Skip Navigation
Click to return to website
This table is used for column layout.
 
Planning Board Minutes 11/13/2001
City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, November 13, 2001, 7:30 p.m. Memorial City Hall

Present: John Breanick, John Rogalski, Laurie Michelman, Mark DiVietro, Joyce Cavanaugh, Anthony Bartolotta, Donna Bruno.

Staff: Vijay Mital, Director of OPED, Steve Lynch, Sr. Planner, David Tehan, Corporation Counsel, Jim Moore, Code Enforcement

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Chairman called the meeting to order.  Roll was called.

Agenda Item #1: Minutes

A motion was made by Mark DiVietro to approve the minutes of September 4, 2001, seconded by John Rogalski
Aye:    Joyce Cavanaugh
        Mark DiVietro
        John Rogalski
        Anthony Bartolotta
        Laurie Michelman        
        Donna Bruno
        John Breanick

Minutes of September 4, 2001 accepted and approved.

Agenda Item #4, 202-204 Genesee St., moved by Chairman to be heard first.  Public Hearing for Preliminary Site Plan review and SEQRA determination for 202-204 Genesee St., BelAire Apartments

Chairman
Sam Giacona for Brendan Grillo
Vijay Mital
Diane Mills of 106 Ross Pl.
Chuck Mason of 6 Orchard Ave
Joe Camardo of 101 Ross Pl. complex and the traffic light placement is a horrible situation.  Does not have a problem with a proper site plan with proper traffic patterns being submitted but is opposed to going ahead with the project and then trying to correct problems.  Is additional senior housing really needed? What if this specific group cannot be found?  

Daryl Mills of 106 Ross Pl.
Joyce McMurray
Sam Giacona
There being no additional questions, Chairman closes this section of the public hearing.

Agenda Item #2: Public hearing for Special Use Permit/Home Occupation
Chairman
Judy Brown
Chairman
Kathy Klingerman of 16 Meadowbrook Dr. - has no problem with the proposed request, only questioned whether the neighborhood assessments or taxes would be affected.

David Tehan- explained that the use permit was not a permanent part of the property and will cease once that person stops that use or leaves the property.  An assessment change would only be implemented with improvement of the property.

John Breanick
Letter from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weed (read into the record in entirety and made a part of these minutes)
Vijay Mital
Jim Moore
John Breanick
Questions concerning the sign posed.  Owner states it is a 2
John Breanick
Steve Lynch
A motion to pass a SEQRA Negative Determination: 12 Meadowbrook Dr., Animal Grooming Salon was made by John Rogalski and seconded by Mark DiVietro.
Aye:    Joyce Cavanaugh
        Mark DiVietro
        John Rogalski
        Anthony Bartolotta
        Laurie Michelman        
        Donna Bruno
        John Breanick

A motion to approve the Special Use Permit for an Animal Grooming Salon with a trial period of six months was made by Joyce Cavanaugh and seconded by Donna Bruno.
Aye:    Joyce Cavanaugh
        Mark DiVietro
        John Rogalski
        Anthony Bartolotta
        Laurie Michelman        
        Donna Bruno
        John Breanick

Resolution accepted and approved.

Agenda Item #3: Preliminary review of site plan and subdivision for Byrne Dairy Store at 77 Franklin St.

Chairman
Mark Byrne, Christian Brunelle and Julian Clark - stated that the current Pine
Vijay Mital
Mark Byrne - in answer to questions from John Breanick
Member expresses concern over lighting.  Mr. Byrne stated lighting will not affect The Home (adjacent to the site) due to its distance and the lighting being directional directly onto the parking lot and kept at a minimum due to cost.   Mr. Byrne also states the new location will be more “user friendly” to the neighborhood.  The old building (current location on Seminary Ave) will probably be sold.

Vijay Mital
John Breanick
Agenda Item #5
Chairman - opens the public hearing and invites Steve Lynch to begin his presentation. (Presentation handouts are attached for incorporation into the minutes)

Steve Lynch gave the presentation (attached).  Concerns and comments voiced by Board members, Public in attendance and staff are as follows:

Frank Benosky of 300 West Genesee St. in Cayuga - owns 4 rental properties in Auburn. He is interested in the plan and agrees 100% with regulating conversions especially with the rental market in the state it is currently in.  States that keeping conversions down will help eliminate slum areas where there is no longer need for the apartments and they are vacated/abandoned.  States that there are less people living in the City and new apartments are not needed.  However, he does not agree with licensing landlords.   He has enough problems without the City requiring a license also.  Checked with Ithaca about licensing landlords and they donbetween licensing a landlord and licensing a property.  Also states that it seems to be a restriction when earlier it was said that investments in the City were welcome.  The City should be helping landlords who are working on/maintaining properties.

Dave Tehan - understands Mr. Benosky
Chairman - asks if there are any other questions or comments from the public or the board.  States licensing should be eliminated from this process, does not think it would be helpful to landlords.  Closes this part of the public hearing.

Agenda Item #6 - Public Hearing Discussion of the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds in the city of Auburn as part of the planning and citizen participation process for the 2002 annual plan and allocation.

Chairman opens the public meeting and invites Vijay Mital to speak.  Vijay introduces Jim Galvin.

Jim Galvin gave the presentation (attached).  Concerns and comments voiced by Board members, Public in attendance and staff are as follows:

Board Member asked concerning sidewalks and curbs if certain landlords and property owners have benefited more than others.

Jim - as population and income in areas of public improvement are what is taken into consideration it is not known if any one landlord/property owner has benefited.  The plan over the past 5 years has been to start around the central area of the City in the older neighborhoods and do those sidewalks first.  The only time I can say that one person benefits is the curb contracts going out on Nelson St. where we know that one individual owns many properties on that street, other than that I know of no areas.

Chairman - asks if any members of the staff, board members of public has any questions.

Member of public on behalf of Youth of Auburn - trying to get as much money for youth as possible.  CDBG already supports two programs - Childrens services and Youth court.  Intensive family services had been funded in the past but is not now.   Would like this to be considered to be re-funded and also a teen center.

Frank Benosky - wonders about using funds to reconvert multi-units to singles - had heard in the past this might be done.  

Jim - had a demonstration project of $80,000.00 in budget for a reduction project.  Four properties have been part of this.  Congress wants us to continue to develop home ownership opportunities.

John Rogalski - concerning the youth center - about 8 yrs ago this was tried and was successful at first but once parents were no longer involved problems developed.  Recommended that time and age restrictions be implemented.  Thinks this is something that should be developed.  

There being no further questions or comments the Chairman closes this part of the public hearing.

Vijay Mital - had a request by attorney for Doug Chapin to come before the board at the next meeting.  They have an approved site plan they wish to amend(?).  This would not actually be a public hearing.

Dave Tehan - does not see the purpose of this.

Vijay - doesn
Motion to adjourn made by Joyce Cavanaugh and seconded by Anthony Bartolotta.  Meeting adjourned.