Minutes of a regular meeting of the

Johnson City Planning Board held on

October 28, 2008 at 7:30pm at

243 Main St., Johnson City, NY

 

Present:           William Klish, Chairman

Pamela Hysell, Vice Chairwoman

Joanne Drimak

Leonard Sas

                        Kristen Luce, Village Attorney

Daria Golazeski, Planning Director

 

Absent:            Gerald Putman

 

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

 

Chairman Klish called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.

 

Chairman Klish noted the emergency exits.

 

Minutes – A motion to accept the minutes of the September 23, 2008 regular meeting and the October 6, 2008 special meeting was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Hysell. The motion carried with all those present voting.

 

Privilege of the Floor - None

           

Communications – None

 

Contingencies – None

 

OLD BUSINESS - None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Request for an extension - Kradro Realty, LLC, 80 Arch Street

 

The application is a request for an extension of the September 1, 2008 completion date for the construction

of a parking lot until August 31, 2009. There was no one present to represent the applicant.

 

Chairman Klish read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           n/a

Fire Dept:                                           n/a      

Planning Dept:                                    Concur with the DPW comments - a time extension of June 1, 2009 is reasonable.

Police Dept:                                        n/a

Public Works & Water Dept:          Considering that the developer was given approval of the site plan on January 22, 2008 with a completion date of September 1, 2008 and that none of the contingency work was completed until after they where notified by the Department of Public Works in August; I believe that a time extension of June 1, 2009 is reasonable.

B. C. Planning:                                  n/a

A motion to approve the request for an extension until June 1, 2009 including the department head comments was made by Mrs. Hysell and seconded by Mrs. Drimak.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 4 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas, Klish)       No – 0        Absent – 1 (Putman)

 

Site Plan Review - A La Carte Realty, Inc., 435 Main Street

 

The application is a site plan review for a used car lot. The applicant, Vladimir Postnikov, was present.

 

Mr. Postnikov stated that he would only be selling one vehicle at a time but NYS law requires that he have a minimum of 3 spaces available. The only signage he will be will be his dealership sign which will be located on the front of the building between the windows on the first floor.

 

Chairman Klish asked if there would be an office in the building. Mr. Postnikov stated that yes he would have an office.

 

Chairman Klish asked if he would be performing repairs or maintenance at the site. Mr. Postnikov stated that no he would not be.

 

Mr. Sas asked if the display spaces would be marked. Mr. Postnikov stated that they would not be.

 

Chairman Klish asked if a lease had been signed yet. Mr. Postnikov stated that yes he did sign the lease already.

 

Chairman Klish read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           No impact to this department. No building code concerns for the office area already existing in the main structure.

Fire Dept:                                           N/A    

Planning Dept:                                  Approve for only 3 spaces for display vehicles.

Police Dept:                                        No Police Department concerns.

Public Works & Water Dept:          Will there be signage?  If so, where will it be located and what size will it be?

B. C. Planning:                                  Comments not yet received.

 

Mrs. Drimak asked about lighting. Mr. Postnikov stated that he is only open until 5pm and will not require additional lighting.

 

A motion to approve the site plan for 435 Main Street for 3 spaces for used car sales during the hours of 10am-5pm, including the department head comments was made by Mrs. Drimak and seconded by Mrs. Hysell.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 4 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas, Klish)       No – 0        Absent – 1 (Putman)

 

Variances for Setback & Lot Coverage - Richmond Farr, 80 Zoa Avenue

 

The application is a variance to decrease the minimum required setback from 25ft. to 0ft. and a variance to increase the maximum allowable lot coverage from 30% to 39.32% for the construction of a garage addition. The applicant, Richmond Farr, was present.

Chairman Klish stated that the existing fence is not on the applicant’s property, but is located in the Village’s right-of-way and will need to be moved per Village Engineer, Bob Bennett as stated in a letter to Mr. Farr. The proposed addition is already over the property line.

 

Mr. Farr stated that he has owned the property for approximately 18 years and the fence has been there for almost 20 years. It was a wooden fence that he replaced with a vinyl a couple of years ago. He stated that former Village Code Officer Dale Grassi knew about the fence and appeared to be ok with it and Mike Sherba, Public Works Deputy Superintendent, became aware of it when the Village installed new curbs on Hillside St. a few years ago. The concrete slab has been there for several years.

 

Mrs. Hysell asked if the addition would be one story or two stories. Mr. Farr stated that it would be a one story addition that would be used for storage and a sitting room in the summer.

 

Mrs. Drimak asked if the antique furniture he would be storing is his own or will he be renting the space out to others. Mr. Farr stated that it would be own items.   

 

Chairman Klish read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:                           I recommend denial due to the following:

  Fence needs to be on the property and not in the Village right-of-way.

• The overhang of this structure is over the property line and on the Village’s right-of-way.

  The structure does not meet NYS Building Codes.

  No building permit was applied for or granted.

Fire Dept:                                           N/A    

Planning Dept:                                  Recommend denial of variance for setback. Approve variance for 34.6% coverage without addition.

Police Dept:                                        No Police Department concerns.

Public Works & Water Dept:          Approval of this variance would allow a violation of § 240-41 of the Johnson City Code which does not allow obstructions to be placed within the permit area (i.e. street boundary). The proposed roof overhang is shown as being within the street boundary.

B. C. Planning:                                  N/A

 

A motion to recommend approval of the area variance for 80 Zoa Ave. to increase the lot coverage to 34.6% to the Zoning Board of Appeals including the department head comments was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Drimak.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 4 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas, Klish)       No – 0        Absent – 1 (Putman)

 

A motion to recommend denial of the setback variance to the Zoning Board of Appeals based on the department head comments was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Hysell.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 4 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas, Klish)       No – 0        Absent – 1 (Putman)

 

Site Plan Review - Dr. Dale Skrabalak, 196 Riverside Drive

 

The application is a site plan review for an animal clinic. The applicant, Dr. Dale Skrabalak, was present.

Chairman Klish stated that the Village Board has granted the required special permit for this project.

 

Dr. Skrabalak stated that an asbestos survey will be done.

 

Planner Golazeski stated that the drainage design is not shown on the site plan. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he will speak to his architect/engineer. He also stated that the parking lot will have a 2% grade and will be graded away from Riverside Drive and towards the river.

 

Dr. Skrabalak expressed some confusion regarding the sewer line in the rear of the property. Planner Golazeski provided clarification and stated that the DPW or a private company can trace the line and make sure there are no blockages. There is a concern that the shed on the property may have been built over the line and may have damaged it.

 

Dr. Skrabalak asked about a curb cut on Riverside Drive. Planner Golazeski stated that the NYS DOT will need to approve a curb cut.

 

Chairman Klish asked about the existing driveway. Dr. Skrabalak stated that the driveway will be for employee parking only. There will be a guardrail and a small retaining wall.

 

Chairman Klish asked how the driveway will be designated for employees. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he could put up a no access or restricted parking sign.

 

Chairman Klish asked about the number of clients. Dr. Skrabalak stated that there will usually be one or two per hour. The appointments are generally a half hour long.

 

Mrs. Hysell asked about general signage for the property. Dr. Skrabalak stated that there would not be any signs on the building. There will be one sign, low to the ground near the road. He is not sure if it will be illuminated.

 

Mrs. Hysell asked about a time frame. Dr. Skrabalak stated that he plans to be completed by spring. He would like to get the parking lot area graded this fall so the ground can settle during the winter.

 

Chairman Klish asked about lighting and hours of operation. Dr. Skrabalak stated that the hours will be 9am – 7pm. The lights will be sensor lights that turn on automatically when it gets dark out.

 

Mrs. Hysell asked about the land in the rear of the property. Dr. Skrabalak stated that it will remain a field.

 

Mrs. Hysell asked about drainage into the river. Planner Golazeski provided an explanation about drainage and advised Dr. Skrabalak that he will need to talk to Village Engineer, Bob Bennett regarding his drainage plan.

 

Chairman Klish read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

 

Code Enforcement:             The following need to be done:

                                                1) The building will comply with both NYS Building & Fire Codes and the Village            of Johnson City local laws.

                                                2) An asbestos inspection will be required.

                                                3) If approved, said property must have a building permit before any demolition or alterations are to be started.

                                                4) Detailed, stamped drawings will be issued to this department.

Fire Dept:                               N/A                

Planning Dept:                      Adjoin lots. Signs for handicapped parking per code. Recommend approval.

Police Dept:                            Recommend approval.           

Public Works & Water Dept:         

·         An RPZ device will be required on the water service.  This also includes the execution of NYSDOH form DOH-347.

·         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.

·         There is no storm drainage and grading plan shown on the site plan.

·         A Highway Work permit will be required from NYSDOT for the curb work at the proposed driveway.  The Highway Work Permit is contingent upon Department review and approval of the planning and design details of the entrance.  Sections 5A.4, 5A.6, 5A.7 and 5A.9 of the NYSDOT Driveway Design Policy contain commercial driveway design requirements which may be useful to consultants hired by the property owner to plan and design the access to the highway.

·         Questions concerning this policy should be directed to the NYSDOT Highway Maintenance Resident Engineer.  Names and phone numbers for the Resident Engineers are provided on the Internet at http://www.dot.state.ny.us/reg/regmenu.html.  Click on your location on the state map and then on the link for “organization, contacts & phone numbers”.

·         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 hold over the application until the receipt of the storm water plan and the comments from the Broome County Planning Department was made by Mr. Sas and seconded by Mrs. Drimak.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:      Yes – 4 (Drimak, Hysell, Sas, Klish)       No – 0        Absent – 1 (Putman)

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15pm was made by Mrs. Hysell seconded by Mrs. Drimak.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Diane Salva

Planning Board Clerk