Village of Sackets Harbor
Planning Board
112 N. Broad Street, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
MINUTES
January 4, 2006
I. Call to Order
Chairman Cring called the meeting to order at 7:03p.m.
II. Establishment of Quorum
Members present: Harold Cring, G. Hale Smith, Mary Jo Deans, Eric Constance, Paul Warneck, Janet Quinn, and Steven McPherson
Members absent: None
III. Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Eric Constance, seconded Steven McPherson to adopt the Minutes of December 7, 2005. Vote carried 7-0
IV. Old Business
A. 03-45 George McCulloch, Sackets Harbor, proposes a 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. Revised documents have been received and forwarded to DOH and DEC for comments.
Waiting for comments.
B. 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.
Waiting for comments.
V. New Business
A. 05-75 Fort Pike Commons Apartments LLC, proposes installation of a freestanding sign in front of the pool area. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor and Historic District Guidelines and the terms of the PDD.
A motion was made by Mary Jo Deans, seconded by Janet Quinn to acknowledge the receipt of the application. Vote carried 7-0
Mrs. Quinn asked the applicant what the colors of the sign would be. Mr. Bremmer responded that the sign would match the rest of the signs in Madison Barracks; 3’w x 4’h – gray and gold with recessed lettering of the same size as the other signs. The height of the sign shall not exceed 6’ high. Mr. James Corbin, ZEO, noted that the sign meets historic guideline criteria.
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:12 p.m.
After hearing no comments a motion was made at 7:13pm by Eric Constance, seconded by Janet Quinn to close the Pubic Hearing. Vote carried 7-0
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Mary Jo Deans to accept the application as complete as amended to include the sign dimensions are to be 3’w x 4’h – gray and gold with recessed lettering of the same size as the other signs, the height of the sign shall not exceed 6’ high. Vote carried 7-0
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Steven McPherson to declare this action a Type 1 action under SEQR, to dispense with the reading of the EAF, to declare the Planning Board Lead Agency, and to issue a negative declaration in regards to SEQR. Vote carried 7-0
A motion was made by Janet Quinn, seconded by Mary Jo Deans to approve the application with the above named amendments. Vote carried 7-0
B. 05-76 Eugene & Joyce Renzi, 224 W. Main St, proposes replacement of deteriorated wood fence with new cast iron fence. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor and Historic District Guidelines. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held.
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Steven McPherson to acknowledge the receipt of the application. Vote carried 7-0
Mr. McPherson asked if the Board was reviewing the application as an “as built.” Mr. Corbin stated that this application is both an “as built” and a completion of the project. Mr. McPherson asked if the placement of the fence is within the property boundaries. Chairman Cring noted that Mrs. Renzi said that she would have plans to the Board by this meeting, but all he received was a letter stating that the contractor will sign an affidavit stating that the fence is exactly in the same place as the original one was.
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Janet Quinn to table the application due to lack of information. Vote carried 7-0
A letter is to be sent to applicant with a list of needs including a site survey showing the location of the fence.
C. 05-77 United States Postal Service, Sackets Harbor, proposes erection of a wood and steel fence in their parking lot. Project requires review under the Zoning Laws of the Village of Sackets Harbor and Historic District Guidelines. The project was advertised and a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held.
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Mary Jo Deans to acknowledge the receipt of the application. Vote carried 7-0
A motion was made by Eric Constance, seconded by Janet Quinn to table the application due to lack of information. Vote carried 7-0
D. 05-68 Revision A, Dave Leger, 262 General Grant Circle, proposes an amendment to the Harbor Haven PDD to change density and lot sizes. Project requires review under Site Plan Review criteria and the Subdivision Control Law and the terms of the PDD. There will not be a public hearing on this project at this time.
A motion was made by Paul Warneck, seconded by Mary Jo Deans to acknowledge the receipt of the application. Vote carried 7-0
Chairman Cring noted that the Zoning Law states in Section 4-6C lot dimensions: a project shall not exceed 6 dwellings per acre. This application has 4.9 buildable acres, which would allow for 29-30 dwellings max. Mr. Leger said that the calculation is based on total acreage, not buildable acreage. Chairman Cring stated that it is to the discretion of the Planning Board to determine dwellings per acre and/or the total amount of dwelling units that would be acceptable for the project and that “buildable acerage” is a tool that can help the PB with their determination. Mrs. Quinn noted that trading density for public open space should be counted. Mr. Warneck said that he is not sure that density should be changed because of contractor pressures. He asked if the Planning Board agreed on 24 lots 4 years ago, why should it be different now. Mr. Leger said that New Urbanism calls for greater density and saves farm land and future costs to the Village after dedication. Mr. Warneck said that Mr. Leger needs to look at the opinions of all Board members, there needs to be more creativity in controlling density, needs to use more diversity in the dwelling design. Mr. McPherson noted that the Board is looking for a mix of lot sizes and he suggested a possible rear alleyway. Mr. Warneck noted that the adjoining property is under contract by Mr. Leger; if it is also going to be developed access should be considered. Mrs. Deans said that diversity would help the project immensely; perhaps townhouses mixed with detached town houses and single family dwellings. Mr. Leger stated that affordability is an issue; he wants to stay within the $170,000 range. Chairman Cring stated that density is a big issue and 35 is the maximum number of dwellings that should be allowed. Mr. McPherson said that density and diversity is the issue, the project needs to look like the rest of the village. Mrs. Quinn inquired if lots #26 and 27 could be kept for the option of a road connecting the adjoining property. Mayor Deans commented that density is a concern of the Village Board as well but may be mitigated by diversity in the project as not to look like a project. Mrs. Quinn asked about the large hole behind lot #23 that is full of water. Mr. Leger said this is a foundation that was dug to use the soil for fill for the water and sewer lines.
Chairman Cring noted that the six new revised applications for 18 Mercedes Lane to 23 Mercedes Lane are asking for a change in setbacks, contour changes, finish floor elevation changes and new side entry garages and cannot be reviewed because the applications were deemed incomplete by Chairman Cring and because they did not conform to the approved PDD. Mr. Leger demanded that the Board review his applications. Chairman Cring replied that the applications were deemed incomplete, there will be no review and that the phase II and III subdivisions have not been approved yet because many things are lacking and must be received prior to approval. Mr. Leger left the meeting. Mr. Warneck noted that perhaps Council should be present at a meeting on this project. Mr. Warneck asked if a special meeting could be held to catch Mrs. Quinn, Mr. McPherson and himself up to speed on the original PDD project.
VI. Floor
Pre-Submission Conference: Mr. Pat Scordo of GYMO and Mr. Hunter Grimes gave a presentation on behalf of Mr. P.J. Samayo owner of Liberty of Sackets Harbor (previously know as Liberty Yachts). Mr. Scordo noted that he had with him a check for $500, an application, a filled out SEQR and plans for the project. The applicant proposes converting the Liberty Yachts building into four residential units as follows: two hotel/motel units, one single bedroom apartment, and one-three bedroom apartment. Decks would be built around the perimeter of the building. Proposed is a 31 space parking lot with three handicap spaces. Seventeen additional spaces are proposed on General Smith Drive with a 7” curb, and a post & timber guardrail. Mr. Warneck asked why there needed to be that many parking spaces. Mr. Hunter replied that Mr. Samayo entertains large numbers of associates and foresees needing extra parking. Mr. Scordo continued by saying there would be a row of blue spruce trees after the guardrail. Mr. Warneck and Mr. McPherson both suggested that there needs to be a buffer between the parking spaces and General Smith Drive. Mr. Scordo said this would not be possible due to lack of room. Chairman Cring noted that the buffer should not be over four foot high. Mr. Scordo went on saying that a concrete sidewalk would be installed from the upper parking lot to the building area bellow, there would also be two four foot decorative posts at the entrance and the property would be faced by dense hedging. A new waterline will need to be installed as well. Mr. Warneck commented that the lift station may need to be upgraded. Mrs. Quinn asked that if the main parking lot will be paved could the greenery be retained to screen the paved area from General Smith Drive. Mr. Grimes mentioned that the applicant would like to submit the waterfront renovations in a separate application. Mr. Scordo asked if the Board would accept a short form SEQR. Chairman Cring stated that any project within the Historic District requires a long form SEQR.
VII. Adjournment
The next Regular Planning Board Meeting is scheduled for February 1, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. There being no additional business, a motion was made by Eric Constance, and seconded by Janet Quinn to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Vote carried 7-0
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa M. Gregory,
Planning Board Secretary
