Planning Board Meeting Minutes - 20160517

 

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of May 17, 2016. Interested parties may request an audio recording of the meeting from the Board Secretary for a fee.

Call to Order & Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Mr. Joel called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. The following members were present: Mr. Nalbantian, Councilwoman Knudsen, Mr. Abdalla, Mayor Aronsohn, Mr. Thurston, Ms. Patire, Mr. Joel, Ms. Bigos, and Ms. Dockray. Also present were: Gail Price, Esq., Board Attorney, Blais Brancheau, Village Planner; and Board Secretary Michael Cafarelli. Ms. Altano, Mr. Reilly, and Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer were not present.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – No one came forward.

Correspondence Received by the Board – Mr. Cafarelli reported the Board received an email from Linda McNamara with regard to possible construction at 566 Knickerbocker Road and an email from Mr. Brancheau on the Econsult Obligation Summary numbers.

Church of God – Ms. Price reported that she contacted their attorney Marc Liebman regarding the conditions they have to meet.

7:50 p.m. Wendy Dockray arrives.

Robert Jennee, Concept Plan Review, 566 Knickerbocker Road, Block 3408, Lot 3 – Mr. Rutherford provided a brief introduction and summary of the Concept Plan to subdivide Block 3408, Lot 3. He said he is not filing a formal application. Mr. Rutherford discussed the Jennee application and the two C variances that will be needed. Mr. Rutherford said Mr. Jennee is seeking to build two single-family homes with garages in the subdivided lots. He said the application would comply with all bulk requirements, would not violate lot area, lot width, is buildable, and meets the usable area rectangle requirements.

Board members asked questions about the surrounding lots, uses, dimensions, variances, proposed improvements, sidewalks on frontages, potential for future additional subdivisions in area, setting a precedent, size of proposed homes, neighborhood houses – historic property, prior applications on the property, master plan infill subdivisions.

The meeting was opened to the public.

John Boyd, 106 N. Pleasant Avenue, asked if the concept would be filed with the Village and if it will be available for him to review.

Elizabeth Pardin, 567 Knickerbocker Road asked if the large trees would be removed.

Kevin Schloerb, 116 N. Pleasant Avenue asked if the concept plan was filed for lot four.

Vanessa Korvac, Kinckerbocker Road asked if homes built on her property would be affected and overcrowd the street.

8:30 p.m. Mayor Aronsohn arrived.

Some Board members expressed their concern about the effect setting a precedent, and additional subdivisions. Other members were not favorable about the mixed pattern lot and concerned about the character of the neighborhood. Some said the character would not change unless additional properties were subdivided.

Econsult Report – Mr. Brancheau discussed the numbers in his report. He said the 229 number went up by 112 units. Mr. Brancheau said he did not know the reason for the increase. He said the numbers are the same as Fair Share and that it is difficult to imagine the Village meeting any of the numbers, including the 229 units that have to be met first. Mr. Brancheau said this does not change the Planning Board's strategy.

Mr. Nalbantian asked if the state would subsidize building affordable housing. Mr. Brancheau said it would cause issues and cut into their bottom line with the result being higher density units. Mr. Brancheau discussed the numbers for other municipalities.

Approval of Minutes – The minutes from July 1, 2014 were approved with a change indicating Ms. Dockray was present.

Executive Session – The Board moved to executive session.

The Board reconvened the public session.

Dates for discussion on the Housing Plan were decided:

  1. May 23, 2016 – Work session
  2. June 7, 2016 - Discuss draft
  3. June 21, 2016 – Public Hearing
  4. June 29 – Public hearing (if needed)

The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Michael Cafarelli

                                                                                                Board Secretary

Date approved: April 18, 2017

 

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