PLANNING BOARD AGENDA
Common Council Chambers
December 16, 2021 – 4:30pm
PUBLIC HEARING
PB Case No.: 24-21 Zone: Residential Mixed
Address: 1603 Howard Avenue Requested Action: Special Use Permit
Applicant: Eatimad Ibrahim
Owner: Hamdi Badawi
Pursuant to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance, the applicant is seeking Special Use Permit for a proposed project located at the aforementioned address.
The structure is currently residential with two apartments. The second-floor is rented and the first-floor is vacant. The applicant is seeking a Special Use Permit to allow for the operation of a café in the first-floor unit and front porch. The café would feature four tables, but mostly cater to take-out orders. There are no plans for expanded parking, however patrons can utilize on street parking. As this café is designed to cater to the neighborhood in which it is located, the owner expects that the majority of customers will walk there.
OLD BUSINESS
PB Case No.: 20-21 Zone: Central Business District
Address: 1018 & 1022 Park Ave Requested Action: Preliminary Site Plan Review
Tax I.D. #318.058-2-66
Applicant: Matthew W. Meier, AIA
Owner: Becky Carlson St. Claire
Pursuant to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance, the applicant is seeking Preliminary Site Plan Approval for a proposed project located at the aforementioned addresses.
The City of Utica and Artspace Projects, Inc. have entered into a development agreement to convert the northern (Genesee Street side) 0.5 acre portion of the existing parking lot, adjacent to the Stanley Theater, into an affordable housing apartment building.
The applicant has proposed to construct a 4 story, 40,000+/- GSF mixed-use building. It will contain 40 living units consisting of 13 studios, 21 single bedroom, and 6 two-bedroom apartments. Approximately 1,500 GSF of lease-able commercial space will be included on the ground floor level, along with building entry lobby and community use spaces. Ground floor apartments will be located at the rear. Building identity signage will be anticipated, as well as commercial tenant signage. This project is being funded by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR)
The existing curb cut at Genesee Street will be utilized for a one-way entrance into the lot, driving underneath the 4-story building to access the parking behind. Approximately 33 existing parking spaces within the building footprint and landscape perimeter will be displaced.
A Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) and Engineering Report have been provided.
PB Case No.: 22-21 Zone: Central Business District
Address: 311 Main Street Requested Action: Site Plan Review
Applicant: Mohawk Valley Garden Corporation
Owner: Mohawk Valley Garden Corporation
Pursuant to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance, the applicant is seeking Site Plan Approval for a proposed project located at the aforementioned addresses.
The proposed action for 311 Main Street is to convert the building into both residential and commercial spaces, with a restaurant located on the first floor and apartments filling the remaining floors. The project will consist of a full rehabilitation, with a 1,149 square foot addition on the east side. Surface parking will be added at the north side of the property. Signage will be kept to a minimum in order to keep the building’s original historic charm. Restaurant signage will be located at both the east and south side of the building (staying within SHPO’s guidelines).
A Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) has been provided.
NEW BUSINESS
PB Case No.: 25-21 Zone: Land Conservation
Address:1 Utica Zoo Way Requested Action: Site Plan Review
Applicant: Brendan Marris
Owner: City of Utica
Pursuant to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance, the applicant is seeking Site Plan Approval for a proposed project located at the aforementioned address.
The Utica Zoo is seeking Site Plan Approval for their new Welcome Center. An existing building of 1,0005 SF will be added onto with an additional 3,953 SF that accommodates the following program needs of a new classroom, new family style toilet rooms, new gift shop and storage areas, along with a new welcome center entry foyer that connects to a conference and event space located within the existing footprint. New site work and utilities to connect this new building to the existing adjacent site feature will be completed.
The historic structures of the zoo dating back to the 1920’s on this property are of Tudor style architecture and will be carried over into the design of the new welcome center. This will help the building to blend into the surrounding facilities and add to the historic charm of the site.
A Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) has been submitted.
PB Case No.: 26-21 Zone: Residential Mixed
Address: 2012 Sunset Ave/ Tax ID #329.008-19&20 Requested Action: Site Plan Review
Applicant: David Kleps
Owner: Tyler Griffith/Sturges Manufacturing
Pursuant to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance, the applicant is seeking Site Plan Approval for a proposed project located at the aforementioned address.
The applicant is seeking to construct an addition to their existing warehouse of approximately 10,600 SF, measuring 265’ in width and 40’ in length. The addition will store both incoming materials and outgoing finished products. Access will remain from the existing parking lot and truck access on the west side of the property, no vehicle access will be from Arnold Ave. A loading dock will be added on the west side of the addition.
The addition will be similar in appearance to the existing building and will reduce impact to the surrounding neighborhood as it will eliminate the existing dumpster dock along the north side and relocate it to the existing west side truck access. A new 6’ fence will be installed at the east/west property line.
A Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) has been submitted.
