Village of Tivoli
Planning Board
Draft Minutes
August 14, 2023
Present
Lisa Schwarzbaum; Chairperson
Pamela Morin
J.P. Ward
Wendy Hansen, Alternate
Absent
Donna Matthews
Andrew Tejerina
Amy Breedlove, Alternate
Also Present
Michele Greig
Tyler Drosdeck
Masha Zabara
Kathy O’Connor
Jeanette Canaday
Deborah Benson
Nicole Cox
Larry Cox
Abigail McCue
Andrea Rhodes
Janette Pabon
Andrea Shilling
Cameron Price
Georganna Ulary
Helen Adams O’Keefe
Jim Taylor
Jill Taylor
Mike McGrinder
Anna Sifter
The meeting was held in the Historic Watts de Peyster Village Hall. It began at 7:07 PM.
Lisa Schwarzbaum announced there are two new members joining the Planning Board: Andrew Tejerina who was not in attendance and Wendy Hansen, an alternate member and designated a voting member for the meeting.
Minutes
Minutes from July 10, 2023 were reviewed.
JP Ward made a motion to approve the minutes from July 10, 2023. Pamela Morin seconded. All in favor. The minutes were approved.
Old Business
Plane Hall – Site Plan Review and Special Permit for Change of Use from Place of Worship to a Cultural Facility
Tyler Drosdeck was present to represent the application. The owners of the former St. Sylvia’s church are requesting a change of use requiring a special permit and site plan review. The property is in the R15,000 and HO districts. It was a shared wish of the Village and the owners, Tivoli Hall Foundation, to make the space into a cultural facility. The programming will be determined by the needs and desires of Tivoli residents. The owners worked with the Village on parking. The parking lot across the street was given to the Village with an agreement that 16 parking spaces could be used for the cultural facility. Agreements with the Village were included in the application. Tyler Drosdeck stated that there are no exterior changes to the site; there is a conservation agreement with the Village to preserve the exterior of the building. The glazing for the windows will be Brice Marden’s design; the openings will not be altered. The rectory will remain residential. Events will have an estimated 200 maximum capacity although the BIZEO granted higher occupancy rates; two events per month are estimated. The hours of operation will be 11am – 10 pm.
Condolences were offered for the loss of Brice Marden.
The board discussed the entity that would be responsible for the facility. The definition of “cultural facility” was read.
231-4 Definitions
A public or noncommercial establishment that provides for the display, performance or enjoyment by the public of heritage, history or the arts, or that serves as a gathering place for community meetings and recreation, such as museums, art galleries, libraries, theaters and community centers.
[Added 3-18-2020 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
The applicant was asked about Bard’s use of the space. The definition of “public” and being “open to the public” was discussed. A comparison to public libraries was used as an example of being open to the public. The applicant was asked to provide designs for approval of the glazing, perhaps colors and design, so the board can make sure it aligns with the HO district. There are 13 windows to be glazed.
The notice for the public hearing was read.
Pamela Morin made a motion to open the public hearing. JP Ward seconded. The public hearing was opened.
Public comments:
Masha Zabara:Asked if there would be another public forum.
Abigail McCue: Commented that while libraries are open to the public there are limitations, and it is not true that anyone can walk in off of the street to all events. She works at the Tivoli Free Library and used children’s programming as an example. She also commented that she has attended private weddings at public institutions such as museums and those events were not open to the public.
Helen Adams O’Keefe: Discussed the difference between a cultural center and a community center. It is her wish that it be more of a cultural center for the fine arts.
Jeanette Canaday: Asked if a lawyer had interpreted the definition of cultural facility and stated that the defintion said ”public or noncommercial.”
Andrea Shilling: Elaborated on ”noncommercial” being an alternative to ”public” in the definition. Public events often have sign ups limiting public from walking in off of the street. Even if the space is rented, the renter would be a member of the public.
Larry Cox: Asked about the government of the facility. What is the decision-making vehicle: manager, board, advisory group? Who would a manager be reporting to?
Andrea Rhodes: Elaborated on the management and the distinction between cultural and community use. The Stissing Center was offered as an example of a well-curated arts facility.
Jill Taylor: Elaborated on the distinction between cultural and community use. She asked if putting one term before the other made a difference. Wouldn’t a community center encompass a cultural one.
Kathy O’Connor: Asked that the safety of the new glazing be considered and asked if there is a bathroom; yes.
Nicole Cox: Asked if there will be space planned to use as artist studio space and will the interior remain open or be divided.
Masha Zabara: : Elaborated on ”noncommercial” and ”public” in the definition. She stated it could be a private, not-for-profit or a public space that charged for events. She voiced strong support for a community center in Tivoli and emphasized the need for it. It would be great if the group overseeing it could include a diverse group of Tivolians.
Anna Shifter: Stated that cultural and community are not mutually exclusive. There could be an artistic director that did not preclude community uses.
Helen Adams O’Keefe: Stated that there should be a separation between cultural and community.
Jill Taylor: Asked if there is a definition of community center.
Mike McGrinder: Questioned what public the facility will be open to.
Deborah Benson: Stated that it sounds like the Village made an agreement with the Tivoli Hall Foundation to have a cultural center but there is a discrepancy with how the definition is written. It also seems like there is no other category that can cover the use. She questioned the constraints and whether a fee could be charged to use the space for a wedding.
The length of use by individuals of the public for events was discussed. Tyler Drosdeck stated that the programming was envisioned as rotational or ephemeral. Helen Adams O’Keefe asked about art gallery space or shows being held for a period of time. Tyler Drosdeck stated that the space did not lend itself to gallery space. Andrea Rhodes discussed the use of space for theater and the investment and time required for sets but stated that a show could have a limited run.
The timeline was discussed. The hope was to open in the fall.
Tyler Drosdeck: Responded to comments. He had a different interpretation of the definition of cultural facility and did not think that it required the facility to be open to all members of the public at all times. An events coordinator would be ideal. He will make sure that the windows are safe. The interior will not be divided; it will be left open. There are no plans for artists’ studio space as the space is not well suited for it. There is a basement, but it is proposed storage space.
Lisa Schwarzbaum stated that the public hearing will be continued to Monday, August 28 at 7pm.
Tivoli General – Site Plan Amendment
The applicants presents new information that they submitted including an email clarifying that the Liquor Authority did not have set dimensional requirements, 2 different occupancy certificates fromthe BIZEO (one ofr the interior and one for the outside seating area), and details for the design of the fence. It was clarified that the fenes would be removed and taken in each night.
The board reviewed a drafted conditional approval.
Pamela Morin made a motion to approve the resolution. Wendy Hansen seconded. The resolution was approved.
The board continued to discuss the definition of cultural facility and whether there was a way to clarify the meaning of community center. The ability to fundraise for the maintenance of the facility through rentals was also discussed. A clear mission statement was discussed.
JP Ward made a motion to close the meeting. Pamela Morin seconded. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Gail Tyler
Deputy Village Clerk