City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, June 1, 2004 7:30 PM, MEMORIAL City Hall
Present: Mark DiVietro, John Breanick, Laurie Michelman, John Rogalski, Sam Giangreco, Nicki Wright, 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 4/20/04 and 5/4/04 meetings.
Chair asks for a motion to accept the minutes of 4/20/04. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by John Breanick. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to accept the minutes of 5/4/04. Motion made by Nicki Wright, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: Public Hearing: 102 South St., special permit for home occupation.
Chair moves up this agenda item and invites the owner or agent to speak.
Carl Townsend – 102 South St. – father used to run a hunting/fishing store and equipment was passed on to him. He has contacted old clients who are still interested in the merchandise. Not a “Bass Pro” but will be offering services and merchandise not available at Bass Pro. Clients will be by appointment only.
Chair asks the public for any comments. There being none closes the public hearing and asks the Board for any comments.
Nicki Wright – is parking still available in the rear?
Carl T. – there are eight spaces available but again, it is by appointment only.
Nicki Wright – if the business grows what will you do then?
Carl T. – find a new location for it.
Chair asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – this is in the historic district but when asked the HRRB declined to review, as there were no exterior changes. This is a minimal, specific use. The SEQR and Special Permit forms are included in the packets.
Chair – asks for any other comments or restrictions.
Steve Lynch – there are no restrictions except those already listed on the resolution.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sandra Craner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to accept the special permit resolution. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Nicki Wright. All members vote approval.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing: Site Plan Review 286 Grant Ave, Advanced Auto Parts
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Peter Crissey – Syracuse – representing Onondaga Developers. The intent is to install an Advanced Auto parts store with access from Grant Ave and Brookside Dr. NYS DOT has been contacted and they have sent a letter stating there are no problems with the proposed access onto Grant Ave. Not final decision but substantial acceptance. We have received a ZBA variance for side yard buffer and plant units. We have received and addressed the DRC comments. Trucks will enter from the east on Grant Ave, turn into the Brookside access and then back into the loading dock. The building is simple, split face, retail space, men and women’s bathrooms. It is not a franchise, it is corporate owned. There is adequate parking and landscaping.
Chair invites members of the public to speak. Some local residents express concern. Peter Crissey explains the site plan to them in detail.
Peter Crissey – 3 residential homes will be demolished. Advanced Auto will be erected near the existing “motel” which is actually about 5 feet onto the site property. NYS is requiring a right in right out only onto Grant Ave which created the need for rear access. Part of KFC’s rear property will be purchased for the access to Brookside Dr. There will be parking in front and on the west side of the building. There will be a retaining wall, fence and screening installed. It is an auto parts store that will be open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day.
Rose Gentile – Prospect St. – doesn’t understand why so much growth being done when it’s being enjoyed less. Another store will only cause more traffic. It is already difficult to access Grant Ave from Prospect St. Thinks there should be a traffic light at Grant and Prospect and that Prospect should be one-way from Grant to Brookside Dr. Thinks businesses should use buildings already built instead of building more. There are already several auto stores in the area, why is another needed. Need residential areas that are left untouched.
Chair – closes public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Sam Giangreco – wants to know if there will be any issues with the creek from Prospect.
Steve Lynch – this project will not affect the watercourse.
John Breanick - so there is access on Brookside Dr.? (yes)
Sam Giangreco - You are taking over KFC?
Peter Crissey – part of the property in the rear.
Sam Giangreco – will this be a lease? (no)
Chair asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – there are no objections to the site plan. There is no access onto Prospect St. Access will be from Grant Ave pending final approval from DOT and from Brookside Dr. Building is built into hill, grading properly done. View from Prospect St. will probably be only roof area. Garage behind property offers buffer. Also retaining wall around building to Brookside Dr. with arborvitae at top. The DRC recommends negative declaration on SEQR and approval of the site plan.
Chair – will this project clean up the property behind KFC along Prospect?
Peter Crissey – No, we do not own any of that and will not be using it.
Chair – asks APD if there will be any problems.
Tom Weed – none anticipated.
Sam Giangreco – any problems with the Connector Rd.?
Tom Weed – none
Steve Lynch – will there be signs for the Brookside access?
Peter Crissey – yes, typical access signs so as not to be confused with KFC.
Chair – make this part of the site plan.
Steve Lynch – what is the size of the sign?
Peter Crissey – 2’x3’
Nicki Wright – will there be a sign at the Grant Ave access?
Peter Crissey – DOT has not commented yet, curbed islands are there.
Sam Giangreco – number of employees?
Peter Crissey – ten employees with no more than 6 working at one time.
Mark DiVietro – what will happen with the other 2 stores.
Peter Crissey – don’t know. Trying to get all buildings to have the same image.
Nicki Wright – all others owned by same corporation?
Peter Crissey – yes, all corporate owned. I don’t know the plans for the other stores.
Steve Lynch – reviews SEQR. Staff recommends negative declaration for SEQR. Asks Board to entertain motion for negative declaration.
Motion for negative declaration on SEQR made by John Breanick, seconded by John Rogalski. All members except Sam Giangreco vote approval. Motion carried.
Steve Lynch – reviews exhibit A to add to the site plan resolution.
Chair asks for motion to accept the site plan with the added conditions. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by Sandra Craner. All members except Sam Giangreco vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: McIntosh Dr. realignment and Ames Plaza parking lot improvements.
Mike O’Neil – American Group I representing Auburn Associates LLC – circulates photo of proposed Bed, Bath and Beyond storefront. There are negotiations with BBB to open in part of the former Ames store. BBB asked that McIntosh Dr. be realigned to allow more parking in front of their store. The proposal is being presented before Council 6/17/04 for possible resolution 6/24/04. An area variance has been granted by ZBA to leave 2 non-conforming lots. DRC comments have been reviewed and addressed. Employee parking is in the rear as well as excess snow storage and landscaping. Would like preliminary approval with final approval pending Council action.
Chair – invites the public to speak.
Walt Aikman – Liberty St. – feather in cap to bring this business locally. Often visits this area. Concerned about green space, encourages as much planting as possible. Proven that green space helps commercial enterprises.
Chair – closes public hearing and asks Board for comments.
John Breanick – would like to see a height limit of no more than 20 feet on trees – larger than that does not enhance aesthetics.
Steve Lynch – using Bradford Pears which are about 20-25’
Nicki Wright – questions if concrete sidewalk along southwest side of McIntosh Dr.
Mike O. – yes, all the way to Grant Ave
Chair – asks APD if there will be any signs along McIntosh specifying the change.
Tom Weed – no, not necessary, area well lit
John Breanick – will it be maintained as City street or part of plaza?
Mike O. – it will be a City street unless Council states differently.
Chair asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – new plans are in response to DRC comments. Most of these points have been covered. Feels preliminary approval pending Council comments can be done. Will have opportunity to review more detail and get final for return to Board in July. Staff had concerns about the access from Grant Ave at the Hess end, seemed to be a free for all. Parking and driving lanes seem to have been addressed to the extent possible without losing significant parking. Will continue to work with applicant for improvements. Staff recommends negative declaration on SEQR and approval of preliminary site plan.
Chair – are all plantings committed on the plan?
Steve Lynch – mostly, will work with applicant to rectify as needed. Reviews SEQR.
Chair – asks for motion for negative declaration on SEQR. Motion by John Breanick, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Steve Lynch – reads amended resolution for preliminary site plan.
Chair asks for motion to accept preliminary site plan as reviewed. Motion made by Sandra Craner, seconded by John Rogalski. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Mike O. asks if there is a problem putting up “BBB coming soon” sign.
Chair – no problems. Next meeting is July 6, 2004. Any other matters?
Sam Giangreco – questions contacting those responsible for maintaining landscaping at KFC.
Steve Lynch – had meeting with DOT. There is a $20,000-dollar bond to complete (held by NYSDOT). Final to be done when Connector Rd. done.
John Breanick – asks about Seminary St. area rezoning.
Steve Lynch – working on proposal for an overlay that also includes properties across the street for Board to consider. Actively trying to come up with rezone to allow K & S to be legal as is and keep franchise.
John Breanick – asks about progress with the Connector Rd.
Nancy Hussey – 90% of property acquired. Proceeding with Grant Ave to water storage tank. Preliminary grading started. NYSEG doing some work.
John Breanick – questions realigning of North St. – where will Connector Rd. access be.
Nancy Hussey – still being discussed.
Sam Giangreco – asks about the Arterial greening – can slope be done between Columbus and City line?
Steve Lynch – can’t remove that slope without destabilizing the area. Looking at other options but will be left for now.
John Rogalski – questions progress on State St. mall.
Steve Lynch – on schedule at this time. NYSEG working on isolating utilities. Construction to resume when they are done.
John Rogalski – questions Genesee St. progress
Steve Lynch – progress is going well.
Chair – Asks for motion to adjourn. Motion by Sam Giangreco, seconded by John Rogalski. All members vote approval. Meeting adjourned.
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