Village of Tivoli
Planning Board
Draft Minutes
August 24, 2020
Present Also Present
Mike Billeci; Chairman Bill Shilling
Pamela Morin Janene Gentile
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Donna Matthews
The meeting was held in the Historic Watts de Peyster Village Hall. It began at 7:00 PM.
New Business
27 Montgomery Street – Site Plan Review
Mike Billeci opened the meeting and asked the applicants to speak about the project.
Bill Shilling said that they wanted to add a second floor onto their existing garage. It will be a loft space with no partition walls. There will be outside stairs in the back. There will be a slop sink on each floor and a bathroom in the building. The addition will be 594 sq. ft., bringing the building to 1100 sq. ft. There are currently two pull up garage doors that will change to a carriage style door. They are both artists; the downstairs will be a studio and upstairs will be a space for music and photography.
Mike Billeci asked if there is a door on the front on the second floor. No it is just cosmetic. He asked if there will be exterior lighting. Yes, in front of the garage and in back.
Mike Billeci said it did not appear complicated or controversial and may not even require a public hearing.
Pamela Morin asked if there are currently cars parked in the garage. No, they moved in eight months ago and there is still stuff in the garage.
Mike Billeci asked about the exterior details. Bill Shilling answered that the siding would be wood clapboard, a painted wood exterior similar in style to the house. The house is aluminum clapboard.
Pamela Morin asked about the railings in the back, shouldn’t there be railings on both side of the stairs and is the design appropriate for the HO district?
Mike Billeci explained that Pamela Morin was referencing the Tivoli Pattern Book that is mandatory in the HO district. He is not sure that he agrees with her because it is on the back of the building, but they will discuss it.
Mike Billeci said he did want to refer the project to the village planner. The applicant is responsible for covering the cost of the planner. The applicant was asked to put $300 into escrow.
Bill Shilling questioned why the project needed review. Mike Billeci explained that the board members were not professionals and needed professional advice. If it wasn’t for the bathroom, it would be pretty straightforward.
Janene Gentile commented that they are flexible and would like to proceed even if they could not have the bathroom.
Bill Shilling asked if other paperwork would be required for the review. No, but the planner might request additional information such as material samples, proposed colors, proposed light fixtures to make sure they are dark sky. The applicants will eventually generate a site plan that will have a plan drawn to scale, a materials list and the other information. The planner will come back with requests and a memo with a checklist for the final site plan.
The next meeting will be on September 14.
Janene Gentile commented that it seems like there are no big issues and asked if they can begin to consult contractors. Yes, but they may not begin building.
Pamela Morin asked if the planner’s memo is sent to the whole board when it is delivered. Yes.
Minutes
The minutes from August 10, 2020 were reviewed.
Pamela Morin made a motion to approve the minutes from August 10, 2020. Lisa Schwarzbaum seconded. All in favor. The minutes were approved.
Mike Billeci asked what the process is to post minutes online. Laura Gail Tyler answered that the mayor was posting them as there is no current process.
Laura Gail Tyler asked if the planner can review the portion of the project to see if the applicants should be added to the next ZBA meeting. Mike Billeci asked why the ZEO wouldn’t make that determination. Laura Gail Tyler commented because the project was going through the Planning Board and the Planning Board can also refer the applicant to the ZBA.
Donna Matthews asked how many members should be on the Planning Board. Five and two alternates. She commented that they need some interest in the Planning Board. Mike Billeci commented that if anyone has recommendations, they can be referred to the mayor.
Pamela Morin made a motion to close the meeting. Lisa Schwarzbaum seconded. All in favor. The meeting was closed at 7:25.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Gail Tyler
Deputy Village Clerk