City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, November 3, 2010, 6:30 pm, Memorial City Hall
Present: Anne McCarthy, Anthony Bartolotta, Allen Zentner, John Breanick, Frank Reginelli, Sam Giangreco, Christopher DeProspero
Staff: Stephen Selvek, Planning and Community Development Program Manager; Greg Gilfus, APD; Brian Hicks, Code Enforcement; Andy Fusco, Corporation Counsel;
Agenda Items: 188 Grant Ave, 72-74 Garrow St., 25-27 and 41-45 Water St., CDBG 2011-2012 Action Plan
The Chair calls the meeting to order. The Pledge of allegiance is recited.
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of September 7, 2010 and October 5, 2010
Motion to accept the September minutes made by John Breanick, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the October minutes made by John Breanick, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: 188 Grant Ave. Major site plan review for the construction of a 13,000 SF addition to the Fox Toyota-Subaru Building and associated site improvements.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Ray Scruton – preliminary review done last month. We were waiting on DEC comments to proceed.
Stephen Selvek – we have heard nothing from DEC. These are the same plans that were presented last month. We are ok to proceed to SEQR and site plan review.
Chair asks the public for comments. There are none. Chair closes the public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
John Breanick – questions if there are any comments from JD Pavis and/or the School Board?
Stephen Selvek – easement is clearly defined and the school has no concerns at this time.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek - Part 2 of the EAF is provided along with 2 draft resolutions. The DEC is an involved agency due to the project involving over 1 acre and a SPDIES permit will be required. They had 30 days to comment and that time has elapsed. *Reviews EAF* The proposed use is appropriate for the area. Staff recommends a negative declaration for SEQR and approval of the site plan as presented.
Chair asks for a motion for a negative declaration on SEQR. So moved by John Breanick, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the site plan as presented. So moved by Frank Reginelli, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Stephen Selvek reminds applicant to submit three full sized plans for stamping.
Agenda Item 3: 72-74 Garrow St. Application for minor subdivision.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
David Brooks – is seeking an area variance due to lack of required frontage on proposed lot which is contingent on approval of the subdivision.
Chair asks the public for comments. None. Chair asks the Board for comments.
Frank Reginelli – questions sidewalks.
David Brooks – sidewalks are currently installed but any that are damaged during the building process will be replaced
Allen Zentner – questions driveways.
David Brooks – approaches are there already. Driveways will be installed.
Frank Reginelli – questions houses being built.
David Brooks – single family homes, about 1100 square feet, ranch style.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek – EAF and resolutions are provided. This is an unlisted action with a coordinated review with the ZBA who voted the Planning Board as lead agency for SEQR. Sidewalks are existing and will be replaced/repaired as needed post construction. Driveways have been made to allow passage of vehicles to the rear of the property so there is no front yard parking. Staff recommends a negative declaration on SEQR and approval of the subdivision as submitted contingent on ZBA approval.
Chair asks for a motion for negative declaration on SEQR. So moved by Christopher DeProspero, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Chair asks for a motion to approve the subdivision as submitted. So moved by Christopher DeProspero, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: 25-27, 41-45 Water St. Major site plan review for the construction of a 71,000 SF hotel and conference center, including 93 guest rooms, restaurant, 270 seat conference center, parking and site improvements.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
David Norcross, Pioneer Co. representing Auburn Community – the site encompasses 2 parces and 2.6 acres. All building currently there will be demolished. The proposed building will be 4 stories, 71,000 SF, 92 rooms, 90 seat restaurant/bar, 270 seat conference center. On site parking is 110 spaces. The site plan is conceptual at this time and subject to change as needed. There will be a final submission for next month’s meeting. We also have an agreement to supply 80 additional off site parking spaces. The hotel will be connected to municipal services. Drainage will be through catch basins and underground pipes to an underground system and to the storm drains. The impervious surface will be similar post construction to what it is now. Topography is relatively flat with a slope from east to west of about a 3 foot difference
between the northeast corner and the southeast corner. Landscaping and signage plans have been included. There will be a monument sign at the State St. entrance and at the peak of the building. There will be 3 other signs on different areas of the property. The main entrance is on State St. We have submitted a long form EAF and traffic study. Traffic study indicates that no mitigation is required.
Chair invites the public to comment.
Pete Ruzicka, Alden Ave – objects to the plans as submitted. There is no access to the sewer lines or access to make repairs. Promises made in the July paper are not being fulfilled. There is only one access to the site. There is not enough parking for employees and patrons.
Chair keep public hearing open until the next meeting and asks the Board for comments.
Frank Reginelli – questions who has control of the R-O-W and who is responsible for repairs to the sewer line.
David Norcross – it will be City responsibility.
Frank Reginelli – questions access to any needed repairs.
David Norcross – we have checked with personal and City Engineers. The walkways will be constructed to be self-supporting and can be excavated under without disturbing the walkways or surrounding structures. The City Engineer is satisfied with the plans at this time.
Frank Reginelli – questions the distance between the hotel and the conference center.
David Norcross – 20 feet
Frank Reginelli – questions access for heavy equipment if needed.
David Norcross – pipe can be removed without completely excavating the courtyard
Frank Reginelli – questions access to the site.
David Norcross – there will be a single entrance and double exit located on State St. Site traffic will be 2-way except along the rear.
Stephen Selvek – staff has not yet met to discuss this project yet. These are valid concerns that will be addressed by the DRC.
Frank Reginelli – questions a second access point.
David Norcross – it is not necessary and may impede street traffic due to the short distance between traffic signals. Based on the traffic study done one access is sufficient.
Sam Giangreco – questions the distance from the intersection to the site access.
David Norcross – about 220 feet to the center point.
Frank Reginelli – questions deliveries
David Norcross – deliveries will be made by the small sized trucks and there is ample space at the rear loading dock that will be detailed more on the next plans.
John Breanick – questions if the sewer lines are of standard concrete.
Stephen Selvek – will look into construction materials used.
John Breanick – questions need for an assurity bond for any possible damage done.
Stephen Selvek – not familiar with this process but there are 2 things that can be done: 1) scope the sewer before and after construction to show if there is any disturbance. Develop a response for corrections as needed. Will refer to Corporation counsel to move forward; 2) detailed engineering study by a civil or geo-tech engineer clearly defining the construction and any impacts that may be involved. More apt to obtain the geo-tech report. Also, in reference to the trunk line, potentially require engineering study laying ground work for method of any possible repairs in future. Sewer has recently been scoped, it is in good condition and expected to last another 20+ years. It could also be potentially sleeved.
John Breanick – questions location of employee parking
David Norcross – mostly off site
Frank Reginelli – questions if off site parking will be paid parking
Stephen Selvek – those details are not known at this time. If it is paid parking then whoever is parking there will be responsible for the cost.
Allen Zentner – the City is looking into developing the waterfront. Has any thought been given as to how this will tie in with that development?
Stephen Selvek – that’s a good question that was just brought up in our office today. This will be news to the developer but we’ll likely be seeking some type of cross easement or access easement along the riverfront. We do, in some areas, have City right of way at the river’s edge in this area but we want to review and ensure that, in the middle of all these negotiations is a good time to make sure we can ultimately, if in the future it’s appropriate, have access across there for some type of trail or riverfront access. That’s something we’ll be in touch with the developer about.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek – most anything I’ve had on the site plan, as I’ve mentioned Staff has not come together as a complete group to meet and discuss this plan so that is something we’ll be doing soon and I’ll be bringing up the questions the Board has raised tonight to start looking for any additional information we may need as well as adequate answers to those questions and recommending any changes that may need to occur to the site plan. The other note is that this is a pre-existing site with pre-existing buildings that has been previously developed and there is significant storm water run off and impervious surface right now and the requirement is to not provide storm water run off in any level greater post construction than pre construction and that will be something detailed in their storm water management
plans. As was noted there is the development on the west end of the City that has utilized storm water pond for doing so and just approved was another storm water pond. However that is not the only means of storm water management. Noted was the use of underground facilities that is actually what the Walgreen’s did on Grant Ave. We have examples of both management systems that have been used in the City and again we will be looking for an engineered plan supporting whatever the appropriate means of run off is. Snow storage is a good point that was brought up. The take away from that is that within our downtown area and in general it is a much denser area or whether it be private or City property often much of the snow storage is done through disposal of the snow and removing it from the area. We can definitely have more of a conversation how this will take place so we won’t lose parking on such a limited site. There is a quality as well a quantity component to the
required plan. For SEQR there is a resolution declaring this Board’s intent to act as lead agency. This is step 1 in the SEQR review. The applicant has indicated that there is the possibility of a couple other involved agencies with regards to the overall review. I do note specifically that one of the agencies is the NYS DEC. The resolution clearly indicates that the Board is directing Staff to provide all involved agencies with pertinent information and project matters. I am asking that the Board approve the lead agency resolution so that we can get this process started.
Chair asks for a motion to declare the City of Auburn Planning Board as lead agency for SEQR review. So moved by John Breanick, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Other Matters
Frank Reginelli – questions the York St. project and if it will be brought before the Board.
Stephen Selvek – this is a Capital project, one of many being done all over the City. NYS DOT oversees these projects. They are not required to come before this Board.
Agenda Item 5: Community Development Block Grant 2011-2012 Action Plan: This public hearing will provide an opportunity to comment on the plans and priorities on the plans.
Stephen Selvek – presents plan. There will be three more informal meeting that will focus more on Human Services and Home Repair Services and to look at priorities for the coming years:
- November 4, 2010 at Genesee Elementary School on Genesee St. at 4:00 p.m.
- November 10, 2010 at Casey Park Elementary School on Pulaski St. at 6:00 p.m.
- November 16, 2010 at West Middle School on Genesee St. at 6:00 p.m.
Refreshments will be served at the meetings.
John Breanick – questions what is being done on the Arterial between St. Mary’s and Washington St.
Stephen Selvek – the State have allowed us to remove the chain link fence. We will need to provide a berm between Clark St. and the Arterial for the required separation by next year.
Sam Giangreco – questions if trees on tree lawns/R-O-Ws are within this plan.
Stephen Selvek – if it’s within the designated area for sidewalk repair/replacement. Separate form this is a direct benefit program for income eligible although a citation in violation of the sidewalk ordinance is required to qualify but since the ordinance is no longer in effect that will not be utilized.
Chair closes the public hearing.
Next meeting is December 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Motion to adjourn made by John Breanick, seconded by Allen Zentner. Meeting adjourned.
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