City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, November 8, 2006 6:30 PM, Memorial City Hall
Members Present: Sam Giangreco
Jill Fudo
Anthony Bartolotta
Laurie Michelman
Members Absent: Mark DiVietro
John Breanick
Staff Present: Stephen Selvek, Planner
Brian Hicks, Sr. Code Enforcement Officer
Nancy Hussey, Corporation Council
Agenda Items: 1) Minutes of October 3, 2006 and November 8, 2006
2) Public Hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2007-08 Action Plan priorities.
3) Public Hearing for Minor Subdivision located at “Lot 4” Garrow St. Ext. part of 78 Thornton Ave property owned by the Auburn Enlarged School District.
The Chair called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll was called.
Agenda Item 1: Approval of minutes for October 3, 2006
As there is no quorum for action the minutes will be tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing for Minor Subdivision located at “Lot 4” Garrow St. Ext. part of 78 Thornton Ave property owned by the Auburn Enlarged School District.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Tom Shamon, representing applicant David Trinca. Seeks permission for a subdivision of Lot 4 on Garrow St. Ext. to use as a buildable lot. Copy of map and purchase contract submitted.
Chair invites public to speak. Closes Public Hearing.
Chair asks Board for comments. None.
Chair asks staff for comments.
Steve Selvek – straightforward subdivision similar to previous. Single-family lot meets all requirements for the R1 zone. DRC and staff recommends a negative declaration on SEQR and approval of the subdivision as presented.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. Motion made by Jill Fudo, seconded by Sam Giangreco. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the subdivision as presented. Motion made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Jill Fudo. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2007-08 Action Plan priorities.
Jennifer Haines, Planning and Economic Development Program Manager – it is required for us to hold a public hearing for each year of the Action Plan. (passes out ’06-’07 budget) Each year we get input from the public for funding and they list what they consider priorities. Funding for around downtown is not shown but a program is in place. There is also info on the 2006 CDBG reform act. Separate is a reform act which could change the formula to have higher consideration around poverty levels. With the new format our allocation would decrease. The minimum threshold, which if not met, would cause us to lose our entitlement status.
Public Improvement Program – done on low/mod income basis, comprehensive improvements such as sidewalks.
Sam Giangreco – could the money be used for sidewalks at new developments?
Jenny – to be eligible the area needs to be at least 51% designated at low/mod income. If one person has documentation to that effect we can assist that person if there is a violation pending.
(2nd visual board) Special Development Projects that don’t fit in HRAP or EDZ. We have worked with Homsite on larger housing projects.
(3rd visual board) HRAP – 12 – 15 year loans. 25,000 dollars per house. Any violations are corrected first. We are required to address lead based paint hazards. This elevates the costs although some alleviation is provided thru grants. It is a loan based assistance program. We have 290,000 dollars per year for future projects.
(4th visual board) Support Services Allocation – Human Services. These are not eligible under the Small City Program. These programs offer needed services throughout the City.
(5th visual board) different ways we use money. Primarily benefits low/mode income with 70% going to this. 2nd is to eliminate slum/blight influences. 3rd is urgent need such as response to natural disaster which has not been used here. Income guidelines are based on family size prescribed by HUD and adjusted yearly.
(6th visual board) Graph comparing allocations each year. 1.5 million in ’05-’06 and 1.3 million this year. We’ve lost 124 thousand.
(7th visual board) Downtown Improvements. The mayor is interested in the Board looking at the proposals. In August 2006 bids went out for proposed improvements; trees, bricking, etc. 1.8 million project cost. There are issues of financing. Council is aware of CDBG format. Vote
may impact future budget. There are maintenance concerns. Project has not been awarded. Public meetings have been held, there is no consensus. Comprehensive project recommended with bids in unit pricing vs. one lump sum. Exchange St. Mall was discusses, engineers do not recommend opening into a street.
Sam Giangreco – questions Kayak park.
Jenny – not sure if the community is aware that this is a separate project and has different fund sources. Some HUD can be used. Trying to get different grants and what they can actually e used for. Funders want this site for area improvement. Also, 2 grants need to be matched locally.
Sam Giangreco – what is wanted?
Jenny – basically anything, “just do something”.
Sam Giangreco – thinks greening is a good idea. Need to “connect the dots”. Needs to be dressed up with attractions for everyone.
Jenny – Mike Long has asked to collect a consensus and bring it back. BID is out, use designs currently available but have bids in unit pricing and evaluate & adjust.
Jill Fudo – focus on place where people collect first, let other areas go.
Sam Giangreco – asks response to meetings.
Jenny – neighborhood meetings traditionally sparsely attended. A couple had good feedback though.
Sam Giangreco – mentions that in Waterloo one way to clean up downtown was to put lights in all windows. Here along the river cleaning up all the brush would be an example. Anyway to dress up the area would be a start.
Jenny – maintenance is a concern and ideas to keep it up. There are different ways to address this and different way to change the design.
Chair – invites the public to speak.
Cathy Einish of Child Care Council – CCC is a program that helps low income families by providing daycare and early education. There were 42 children over the last year mostly full time for ages under 5. There were 6 over the summer. The parents either work or are in school.
Mayor – Council had a couple issues with the downtown project and wanted this Board to review. Thinks people had in mind something similar to the State St. project. Currently all sidewalks are in disrepair and this project does not address this, just bricking in from the curb to the 1st sidewalk did not make sense.
Jenny – the project is financed with an approved HUD loan of 3 million against the program. This is a 20-year loan, we made sure Council understood that. If reform goes thru allocation will be decreased. Goal is to strike a balance. CDBG always assisted with downtown. The money is there to use, try to strike a balance and keep providing programs and make the project work.
Mayor – although last year programs were squeezed we wish to see them continue. This project did not seem worth the money involved as it seemed more of a band-aid approach. Would like to see entire blocks improved bit by bit.
Chair – appreciates the presentation. We did not have full disclosure that this issue would be presented tonight. Would like to give the public opportunity to express their views.
Jenny – did not intend for any action tonight.
Chair – right, we would need full public disclosure first.
Jenny – maybe a resolution to support but no other action.
Chair – recommends it be brought back for formal presentation.
Mayor – in spirit of full disclosure would also like to have press, including cameras, available.
Sam Giangreco – aggress, when people see it they have a sense of ownership.
Jenny – intent for work session at Council for public input. Personal priorities differ between the downtown merchants. Depending on where the merchant is depends on where they want it to start.
Other Matters
Brian Hicks – Jon Robson of Auburn Document Center has asked for an extension concerning the LED sign originally approved in 2004. The approval was extended once for six months and then expired. He wants to do the same thing but LED technology has changed and would be more like a large screen TV which Code does not allow. Does the Board want to approve or require resubmission?
Chair – I believe resubmission is needed.
Brian Hicks – the type of sign he’s asking for is no in the original application.
Chair – polls Board – all agree that resubmission is required.
Brian Hicks – also Heads Up Salon at 16 Brookside Dr. had a previous site plan for home occupation approved. Since then she has extend the front yard parking without filing a subsequent plan to do so. Also, the site plan in the files was never stamped. We cannot enforce a plan that has not been stamped as approved.
Chair – was not Chair at that time, will need to review.
Nancy Hussey – the current Chair has authority to sign the plan once reviewed.
Steve Selvek – items coming up for subsequent meetings:
Sketch plans for a Walgreens at the corner of Genesee St. and Columbus St. (old Mobile site)
Low income housing development at the north end of Rochester St.
St. Mary’s parking
Pet’s Mobile on York St.
Chair – next meeting is December 5, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. Motion to adjourn? Made by Sam Giangreco, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
| 
