City of Auburn Planning Board
Tuesday, January 4, 2011, 6:30 pm, Memorial City Hall
Present: Anne McCarthy, Allen Zentner, John Breanick, Frank Reginelli, Sam Giangreco, Christopher DeProspero
Absent: Anthony Bartolotta
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 November 3, 2010 and October 5, 2010
Motion to accept the minutes made by Anne McCarthy, seconded by Allen Zentner. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: 72 & 76 State St. and 25 – 27 & 41 – 45 Water St. Application for a Major Site Plan Review for the construction of a 71,000 SF hotel and conference center, including 92 guest rooms, restaurant, 270 seat conference center, parking, and site improvements. Applicant: Auburn Community Hotel, L.P.
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
David Norcross, Pioneer Co. representing Auburn Community Hotel, Kirk Hackwelder, Carl Yahn & Associates
Kirk Hackwelder - Most of the changes made have been concerning the entrance. Items added have been that the owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalks, granite curbing, entrance sidewalk has been extended, cross walks on the interior of the site. The entrance was moved 27 feet to the south as requested by AFD and APD.
John Breanick – questions the entrance and the stacked between the arterial and the site.
Kirk Hackwelder – there is space for about 8 cars. The access is centrally located.
David Norcross – a professional traffic study was done at peak hours and it was determined that no adverse effects would be caused.
Frank Reginelli – questions if City Planning did a study.
Stephen Selvek – the study was done by GTS consulting which has been used by the City in the past.
Frank Reginelli – questions if these plans are ok with APD and AFD.
Stephen Selvek – they were not at first but now they are.
Frank Reginelli – still believes room for more stacking is required.
Stephen Selvek – again, the traffic study was done to industry standards. An in depth study was done. This study, done by experts of the field, indicates no adverse impact. Also, there are no problems seen by in-house departments. Now we will allow the applicant to finish his presentation and then open the public hearing.
David Norcross – we are working out an easement for water and other utilities. We are also working out a maintenance agreement where the hotel would be responsible. The same is true of the trunk sewer line.
We have received comment from Planning concerning signs and that they exceed what is allowed by ordinance. We will present a comprehensible package at the next meeting.
Parking lighting will be shielded to prevent spillage and will be dark sky compliant.
There are two off-site parking areas. A lease with Community Computer for about 87 spaces and Cayuga Community Health Association for about 33 space. We have an 8 year lease agreement for after-hours use Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday all day until 1:30 a.m. Monday. Primary use will be during peak use of the conference center. We will be using valet service to park at the off-site areas. We will provide for over-sized vehicles also. Agreement is fully executable at this time.
Chair asks the public for comments.
Roger Button – questions plans for 65 State St., the counseling center. Any parking directly west?
Stephen Selvek – there has been some discussion but there are no plans at this time.
Roger Button – this is the 1st I’ve heard of the leasing. If the health center sells this land my property will be land-locked. Last week I was told I could have 4 spots.
Stephen Selvek – we can look into it for any impacts.
Roger Button – Trucks and buses would impact property and living space.
Chair closes public hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Frank Reginelli – questions other accesses.
Stephen Selvek – based on comments and the study a 2nd access is not warranted.
Frank Reginelli – questions Brownfields
Stephen Selvek – the developer has applied to the DEC for Brownfield credits. They have the ability to clean and receive credits.
Sam Giangreco – questions adequate space around the rear of the building for larger vehicles.
Kirk Hackwelder – there is adequate space all around
Frank Reginelli – questions if space allows vehicles to pass when the loading dock is being used.
David Norcross – yes
John Breanick – questions number of employees
David Norcross – about 30
John Breanick – questions where they will park
David Norcross – there is adequate on-site parking but they are capable of using off-site
Anne McCarthy – 92 guests or rooms?
David Norcross – rooms
Stephen Selvek – the plans before you show the 1st and 2nd floors. The 3rd and 4th floors are the same.
Frank Reginelli – there are 110 parking spaces and 30 employees. Isn’t one space per bed required?
Stephen Selvek – the zoning here is C2 and they are exempt from providing off-street parking.
Andy Fusco – if you feel the uses allowed in the C2 district are inadequate you must address Council for any changes.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek – the resolution for SEQR is provided. This is a coordinated review with the DEC. DEC does not have any concerns at this time. Reviews parts 2 and 3 of SEQR. Recommends negative declaration for SEQR.
Chair asks for motion for negative declaration on SEQR. So moved by Anne McCarthy, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Stephen Selvek – the applicant has presented changes to the site plan. There are a couple outstanding issues being working on; lighting, signs, fine tuning details. The DRC has reviewed and feels the plans comply with local ordinance in form and function and recommend preliminary approval. Asks the developer to continue working on the remaining issues.
Chair asks for a motion approving the preliminary site plan. So moved by Allen Zentner, seconded by Frank Reginelli. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Agenda Item 3: 255 Grant Avenue. Major Site Plan Review of Phase I for the expansion and alterations to an existing motel to create a 45 room hotel (Phase I – 34 Rooms; Phase II – 9 additional rooms) including parking and site improvements. Applicant: Chandrika Patel
Chair invites owner or agent to speak.
Will Watkins, WWW Site Construction and Sheldon Williams, architect
Will Watkins – proposal is to renovate and expand. There are 2 phases. The 1st is to renovate and vertically expand within the same footprint at this time. Would like to defer environmental and lighting issues until the next meeting.
Sheldon Williams – describes existing site. Describes prospective changes including construction of a 2nd floor of 12 rooms. Phase 2 construction will include 10 – 12 rooms and an entrance canopy. Phase 1 will be staying within the exiting footprint as far as zoning is concerned. There are 22 existing rooms with a proposed addition of 27 more. Proposal is for 47 parking spaces. The appearance will be from a single story to a two-story. The building sits lower than Route 5. Plans are to make the site aesthetically pleasing.
Andy Fusco – there is an issue with the r-o-w with Mustad.
Sheldon Williams – phase 1 r-o-w appears on the survey. We will investigate this at the Clerk’s office.
Andy Fusco – questions if phase 1 structure able to withstand a 2nd story.
Sheldon Williams – a structural analysis has not been done at this time but we will be calculating that.
Will Watkins – we will be having a structural engineer working on the project and will be available at the next meeting.
Andy Fusco – is the current building sound?
Will Watkins – yes, the additions will also be sound.
Sheldon Williams – there has been no settlement of the structure itself.
Chair asks for comments from the public. There being none asks for comments from the Board.
John Breanick – questions businesses on site.
Will Watkins – the taxi and towing businesses will be moved elsewhere.
Sheldon Williams – this is a conversion from a motel to a hotel. The design is for a centrally monitored hotel. There will be no individual accesses to rooms.
Chair asks for Staff comments.
Stephen Selvek – the current plan is preliminary and is showing intent. The detail for planting and other site improvements are still needed. There are 2 phases but we will be looking at SEQR for the overall project. The Board will need to declare itself as lead agency. Info has been sent to DEC for comments.
Motion for lead agency status made by Frank Reginelli, seconded by John Breanick. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Frank Reginelli will not be at the February meeting.
Next meeting is February 1, 2011 at 6:30 pm.
Motion to adjourn made by Frank Reginelli, seconded by Anne McCarthy. Meeting adjourned.
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