Village Planning Board
Village Planning Board
Public Hearing held for Single Family Home on Elizabeth St., Wellness Center Proposed at 5 Park Square.
The Village Planning Board opened with a Public Hearing on 13 Elizabeth St. This is a Single Family Home with two applications before the Board, Site Plan Review and Architectural Design Review. Regarding the Site Plan, all standards are met in height, setbacks and dimensions. It is the Architectural Design that has left continued questions from the Board. During the August work session, the applicant was asked to change a handful of design elements. Some of these are included but not limited to windows, roof pitch, materials and door changes. Some of the requested revisions were made before the formal August meeting, held a week later. A sliding front door now shows divides to simulate double hung windows. The size of the stone chimney was reduced, the stone privacy wall in the front was eliminated, mullions were added to upper windows. The pitch of the roof was increased but not enough to be consistent with this area. The Board commented that the pitch and symmetry change was critical to blend in with the other homes and character of the neighborhood but it really looked to have no significant change since the work session. The asymmetrical pitches do not fit the character of the neighborhood. The Board at the August regular meeting asked that the applicant address design elements that do not fit the zoning for this area. The applicant made no further design changes before the September meeting. The applicant's architect discussed at length how they had already made many changes to better fit what the Board was looking for and also designed a house his client was happy with. The applicant’s son, Evan Duckett, spoke on behalf of his mother citing this a “small departure from the character and not a giant leap; change is inevitable and this is a good compromise.” The applicant, Lisa Feinberg-Duckett, spoke to the board asking for compromise and the Village attorney advised they are a discretionary board, but with no ability to modify only follow the guidelines in the zoning that is enacted by the Village Board. Next, Michael Painter, village resident, asked what materials the siding would be in addition to the roof. He was told either wood or hardie board for the siding and the roof would be shingle with roll out material on the front part of the roof.
Given the applicant’s interest to now make the revisions, there was a motion to adjourn, not close, the public hearing; a second and ayes carried. It will remain open for written comment to the Village Clerk or Code Enforcement Officer.
There was a motion to approve the August minutes; a second and ayes carried.
Old Business: 13 Elizabeth St. - Feinberg-Duckett asked for more direction on what the Board was looking for and if the Village Planner would work with her architect to better understand what type of home would get approved. For three meetings they have laid out what does and does not work on the design. Feinberg-Duckett will need to work with her architect directly to come up with a design that is keeping with the neighborhood. Sandy Reed, Planning Board member, advised per the minutes of August’s meeting that the applicant had already been told what needed to change on the plans to better fit the guidelines. Both Sean Cornelius and Damon Newpher echoed Reed’s sentiment that their recommendations had already been given before the last meeting. The applicant asked if she had to rush the redesign as no ground would be broken until spring. The Board advised her to take her time and that an extension can be granted if both parties agree. There was a motion to table the matter; a second and ayes carried.
New Business: 5 Park Square - Fitness Center. The applicant, Bradley Poole, presented an application for a Fitness/Wellness Center to be located at 5 Park Square. The space that Poole is renting is between approximately 3,500 and 5,000 square feet. This will consist of a gym, chiropractor, nutritionist, massage therapist and acupuncturist. Information still needed is the number of employees and a definitive floor area, so that the proper parking calculations can be done. There is no site plan review or architectural design review needed; only a Special Use Permit. This is an allowable use with a SUP in the industrial district. The Board deemed the application complete enough to set the Public Hearing for October 13th at 5:30pm. There was a motion to set the Public Hearing; a second and ayes carried.
Other Business: The Village Board had a few questions from the August meeting for the Planning Board regarding refuse zoning and approvals for projects on Washington Street. Village Planner Gary Palumbo advised that dumpsters are typically included with site plan review but not triggered with the Special Use processes. As the Planning Board goes over the Village Comprehensive Plan and makes suggestions to the Village Board, Palumbo will take into consideration this refuse concern and look at how it can be adjusted in the zoning. For the specific approvals the Village Board was asking about, Palumbo will have an update at next week’s Village Board meeting.
There was a motion to adjourn; a second and ayes carried. The next meeting of the Village Planning Board will be held virtually on October 13, 2020 at 5:30pm. Please contact the Village Clerk at 716-699-4636 for instructions on how to connect.