City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 6:30 PM, MEMORIAL City Hall
Present: Jill Fudo, Mark DiVietro, Anthony Bartolotta, John Breanick, Sam Giangreco. Absent: Laurie Michelman
Staff: Steve Lynch, OPED Director; Stephen Selvek, Planner; Tom Weed, APD;
The Chair called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll was called.
Agenda Item 1: Approval of minutes for June 6, 2006
Chair asks for a motion to accept the minutes June 6, 2006. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for Site Plan Review 20 Mattie St. – parking lot expansion
John Breanick is the acting Chair for this evening.
Chair invites the owner or agent to speak.
Mark Locastro – took old building in bankruptcy and losing zoning for commercial use and renovated it to a ‘50’s style ice cream parlor. The rear of the building was falling due to improper foundation. The basement flooded at every rain. Asked for City for assistance in alleviating problem. Installed drain tiles, added p-gravel and sump pump but that did not help. Water was too much for the pumps to handle. Hired Frank Galinesi to try to divert the water around the building which helped some. As a last resort sealed around the building and installed a catch basin connected to the sewer which created a large parking area that requires approval.
Chair asks for comments from the public. There being none closes the Public Hearing. Asks for Board comments.
Gene Stiber, Mattie St. – the previous owner was elderly and couldn’t care much for the property. People park on both sides of the street causing congestion in the area. Anticipated to be worse when school starts and snow falls. Off street parking is needed.
Charlie French, Mattie St. – support store. Parking lot would help alleviate traffic. Much time and money has been spent. Should encourage growth, not discourage it. The street is busy & the parking area is needed.
Jim Napoli, Mattie St. – the store have been opened for a bout 60 years without any problem except the parking on both sides of the street. Off street parking is needed especially to allow passage of emergency vehicles.
Karen McGrath, next-door neighbor – agrees with the traffic issue but it’s hard to sit next door and watch so many people go in and out all day.
Chair closes the Public Hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Sam Giangreco – thinks Mr. Locastro had done an excellent job reviving a tradition. Sees potential of traffic problems. The parking area would help with safety issues.
Jill Fudo – asks for info as to how this matter got to this point. Why is it being reviewed. Understand the planning standards for buildings and this type doesn’t seem to meet it.
Steve Lynch – per page 3 of the memo and parking lot of certain size requiring site plan review. We aren’t saying he can’t have the parking area, it just needs site plan review.
John Breanick – asks Tom Weed if he has any concerns with traffic
Tom Weed – there has always been existing problems – this will help rid some of it.
John Breanick – asks for any comments from Brian Hicks.
Brian Hicks – all concerns were addressed by DRC.
John Breanick – concerning the neighbor, is there any type of screening planned?
Mark Locastro – we have been working with her. We have purchased a 6-foot vinyl privacy fence for between the properties for her benefit. Also, would say that the neighbors to the right and left are most affected and that has been taken into consideration. The other neighbor does not want a privacy fence along her property line. Letter from the residents of 82 Hamilton St. stating no changes to be made (attached).
John Breanick – asks Karen if she’s seen the fence and if she thinks it’s adequate.
Mark Locastro – the fence is not available yet.
Karen McGrath – what’s proposed is acceptable.
Chair asks for staff comments.
Steve Lynch – included are the code requirements for site parking. The Board is allowed to consider alternatives to the requirements. Tight spot in the back wouldn’t allow extra buffers. Fencing would be the answer there. Some concern by DRC of the safety at the front. Can people park in front without parking on the sidewalk?
Mark Locastro – parking is not allowed in front. Park on the street. Used to be parking in the front but it impeded pedestrian traffic and has been eliminated.
Steve Lynch – any flood lights?
Mark Locastro – one light that is less bright than what had been previously there.
Steve Lynch – can cars get in on both sides?
Mark Locastro – to the north the neighbor has a garden there, a car can fit through but very tightly.
Steve Lynch – SEQR materials are available. There are resolutions for a Negative Declaration on SEQR and Site Plan approval in the packets. Staff has been in favor of the project and has helped the applicant with moving forward. Proper channels were required.
Mark Locastro – Codes office has been very helpful along with other staff members.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Mark DiVietro. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Mark DiVietro – what exactly will we be voting on concerning fences on the south side?
Jill Fudo – are we only dealing with the asphalt and the fence?
Steve Lynch – vote is on the site plan as submitted.
Jill Fudo – shouldn’t there be ZBA requirement to approve 9 spaces in front?
Steve Lynch – ZBA has approved for no spaces required.
Jill Fudo – the asphalt area in the front becomes what? Can’t that be changed back to green space?
Mark Locastro – between the sidewalk and street is a narrow strip. There hasn’t been green space there in 60 years, we just spent a fortune diverting water from the basement with the blacktop & cutting into it would defeat the purpose, customers would not want to walk through the grass & mud and it would be easier to plow.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the site plan as submitted. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing and Site Plan Review for 301 North St. Proposed use of auto repair.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Roland Sofo – plans are to get out of the amusement business and open an auto repair shop on the site.
Chair asks for comments from the public. There being none closed the public hearing and asks for comments from the Board.
Sam Giangreco – will the work be taking place in the prefabbed building?
Roland Sofo – yes, at the north end of it.
John Breanick – have you made proper submissions to the State?
Roland Sofo – we need approval here first, then the CO, then we can apply.
John Breanick – what types of vehicles will be worked on?
Roland Sofo – cars & trucks.
Mark DiVietro – what will happen to the vehicles from your previous business?
Roland Sofo – we will be getting rid of those.
Jill Fudo – questions storage of vehicles being worked on.
Roland Sofo – they will be on premises for however long it takes to fix them and would be stored at the rear of the building if needed. None will be seen from the street nor will any equipment be seen. All will be behind the building.
John Breanick – how many employees?
Roland Sofo – will start with 2.
John Breanick – how many working bays?
Roland Sofo – about 3 bays 42 feet wide. Mostly it is ready to go from the amusement business.
Steve Lynch – work was done with Steve Selvek to come up with the plan.
Steve Selvek – we’ve developed a good site plan to serve the intended purpose and have minimal impact on the area.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Mark DiVietro. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion for approval of the site plan as submitted. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: Public Hearing for 15 York St. for minor subdivision of adjacent vacant land to be added to subject property and Site Plan review of Phase I development.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Lance Waters – the property adjacent to 11 York St. was give to the County be the City originally. Then talk began of rebuilding York St. We would like to build a warehouse at the left side of the property. We have many tractor-trailers making deliveries and need a good circulation route for them. We’ve contacted the County and we need approval to acquire the property and level it out. Now with talk of York St. reconstruction we don’t know exactly what we will do.
John Breanick – how often are deliveries?
Lance Waters – 2 to 4 times per week. When the warehouse is built the turn around space will be gone, we need the extra property for this.
John Breanick – will it affect the front parking?
Lance Waters – we are not moving retail parking. This is a provision for the delivery trucks.
John Breanick – what are the hours of deliveries?
Lance Waters – no earlier than 0730. There are no occupied houses in the area at this time.
Chair asks Tom Weed and Brian Hicks for comments. Neither voices any concerns at this time.
Steve Lynch- to clarify, the building will be added at a future date and site plan will be required at that time also. Applicant can’t do anything at this time. Wants to get through the subdivision and Phase I to get the property leveled.
Jill Fudo – what’s included in the Site Plan?
Steve Lynch – when the site is cleared to leave a six foot wide strip existing of vegetation along the west side and rear. It’s a matter of clearing at this point. Mostly in limbo until the York St. plans are finalized.
Chair requests a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Jill Fudo. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion for subdivision approval. Motion made by Mark DiVietro, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion for site plan approval as presented. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Jill Fudo. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 5: Public Hearing for 60-62 Van Anden St. for Zoning Amendment to change the zoning designation.
Chair asks the public for any comments. There being none asks Staff for presentation.
Steve Lynch – refers to exhibit A, photo I – red C1 and R2 areas. Building on Van Anden St., block building built as a commercial garage over 50 years ago. We typically do not try to change Residential zones to Commercial zones but it is highly unlikely this building/site will ever be used as anything but commercial. Probably be used as a non-conforming use. Immediately to the right it looks like there is a parking area that separates the area now. Makes more sense to change the zoning to encourage investment in the building and clean up the area.
John Breanick – is there any commitment to do that?
Steve Lynch – no. It started as the owner wanting to add to the building and possibly merging the properties that would be in two different zones. We are trying to clean up the zoning issue. Created full application and sent out notifications. Once approved here a recommendation for the change will be made to Council for their final vote.
Chair asks for comments from the Board.
Sam Giangreco – states it makes sense.
John Breanick – thinks it’s a good idea.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Mark DiVietro. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to recommend the zoning amendment to Council. Motion made by Jill Fudo, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair – next meeting will be September 5, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. Motion to adjourn? Made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Jill Fudo. All members vote approval. Meeting adjourned.
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