City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, december 3, 2002, 7:30 p.m. Memorial City Hall
Present: John Breanick, Sam Giangreco, John Rogalski, Mark DiVietro, Joyce Cavanaugh, Laurie Michelman, Donna Bruno
Staff: Vijay Mital, Director OPED; Steve Lynch, Special Projects Coordinator; Nancy Hussey, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Jim Galvin, Project Manager, OPED
The Chair called the meeting to order, the Pledge of Allegiance recited and roll was called.
Agenda Item 1: Approval of minutes from November 12, 2002
Chair asks for any comments or corrections. Raises concern that some conversations not included. Advised that these were inaudible on tape. Chair wants tape reviewed before accepting minutes.
John Breanick – questions the absence of an APD representative.
Vijay Mital – staff advises APD when an item requires their attention, for tonight these items do not require APD. In addition, the APD attends DRC meetings to review plans and provide comments that are incorporated into the overall DRC recommendations to Planning Board. Codes and Counsel are always required to be present.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for Subdivision at 175 Cottage St.
Public Hearing is opened. Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Gregory Michaels of 175 Cottage St. – bought vacant lot at 173 Cottage St. Nice sized lot and wants to build a house there. Needs to add area to have enough room.
Chair asks if any members of the public wish to be heard. There being none, closes public hearing. Asks the Board if there are any questions.
Mark DiVietro – is there a house being built now? (yes)
Chair asks staff for comments.
Vijay Mital – this is a minor subdivision, waive preliminary and move to final. Recommend approval.
Steve Lynch – recommends negative declaration on SEQR. Asks if there are any questions concerning either resolution.
Chair asks for a motion to approve SEQR. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Resolution accepted.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the subdivision as presented. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Resolution passed.
Mylar and copies signed. Owner advised as to the disposition of maps and when they can be retrieved from the planning office.
Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing for Site Plan review at 15 Hulbert St.
Public Hearing is opened. Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Mike Palmieri – architect representing Community Computer. Previous application made 2/12/01 but was held off due to circumstances. Allowed time has lapsed and reapplication is being made.
Vijay Mital – this required a variance from the ZBA that was granted last week.
Laurie Michelman – asks Mr. Palmieri to describe the project.
Mike Palmieri – the proposal is a three-story addition to the existing building. Although there will be a loss of 15 – 16 parking spaces, an additional 70 spaces will be installed at the former Luke Williams site for a total of 133 space between three lots. About 19 in the new area, 44 to the south and 70 across the street. This will involve a complete tear out, repave, catch basins, and tie in to existing storm sewer. Another lot has been purchased for green space.
Chair asks if any members of the public wish to be heard. There being none, closes public hearing. Asks the Board if there are any questions.
John Breanick – how many current employees (about 60). What will be the use of the new structure?
Mike Palmieri – expand business and employ another 20 – 30 people.
John Breanick – questions if there is adequate handicapped parking.
Jim Galvin – this has been reviewed with the DRC and all parking meets code, including ADA standards.
Chair asks staff for comments.
Steve Lynch – building is not creating more impervious area, therefore no new drainage infrastructure is required, set backs are adequate, required buffering and landscaping is included and snow storage is adequate. Recommend negative declaration on SEQR and approval of site plan resolution.
Chair asks for a motion to approve SEQR. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Resolution accepted.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the site plan resolution. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Mark DiVietro. All members vote approval. Resolution passed.
Vijay Mital - stamped plans will be mailed to the owner. States that although people have read of Flummerfelt property project in the paper no plans have been submitted yet. This is still being discussed among the developers and neighbors as developers want neighbor input first. The project would require a zoning change that would require a public hearing then recommendation to Council.
John Rogalski – attends neighborhood meetings
John Breanick – should we limit our (Planning Board Member) input at any meetings so as not to compromise position?
Nancy Hussey – that is true – you have no obligation to comment & should be there for info only. Deliberations should be made at the public hearing.
Vijay Mital – encourages members to attend for info only – not to participate.
John Rogalski – discussed property w/John Bouck. Remembers attempt in 1994. Thinks this is more democratic approach.
Vijay Mital – again has no info on site plan. Neighbors do not want something unacceptable built there. If anything is received in the office you will be made aware. Next month’s agenda may include Sunoco, Bel-Aire & possibly this site. A zoning change can be requested directly from Council, without being addressed to Planning Board. However, all requests for zoning change are reviewed by planning who must make a recommendation to Council. Site Plans can be part of the (zoning amendment) review package if a specific use is being proposed, but once a zoning change is approved by City Council, the plan can be withdrawn & changed to whatever is allowed in the new zone, and therefore too much emphasis on a specific site plan can be misleading.
John Breanick – asks for update on Connector Rd.
Vijay Mital – a lot of engineering work is being done. Preparing for administrative law hearing by a Judge relative to RR crossing changes. Negotiations for acquisition of some parcels have been nearly completed and staff continues to work on others. Still hoping for late April start date with in-kind work and a July start date for construction contract work. County in-kind funding has been discussed and is still being included in the project.
John Rogalski – asks for update on Rondina property.
Vijay Mital – unknown at this time.
Donna Bruno – asks for update on Kalet property.
Vijay Mital – RFP’s have been issued – sent out last Tuesday. Previous RFP asked for cost proposals on demo and repair, this time asking development proposals for restoration. RFP’s due back Monday, 1/6/03. Also in January a Public Hearing will be held at Planning Board regarding federal money for CDBG.
Jim Galvin – there will be a comment period and Council will consider the action plan.
Laurie Michelman – states tonight is Vijay Mital’s last meeting and reads resolution into record. Copy attached and made part of this record. Extends thanks to Mr. Mital. Asks for motion to accept resolution. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Resolution passed.
John Breanick – extends own personal thanks to Vijay.
John Rogalski – also extends thanks.
Vijay Mital – offers a few personal notes.
Laurie Michelman – asks for any other matters.
John Breanick – we received a planning board calendar of meeting dates & deadlines. Are members invited to DRC?
Vijay Mital – site plan review is the Planning Board function. Board members at DRC has been done previously but was unproductive and may limit open discussion among members of the DRC.
Nancy Hussey – expresses reservations. DRC is an informal meeting for staff to confirm that site plans / applications are complete and comply with code and to form recommendations to the Planning Board and is not intended to usurp responsibilities of the Planning Board.
Jim Galvin – invites any member to come directly to staff to discuss.
Nancy Hussey – for info only – any deliberations must be done in public.
John Breanick – has looked for more info in the past & wants it more readily accessible.
Nancy Hussey – as Jim Galvin stated – each member is welcome to discuss concerns with any staff member.
Vijay Mital – our staff will meet anyone at the site also.
John Breanick – asks about meeting with Lowe’s
Vijay Mital – met w/Lowe’s then with Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Sunoco. Wal-Mart and Sunoco were able to convince Lowe’s that a new solution would be better for them also. Local manager agrees it is in their best interests to change the internal intersection to improve traffic flow and safety for all. Expecting consensus. Better internal traffic patter expected.
Laurie Michelman – next meeting is January 7, 2003. Asks for motion to adjourn. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco.
Meeting adjourned.
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