City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 6:30 PM, Memorial City Hall
Present: Christopher DeProspero, Anne McCarthy, Allen Zentner, John Breanick, Frank Reginelli, Anthony Bartolotta
Absent: Sam Giangreco
Staff: Stephen Selvek, Sr. Planner; Andy Fusco, Corporation Counsel; Brian Hicks, Sr. Code Enforcement Officer
Absent: Tom Weed, APD
Agenda Items: 25-27 Water St., 150 York St., 355-357 Clark St. & 63-65 Belmont Ave SEQR Lead Agency
Items Approved: 25-27 Water St., 150 York St., 355-357 Clark St. & 63-65 Belmont Ave SEQR Lead Agency
The Chair calls the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance is recited and roll is called.
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of March 3, 2009
Chair asks for a motion to accept the minutes of March 3, 2009. So moved by Allen Zentner, seconded by Anne McCarthy. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: Application for Major Site Plan Review for the construction of a miniature golf course with a hot dog and ice cream stand and restrooms located at 25-27 Water Street. Applicant: Michael Kazanivsky.
Chair invites the owner or agent to speak.
Mike Kazanivsky, Perrine St. – plan is to construct a small miniature golf course along with an ice cream and hot dog stand. The miniature golf theme is to represent areas in Cayuga County.
Chair asks the public for comments. No comments. Chair closes the public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Frank Reginelli – asks the number of holes for the course.
Mike Kazanivsky – there will be 18 holes.
Anne McCarthy – asks is the area will be fenced as the river is so close.
Mike Kazanivsky – the plan is to continue the fencing being proposed by the City for the Market St. project.
Anthony Bartolotta – questions the building type.
Mike Kazanivsky – it will be 22’ x 26’ wood frame.
Anne McCarthy – questions the use of the 2nd floor.
Mike Kazanivsky – will be used for storage.
John Breanick – questions if the business is year round.
Mike Kazanivsky – is planning on running year round at this time.
Anthony Bartolotta – questions the parcel size.
Mike Kazanivsky – just under 1 acre.
Anne McCarthy – questions signage.
Mike Kazanivsky – signs are in the planning stage at this time.
Frank Reginelli – questions setbacks.
Stephen Selvek – in the C2 zone the setbacks are zero for front and sides as part of the downtown streetscape even though the parcel is not actually considered downtown. The setbacks are met as they are. (Correction: Front setback for C2 is 5 feet. Proposal meets this requirement.)
Anne McCarthy – questions the off site parking.
Stephen Selvek – off site parking is public. C2 zone does not require the provision of off street parking. On street parking is intended.
Anthony Bartolotta – questions the site location.
Mike Kazanivsky – points out parcel on map.
Anthony Bartolotta – questions is the applicant is currently in this business.
Mike Kazanivsky – no, currently working in manufacturing but has researched and intended to open this business for 10 years.
Chair asks staff for comments.
Stephen Selvek – this is a type II action under SEQR meaning it is unlikely to have any environmental impact. The commercial structure is less than 4,000 square feet and does not require further SEQR action. Note: there is no signage on the plans at this time & they will not be covered under any approval of the plan. Signs must be brought before Code Enforcement for approval and permit. The proposal meets all requirements for a C2 district and is an appropriate and allowed use. Staff recommends approval of the site plan as submitted.
John Breanick – questions the intent to develop the area.
Stephen Selvek – there has been some interest but no formal plans have been presented.
Frank Reginelli – questions objections from neighbors.
Stephen Selvek – the area was notified per City ordinance. No opinions have been voiced either way.
Chair asks for a motion. Motion for approval made by Allen Zentner, seconded by Anne McCarthy. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 3: Application for Minor Site Plan Review to utilize a portion of an existing building and site for auto sales, detailing, and repair located at 150 York Street. Applicant: Albert Brunner
Chair invites the owner or agent to speak.
Albert Brunner – will be using part of a larger building, 24’ x 70’, for auto repairs and detailing with a display area in the front for 6 cars and an overflow area in the back.
Chair asks the public for comments. No comments. Chair closes the public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Frank Reginelli – questions if the building is occupied.
Albert Brunner – the front section is used by Finger Lakes Transportation, Metro ambulance is also in the building.
Frank Reginelli – questions the type of repairs to be done – mechanical or body.
Albert Brunner – at this time it will be for detailing only with mechanical repairs added at a later date.
Frank Reginelli – questions storage.
Albert Brunner – there is a small area in the rear that will be used for overflow if needed.
Frank Reginelli – questions cars currently at the rear of the building.
Albert Brunner – they are not mine.
Frank Reginelli – has a problem with FL Transportation as the place looks like a junkyard and reeks of gasoline. Feels the area needs to be cleaned up.
John Breanick – there are three different businesses there. We are here to focus on Mr. Brunner’s application. Any complaints need to be addressed to the owners of the building and offending business.
Frank Reginelli – the entire area should be brought into compliance.
John Breanick – we can’t make Mr. Brunner clean up an area he has no control over.
Stephen Selvek – he is using part of an existing building, 1750 sq ft with 40’ x 25’ at the front and 50’ x 50’ at the rear for used car sales, auto detailing and repair. This is an unlisted action under SEQR requiring further review. Reviews SEQR.
John Breanick – questions the impact of the York St. redevelopment.
Stephen Selvek – plans are currently under review for the street to be widened, addition of curbs, drainage, etc. The applicant is aware of this and the possible impact on the proposed site. There are certain restrictions in the site plan resolution concerning this. Review site plan issues and resolution. Staff recommends a negative declaration on SEQR and approval of site plan as submitted.
Andy Fusco – questions area shown on map next to area to show cars.
Stephen Selvek – that is actually the existing building area the applicant will be using.
Brian Hicks – there is also commercial warehousing for commercial products in the building.
Chair asks for a motion on SEQR. Motion for a negative declaration made by Allen Zentner, seconded by Anthony Bartolotta. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the site plan. So moved by Allen Zentner, seconded by Anne McCarthy. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: SEQRA Lead Agency acceptance for a proposed project to construct of 30 semidetached homes (15 individual structures) and a community building on parcels located at 355-357 Clark Street and 63-65 Belmont Avenue. Applicant: Two Plus Four Construction, Co. Inc.
Chair invites the owner or agent to speak.
Adam Schultz, Gilberti Attorneys – seeking site plan approval for the project. SEQR approval is needed as well as approval from the ZBA. We began by presenting to the ZBA last month.
Sue Kimmel, president of 2+4 of E. Syracuse – proposing 30 semi-detached units in 15 buildings with a community center. This will be affordable housing with a limit to the minimum and maximum of the wages of renters. There will be no subsidized rentals. The apartments are handicapped adaptable. We have secured 6.6 million dollars in funding. We also own Northbrook Courts and Auburn Heights here in Auburn. We have met with OPED to review the site plan. There will be one access with a one-way road around the parcel. We will own and maintain the property. We have met with the neighbors to hear their concerns. The current site plan will be modified to incorporate some of these concerns. We want to keep a neighborhood feel to the project. The project meets NYS green standards and the
NYSERDA program.
Chair asks the public for comments.
Andy Fusco – since the agenda is for lead agency on SEQR then all comments must pertain to that subject only.
Carol Brown, Wall St. speaking for Richard Moon, Belmont Ave – Questions tax credit – who will pick it up and for how long? Where are the displaced families from? Will people living in Sennett have a voice?
Andy Fusco – since there will be no vote on the project tonight Mr. Moon will be able to attend future meetings to express his concerns.
Chair closes the public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Christopher DeProspero - questions how ZBA is determined to be lead agency.
Stephen Selvek – explains the process.
John Breanick – questions when ZBA meets.
Stephen Selvek – ZBA will meet the 27th to review SEQR and the variance. Site plan cannot be voted on until SEQR is resolved. Staff recommends ZBA to be lead agency for SEQR. With ZBA as lead this Board still has full authority over the site plan.
Chair asks for a motion on allowing the ZBA as the lead agency for SEQR. Motion to approve made by Anne McCarthy, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Other Matters
Stephen Selvek – as was brought up tonight there is question as to the Board’s ability to compel compliance for sites brought for review. The Ordinance does not give staff the ability to compel changes on sites not specific to a presented project. We can consider this in the future during the Comprehensive Plan review process.
John Breanick – questions the fairness of compelling an applicant to bring a site into compliance that they do not own but are just renting/leasing.
Stephen Selvek – this is something the Board needs to consider and make a policy decision on.
Brian Hicks – as a side note. If Mr. Brunner had opted to put in any other business there that did not require site plan review the site would have never come to the attention of this Board. Something to think about.
Chair – next meeting is May 5, 2009 at 6:30. Asks for a motion to adjourn. Motion by Anthony Bartolotta, seconded by Allen Zentner. Meeting adjourned.
Recorded by Alicia McKeen
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