Village of Sackets Harbor
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7th, 2005
7:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING
I. Call to Order: Chairman Cring called the meeting to order at 7:01pm
II. Establishment of a Quorum
Members present: Harold Cring, Mary Jo Deans, G. Hale Smith, Steven McPherson, Paul Warneck, Janet Quinn, Eric Constance
Members absent: none; Steven McPherson late.
III. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of November were reviewed and accepted as written. Motion by Paul Warneck with a second by Mr. Constance. Vote 6 - 0 in Mr. McPherson's absence.
IV. Old Business:
03-45 George McCulloch, Sackets Harbor, proposes four lot subdivision of 1.34 acres on a parcel between Dodge Ave and Old Military Rd. Property was the old NiMo substation. Project requires review as a “minor subdivision”. Applicant has submitted updated information. Awaiting applicant’s responses to Village Engineer comments. Waiting for DOH approvals
05-26 Dave Leger, 262 General Grant Circle, requires approval of the subdivision for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Harbor Haven PDD. Project requires review under Site Plan Review criteria and the Subdivision Control Law and the terms of the PDD. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing was held. Application was sent to the Village Board. Contingencies need to be met prior to final approval
05-29 Jon P. & Karen Constance, 107 Hounsfield St, applicant proposes subdividing two adjacent lots located at 403 and 409 Dodge Ave, Sackets Harbor, into three lots. Project requires review under the Subdivision Control Law. Public Hearing was held, Contingency Approval was granted. Application was approved 11/14/05
05-66 Town of Hounsfield. 18774 Co. Rte 66, Watertown NY.. Applicant proposes a “minor subdivision” of their property located behind the third alarm structure on Washington Street for the purpose of its dedication to the Village of Sackets Harbor for the proposed extension of Bayard Street. Project requires review under Site Plan Review criteria and the Subdivision Control Law. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing was held. Application was put on hold pending discussion with Village Attorney on SEQR and 239m review. After review with village counsel, it was determined that review per 239M was not required for subdivision, and the short form SEQR was acceptable.
Mr. Warneck moved and Mr. Constance seconded the motion that the application be accepted as complete. Vote 6-0 with Mr. McPherson absent from that vote. Mr. Warneck moved and Mrs. Quinn seconded the motion that we declare this an unlisted action, declare ourselves lead agency, and issue a negative declaration. Mr. Warneck motioned and Mr. Constance seconded the motion that we adopt a resolution to approve the application. Vote 6-0 with Mr. McPherson absent from that vote.
Chairman Cring offered an update on the recommendations for revisions to the subdivision law submitted to the village board last month. The grid pattern recommendation and the interpretation of a village map are in draft stage. Our recommendations to modify the use of cluster development was deemed not necessary as village law already gives the planning board ample latitude. Section 7-738 3(a) reads: "This procedure may be followed at the discretion of the planning board, if, in said board's judgment, its application would benefit the village".
V. New Business:
05-71 Fort Pike Commons Apartments LLC, proposes a change of use to property located on 240 Dodge Ave from a business use to a professional office use. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held.
After discussion, it was determined that this property is grandfathered for business AND professional office use (both uses are permitted in the business district). Furthermore, Mr Warneck pointed out that home office is a permitted use in a SFR. Mr. Warneck motioned and Mr. Smith seconded the motion that the planning board found no activity to review. Vote 6-0, with Mr. Mc Pherson absent.
05-72 Fort Pike Commons Apartments LLC, proposes signage for the Office located at 240 Dodge Ave. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held.
Mr. Warneck motioned and Mrs. Quinn seconded the motion to accept the application for review. Mr. Warneck commented that the application was incomplete, lacking information on the square footage of signage already present on the building. We need to see the cumulative square footage for each side of the building to determine if total signage exceeds the permitted 50 feet outside the historic district. A public hearing was held at 7:31pm in which the applicant, represented by Mr. John Bremner clarified that the sign in front was on the canopy, not the pump. With no other comments, Mr. Constance moved and Mrs. Quinn seconded the motion to close the public hearing at 7:34pm. Mr. Constance moved to accept the application as complete with the contingency that the square footage of all signs is within the 50 foot requirement. There was no second, but at this point, Mr. Bremner offered to go measure the total signage. Mr. Warneck then motioned and Mrs Quinn seconded the motion to table the application. Vote 6-0, with Mr. McPherson absent.
05-73 George McCulloch, Sackets Harbor, proposes construction of a stone fence on his property located at the intersection of Pike St. and General Smith Drive in the Village. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held.
Mr. Warneck motioned and Mr. Constance seconded the motion to acknowledge receipt of the application and begin review. Mr. Cring noted that he did receive an original survey stamped by a PE. Mr. Smith asked if the cast iron fencing on top of the stone wall provides an effective barrier with the guard rail removed. Mr. Cring suggested that traffic concerns were being addressed by the village; our job is to review the fence. The village and the applicant are in discussions addressing the safety issue. The village is considering a stop sign at the end of Pike street and the applicant proposes placing reflectorized elements within the mortar.
The public hearing was opened at 7:42. Mr Robert Charron, architect addressed the issues of height and construction materials. He noted that the fence was 4 feet in the front and less than 6 feet on the side. The composition of the wall is natural limestone that matches the wall already in existence and is consistent with guidelines for the historic district. In response to a question from Mrs. Quinn, he said the gate is for access to this property, not the lot next to it which is in the PDD of Madison Barracks. Mayor Deans noted that when he wrote the letter promising removal of the guardrail, he was not made aware of an opening in the fence for a gate, and would have to review if that compromised the wall as a barrier. Mrs. Deans questioned what the reflective materials might be, and Mr. Charron assured the board that they would be recessed and largely invisible unless carlights flashed on them. The public hearing was closed at 7:52 on a motion by Mr. Warneck and seconded by Eric Constance. Vote 6-0 with Mr. McPherson still absent.
Mr. Warneck motioned and Mr. Constance seconded the motion to accept the application as complete, to declare this a Type I action, to dispense with the reading of the long form EAF, to declare the Planning Board lead agency and to prepare a negative declaration. Vote carried 6-0, with Mr. McPherson absent. A motion was made by Mrs.Deans and seconded by Mr. Warneck to adopt a resolution to approve the project. Vote carried 6-0, Mr. McPherson absent.
At this point in the meeting, Mr. Bremner returned and application 05-72 was removed from the table on a motion from Mr. Warneck and seconded by Mr. Constance. Vote 6-0, Mc Pherson absent. It was noted that the side awning is replacing an existing sign; the projecting sign on the canopy above the gas tank is over 10 feet from the ground, and the total signage on the front of the building, 16 square foot of which is this applicant's, does not exceed 50 square feet. Mr. Warneck moved and Mr. Constance seconded the motion to declare the application complete, declare it an unlisted action, accept a short form SEQR, and issue a negative declaration. Vote 6-0, Mc Pherson absent. Mr. Constance moved and Mrs. Deans seconded the motion to approve the application. Vote 6-0, Mc Pherson absent.
VI. Informal Pre-Submission Conferences;
1. PJ Simoa and dock refurbishment at the former Puccia property.
Mr. Hunter Grimes appeared before the Planning Board representing owner P.J.Simao. Chief of Police Butch Coseo has previously distributed copies of a stop work order he had issued as village harbormaster. Chief Caseo had cited Mr. Simao with construction of a bulk head, removal of 2 finger docks, dredging and back filling the boat launch area. Mr. Grimes claimed that the previous owner was responsible for removing the finger docks and launching ramp as part of the cleanup of the property prior to selling. Mr. Grimes took responsibility for hauling out a steel I beam that had sharp edges as a safety measure. He said he had called Larry Gunn at DEC who said he "would have no problem" with the work they were doing, but he acknowledged he had not applied for nor received ACOE approval for work. Mr. Grimes said he was aware of the village's Waterfront Management Law and spoke of his intention to follow guidelines. Chief Coseo suggested that No Trespassing signs be erected and applauded Mr Grimes' plan to use orange plastic fencing as a public barrier. Mr. Simao's next project will be to strip the deck floors of their hemlock facing, install new joists, and place vertical staging on the sides. He was advised that the North wind is hard on sides. He would like to extend the dock and install a floating wave attenuator, devise some kind of gated entry system, pave more area, and improve drainage. The proposed use of the existing building, using Tony Puccia's plans, is as a private yacht club - not a commercial venture. Chairman Cring advised Mr. Grimes to begin the shoreline permit process promptly, concurrent to the Army Corps of Engineers and DEC review. He noted that ACOE has no jurisdiction over docks within the village. It defers its review to the planning board's Waterfront Management Law review.
Mr. McPherson arrived at this time.
2. Renzi renovations to existing boathouse on Main St.
Mike Harris of Bernier Carr presented proposals for the property owned by the Renzi's and formerly known as Bronson's Marina. He proposed a two story structure that maintains, he says, the same footprint. It is much larger than the current building, 25 feet high in the front, and rising to 3 stories toward the waterfront end of the building. He described the style as Greek Revival. It has a turret, multiple windows and porches and appears to be similar in design and size to the Renzi's current residence. Questions were raised as to the age of the current building, and its significance to the waterfront. . Although the same footprint is used, it is not clear if this is an expansion of a non-conforming use. The planning board recommended that the Renzi's submit the plans to the ZBA to see if a variance is in order. Also noted was that any cementaceous siding would have to have a smooth side to conform with historic guidelines.
3. Proposed “Minor Subdivision” to property owned by Dave Alteri
David Altieri proposed subdiving an area to the rear of his residence, with an easement for access. Mr. McPherson stated that Environmental Design Research (EDR), the consultant firm working on a comprehensive development plan for the village, has recommended that housing being built behind residences, not be visible from the main street, but be offset. Mr. Cring expressed concern that easements, rather than a transfer of property, are being used for access. Mr. Altieri said he would be comfortable with selling up to a 50 foot strip to connect with the back property. This strip would be large enough to be a "paper street", perhaps becoming a village street at some point, and connecting with developing properties along the ridge over Mill Creek. Mr. McPherson and Mrs. Quinn agreed to work with the applicant,
4. Harbor Haven revisions to PDD including proposed “Major Subdivision” from 24 lots to 44 lots.
Mr. David Leger distributed plans for 44 "shotgun" houses, which he also described as 2 story colonial, maeasuring 16'x52' feet with a square footage of 1628 sq.ft. He is abandoning his previous plans because of "economies of scale" - his executive homes are not selling, and he believes he will be successful with these houses selling for $179,000. Mr. Leger spoke of the public's desire for single family housing, and his unwillingness to build condos.
Mr. Warneck stated that he did not like the "cookie cutter" look of 44 similar designs placed on 30 foot lots, separated by a driveway. He would like to see more architectural diversity. Mr. McPherson suggested that a variety of lot sizes would be a better design. He also predicted that an increase in the number of residences will increase traffic and likely enlarge the paved impervious areas, which may change the drainage patterns. Mr. Leger assured him that village engineer Kris Dimmick "did not see a problem" with the present infrastructure meeting the requirements of this new design.
Mr. Corbin and Mrs. Deans expressed support of the single family home concept, and asked Mr. Leger to enhance his designs to show a neighborhood, with landscaping, noting that the new urbanism calls for closely spaced housing. Mrs. Quinn suggested that rear alleys could access garages and eliminate the need for driveways. Mr. Leger was reluctant to embrace this idea, and began considering how he could put two houses together with a zero lot line. The board was divided in its response to Mr. Leger's plan, agreeing only that more density would be considered. There was no agreement that 44 "shotgun" houses as presented was an acceptable plan.
VI. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm. Next meeting is Wednesday, January 4th, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building
Respectfully submitted
Mary Jo Deans, secretary pro tem
