City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 7:30 PM, MEMORIAL City Hall
Present: Laurie Michelman, Sam Giangreco, John Rogalski, Nicki Wright, John Breanick. Absent: Mark DiVietro, Sandra Craner
Staff: Steve Lynch, OPED Director; Nancy Hussey, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Tom Weed, APD; Brian Hicks, Sr. Code Enforcement Officer; Bill Lupien, Superintendent of Engineering Services.
The Chair called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll was called.
Agenda Item 1: Approval of minutes of August 25, 2004 and September 7, 2004.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the minutes of August 25, 2004. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Nicki Wright. All members vote approval. Motion carried. There is not a quorum for the September 7, 2004 minutes so they are tabled.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for Preliminary Subdivision at 30R Prospect St.
Chair invites the owner or agent to speak.
Dan Flanders, Port Byron – this is a subdivision of 20 lots off of Prospect St. between the City line and Prospect St., involving about 13 acres. We have consulted with a third party Engineering Firm concerning the water run-off but have not heard anything back. The difference now is that the storm water detention pond has been moved from the lot adjacent to Franklin St. to lot 1 at the other end of the development. This was done for safety reasons.
Chair invites the public to speak.
Simon Moody, Prospect St. – wants to know if this is a new application or continuance of the previous one.
Steve Lynch – it is the same project but we have a new, signed application.
Simon Moody – so it is being dealt with as a first appearance?
Chair – it is a new application but we are familiar with the project.
Simon Moody – so is a new SEQR required.
Chair – we will renew the SEQR.
Steve Lynch – we can renew it from a technical standpoint. We will not be acting on it tonight but in the future.
Simon Moody – still has the same objections. There will be increased traffic and traffic problems. Traffic has already caused a recent accident. Questions the proposed access on Prospect St. Has monitored traffic lately. Addition of 20 plus vehicles will have tragic results. Has previously highlighted numerous flaws & irregularities with the original application.
Rusty Tierney, Prospect St. – traffic issues are huge. There is increased enrollment at the college; traffic has become outrageous which will only increase. Problem with detention pond – why does this not have to have storm sewer attached? Not opposed to development just to a bad one. There is no green space left here. Development needs to fit in and improve the neighborhood not take away from it. Talked about traffic light at previous meetings. Make the money for one part of the development, anyone else would.
Simon Moody – according to recent census population has dropped. There are numerous developments in place now. Odd that the City would approve a subdivision on speculation when the population has dropped. This is a high-end development away from the lake without green space. It is in the interest of the community to preserve any little green space left.
Glenn Carver, Evans St. – agrees there are definite problems with traffic flow. Suggests addressing by cutting grade. No congestion within the subdivision but it needs work at the intersection. High to moderate housing would cut down multi-family dwellings and should be welcome.
Simon Moody – to propose that single family or medium income family is purchasing is ludicrous. 250 thousand dollar price is beyond the median range of the general population.
Chair closed the public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Nicki Wright – asks if lot 1 was going to be built on.
Dan Flanders – had originally put detention pond on lot 21 but it is more advantageous and less dangerous to put it on lot 1 and build on 21.
John Breanick – when one is looking for a home what multiple do you use to gauge a price.
Steve Lynch – for communities undertaking CDBG program underwriting, they typically look at a threshold that indicates monthly payment and taxes should not be more than 30% of gross family income to go toward mortgage.
John Breanick – agrees with Simon Moody that this is geared toward upper income people such as professors and other professionals.
Steve Lynch – cannot comment on the income of someone who can afford a house here. We are here to review the subdivision. Leave the marketing to the developer. It is a single-family subdivision, the lot size is the biggest change, the lots are actually 3 to 4 times larger than the average city lot.
John Rogalski – Steve Lynch receive a letter from Beardsley. They see nothing wrong with the development.
Chair – asks Bill Lupien (City Engineer) for comments.
Bill Lupien – looked at Beardsley’s concerns in the storm water review report. In a modern subdivision we look at run off before and after development. As a site becomes more developed the run off is faster. Detention ponds are planned to slow the release of water from lots, forcing water to stay on site and release at the same rate or slower than before construction. Swales and detention ponds are common practice and in accordance with the DEC. Beardsley supports this concept – one that is used in this subdivision plan. Many problems will be mitigated or reduced; swales are being built behind properties. This has been reviewed and found to be satisfactory. Proper permits will be obtained at the time the homes are built and we will assure it is done
properly.
Chair – asks Tom Weed for comments.
Tom Weed – we have reviewed this many times. Our only concern is the access closest to Prospect St. Suggest this to be an exit only which has been done. Doesn’t think that extra 40 cars from the subdivision will make a significant impact. Increased college enrollment has made more of an impact. It would also help if sidewalks were installed on Prospect Street.
Simon Moody – traffic increase is a problem especially with increased speed. Wal-Mart and other subdivisions have caused an increase in traffic.
Chair – this needs to be addressed but it is not in the purview of this Board. The subdivision does not make much impact. Increase (traffic control) signage and make visible.
Tom Weed – 4 way stops are not meant to slow down traffic – they actually cause more problems.
Chair asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – reviews the background memo included in the packets. DRC recommends preliminary approval.
Chair – do we need to re-declare ourselves as the lead agency?
Steve Lynch – we can
Simon Moody – you are going to adopt the previous resolutions?
Chair – no, we will make a new motion. Asks for motion to declare City of Auburn lead agency for this subdivision plan review. Motion made by John Breanick, seconded by John Rogalski. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the preliminary subdivision. Motion made by John Rogalski, seconded by Nicki Wright. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
John Rogalski – will Sennett have to address this before coming back to this Board?
Steve Lynch – Yes, we will (again) request SEQRA comments from the Town of Sennett. We will give lead agency resolution to them and they will address it.
Chair – asks Steve Lynch to address Seminary St. area project.
Steve Lynch – apologizes to Board as staff resources were not available to get all notifications and materials done to act tonight, as was the intent. When asked to do at the last Board Meting, so the amount of work involved with preparing the last zoning change for immediate Council consideration and action was overlooked. Everything will be ready for the November meeting.
Chair – this has been discussed to make sure it is brought back to the next meeting on November 9, 2004. If there are any problems the Board members will be contacted.
John Breanick – asks for an update on the connector road.
Nancy Hussey – trying to wrap up property acquisitions.
John Breanick – the old motel has been demolished. Any preliminary grading to be done so it will settle?
Nancy Hussey – not aware of any. Does not yet have DOT okay to begin work.
John Rogalski – asks about the North St. access.
Nancy Hussey – no further info at this time.
Steve Lynch – regarding the subdivision – Beardsley did review items previously pointed out and will work with the applicant to address them. Memo from APD re: traffic. This Board is not responsible for the marketability of the area. Concerning open space, the minimum lot size in R1 is 90’ x 150’. These lots are approximately 6 times that size; there will be much open space.
John Breanick – asks if residents in Seminary St. area will be notified for November meeting.
Steve Lynch – absolutely. Would also like to send out an info packet to the residents and Board of Realtors regarding recent changes approved by the Board and adopted by City Council Resolution.
General discussion of C2A and C5A zone definitions.
Chair asks for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by John Rogalski, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
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