/2021

Village of Baldwinsville Planning Board 
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 @ 7:03 P.M.
                                                     Approved 6:0          

PRESENT:  
Terrie King
Chris Greer 		
Mike Mazoway
Mark Jenkins
Kevin Hamilton
Donna Freyleue
Johanna Bock

Mr. John Tonello, Chairman attend via Zoom

ALSO PRESENT:  
Joe Frateschi, Village Attorney
Gregory Sgromo, Village Engineer
Gregg Humphrey, CEO 
Mary Augustus, Board Secretary

Guests: 
Justin Mirando, CDS Life Transitions, Inc.
Brian Bouchard, CDS Life Transitions, Inc.
Cory Auerbach, Attorney @ Barclay Damon     
Audrey Farwagi, Christopher Communities
Shauncey Maloy, Christopher Communities
Dave Cox, Christopher Communities

Luwanna Monnell
Valerie Lawrence 
Sally Patterson
Elizabeth Bernardin
Richard Bernardin
Kaitlyn Rellos
Kenneth Rellos
Jim Ebersback   
Doris Javvis
Nick Javvis 
Dan Schmidt
              
Pledge of Allegiance
Motion by Ms. King to approve Planning Board Minutes as written from April 26, 2022, second by Mr. Mazoway. 
                                 Carried 7:0                                                                                                 

104 Smokey Hollow Rd.- Christopher Communities–site plan
Mr. David Cox and Mr. Shauncy Maloy were present this evening on behalf of their client, Christopher Communities. Mr. Cox from Passero Associates Engineering Architecture addressed the Board. He explained that this project is a 52-unit 2-story multifamily building located at 104 Smokey Hollow Road.  It is a 6.75-acre undeveloped property in the Smokey Hollow Planned Development District (PDD). A letter of intent and a proposed site plan were submitted for review by the Board. This project will be referred to as LaMadre Landing. Mr. Cox stated the project actually is a continuation of the existing St. Mary’s Apartments at this location. The new building would be built just North of St. Mary’s. Christopher Communities owns St. Mary’s, and this proposed project would be a perfect fit to the area. To the North of the site is Edgewood Drive, which is residential homes, and the Baldwinsville High School is to the Southeast. Mr. Cox explained the existing access will be used from St. Mary’s so there will not be any new curb cuts.  The 2-story building will be an “L” shape with 35-1 bedrooms and 17-2 bedrooms, parking will be on the North side of the building.  As you move Southeast toward the High School the area is heavily wooded.  The proposed site plan shows a walking trail through this area and a playground built to the South. Mr. Cox feels these would be a nice amenity to the area. An outdoor patio area will be added looking out towards the woods also.  Regarding the drainage concern they will have some type of storm water management green infrastructure toward the front of the property, and it will discharge towards the road. Mr. Cox concluded by saying that Christopher Communities wanted to bring the proposed site plan before the board this evening for review to help make this the best project for the community.
Mr. Mazoway’s concern is the parking lot to the North.  He stated the residences in a previous proposed project were seriously concerned about the location of the parking in the Northern part of the property.  The North side of the property backs up to a residential housing development. The lights from the parking area will spill into the homes on Edgewood Drive. Mr. Mazoway does not like this location for the proposed parking lot strictly because of the issue of the lights spilling on these residences’ property.  Ms. King agreed stating that from the site plan this parking lot would only be about 10 feet off these properties.  Ms. King stated there is not even enough area to plant a buffer between the two properties.  Mr. Cox explained they had planned on installing a fence between the properties.
Ms. King asked what would be the interaction between St. Mary’s and the proposed project? If any?  Ms. Audrey Farwagi from Christopher Communities approached the board, she explained these are two separate entities, the residents would interact as neighbors would. Ms. King stated it would be nice to use the “green space” between the two.  Mr. Cox thought this would be a great idea and would take a look at it.  
Mr. Tonello asked if the majority of the parking would be for residents of the facility or for employees?  He suggested that there be adequate shielding placed on the parking lot lights.  Mr. Cox stated that some of the residents could hold jobs. Mr. Cox informed the Board they are using the guide for the PDD guidelines the design the site plan.  He added that the light would have a “house shield” on them to direct the light.   
Some of the Edgewood Drive residents attended the Planning Board meeting this evening to voice their concerns:
•	The proximity of the parking lot to their property line will only be 10 feet
•	The spilling of car head lights and parking lot lights onto their property and into their homes
•	Concern if the wooded area will remain to act as a buffer 
•	Noise issues from the cars, scraping ice, closing doors, and starting engines 
•	Disturbing State/Federal wetlands
•	Drainage issues
•	Heat from the asphalt parking lot will radiate on the properties and into the houses
Mr. Humphrey confirmed that this type of development is an allowed use of this property.  
Mr. Tonello explained that the responsibility of the Planning Board, Village Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals is to take the public’s feedback on projects like this. They take the zoning rules to have the best use of the property to balance the USE and the residences.
19 Phillips St.-19 Phillips Street Apartments-CDS Life Transitions, Inc.
This proposed project will create 70 apartments in a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units.  Seven residential buildings and a community center will be constructed on the property’s southern portion.  18 apartments will be reserved for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The property is currently zoned as an R1.  On June 16, 2022, CDS Life Transitions, Inc. addressed the Village Board requesting a zone change to an R2 in order to development this property.  There was not a decision made at that meeting.  Mr. Brian Bouchard and Mr. Justin Mirando from CDS were present this evening to address the Board and present the proposed site plan of this project.  Mr. Bouchard stated the location of this project was 19 Phillips Street, it is approximately 15 acres of land near the Northeast corner of Oneida Street and Phillips Street that is off to the East.  The proposed development is adjacent to the Candlewood Garden Apartments. Mr. Bouchard explained the project would be in two (2) phases the first phase would be the construction of 7 buildings, and 7 buildings in phase II. The primary access would be off Oneida Street and the secondary access would be Phillips Street.  This proposed project meets all the R2 requirements and is consistent with the existing Candlewood Apartments. Mr. Mirando informed the Board that Phase II could be 5 years down the road.  
Ms. Freyleue stated, after reviewing the site plan, it looks like a very dense area, and it would generate a lot of traffic. This could affect many streets/roads in the village with more traffic congestion.  Ms. Freyleue asked how this issue would be mitigated by them?  Mr. Bouchard explained that before they submitted the site plan to the Village, they reached out to DOT (Department of Transportation) to help work through this issue. The DOT gave them guidance in terms of what they expect to see such as a traffic study, trip study that would be generated and how the adjacent intersections would be impacted. Mr. Bouchard stated they did complete a study prior to school letting out. The traffic study was just completed last week, and he will provide a copy for the Board. He continued to explain that sidewalks were incorporated to make walk ability into the Village more accessible. 
Mr. Greer asked if the 40-foot setback at the Oneida Street, would be a grassy area or wooded area or a fence?  Mr. Cox stated there is a slope to the East would remain due to the fact it is not developable. For the 40-foot, probably 15 feet would be cleared for the construction to take place and the remaining area would be left as a wooded area to be used as a buffer. 
Mr. Mazoway asked if there would be a sanitary pump station? Mr. Bouchard stated the area is quite a bit higher than the sewer on Oneida Street and would be gravity feed to the system.  If a sanitary station would have to be installed it would have to be discussed whether it would be private, or Village owned. 
Ms. King stated in past projects the Board has encouraged that club houses, pools and playgrounds be located more in the center of the development to help eliminate noise for the residences. Mr. Bouchard said he and Mr. Mirando can revisit and revise. Ms. King asked about the NRJ Properties, LLC located at the street boundaries of Oneida Street. Mr. Humphrey stated the owner of these properties has started clearing the property with the intent of building two family homes on each property.  
Mr. Mirando informed the Board that there is a development in Rochester with the same basic site plan of townhouse that was recently completed if they would like to see how it turned out. Mr. Mirando explained the rentals of the townhouses are not “market rate” they are considered “affordable”.  Mr. Mirando stated these are not “low income” apartments, they are affordable, ranging from $770.00 -$1,200.00 per month depending on income levels. He continued to explain to the Board if the renter’s income varies their rent would be adjusted.  Mr. Mirando stated they are working with HCR (Homes & Community Renewal) as a funding source.  
Residents from this proposed site plan area did attend the meeting this evening to voice their concerns:
•	Traffic concerns, there is already traffic issues in the Village, and this would contribute to the problem.
•	Exceptional amount of tractor trailers traffic through the area. These trucks run the stop sign on Oneida Street and Phillips Street every day, all day. 
•	Speeding issues
•	Flooding
•	Children’s safety with the increase in traffic and the tractor trailers.  
•	The noise of construction while people are still working from home due to the pandemic.
•	Increase in water and sewer distribution for the Village
•	Residents would rather see single family homes built at this location.
 Mr. Tonello reminded the residents there will be a traffic study done and this will be key consideration for this Planning Board.  The traffic study will include traffic on Oneida & Phillips Street.  
Mr. Tonello added the Village Board would address the zoning change at the next Village Board meeting on July 7, 2022.  He thanked the residents for their input this evening.  
Motion by Ms. Freyleue to adjourn the meeting at 8:13p.m. second by Ms. King 
                                         Carried 7:0

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary E. Augustus
Mary Augustus, Planning Board secretary