Minutes of a regular meeting of the

Johnson City Planning Board held on

August 26, 2008 at 7:30pm at

243 Main St., Johnson City, NY

 

Present:           Pamela Hysell, Vice Chairwoman

Joanne Drimak

Leonard Sas

                        Jeff Jacobs, Village Attorney

Daria Golazeski, Planning Director

 

Absent:            William Klish, Chairman

Gerald Putman

 

A brief work session was held at 7:00pm.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell noted the emergency exits.

 

Minutes – A motion to accept the minutes of the July 22, 2008 regular meeting and the August 4, 2008 special meeting was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Drimak. The motion carried with all those present voting.

 

Privilege of the Floor

Julie Deemie, 153 Zoa Ave. – Asked for clarification regarding the extension given to Stella Ireland Road Associated for the Wal-Mart project.

 

Marie Lukasik, 106 Martin Ave. – Spoke regarding the proposed vet clinic that Dr. Skrabalak wants to open at 196 Riverside Dr. Concerns with parking, spot zoning, setting a precedent for converting other single family residences into businesses. Would like the area to stay residential. Asked about the purpose of the special permit. Planner Golazeski and Attorney Jacobs provided an explanation. Planner Golazeski also stated that the applicant plans to purchase the property at 194 Riverside Drive for a parking lot.

 

Julie Deemie, 153 Zoa Ave.Asked about the parking lot that would be at 194 Riverside Drive and asked if the proposed Town of Union comprehensive plan was being taken into consideration with this application. Planner Golazeski stated that it was.

 

Jan Muehlbauer, 102 Martin Ave. - Expressed concerns regarding the proposed vet clinic. Would rather see the clinic be on Main Street or Floral Avenue which have many vacant buildings. Doesn’t want to lose the neighborhood integrity.  

 

Marie Lukasik, 106 Martin Ave. – Concerned with traffic as the proposed location is a very busy section on Riverside Drive.

           

Communications – None

 

Contingencies – Planner Golazeski advised the Board that a letter has been sent to Kradro Realty Corp. stating that the contingencies for the 80 Arch Street parking lot which received site plan approval in January, 2008 have not yet been met.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Revise Site Plan - UHS Hospitals, 117 St. Charles St., 156 & 166-168 Corliss Avenue

 

The application, which was held over from the July meeting, is a revised site plan for a parking lot. Mr. Richard Keelie was present on behalf of the applicant.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell stated that the applicant will need to show hash marks on the pavement in the location where three parking spaces were removed to indicate these areas are not for parking. Mr. Keelie stated that they will have the lines painted.

 

Mr. Sas asked about putting a no parking sign on the shed as well. Mr. Keelie stated that they will put one along the fence.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about a start date. Mr. Keelie stated that they will begin in the Spring of 2009. He also asked for an extension of the 9/30/08 deadline given by the Planning Board at a previous meeting to continue to use the temporary lot until the beginning of construction of the new lot.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           The following need to be done: 1.) The owner needs to apply for a building permit. 2.) No work is to start before a permit is obtained. 3.) The building will comply with NYS Building & Fire Codes.

Fire Dept:                                           (No new comments submitted)                                              

Planning Dept:                                  Access to storage building for vehicles not clearly indicated. Any future changes will require an amended plan.

Police Dept:                                        Recommend approval.

Public Works & Water Dept:          (No new comments submitted)

 

A motion to approve the revised site plan for 117 St. Charles Street & 156, 166-168 Grand Avenue including the department head comments, an extension of the previously granted approval for the temporary valet parking lot until the beginning of construction, hash marks and signage as discussed, was made by Mrs. Drimak and seconded by Mr. Sas.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 3 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas)       No – 0        Absent – 2 (Klish, Putman)

 

Site Plan Review - David Gonen, 135-139 Baldwin Street

 

The application is a site plan review for a residential conversion of the former Century and Sunrise factory buildings. The applicant, Mr. David Gonen and his engineer, Mr. George Haus were present.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked if the applicant felt they had enough dumpsters. Mr. Haus stated that there could be more than shown. He was just showing the location on the plans. They will be using a private hauler and the dumpster area will be fenced in.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about a time frame. Mr. Gonen stated that they will begin in April of 2009 and expects the construction to take 12-18 months to complete.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about putting signage at the driveways to indicate “Do Not Enter”, “One Way”, etc. Mr. Haus stated that they will make sure there is signage.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked if there would be building identification and/or other signage. Mr. Gonen stated that there will be only identification signage and he would comply with the codes.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           The parking spaces will comply with NYS Building and Fire Codes and the ADA Code.

Fire Dept:                                           No problems noted.               

Planning Dept:                                  Recommend approval with handicapped parking signed and stripped per code.

Police Dept:                                        Baldwin Street enter only must be signed “Do Not Enter, Entrance Only, or something similar. Above ground signs and pavement marking for handicap parking.

Public Works & Water Dept:          Pursuant to a meeting and telephone conversations with George Haus and Alex Urda of Keystone Engineers, the following is required to be submitted, reviewed and approved prior to the issuance of any building permits: a detailed water design with a backflow prevention report and a drainage design that indicates a post construction runoff of less than or equal to the pre construction runoff.

 

A motion to approve the site plan including the department head comments and with a completion date of October 31, 2010 was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Vice Chairwoman Hysell.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 3 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas)       No – 0        Absent – 2 (Klish, Putman)

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Special Permit - Dr. Dale Skrabalak, 196 Riverside Drive

 

The application is a request for a special permit to operate an animal clinic in an RM Zoning District. The applicant, Dr. Dale Skrabalak was present.

 

Dr. Skrabalak explained his plans for his proposed clinic. There will be no kennels. He operates a full service animal hospital in Endwell. This would just be a small clinic. He is complying with all of the zoning requirements for the use and will be purchasing the vacant lot next door at 194 Riverside Drive for a parking lot. The driveway will be used for employee parking.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about the shed at the rear of the property. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he would like to keep the shed.

 

Mr. Sas asked what the shed would be used for. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he would use it to store items such as a snow blower.

 

Dr. Skrabalak stated that there will be no x-rays or medical gases at the clinic. There will be blood work and some dry chemistry. These items can be disposed of in the regular garbage collection. There is no need to contract with a special company.

 

Vice Chairwoman asked about plans for the lower level of the building. Dr. Skrabalak stated that it would most likely be used for storage.

 

Mrs. Drimak expressed concern with the slope of the land on the vacant lot. Dr. Skrabalak stated that his engineer, Ken Ellsworth stated that the slope is 2 degrees. He will fill it in and will clean up the trees and brush. 

 

Mrs. Drimak asked if patients will be able to drive around the building. Dr. Skrabalak stated that no, they won’t.

 

Mrs. Drimak asked about traffic concerns. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he does not anticipate any traffic problems.

 

Mrs. Drimak asked about signage. Dr. Skrabalak stated that there will be a small sign, low to the ground, per code.

 

Mr. Sas asked about lighting. Dr. Skrabalak stated that there will be lighting over the parking lot and at the entranceway. The lights at his Endwell Hospital are on a photocell.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about hours of operation. Dr. Skrabalak stated that they will 9am – 5pm, Monday – Saturday, though he would like some flexibility with evening hours, possibly closing at 7pm on a couple of nights a week.

 

Dr. Skrabalak stated that there will be at least 2 employees at all times the office is open for safety reasons. He also stated that he has spoken to the neighbor directly across the street and that gentleman approves of his plans.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           The following need to be done: 1.) The owner needs to apply for a building permit. 2.) No work is to start before a permit is obtained. 3.) The structure will comply with NYS Building & Fire Codes.

Fire Dept:                                           N/A

Planning Dept:                                  Recommend approval of special permit. Lots combined if approved.

Police Dept:                                        Recommend approval.

Public Works & Water Dept:          NCI in regards to special permit. An RPZ device will be required on the water service. A drainage design will be required to ensure that the post development storm water runoff is less than or equal to the pre-construction storm water runoff. A Highway Work permit will be required from NYSDOT for the curb work at the proposed driveway. It is noted that there used to be a building at the south edge of the proposed parking lot. It is possible that remnants of the foundation may be encountered during construction. The sanitary sewer for this site is located in the southern portion of the property. It appears that the existing shed may have been built over the sewer lateral servicing this property. It is suggested that the sewer lateral be inspected and if necessary, repaired as part of the construction project.

B. C. Planning:                                  Comments not yet received.

 

A motion to recommend approval of the special permit to the Village Board for their September 2, 2008 meeting including the department head comments was made by Mrs. Drimak and seconded by Mr. Sas.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 3 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas)       No – 0        Absent – 2 (Klish, Putman)

 

Area Variance - Vincent Vail, 91 Virginia Avenue

 

The application is for an area variance to increase the maximum lot area coverage from 30% to 34% for the construction of a garage addition.

Mrs. Maria Vail, the applicant’s, wife was present.

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell asked about a discrepancy on the drawing regarding the size of the addition. Mrs. Vail stated that it should be 14’ x 24’. They are doubling the size of the garage. Attorney Jacobs advised the board that they will need to increase the square footage amount of the garage addition listed on the site plan by 80 sq. ft.

 

Mrs. Drimak asked if they will need a new curb cut. Mrs. Vail stated that no, they will not.

 

Vice Chairwoman asked if the addition was a single story. Mrs. Vail stated that yes it will be. 

 

Vice Chairwoman Hysell read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           The following need to be done: 1) The owner needs to apply for a building permit. 2) No work is to start before a permit is obtained. 3) The building will comply with NYS Building and Fire Codes.

Fire Dept:                                           Recommend approval.                       

Planning Dept:                                  Increase to 34% coverage. Not a substantial increase in my opinion.

Police Dept:                                        NCI

Public Works & Water Dept:          The maximum driveway width for a R-6 is 24 feet. If the driveway curb cut is to be widened, the cost is the responsibility of the property owner. A street work permit from DPW is required.

 

A motion to recommend approval of the area variance to increase the maximum allowable lot area coverage from 30% to 34% for a total of 1,768 sq. ft. to the Zoning Board of Appeals for their September 8, 2008 meeting was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Drimak.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 3 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas)       No – 0        Absent – 2 (Klish, Putman)

 

Area Variance – Christopher & Shannon Rosato, 162 Oakdale Road

 

There was no one present to represent the applicant. A motion to hold the application over to the September 23, 2008 meeting was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Vice Chairwoman Hysell.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 3 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas)       No – 0        Absent – 2 (Klish, Putman)

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm was made by Mrs. Drimak seconded by Vice Chairwoman Hysell.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Diane Salva

Planning Board Clerk