0 0 PLANNING BOARD TOWN OF COLONIE COUNTY OF ALBANY *************************************************** THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF DUNKIN DONUTS/MINI-MART AND TROY-SCHENECTADY ROAD APPLICATION FOR CONCEPT ACCEPTANCE *************************************************** THE TAPED AND TRANSCRIBED MINUTES of the above entitled proceeding BY NANCY STRANG-VANDEBOGART commencing on March, 0 at : p.m. at the Public Operations Center Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, New York 0 BOARD MEMBERS: PETER STUTO, CHAIRMAN MICHAEL SULLIVAN LOUIS MION KATHY DALTON THOMAS NARDACCI ELENA VAIDA, Esq., Attorney for the Planning Board Also present: Joe LaCivita, Director, Planning and Economic Development Edward Esposito, Monarch Design Charles Voss, PE, Barton and Loguidice Fred Sharifipour, Landowner Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 CHAIRMAN STUTO: Next on the agenda is Dunkin Donuts. MR. ESPOSITO: We have the owners here tonight. I m Ed Esposito from Monarch Design. I ll be brief. CHAIRMAN STUTO: We re going to have Joe do an introduction and then we ll lead into your presentation. MR. LACIVITA: I can let Ed take over if you like, but again this is another project that has been through the Planning Board through sketch plan and a couple of reviews. They re been working closely with the TDEs. I think that one of the things that we re going to try to discuss tonight is the turning radius that they ve been sent away with. The last time that we left this, they had agreed to get it back to the next step which was to get it through the concept acceptance. MR. ESPOSITO: As this project evolved we did have a few sketch meetings. Very briefly, we were asked to submit a full traffic study. I trust that since we ve been working with Barton and Loguidice, I feel confident that the plan has evolved. Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 We did address the streetscape and the site s interconnectivity. There are some trade-offs. We are seeking some type of incentive with the loss of space on this last maneuvering from the graphic that B & L submitted. As a truck turns the corner, we lost square feet of green, so we re seeking a little incentive zoning. In lieu of the parking strip connectivity, we did provide walkways to the adjacent site, but we have this parkland that was determined to be very consistent with the design standards. Overall, it s still the same application. We feel that the site works. I trust that we ll hear from them if we weren t accurate, CHAIRMAN STUTO: Thank you. MR. SHARIFIPOUR: We were here a few other times and we brought what the front will look like. The new people probably haven t seen it. What we created here was a space where we have an older house right now that just sits and we have come up with a plan for something to accent the Dunkin Donuts. My family owns most of the Dunkin Donuts Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 in the area. We keep it very clean. We re probably one of the top franchises in the upstate market. We have designed something to accent Dunkin Donuts, but we re not looking to build a full-blown gas station. We really don t want it to be a gas station. We just want it to be an accent to Dunkin Donuts. It s a convenience store. Basically, what we concentrated on was the patio over here where people can sit. People can take their coffee and sit over here and just hang out. We have a connector with a sidewalk. We ve designed a beautiful space up front. The convenient store is going to be nothing much that is sold there. We have a window in the back so people don t really have to come inside. It s only 00 square feet. There won t be any lotto or any of that other stuff. The tanks are in the back. These are the things that we have discussed in the past meetings. We have worked closer with the TDE and after working with them we came up with this sketch which we attempted to do a little bit of tweaking, but all in all it works. I guess Ph -- Fax --0
0 that s what we discussed in our last meeting to make sure that it works and to prove it with the Town Engineer. That s what we did and that s what we came up with. Our family lives off of Troy-Schenectady Road and it s something that s close to our heart. CHAIRMAN STUTO: We d like to now hear from our Town Designated Engineer, Chuck Voss. MR. VOSS: Mr. Chairman, thank you. As Mr. Sharifipour mentioned, we ve been working with them now for quite some time. Since their initial application submission and early on we had many comments, I think. We have our November rd letter here. The 0 applicants have really been very cooperative and working with us in going through with us and adjusting things. The plans truly reflect that. I think that at this point, really as was mentioned by Joe and the applicant - really the last issue that we had any concern with was how do you move a tanker truck through the site? How do you access the back? According to the regional circulation plan, the traditional 0-foot Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 tanker/truck/tractor trailer it seems to be tight. At that point we d ask the applicants to try a couple of models and see what action works. We have worked with their engineer very closely. We actually used some of our own modeling software in our office and ran a series of tractor trailer lights through that site, theoretically. What we did was we came to the conclusion that the site could technically be served by a 0. foot long tractor trailer. Just to mention again and make clear to the Board, not only do we work with the applicant but we also work with the Sunoco representatives and distribution representatives to coordinate what size trucks could deliver fuel to this site. To make a long story short, we came to an agreement that a truck of 0. feet in length would work for the site. The applicant has proposed to use that truck for delivery services. MR. SHARIFIPOUR: There are also smaller trucks used which we are pushing for. We ve been asked to render the drawings for. feet. We couldn t get an exact letter Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 from Sunoco to guarantee a smaller truck, but we are looking at smaller truck deliveries. This is based on the larger truck in a worst case scenario. MR. VOSS: From a technical perspective, to be able to maneuver a truck through there, the applicant did have to do a little redesign work. There was a curve coming in from the westbound lane to make that curve. There are mountable curbs into the site to be able to allow the tractor and the trailer to swing through the site and around the existing Dunkin Donuts to come back out. We ve concluded that that vehicle could make that swing into that site. We are now pretty comfortable with that. The only other concern that we initially had that I think that the Board was aware of was just the waivers. There were two waivers potentially for a setback. If you remember the original Dunkin Donuts was constructed prior to the design guidelines. It does not meet the maximum of for the setback. The new convenient store will be almost 0 feet and with virtually the same setback as the Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 existing Dunkin Donuts. From a design standpoint, that makes a lot of sense. We feel that the waivers and the setback certainly would be something that the board could consider, as they move the process forward. Basically, that s it in a nutshell. We ve seen the project a couple of times now and we feel that they have addressed all of our comments to date, outside of the technical issues that we normally look at during a typical site plan review. MR. SHARIFIPOUR: And with regard to the setback for this building, even though we have it adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts, we ve created this patio space with custom gating and receiving area so it doesn t look like it s just blacktop, even though the setback is adjacent to it. We ve created this to have more feeling from the road. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Okay, three of us weren t here. Can you tell us about landscaping and architectural? MR. VOSS: Architectural of the building this is in the COR district so there are certain design guidelines that are Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 in place for this. The new proposed convenient store and then the associated canopy were designed in keeping with the COR standards. Consistent materials will be used between the different structures to create a kind of uniform look, if you will. Abundant landscaping is being provided. They re also providing, I believe, enhanced landscaping out along the front setback in that wide area just behind the sidewalks that are existing there, which is certainly adequate for the design standards for the COR area. There is going to be a parking and sidewalk interconnect out of the front of the convenient store out to the front sidewalk on the site which is certainly encouraged. They are proposing ample side and rear landscaping behind the canopy to the north of the site, that s where the proposed stormwater is. The landscaping might offer a little bit back there, depending on the final design and layout. Other than that, we re comfortable with those designs. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Can we get some more specifics on architectural and exterior Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 0 services of the buildings from the applicant or from the engineering design person? MR. ESPOSITO: Sure. The architecture is storefront glazing. It s mill finish aluminum because a lot of the accents are what they call a looped panel. It s a polished aluminum panel. That s very typical with the eave of the canopy. Everyone received the printed material. I m sorry for the new people. There will be some signage that would go there that was illustrated on that presentation. The interior floor plans were also submitted. Very simply, as Fred had mentioned there s an island, a cooler and we d like the light come in the front windows. There will be a walk-up window from the back canopy and an area for people to pay if they re not paying at the pump. The architecture -- it s feet high. It s feet high with a ribbon panel. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Is this rendition accurate? MR. ESPOSITO: I think that s the one. All of these show the heights. We ve got the Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 masonry pier and the iron fencing, but that s reflective of what the applicant is proposing. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Do the Board Members have any comments or questions? Kathy? MS. DALTON: I m going to apologize up front. I haven t gone through this documentation as carefully as I normally do because I just got back from vacation. If the answer to these questions has been answered, I apologize. Just like I go to the Stewart s before this, this is my Dunkin Donuts. I use this parking lot quite a bit and in the morning time it s really dangerous in front of your building. Are you doing something that changes that traffic flow so that you can have cars pulling in and out to park and still be able to have other cars going to the back window? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Yes. That has been brought up in the past. We have created a one-way and it s shown on this drawing. We have slanted the parking spots so that people can come from one way and it s slanted now so that no one can come this way (Indicating), Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 and you can back out and go straight around. MS. DALTON: So if I pull in, I ve got to pull out and I ve got to go all the way around before I can leave. MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Right. MS. DALTON: And there is the ability to go around back so if I go that way, I don t get stuck in the drive-thru line? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: No, we have a bypass lane on the drive-thru. What we have done is created this a one-way. At prior meetings it was suggested so we did change it. It is a one-way. Parking is slanted now and you can go around this way (Indicating). Nothing changes with this being added on. Currently we have a bypass around the drive-thru where it could go. It s exactly the same way. The only thing that changes is the slanted parking. It s one-way now so that no one can go the other way. MS. DALTON: So if I wanted to go into the Dunkin Donuts and then pull out from in front of the mini mart, I could do that, right? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Yes. Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 MS. DALTON: I mean, if I didn t want to go all the way around if I just wanted to come out that other side there in front of the mini mart MR. SHARIFIPOUR: This is one-way as well. MS. DALTON: So the answer is no. You have to go all the way around. MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Right. MS. DALTON: With this building now your property is adjacent to Cocoa s correct? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: We have contacted all the neighbors. MS. DALTON: Right and I saw that. On your rendering, I don t see a cut-through between Cocoa s MR. SHARIFIPOUR: It s right here (Indicating). MS. DALTON: Thank you. MR. MION: When you come around there and you go between Dunkin Donuts and the service store, there is a connecting sidewalk going between the two; is that correct? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Yes. MR. MION: Are we going to have some type Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 of signage or something there? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Yes, there will be some walkway signs there. We haven t decided the proper markings yet. MR. MION: Thank you. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Tom? MR. NARDACCI: I don t have any questions. CHAIRMAN STUTO: I don t have any questions either. Mike? MR. SULLIVAN: Will there be a logo and stripe on the canopy? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Actually, we had a Sunoco representative come here. We actually battled that as well. There is going to have to be a Sunoco on the canopy however, if the canopy is so far back. The canopy is behind the building and you re not really going to see it from the road that much because coming and going, it s going to be blocked by the two buildings. What we did do is we re going to make a wraparound canopy with a better looking wrap and we propose that they have a skinnier racing stripe over here (Indicating). We re Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 trying to get copper all the way around the front of this building. We don t like this sign at all. We wanted to wrap around with copper and we re going to try to keep this skinny and behind it make it something more modern and more appealing, instead of having the whole thing be wrapped around. We didn t win the battle of the Sunoco signage, but if we make it thinner and make it something prettier behind it -- that s what we did. MR. SULLIVAN: The other question that I had was with the tanker truck. You said that a standard tanker -- meaning a regular twin drive axel tractor with a standard length trailer will work in the worst case scenario? MR. SHARIFIPOUR: Yes, the worse case scenario it works. We re looking to have the smaller trucks deliver anyway. In the worst case scenario, it works. MR. SULLIVAN: But you will have to have incentive zoning as far as greenspace reduction? MR. ESPOSITO: I don t think that we need that. It turns out on the sheet as square feet. We re less than one percent. We re. Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 percent less than percent green. That comes out to be about $,00. We re working with DOT and we re going to have granite there to make it much more durable. We ve worked with all the neighbors and with Cocoa s and I think that moving the dumpster will be appealing and it s going to look really nice. MR. ESPOSITO: We got a no hazard letter from the FAA. We were requested by the County to do that. That s done. I got off the phone with DOT this morning. The whole set looks good. She said that she just preferred the granite versus concrete curve so that if it gets pounded, granite is forever. Then we can work for the final terms for the permit for that one entrance that was recommended. That worked out nice. MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you very much. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Any comments from the public? (There was no response.) CHAIRMAN STUTO: Is there any more discussion by the Board? (There was no response.) Ph -- Fax --0
0 0 CHAIRMAN STUTO: Elena? MS. VAIDA: I couldn t remember if in the past we had talked about the SEQRA classification on this. I m just confirming that it would be an unlisted action. I also think that we at one point talked about some of the potential environmental issues, although I don t really think that there has been any identified other than what we have already talked about; traffic, safety and things like that. If the Board doesn t have any other questions on that, I take it that you want to move forward to vote on concept. CHAIRMAN STUTO: I think that we re ready to consider a vote on concept. MS. VAIDA: I just have to make sure that the applicant can understand and confirm that the acceptance of conceptual plan, if that happens tonight, doesn t bind the Board in any way and that acceptance of concept is not to be construed as an approval or partial approval of the site plan. You need to understand that. CHAIRMAN STUTO: Motion? Ph -- Fax --0
0 MR. NARDACCI: I ll make a motion to accept concept. MR. MION: I ll second that. CHAIRMAN STUTO: All in favor? (Ayes were recited.) CHAIRMAN STUTO: All opposed? (There were none opposed.) CHAIRMAN STUTO: The ayes have it. Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: I ll make a motion to adjourn. MR. NARDACCI: Second. CHAIRMAN STUTO: All in favor? (Ayes were recited.) CHAIRMAN STUTO: All opposed? (There were none opposed.) CHAIRMAN STUTO: The ayes have it. Thank you. 0 (Whereas the proceeding concerning the above entitled matter was adjourned at : p.m.) Ph -- Fax --0
CERTIFICATION 0 I, NANCY STRANG-VANDEBOGART, Approved Transcriber for the State of New York and Notary Public in and for the State of New York, hereby CERTIFY that the record taped and transcribed by me at the time and place noted in the heading hereof is a true and accurate transcript of same, to the best of my ability and belief. NANCY STRANG-VANDEBOGART Dated March 0, 0 0 Ph -- Fax --0