylor I LLC, proposes to demolish both apartment buildings, Taylor I and 2, and construct a new 7- story, 153,375 sq. ft. mixed-use, mixed-income building in place of Taylor I. Architectural plans support 141 residential units, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. No changes to previously approved variances for Front, Side and Rear Setbacks as follows: Front setback along Congress Street: 10' required, 0' proposed. Side setbacks along River Street and I st Street Alley: 10' each side required, 3.6' proposed; 30' total, 15. l' proposed. Rear setback along Ferry Street: 40' required, 21.6' proposed. Relief for off-street parking count: 157 spaces required, 38 on-site spaces proposed, 40 existing off-site spaces available for a total of78 spaces. • Applicant presentation. • Board member comments and questions to applicant. Written by Dash Chrisner, Executive Secretary Page I of3 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Zoning Board of Appeals 1 December 2021 • Request for public comment. Public comment generally in opposition. 1. Name: Liza Rodriguez Address: R.A. of TAP Inc. and board member of THA  Claims the density change from medium- to high-rise also changes the required setbacks. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • KM motioned for Area Variance approval. JN seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X • Motion for Area Variance approval passed 5-0. New Business PLZBA 2021 0070 – 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] Use Variance (approx. 50 employees where no more than 10 are allowed) and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, Unity House, is proposing to renovate the existing building for their domestic violence program offices. The site will provide a variety of services to families living with domestic violence. The applicant is represented by Sara Drury, EIT, of Chazen Engineering. • Representative presentation from Brian Barker, R.A. of Architecture Plus. • Board member comments and questions to applicant. • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • KM motioned for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) of this Unlisted action. JN seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X • Motion for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) of this Unlisted action passed 5-0. • MP motioned for Use Variance approval. JM seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X • Motion for Use Variance approval passed 5-0. PLZBA 2021 0072 – 1624 Highland Avenue (101.71-12-8) [R-3: Multiple-Family Residential, Medium-Density] Use Variance (commercial space in residential) and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) The applicant, Anthony Behan, is proposing to open a grocery with a deli in a vacant storefront. • Applicant presentation. • Board member comments and questions to applicant. Written by Dash Chrisner, Executive Secretary Page 2 of 3 City of Troy Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Zoning Board of Appeals 1 December 2021 • Request for public comment. No public comment. • Commissioner deliberation. • Applicant response. • KM motioned for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) of this Unlisted action. JN seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X • Motion for a Negative Declaration (SEQR) of this Unlisted action passed 5-0. • JN motioned for Use Variance approval with the following conditions(s). JM seconded: 1. The sale of alcohol in this facility is prohibited. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X • Motion for Use Variance approval passed 5-0. PLZBA 2021 0074 – 3 West Sunnyside Way (90.71-4-8) [R-2: Two-Family Residential] Area Variance relating to an accessory structure – SEQR (Type II) The applicant, Rene Howard, is proposing to place a 12 ft. by 16 ft. shed at the rear of the driveway. • Proposal withdrawn at the start of meeting. • Planning and Zoning Attorney, Andy Brick, determined that the Area Variance sought was not required. JN motioned to adjourn at 6:42 PM. MP seconded: Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Cathy Conroy X John Normile X Jack McCann X Marc Pallozzi X Katie McLaren X Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:42 PM passed 5-0. Written by Dash Chrisner, Executive Secretary Page 3 of 3 City of Troy Zoning Board Catherine Conroy, Chair John Normile Jack McCann Katie Spain-McLaren Marc Pallozzi Dashiell Chrisner, RE: PLPC 2020 0073 – Taylor Apartments Building 1 – 125 River Street Please consider the following prior to approving this project. 1. A formal Parking Study should be done – noted is that: 157 spaces while required, only 38 on-site spaces and 40 existing off-site spaces are available for a total of 78 spaces. NO PRIVISION IS MADE TO PROVIDE FOR PARKING ON THE LONG TERM. THE 40 EXISTING SPACES WILL DISAPPEAAR AFTER THE PHASE 3 OF THE PROJECT COMMENCES. Where will the 40 spaces be once Phase 3 happens – in other words only 38 permanent spaces are being provided. Of these I am sure some will be reserved for THA employees and the tenants of the planned commercial space so even less parking spaces will be available to the residents There is no parking planned for the shoppers who shop at the retail tenant space planned. 2. A more in depth look at the Traffic Infrastructure should be done. For example where will school buses pick up the children?? If on-site there does not appear to be adequate room for the buses to pick up the children. There is no room for the buses to make the turns into the on site parking areas. Also when ;leaving the site the buses have to travel down a steep hill in the winter which does create a dangerous situation for the students during snow storms. Also and I;m sure from time to time tractor trailers will need access to the building. Where and how will this happen given site constraints?? 3. Trash Disposal – the planned garbage area shown on the site is smaller than the ones at Taylor 3 and 4 – this means that appx 470 residents’ trash will be thrown away in a smaller dumpstert area resulting in trash overflow and trash blowing all over the place. There also does not appear to be any recycling provisions There does not appear to be enough space for trash trucks to adequately maneuver the site. A trash analysis report needs to happen. 4. There is no loading dock?? Please review this. Respectfully Richard herrick 29 desson ave. troy