John Hirliman

The board will review consent agenda items regarding signage proposals for 92 Congress Street and 68 Congress Street. Additionally, the board will address historic review applications for exterior modifications at 569 N Broadway and 10 Franklin Street, new residential construction at 3 Cobb Alley, and a demolition request for a structure located at 233 Ballston Avenue.

The meeting featured a sketch site plan review for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s proposed redevelopment of the 56 Duplainville Road site, formerly the Quad Graphics Facility. Discussions covered the site master plan, which will be subject to subsequent site plan approvals for each phase, and the commencement of the SEQRA environmental review process, focusing on utility needs, environmental impacts, and aesthetic considerations, particularly concerning Adams Road neighbors. Key utility focus areas included sanitary sewer flow capacity for the anticipated increase in water usage and the construction of a new water main by Regeneron. The board addressed several SEQRA impact categories, including air quality, groundwater storage, and transportation, noting Regeneron's proposal appeared less impactful than the previous use. Separately, the board reviewed modifications to a previously issued Special Use Permit for a marijuana dispensary at 75 Weibel. Specific details related to dumpster placement, fencing aesthetics, ADA compliance, and stormwater management required further analysis. The Special Use Permit was provisionally extended by four months pending the submission of detailed revisions.

The Planning Board meeting agenda includes the approval of previous meeting minutes and a discussion regarding Proposed Traffic Impact Analysis Procedures. Applications under consideration include a Special Use Permit for a mixed-use development (120-room hotel, 128 residential units, 8,000 sq. ft. retail) on Rt 9 / South Broadway, and a Sketch Plan review for a proposed 6-lot conservation subdivision at 11 Eastman Lane. General guidelines for public input regarding SEQR, Site Plan, Special Use Permit, and Subdivision applications were also noted. Information regarding upcoming workshops and general guidelines for speakers was provided.

The Zoning Board of Appeals addressed several applications. For application #20230590 regarding 177 S Broadway (Stewart's Shop), the Board approved area variances related to buildout percentages, front yard setback, and sign area, noting the proposal addresses existing conditions and requests a smaller sign than what currently exists. Application #20250975 for a deck roof addition at 20 Empire Ave was approved, contingent upon the applicant's engineer confirming water runoff would be managed via a gutter system directed onto the applicant's property, meeting permeability requirements. Application #20251054 at 142 East Ave sought approval for a small addition, which was granted after revisions to the discussion points clarified alternatives were considered and the impact was deemed minimal. Application #20251055 for a detached garage at 722 N Broadway/49-51 Bryan St required clarification on driveway width and potential curb cut variances; the public hearing was held open pending confirmation from city staff regarding the curb cut. For application #20251056 at 10 Elizabeth Lane concerning additions to a single-family residence, the Board required the applicant to eliminate excessive roof overhangs and provide comparable case examples for front setback encroachments before continuing the hearing. Finally, the Board tabled the recommendation for a Zoning Map Amendment (Application #202601) for properties on several drives (Schuyler, Benton, MacArthur, Iroquois, & Salem) from UR-1 to UR-2 due to public concerns regarding increased density, potential changes to neighborhood character, and infrastructure impact.

The Zoning Board of Appeals addressed several applications requiring area variances. Key discussions included an application for 124 Madison St. seeking relief to maintain an existing shed encroaching on the property line, with conditions related to city council approval. For 92 North St., the board reviewed a variance request concerning maximum combined coverage due to a proposed single-family residence and detached accessory structure, deferring a decision pending clarification on whether the structure would function as an accessory structure or a second principal structure. For 10 Elizabeth Lane, the applicant presented updated comparable properties to reduce a variance request related to a front porch setback, requiring a revised plan. An application for 722 N Broadway/49-51 Bryan St. regarding a detached garage setback failed on a vote after board members expressed concerns about the proximity to a neighbor's property line. Finally, variances for a new single-family residence at 3 Cobb Alley were approved. The board also discussed a proposed zoning change for setbacks from Schuyler to Salem Dr., concluding that the neighborhood appears correctly zoned.