City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, May 4, 2004 7:30 PM, MEMORIAL City Hall
Present: Mark DiVietro, John Breanick, Laurie Michelman, John Rogalski, Sam Giangreco, Nicki Wright. Absent: Sandra Craner
Staff: Steve Lynch, OPED Director; Brian Hicks, Codes; Nancy Hussey, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Tom Weed, APD
The Chair called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll was called.
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of 4/6/04 & 4/20/04 meetings.
Chair asks for a motion to accept the minutes of 4/6/04. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair states a quorum for the 4/20/04 minutes is not available and tables until next meeting.
Due to the lack of a quorum of members at the meeting of 4/6/04 the vote was tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for Site Plan Review at 47 Wall St. auto repair
Chair – invites the owner or agent to speak.
John Camardo – Tubman Lane – again objects to being required to submit for site plan review. Submitted new plan with items stipulated from last meeting. Has been a garage since the ‘50’s and is accepted use in area.
Chair – invites members of the public to speak.
David Verdi – lives at north side of parcel. Opposes project. Concerned over too much noise and environmental hazards. Does not have facilities for disposal of used parts.
Chair – asks John Camardo for overview of changes.
John Camardo – there will be a fence on the east side of the property to within 10 – 20 feet of the front property line in an L shape in the front of about 12’ leaving 27’ for the driveway. Small type screening between properties would be too difficult for parking and access.
Chair – asks for Board comments.
John Breanick – asks if there is a tenant yet.
John Camardo – some interested but nothing in writing.
John Breanick – will they be responsible for the upkeep?
John Camardo – they are but I will be ultimately responsible and will keep property in good order.
John Breanick – asks for more info on fence.
John Camardo – the front fence is about 10 – 20 feet from the front property line and L shaped.
John Breanick – solid?
John Camardo – finished on one side, hasn’t decided which side yet
John Breanick – will it be mechanical or body work?
John Camardo – allowed major and minor work
John Breanick – wants landscaping in 12’ section to be considered. Is fence painted or natural wood?
John Camardo – natural wood.
Chair – height?
John Camardo – 6 feet.
Chair – asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – in addition to the revised plan there is another diagram with dimensions so the board can look at how the opportunity for screening between the properties would be difficult. Also, photos being passed were taken from Mr. Verdi’s property.
John Breanick – asks Tom Weed if there are any traffic issues.
Tom Weed – none at this time
Steve Lynch – there is also a resolution to consider to approve with exhibit A attached that will contain any conditions. The 1st prohibits hazardous materials, junk, parts, etc. Rest concerns storage of cars in front and how screened.
Chair – also wants time restrictions.
John Breanick – also abide by current noise ordinance.
John Camardo – agreed.
Chair – also landscaping to be worked into final plan.
Steve Lynch – the restrictions are: hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; compliance with City noise ordinance; additional landscaping at front of property.
Chair – proceed to SEQR
Steve Lynch – there is a fully completed EAF in the packet. The 2nd sheet has some recommendations by staff concerning environmental assessment. Reads into record. Recommends negative declaration for SEQR and moving forward.
John Breanick – concerning question 11 on page 1 – isn’t’ it grandfathered?
Steve Lynch – doesn’t carry approval per say – no other authority needed.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion by John Breanick, seconded by Nicki Wright. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the site plan with conditions stated. Motion by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Nicki Wright. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair recognizes Counselor Jacobs.
3. Public Meeting: Discussion of current land use and zoning options with respect to residential and commercial uses in the area bounded by North St., Seymour St., Nelson St., and Seminary St.
Steve Lynch – reads prepared statement into record and reviews power point presentation (attached).
Chair – asks public for any comments.
Rich DeLeo – owner of Restmour Homes on Seymour St. – minor concern due to expansions in the area and possible impact on quality of life for residences. Doesn’t oppose but doesn’t want quality adversely affected.
Steve Lynch – city wants to take a broader look at the neighborhood for the good of the neighborhood.
Walt Aikman – Liberty St. – thanks OPED for job done and inviting the public. Neighbors have worked to spruce neighborhood up. Worked with Dialysis Center to blend in with the neighborhood. Also discussed moving DPW and converting to green space. Neighborhood helps take care of playground and uses it. Means a lot that this is not seen as a commercial conversion. Many families on Liberty are people investing and working on homes. Be creative and visionary – commercial should be done in way that is compatible with neighborhood. Don’t want to see houses torn down just to expand a car wash – state owners and workers are excellent people. Would not look well if thought of as spot zoned. Has to be some way to combine, perhaps overlay district. Give something positive. Been good work done so far, don’t lose momentum
Kerry Simmons – Liberty St. – agrees with Mr. Aikman’s comments. Remembers area as it was and what it could be like. Wants it to remain.
Steve Coleman – Seminary St. – also agrees with Mr. Aikman’s comments. Concerned over traffic at KS expansion. Thinks there is already enough traffic in area, especially in winter. Many safety concerns. Would like to see creative mix of buildings.
Virginia Monroe – Parsons St. – questions the houses on Seymour St. What else can be done with property once houses demolished.
Walt Aikman – great question. It is an unrealistic hope to rebuild there. Need to be creative. It is a difficult situation.
Kathleen Krueger – is this the only open meeting? What is the process?
Steve Lynch – there is no proposal at this time to do anything specific. The reason is to look at development in the neighborhood and the challenges. Concerns entire area and what would be the best options. Anything on the table will be brought up again. It is for the Board to decide if there will be any changes, no changes or an overlay zone.
Chair – this is not a public hearing; it is a public meeting to discuss issued to see if it should be moved forward.
Chair – asks the Board for comments.
John Breanick – what was the mindset of changing the zoning?
Steve Lynch – it was a C1 (Community Commercial) change to a C2 (Central Commercial). The real change in ’91 rezoned it to R2 to attempt to buffer from commercial uses. Transpired to move DPW, open green space and more residential housing.
John Breanick – Willard Chapel – heard they were considering moving the parking area.
Steve Lynch – working on different options but hasn’t come before Planning Board yet.
John Breanick – asks about NYSEG building
Steve Lynch – it is a natural gas substation.
John Breanick – how long can old P&C be left before being a problem?
Mike Deming – Eckerds is paying the lease until 2008. There is a new roof and the heating and a/c have been updated.
Steve Lynch – marketing problems have been keeping it from being redeveloped. Overlay zone may move in direction desired. Commercial uses that can fit depending on intensity of use.
John Breanick – would be good as medical buildings
Steve Lynch – it is permitted use at this time
Nicki Wright – what is the status of P & C?
Steve Lynch – vacant
Nicki Wright – is rent being paid?
Steve Lynch – Mike Deming has looked into it.
Mike Deming – chair of HRRB – Eckerd took over lease and is required to maintain. Owners are being paid and have no reason to rent out. HRRB has spoken of neighborhood need. Area has changed drastically. Density is reduced, there are fewer APD responses. Needs chance to continue on. Part of talk of overlay at that time but more design guidelines needed. Downtown architecture sets it apart. Neighborhood characteristics need to make neighborhood attractive to live in. Many communities are successful – use them as template. Keep character of neighborhood even if changing. More valuable to go into neighborhood if concept is there. Offers protection to character. Can’t just be rezoning change, it won’t solve anything. Also,
DMV testing area does not fit in with neighborhood and needs to be removed.
Sam Giangreco – asks Mike Deming if the Tompkins Bank on North St. tore down part of the Seminary.
Mike Deming – yes, it wasn’t protected. Seminary used to own down to Genesee St.
Sam Giangreco – shares concerns, has walked thru the area. But the 3 buildings there are a blight on the neighborhood. K & S not just a car wash, the proposed building looks aesthetically pleasing. If cleaning of area doesn’t start it will act like a cancer and spread. Clean up corner and it will also spread.
Mike Deming – this can’t be an issue of anything being better than what is there. Look at long-range plan. Neighborhood cannot be judged just by 3 houses. Looking down the road how will it be to have Commercial in a Residential neighborhood. It can’t be done without a plan as it affects the entire neighborhood.
John Rogalski – K & S has in mind a good looking building. Buildings there now will just be taken over by drug addicts. Dialysis center is a beautiful building in a residential area.
Judy Coleman – Seminary St. – concerned also about the house on Seminary St. next to the Subway restaurant. It is also a blight on the neighborhood. Wants to know why the 3 houses on Seymour can’t be renovated as was done in Fort Hill Sq.
Steve Lynch – that would involve the City and a partner taking possession at great expense.
Judy Coleman – there is a large senior population in this area. Keep their concerns in mind. Often see seniors walking the neighborhood. Need to increase green space if possible. Traffic in area needs to be studied.
Chair – thanks public for comments.
Agenda Item 4: McIntosh Dr. realignment and Ames Plaza parking lot improvements.
Mike O’Neil along with Tim Kerstetter – would like to realign McIntosh Dr. to put in more parking in front of the former Ames. In negotiations with Bed, Bath & Beyond which requires the creation of more parking spaces in front of the store. Refers the map. McIntosh linear cuts at angle across parking. Proposes realignment curve to create more parking. The ZBA has set parameters. Looking for preliminary approval. Also interior improvements for safer traffic flow. Cut into lot at Metro Mattress. Also, subdivision creating employee parking at rear of Ames. Need parking at Metro Mattress. We have a letter of intent with Cayuga County to swap land with Metro. Cross easements, utilities. Comprehensive plan changes traffic pattern and
increase landscaping, continue theme from Applebee’s. Delineate fire lanes. Here for info for input to develop plan that’s acceptable
Mark DiVietro – are existing buffers (islands) being made higher?
Mike O – it isn’t detailed yet.
Mark DiVietro – thinks existing are dangerous and need to be higher.
Chair – will building be changed or remain as is.
Mike O – traditional Bed, Bath and Beyond storefront will be implemented – proto-typical modern storefront. ZBA approval for sign needed.
Chair – the old Ames had traffic line right at store exit – will it be changed?
Mike O – there will be a vestibule and canopy area. Also has stop areas in traffic corridor.
John Rogalski – would eliminate blind spot. What about Metro Mattress?
Mike O – will remain. Will meet existing criteria for current use. Any future changes may need ZBA. Anxious to close Eckerd and put in Hancock Fabrics.
Sam Giangreco – Metro Mattress is having some parking cut – will still be adequate?
Mike O – yes, it will meet code. Staying back 100’ with change or it becomes a DOT issue.
Sam Giangreco – how much space for the BBB.
Mike O – ½ the present store – there are a couple prospects for remaining areas.
John Breanick – loading dock is being moved?
Mike O – to rear of store.
John Breanick – is there adequate space for emergency vehicles?
Mike O – yes, whatever is required is being done.
John Breanick – will the rear of property be developed?
Mike O – for employee parking only at this time.
John Breanick – questions fire hydrants
Mike O – they are at the rear and water line loops building.
Chair – asks APD’s view for any safety concerns
Tom Weed – no problems noted at this time
Chair – concerned about visibility, especially for a left turn.
Mike O – will keep the clear site triangle
John Rogalski – will developer and City share cost?
Mike O – no, developer pays all costs
John Breanick – is there a r-o-w somewhere at the rear of the property to the connector road?
Mike O – only r-o-w is for the sanitary sewer at the northeast corner.
Steve Lynch – may have been talk of using McIntosh Dr. as the connector road at one time. Deadline for the June meeting is May 17. Need completed landscape layout detail plans to code. All requirements must be done. Completed, proper plans must be submitted. All resolutions can be set but it (realignment) still has to go to City Council. To move forward the completed plans must be submitted by the deadline. It is a good idea to help plaza and parking area.
Chair – next meeting is June 1, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. Asks for motion to adjourn.. Motion by Sam Giangreco, seconded by John Rogalski. All members vote approval. Meeting adjourned.
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