Planning Commission 433 River St., Ste
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Wm. Patrick Madden Steven Strichman Mayor Commissioner of Planning Monica Kurzejeski Phone: (518) 279-7166 Deputy Mayor [email protected] Planning Commission 433 River St., Ste. 5001 Troy, New York 12180 Meeting Minutes January 28th, 2021 @ 6:00 pm The Planning Commission of the City of Troy, New York conducted a public hearing on Thursday, 28 January, 2021 at 6:00pm via Zoom Conferencing, in order to hear and decide on proposals for development as follows: 6:00pm – Meeting called to order Commissioners in Attendance Deirdre “Dede” Rudolph (DR), Anthony Mohen (AM), Sara Wengert (SW) Commissioners Absent Suzanne Spellen (SS), Barbara Higbee (BH) Also in Attendance Andy Brick (Planning and Zoning Attorney), Aaron Vera (Executive Secretary) Consent PLPC 2021 0001 – St. Peter’s Parish at 5th and Hutton (101.30-8-32 & 101.30-8-33) Change of Use (SEQR Type II) (101 .30-8-32) Renovate an existing 6-unit residential building (rectory) into an 8-unit apartment building. Existing footprint to remain. (101 .30-8-33) Renovate an existing 3-unit apartment building. Existing footprint to remain. • Applicant Presentation. • BH in attendance. • Request for public comment. No comment. • SS in attendance. • AM motion to approve, SW seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to approve passed, 5-0. Page 1 of 4 City of Troy Meeting Minutes Planning Commission 28 January, 2021 Old Business PLPC 2020 0046 – 770 Pawling Ave. (112.84-4-2) Site Plan Review (Type II SEQR) J & J Apartments, LLC is proposing to occupy an existing commercial space with three (3) residential units. • Applicant presentation. • Request for public comment. No comment. • Comments from SW. Improvements are not satisfactory. • Comments from DR. • SW motion to deny, DR seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to deny passed, 3-2. PLPC 2020 0011 – Kings Landing II (101.38-9-10) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Type I) BDC Holdings, LLC is proposing to demolish three (3) existing structures and construct a new five-story building with 62 residential units and two levels of parking (68 spaces). The applicant is represented by Nicholas Costa, P.E. of Advance Engineering. • Applicant presentation. • SW motion to open public comment, AM seconded the sentiment. th Drea Leanza 2227 5 Ave. – Discussed SHPO letter from October. o nd o Joe Fama 160 2 Ave. – Various comments on the EAF. Doris Day Bethel Baptist Church – Discussed impact to neighborhood. o th o John Waite 1920 5 Ave. – Discussed historic significance and rehab of existing buildings. o Tom Kutcher – In favor. o Bill Hughes – In favor. o Matt Baumgartner – In favor. o Barbara Nelson – Discussed historic significance and rehab of existing buildings. o Catherine Skopic – Wrong project. Brad Lewis – Applicant working with salvaging companies. o th Barbara Higbee 2167 5 Ave. – Not enough parking, not in character with neighborhood. o th o Trudy Hanmer 2142 5 Ave. – Echoed comments against the project. • AM motion to close the public hearing, SW seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to close public hearing passed, 4-0. Page 2 of 4 City of Troy Meeting Minutes Planning Commission 28 January, 2021 • AM motion to table, SW seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to table indefinitely passed, 4-0. PLPC 2020 0031 – 101-119 County Garden Apartments (112.-4-36.411 & 112.-4-36.412) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Unlisted) Country Garden Acres Limited is proposing 21 new low rise structures containing 144 new dwelling units. The applicant is represented by Roger Keating of Chazen Companies. • Applicant presentation. • SW motion to table, SS seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to table indefinitely passed, 5-0. PLPC 2020 0073 – Taylor Apartments (100.68-1-1./1) Site Plan Review and SEQR Determination (Type I) Taylor I, LLC is proposing to demolish the vacant Taylor 1 and 2 towers and construct a 90-unit, 96,400 sq. ft. mixed-use, mixed income building that includes 64 replacement affordable housing units set aside for existing residents of the currently occupied Taylor 4 building. The applicant is represented by Roger Keating of Chazen Companies. • Applicant presentation. • Request for public comment. o Liz Malone – How is parking being provided? o Joe Fama – Questions regarding pedestrian circulation. • Discussion of building elevations. • Motion to table to next meeting 2/17, BH seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to table until 2/17 passed, 4-0. Page 3 of 4 City of Troy Meeting Minutes Planning Commission 28 January, 2021 Recommendations 1011 2nd Ave. (101.38-9-10) Planning Commission Recommendation to the City Council for Zone Change Kevin Vandenburgh is proposing a zone change from R-1 (Single-Family Residential Detached, §285-52) to P (Planned Development, §285-57). Pursuant to §285-27 of the City Code a public hearing is required. The applicant is represented by Jamie Easton, P.E. Applicant presentation. SW motion to close public hearing, AM seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to close public hearing passed, 5-0. Commissioner discussion. SW motion to recommend against zoning change AM seconded. Absent Yes No Abstain Recused Deirdre Rudolph X Sara Wengert X Suzanne Spellen X Barbara Higbee X Anthony Mohen X Motion to recommend against zoning change passed, 4-1. SS motion to adjourn, AM seconded. All in favor. Page 4 of 4 TROY’s SACRED FOREST Its culture, ecology, history, archaeology, and signifi cance to the community. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND CONTRIBUTORS Leo Matteo Bachinger, PhD (Environment, Climate, Community Development) Jessica Bennett (Neighbor, Friends of the Mahicantuck) Dr. Brandon Costelloe-Kuehn (Science, Technology and Society, Sustainable Design) Dr. David Hunt (Ecology) James Kruegler (Water Resources) Sarah Pezdek (Friends of the Mahicantuck) Hined Rafeh, MS (Public Health & Policy) Prof. Don Rittner (Archaeology) Bethany Yarrow (Waterfall Unity Alliance) TROY’s SACRED FOREST Its culture, ecology, history, archaeology, and significance to the community. compiled and published by The Friends of the Mahicantuck www.save1011.org [email protected] and submitted for consideration to Mayor of the City of Troy, Patrick Madden President of the City Council of Troy, Carmella Mantello Planning Commissioner of the City of Troy, Steven Strichman The Members of the Troy City Council The Members of the Planning Commission January 22, 2020 Troy, NY COVER LETTER Dear Mayor Patrick Madden, With this report, the Friends of the Mahicantuck provide City Council President Carmella Mantello, comprehensive analysis of the signifi cance of the “Sacred Members of the City Council, Forest” located at 1011 2nd Avenue. We provide an assessment Planning Commissioner Steven Strichman, of adverse impacts associated with the potential change in and Members of the Planning Commission, zoning code as well as potential development of the site. The fi ndings underscore the unique importance of the “Sacred Forest” and highlight its economic, cultural, ecological, archaeological and historical, and social value. In its signifi cance, this site is unique to the entire region. This report shows the site’s benefi ts to human health; its natural setting; social, cultural, historic, archaeological and recreational values; and inherent ecological sensitivity. The site at 1011 2nd Avenue thereby warrants designation as Critical Environmental Area (CEA), exceeding the designation criteria established in CRR-NY 617.14(g) — which we request the City of Troy to pursue as soon as possible. The report provides an ecosystem service analysis, detailing the signifi cant benefi ts to health and wellbeing for the resi- dents of Troy, Pleasantdale as well as downstream communi- ties. The site is an important indigenous heritage and cultural site of national signifi cance (National Register eligible) and is an important green-space within the designated “Potential Environmental Justice area” that it is located in. Ecological surveys, conducted in December 2020 and January 2021 and included in this report, document several county- rare as well as one state-rare species at the site. The survey also documents the site as potentially sensitive habitat for several species, including as feeding habitat of the Bald Eagle. An economic cost-benefi t analysis shows disproportionate direct as well as indirect costs resulting from the rezoning and associated development of the site. This includes a negative revenue assessment for the school district as well as for the City of Troy. 4 “Lost opportunity costs” must be expected particularly Over 2300 signatures to our petition, more than eight hours regarding the development of the city’s vacant housing stock. of testimony against the rezoning at three public hearings, as Allowing for high density development on this undeveloped well as countless written submissions show that your site would significantly impact Troy’s capacities to develop its constituents are united across party-lines in opposition to vacant housing stock due to insufficient demand. This is con- the proposed rezoning and subsequent development of the firmed through the most recent forecast issued by US HUD Sacred Forest at 1011 2nd Avenue in Lansingburgh. for the region. What is more, the public also shows clear and unbroken Therefore, a rezoning would undermine the strategic support for our vision to protect and preserve this land.