HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1990-10-23 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD
MINUTES
October 23, 1990
PRESENT: S. Adams, R. Berg, S. Blumenthal (chair) , M.
Cochran, T. Cookingham, J. Schroeder, A. Yale. Staff:
Director Van Cort, P. Weed. Also, applicants.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7 :35 p.m. by A. Yale.
2. Privilege of the Floor: Helen Johnson of 417 Hook Place,
Co-President of West Hill Civic Association read a letter
addressed to the Board expressing concern about the lack of
progress in securing approval for environmental review of
the West Hill Master Plan. They asked that the review not
be postponed in order to expedite the Northside Master Plan
environmental review and advised the Board to request the
Planning Department to contract a consultant to accomplish
this objective.
3. Preliminary Site Development Plan Review and Public Hearing:
Wanzer Block alteration and new building at 105-07 N. Aurora
St. and 300-04 E. State St. Director Van Cort expressed
enthusiasm about this project and the positive effect it
could have on the community. Peter Weed discussed comments
made by various staff in review of this proposal for a five-
story, mixed use building. Off-street parking is not
required in the B-3 zone. BZA variance is being sought for
rear yard deficiency. It was suggested that the three lots
the project occupies should be combined on a single deed to
conform to New York State fire prevention and building
codes, and the rear alleyway should be designated as an
unobstructed fire lane. Weed recommended preliminary
approval in concept with conditions.
Public hearing was opened and closed by Blumenthal, no one
appeared. There was concern expressed by most Board members
regarding the estimated vehicle trips generated by this
project. Staff was directed to determine the actual demand
for dedicated parking spaces for the project. Yale, chair
of the public transit initiatives committee of the Downtown
Vision Task Force suggested they might consider incentives
for employees and tenants to use public transportation as a
mitigating measure (i.e. fare rebate) . Schroeder, seconded
by Berg, moved for Negative Declaration of Environmental
Significance. Carried unanimously.
Doug Look, HOLT architect, discussed building height. Tom
Hoard clarified the fire lane requirement, as required by
Brian Wilbur, asking for pedestrian way, not an entrance for
fire apparatus.
Planning and Development Board
Minutes - October 23 , 1990
Page 2
There was discussion of revisions to Peter Weed ' s
memorandum, as follows :
2 . Conditions
a . Delete the word "final" in three places .
b . 2) That for. the State Street facade , the final
design for materials , colors , fenestration, and
other architectural elements will be arranged
such that the combining of the new facade with
the Wanzer Block and the Strand Theater will
result in a total bulk configuration. that is
similar in scale and character to the nearby
Aurora Street , State Street and Commons .
3) More detailed consideration should be given to
the following components in the new proposed
facade :
c.) The extent to which isolated borrowings from
adjacent buildings will reduce and/or enhance
the character of the new facade , with
particular emphasis , whether as a piece or in
combination, on the following :
5 . Delete .
Change numeral 3) to 4)
e . Revise the language to express what is required by
the Fire Department . (See memo dated 10/24/90 in
Planning Department files for complete list of
conditions . )
Schroeder , seconded by Cookingham, moved preliminary site
development plan approval with conditions . Carried
unanimously.
4 . Old Business
a) Northside Study Land Use Recommendations . After
discussion , modifications suggested for the final draft
included : Change #3) to read "Decommission Lake Avenue
from Adams Street to Route 13 and create linear. park .
If it will not harm existing retail operations on block
3 , decommission Lake Avenue from Hancock Street to Adams
Street , and decommission Adams Street east of new
proposed street on block 2 . " Take out first sentence of
#5) . #8) "Analyze the need for" in place of
"Commission. " Yale asked to add #14) "Incorporate
bicycle planning as plans develop. " Motion to approve
amendments by Schroeder. , seconded by Cochran . Carried
unanimously .
Planning and Development Board
Minutes - October. 23 , 1990
Page 3
b) Parking Space Size Regulations . Review of draft memo
dated 10/16/90 from Planning and Development Committee .
Peter Weed clarified questions regarding the proposed
minimum parking space size reduction. The Board
recommended approval with no additional comments .
C ) Site Development Plan Review revisions - report . Peter
Weed updated Board members on the status of revisions to
this ordinance . The Charter and Ordinance Committee has
requested , through City Attorney Chuck Guttman, that a
draft of the proposed revisions be prepared by the
Planning Department .
5 . Zoning Appeals Report. The Board recommended approval of
the Special Permit requested in appeal 2009 for conversion
of part of an existing detached garage to an accessory
apartment at 220 Pearl St . Appeal 2008 was referred without
comment or recommendation for BZA action. Moved by
Cookingham, seconded by Cochran, carried unanimously.
6 . Reports .
a) Committees . No report .
b) Director. No report .
C ) Chair. Discussion of the role of the Design Review
Board when projects are also subject to site plan review
. by the Planning Board . Some Board members expressed a
desire for the Planning Board to spend less time
duplicating staff efforts and dedicate more discussion
time to important planning issues .
d) Planning & Development Committee . Schroeder reported on
a New York State reconstruction project on Route 13
which will cost an estimated $6-9 million and involves
road widening and rebuilding two bridges . Board
directed Van Cort to write a letter to DoT expressing
the Board ' s strong concerns regarding process and the
need for more information.
e) Board of Public Works . Berg reported that the.
Superintendent has resigned and a search committee to
fill this vacancy has been formed . He asked about the
status of a Board resolution concerning Elmira Road
sidewalks .
7 . Approval. of Minutes . Deferred .
Meeting was adjourned at 10 : 30 p. m.
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