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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013_05_20 Planning Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK MAY 20, 2013 IN CONFERNENCE ROOM C,TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Roll Call. Present:John Ortiz, Chairman, Edmund Papazian, Ellen Dunkin,Virginia Picciotto, George Roniger, Stephen Marsh, Ira Block Also Present: Lisa Hochman, Counsel,Anthony Oliveri P.E., Consulting Engineer, Elizabeth Paul, Environmental Consultant,Abby Katz,Town Board Liaison. Absent/Excused: Ronald Carpaneto, Building Inspector, Kevin G. Ryan, Counsel. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:00P.M. The applications were taken out of order APPLICATION NO. 2 CASE NO.309 Winged Foot Golf Club continuation Seth Mandelbaum, applicant's attorney, gave a brief update stating they are requesting an amended site plan approval. Mr. Mandelbaum stated they have been before the Coastal Zone Management Commission ("CZMC") and the Board of Architectural Review("BAR") and received their approval.They are scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals ("ZBA")for a variance. Mr. Mandelbaum stated that the Negative Declaration ("Neg Dec") should include the ZBA as an involved agency on page 2. Ms. Paul read the proposed draft Neg Dec into the record. Mr. Ortiz referred to the April 15th letter from BAR in support of the proposed project. There were no questions or comments. Motion:To approve the Negative Declaration Action:Approved Moved by Ellen Dunkin, Seconded by Virginia Picciotto. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary:Yes=7). Yes: Edmund Papazian, Ellen Dunkin, George Roniger, Ira Block,John Ortiz, Chairman, Stephen Marsh, Virginia Picciotto. APPLICATION NO. 1 Referral from the Town Board regarding Proposed Zoning Amendment SB&B Districts Mr. Ortiz thanked the Board members for making time for the special meeting. Mr. Altieri,Town Administrator, also thanked the Board for having a special meeting. Mr. Altieri gave background regarding the proposed change in the Zoning Code: In 2009 there was an agreement between Westchester County and the Federal government having to do with the development of fair and affordable housing. One pertinent aspect is the requirement to build 750 units in the county by the year 2017.The Department of Housing and Urban Development has stated that local zoning is an impediment to construction of fair and affordable housing. The Town believes this fails to take into account the issues of the cost of land and availability. There is not much available land left in the Town for the construction of multi-family housing. The Town is concerned that the Federal government may be ready to turn its sites on local governments, requiring more fair and affordable housing. After discussion and looking at the Town map the Town Board identified the Service Business and Business Zones as appropriate locations to incorporate residential development. The Town Board is now asking for the Planning Board's comments and opinion on the proposed zoning change. The Town Board will probably be back in September to seek the Planning Board's advisory opinion regarding the Model Housing Ordinance,which is also a requirement of the settlement. Mr. Block asked why there was no current zoning provision for mixed use. Mr. Altieri stated that the code was adopted in 1959 when there was a sense to separate residential and business zones. Mr. Ortiz asked whether the Town planned to develop any housing projects similar to the Hommocks housing units and Mr. Altieri responded no. Mr. Ortiz stated this zoning proposal is generic and not site specific. Mr. Roniger stated there is a possibility that no residential development will get built pursuant to the proposed zoning. Mr. Altieri stated that the Town intends to provide accommodations and opportunities for the development of this type of housing. The change in zoning opens approximately 54 acres of land,which could create up to 308 units of housing over a ten year period. This may remove some of the Federal government's concern that zoning is prohibitive. 10%of the 308 potential housing units will be fair and affordable. According to Mr. Maker,Town Attorney: The notion of mixed use is an urban concept. The Town Board has tried to keep the requirements of the ordinance and the business uses unchanged. The introduction of residential over commercial, allows for an increase in height--30 feet vs. 44, only the residential component is allowed the extra 14 feet. Areas closest to schools, transportation, shopping are the reasons why this area were chosen. Mr. Ortiz stated the Town Board is lead agency and responsible for the change in the zoning code, but any applicant wishing to build must get approval from the Planning Board before the Building department issues a permit. Parking was discussed. Mr. Mazin representing Myrtle Blvd businesses, Coulghin and Gjoko, stated that parking permits would be required. Mr. Altieri stated that parking would have to be considered at the time of proposed development. At the present time there are spaces in municipal Lot 1 available. Ms. Picciotto asked if the 308 units could be built on one site, Mr. Altieri stated although it is possible, it is not probable that all units would end up in one place. Ms. Hochman stated that the code gives the Planning Board 45 days to opine and that the Town Board is on a fast track and would like to hold a public hearing in June before the summer break. Ms. Hochman further stated she can put something together and circulate it to be approved at the June 12th regular meeting but needs something to work with. Mr. Ortiz stated that he is concerned with parking. Mr. Papazian stated that he believes the proposed zoning is a good thing as it broadens the tax base and any potential project will have to go before the BAR and the Planning Board. Ms. Picciotto stated that Special Use Permits are required in certain commercial properties and the Planning Board weighs the impact on residential properties every time the permit is renewed. Motion:To adjourn at 8:48 P.M., Action:Adjourn, Moved by John Ortiz, Chairman, Seconded by Ellen Dunkin. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary:Yes=7). Yes: Edmund Papazian, Ellen Dunkin, George Roniger, Ira Block,John Ortiz, Chairman, Stephen Marsh, Virginia Picciotto. Minutes Prepared by Francine M. Brill Planning Board of Appeals Secretary