City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 6:30 pm, Memorial City Hall
Present: Anthony Bartolotta, Frank Reginelli, John Breanick, Anne McCarthy, Allen Zentner, Sam Giangreco
Absent: Christopher DeProspero
Staff: Stephen Selvek, Planning and Community Development Program Manager; Andy Fusco, Corporation Counsel; Brian Hicks, Code Enforcement
Absent: Greg Gilfus, APD
Agenda Items: none
Other Matters: 621-631 N. Seward Ave, Water St.
The Chair calls the meeting to order. The Pledge of allegiance is recited.
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of April 6, 2010; June 1, 2010; July 6, 2010
Motion to accept the April 6, 2010 minutes made by Anne McCarthy, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval with Sam Giangreco abstaining (absent). Motion carried.
Motion to accept the June 1, 2010 minutes made by Frank Reginelli, seconded by Anne McCarthy. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Motion to accept theJuly 6, 2010 minutes made by Frank Reginelli, seconded by John Breanick. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Other Matters:
1. Presentation and sketch plan review for a proposed Seneca Falls Savings Bank to be located at 621-631 N. Seward Ave.
Tom Anderson representing Seneca Falls Savings Bank – the building will be small to medium in size. Branch bank with three offices and four tellers inside and a drive-thru lane. Brick veneer wood frame construction with pre-cast concrete trim.
General site plan – building located on N. Seward Ave above Grant Ave across from the Alliance Church. There is a medical facility to the south and other commercial businesses surrounding it with a residential area to the west. It is split zoned R1/C3 so may be used as a C3. The upper part of the parcel will be developed, the lower part will not. Access to the site will be at the straight portion of N. Seward Ave. Parking is adequate. Maintaining hedgerow to the south.
Topography – site flows north with a 6% grade at the building site. Regrading to 5% or less. Landscaping and buffers to be done. Fencing will be installed between this & the residential area.
Storm water drainage plan has not bee done yet. Utilities are available.
Frank Reginelli – questions the fence and pedestrian traffic
Tom Anderson – the intent is to protect the residences from head lights when people pull into the lot. The commercial businesses will not need this. The hill there is very steep and not conducive to pedestrian traffic.
John Breanick – questions access
Tom Anderson – it doesn’t really make much difference in this area. We will take into consideration all aspects and decide the least problematic area for the access.
Sam Giangreco – questions water flow at the bottom of the hill.
Tom Anderson – there are 2 to 3 catch basins there. The end run off will not exceed what it is now.
Frank Reginelli – questions terracing
Tom Anderson – there will be none.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek – re: driveway access – the location was further north, staff recognized the issues here. We recommended moving it to its present location. The way the road lays out given the grade the present location is a very limited site line to the knoll but has additional site the opposite way. Additional research is needed for the safest location although none will be perfect. It cannot be near the medical center as then there would be 2 drives competing. During the winter the opposite side of the road is the more at risk.
Split zoning allows for the least restrictive zone to apply so it will be used as a C3.
We will also be looking at drainage, lighting, curbing. Sidewalks are existing. Anticipation is for a type 2 action under SEQR.
John Breanick – questions snow removal
Stephen Selvek – will be looked at in the drainage plan.
2. Referral from City Council to complete SEQR and report on the proposed abandonment of Water St.
Stephen Selvek – this is a proposed abandonment of Water St. by the City and transfer to the hotel development corp. This item is required by law to be presented before this Board.
Utilities are under the street and Council will retain and easement to them for access and maintenance.
Unlisted action under SEQR Specific to abandonment of the street itself. The project will be a go if this is done and a formal site plan will be forthcoming at that time. (reviews EAF). Staff recommends a negative declaration on SEQR.
John Breanick – questions if any portion of the hotel is on the area where the utilities are buried.
Stephen Selvek – we are still looking how to address the issue
David Norcross, Pioneer Developers – the hotel will be 4 stories with 88 rooms. Rectangular shape. No part of the hotel structure will be over the utilities on Water St. A portion on the east end will come close to the north to south easement. There will be a separation of the building to avoid being over this easement.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. So moved by Anthony Bartolotta, seconded by Anne McCarthy. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Next meeting is September 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Motion to adjourn made by Anthony Bartolotta seconded by Allen Zentner. Meeting adjourned.
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