PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
January 13, 2003
Posted 02/17/2003
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting held in the Town Hall basement meeting room, 11 South Main Street, Pittsford, on January 13, 2003, and filed in the Town Clerk's Office
PRESENT
Nancy Sprenkle, David Wigg, David Jefferson, Richard Palumbo, Bob Kremens, Richard Williams II, Planning Board Attorney
ABSENT
Bill Brizee, Cary Smith
ALSO PRESENT
Martin Brewster, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, Douglas DeRue, Planning Assistant , Linda Dzakowic, Planning Secretary, Sandra F. Zutes, Town Board
Nancy Sprenkle called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
St. John Fisher College
Parking Improvements, Botsford Addition to College
& Addition to Science Building
Special Permit Preliminary Site Plan
3690 East Avenue
Tax Parcel 138.14-1-63
Bob Burgdorf of Nixon Peabody LLP represented the applicant explained this hearing is a continuation of the Colleges application for a special permit to use the Botsford parcel for college purposes as well site plan modification for the academic building expansion. Mr. Burgdorf noted several DRC comments have been resolved.
Rich Williams spoke with counsel for the Town regarding the exact location and extent of the conservation easement. At the time of rezoning, the concept was that all lands south toward Bretton Woods and west toward East Avenue the be kept open in line with typical buffering. Mr. Burgdorf noted the portion of land next to the former dance studio was not included and Rich Williams agreed. Rich noted at issue was the applicant's proposed mapping description of the conservation easement, left of the area outside the conservation easement abutting East Avenue. Mr. Williams indicated all area to Bretton Woods side and the East Avenue side were intended to be included in the easement and any modifications would have to go back to the Town Board for consideration.
Nancy Sprenkle noted the hearing was closed and there was no further discussion. Nancy indicated she would read the findings of fact granting a negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA made a motion to accept the resolution and Rich Palumbo seconded the motion. The Board voted to approve.
Mrs. Sprenkle noted the Board reviewed this special permit - preliminary site plan resolution and proceeded to read the findings. Nancy made a motion to accept the resolution as read, Rich Palumbo seconded the motion Bob Burgdorf questioned condition 8 regarding chains on gates noting a similar condition was imposed by the Town Board at 3700 East Avenue. Marty Brewster explained the condition was appropriate to this resolution because lights would be off and security issues. Mr. Burgdorf indicated he had no objection and recognized the possibility of and the Board voted to accept and copies of the resolutions are attached.
Plum Garden Restaurant
Special Permit
3349 Monroe Avenue
Tax Parcel 150.12-1-18
Randall Peacock, architect, was present representing the applicant. Nancy Sprenkle indicated the Board was familiar with the SEQRA resolution. Nancy asked if members of the public would like the resolution read and there was no comment. Mrs. Sprenkle made a motion to approve the negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA and David Wigg seconded the motion. The Board granted approval.
Mrs. Sprenkle noted the Board also reviewed the special permit resolution for the Plum Garden restaurant. Nancy noted included, as a condition of approval with the regulatory codes is the utilization and maintenance of high efficiency filters. All exterior modifications will be subject to ARB approval and Nancy indicated construction of the interior must not block pedestrian or emergency access. Mrs. Sprenkle made a motion to accept the resolution as written and David Wigg seconded the motion. The Board voted to accept and a copy of the resolution is attached.
Pittsford Community Church
Preliminary Site Plan/Special Permit
421 Marsh Road
Tax Parcel 164.08-1-43.11
The applicant was not present and the hearing is continued. Marty Brewster indicated the DRC was received and would be reviewed.
Lehigh Station North
Preliminary Subdivision
Tax Parcel 177.01-02-011.1, 177.01-02-013,
177.01-02-012, 177.01-02-009.
Karl Essler of Fix Spindleman indicated they have submitted a written DRC response. Nancy Sprenkle noted the Board would review the response and the hearing was closed.
Parcel 12 Tobey PUD
Preliminary Site Plan
Clover Street
Tax Parcel 163.02-01-023 and a portion of 163.02-01-024.1
Bryan Powers of Sear Brown indicated the DRC response was submitted and explained the applicant is willing to move the proposed building further to the south to provide a greater separation to the existing home. The PUD zoning does not allow moving the building to the south however they would leave the decision to the Town. Bryan explained building separation requirements and perimeter 2 buildings would increase impervious surface. Nancy Sprenkle questioned access onto Office Parkway Drive and confusion over parking spaces. Bryan noted there was no parking area indicated for parcel 8. Marty Brewster indicated there was no staff recommendation regarding the current parking layout. There was no public comment and hearing remains open.
Spring House Commons
3000 & 3001 Monroe Avenue
Preliminary Site Plan
Tax Parcel 150.80-01-071, 150.08-01-073,
150.80-01-060.1, 150.08-01-062.1 & 150.80-01-072
Nancy Sprenkle noted receipt of a letter from the Town of Brighton regarding the Auburn Trail. Don Lasher of Buckingham Properties was present and indicated he had nothing new to present at this time. Al Pardi the architect was also present.
- Joseph Lippert of 122 Pickwick indicated he presented the Secretary of the Board a copy of a petition with an additional 32 signatures
- David Tenant of 80 Pickwick invited the Board and staff to walk the neighborhood in order to understand how a 3-story building would impact the area. Mrs. Sprenkle indicated many members of the Board have come to the neighborhood to walk the area order to make informed decisions. David presented a letter from Tom Gillette to the Board and Nancy entered it into the record.
- Linda Peck of 4383 East Avenue commented this proposal is against the Greenprint which was meant to protect aesthetic quality of the Town.
- Jack Sievers of Shoreham presented a number of questions that were addressed at previous meetings Marty Brewster explained many answers to his questions could be found in the DRC report.
- Wes Perkins of 85 Pickwick addressed lighting, grading and buffering impacts and inquired about variances.
- Judy Van Houton of 205 Shoreham indicated increased traffic could cause accidents she also has concerns regarding lighting impacts and safety.
- Karen Pappas 95 Pickwick asked whether contact has been made with Brighton and Marty Brewster indicated Brighton has been notified of the project and was asked to comment on several occasions. He also noted Brighton sent a letter on 12/23/02.
- Mrs. Loeb of 60 Pickwick asked how Board is going to protect residents and Rich Williams explained the applicant has a right to develop his property and the Boards work to ensure minimal impact on adjacent properties through required conditions of approval in the resolution.
Nancy Sprenkle explained in detail the Planning Board process of gathering information, deliberation, review of code-related issues and decisions leading to resolution.
Mr. Perkins explained maps do not depict accurately what is being planned, and this has caused confusion and concern, buffer zone should be adequately depicted with a minimum of 20' vegetation. The plan should contain adequate information about the site.
Nancy thanked residents for providing questions and information and will be the basis of consideration for the Board to prepare a resolution appreciate their interest
- John Messenger of 232 Shoreham uses trail and makes the area a nice place to live and would like the Board to consider saving the trail.
- June Camerdello of 5 Pickwick expressed her continuing concerns and asked whether incentive zoning could be used to encourage developer to give back an area to Town
Rich Williams explained incentive zoning is used where a developer is purposing something that is outside what is currently permitted in terms of density there is a quid pro quo - let me expand and extend beyond what the Town would let me do and in exchange I'll provide an incentive for the Town. That is not what the applicant is proposing here. This circumstance is in compliance with what is allowed on Monroe Avenue with the addition of the rezoning request to the Town Board for rezoning of the piece of land that lies in between commercial and Oak Hill. Rich indicated there were 3 pieces to the application: 1) commercial complying with zoning, 2) variance request to the ZBA and 3) rezoning.
Nancy moved to closed the hearing and the motion was carried.
AUTUMN WOODS - Section 3
Preliminary Subdivision
Mendon Center Road
Tax Parcel 177.04-01-9.1, 13.1 & 8.31
Ed Parrone presented an overview of this proposal indicating plans for this section include 54 lots of medium to low density lots and they intend to install the watermain on North Wilmarth Road with this phase of development hopefully around May. Ed explained there would be a park district but no lighting district and he commented on landscape plans as related to stormwater. Mr. Parrone indicated a response to the DRC comments would follow.
Rich Palumbo questioned drainage issues relating to the Knickerbocker property and Mr. Parrone indicated possible construction would redirect some water away from Larry Knickerbacker's farmland.
Marty Brewster questioned lot size in relation to houses and grade differences. Jeff Smith explained certain areas are intended to hold smaller houses (3000 sq. ft) and an end load garage. Jeff Smith suggested Marty and the Board look at Wandering Trail as a location to view similar homes. Rich Palumbo indicated this is a public hearing and invited members of the public to speak.
Diedre & Julian Epstein of 66 N Wilmarth questioned air quality and noted burning took place during the first phase and that soil storage became a problem as winds and erosion caused a greater than average amount of dust to the surrounding area. Mr. Epstein would hope the debris in the wooded area be cleaned out. The land that is proposed to be dedicated to the Town may have issues with an old farm dump.
Curtis Eckland 94 N. Wilmarth asked whether opportunities for wildlife development were considered. Nancy Sprenkle indicated the hearing remains open
St. John Fisher - Dorsey Hall expansion
Special Permit/Preliminary Site Plan
3690 East Avenue
Tax Parcel 138.14-1-63
Bob Burgdorf of Nixon Peabody explained increased demand for housing is the reasoning for extension of Dorsey Hall to a 3rd floor Mr. Burgdorf noted there would be no increase to the building's footprint and the height would increase 22' to 46 total height.
Nancy Sprenkle asked if the college has revisited its master plan and indicated that the Planning Board would like an update.
Rich Williams inquired whether this expansion would meet the needs of those living off campus and Mr. Burgdorf explained it would lesson the need for housing off campus.The hearing remains open
APPLEBEE'S RESTAURANT
Special Permit/Preliminary Site Plan
Pittsford Plaza
Tax Parcel 150-120-01-018
Nancy Sprenkle indicated receipt of a letter from Wegmans for the record.
David Rice of Sear Brown explained Firestone & Shifty's would be demolished for construction of a new 174-seat restaurant. The applicant indicated the desire to begin construction in March if the proposal is approved. Written from the comments, the EB Board discussed impact to the Erie Canal Lock and the ARB requested continuance of plaza canopy in addition to architectural treatment and landscaping along the side view.
Mr. Friedrich, Senior Vice President of Wilmorite, read a response to the letter the Board received from Wegmans regarding parking issues. Mr. Friedrich indicated currently there are 54 parking spaces adjacent to the proposed restaurant and would add 24 more (12 to the rear of the proposal and 12 near the canal bed) or 78 in the immediate area. Mr. Friedrich noted the Plaza lease agreement with Wegmans was non exclusive.
Nancy explained there is concern regarding the visibility of the proposed HVAC systems as well as noise and odor concerns.
Lester Mitchell of 12 Leeward Lane asked that no signage or high illuminations impact his view and he also questioned outdoor seating. The applicant indicated no outdoor seating was planned except as a waiting area
There was no further public comment and the hearing remains open
DISCUSSION WORKSHOP
December 9th Planning Board meeting minutes could not be approved due to lack of a quorum to accept from that meeting.
The hearing was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dzakowic
Planning Secretary
THE OFFICIAL BOARD MINUTES ALONG WITH ATTACHMENTS, IF ANY, ARE ON FILE IN THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, LOCATED IN THE PITTSFORD TOWN HALL, 11 S. MAIN STREET, AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. WEEKDAYS.