Schenectady public meetings in 2022

City Council

The provided text consists of an email from a resident expressing support for historic overlay protection for the Masonic Temple. No official council actions, votes, or decisions were recorded in this document.

Historic Resource Commission

The Historic District Commission approved a request for fencing and landscaping at 123 N. Ferry St. and a conditional roof replacement at 140 Front St. The board also discussed methods to hold property owners accountable for work done without prior approval.

• Approved installation of aluminum fence and brick sidewalk at 123 N. Ferry St (Unanimous)
• Approved roof replacement at 140 Front St conditioned on providing material and color documents (Unanimous)
• Approved October 27, 2022 meeting minutes as amended
• Approved amendments to November 17, 2022 meeting minutes

City Council

The City Council adopted seven resolutions as part of a consent agenda. This included the authorization of a lawsuit settlement for Crystal Scism. Residents also used the floor to advocate for ARPA funding for the Central Park Casino building and affordable housing.

• Approved November 28, 2022 meeting minutes
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-258 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-259 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-260 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-261 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-262 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-263 authorizing settlement of lawsuit by Crystal Scism (4-2)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-264 (Unanimous)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a regular meeting on December 7, 2022, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Room 110. The board will review and approve the October meeting minutes and hear four variance applications: two area variances for signs, one use variance for a third dwelling unit, and one area variance for a residential setback.

• Joseph Peniciaro requests an area variance for a monument-style parking lot sign at 204 Lafayette St. in the C-4 Downtown Commercial District
• Reserve at Towpath Trail LLC requests an area variance for a 19 sq. ft. sign where 6 sq. ft. is allowed at 540 North End Dr. in a Planned Residential Development
• Carol Eto requests a use variance to use an existing third dwelling unit at 332 North Brandywine Ave in an R-2 Two-Family Residential District
• John Senisi requests an area variance for a 48.22 ft. setback where 25 ft. is required for a new residence at 1834 Lenox Rd. in an R-1 Single Family District

The Board approved area variances for two signs and one residential setback. A request for a use variance to allow a third dwelling unit at 332 North Brandywine Ave was denied.

• Approved area variance for monument parking lot sign at 208 Lafayette St (Unanimous)
• Approved area variance for 19 sq ft monument sign at 540 North End Dr (Unanimous)
• Denied use variance for third dwelling unit at 332 North Brandywine Ave (Unanimous)
• Approved area variance for 48.22 ft residential setback at 1834 Lenox Rd (Unanimous)
• Approved October 5, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

City Council

The provided minutes contain no record of actions, votes, or decisions. The document consists of page markers only.

Historic Resource Commission

The Historic Resource Commission approved an application for fencing and landscaping at 713 Union St. with specific design conditions. The commission also received public feedback on the draft Design Guidelines for the City of Schenectady.

• Approved fencing and landscaping at 713 Union St. (unanimous)
• Approved October 27, 2022, minutes with corrections (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Commission recommended that the City Council add 308 State Street to the OH Overlay Historic District. Several site plan and special use permit requests were decided, while two applications were tabled for further revisions or appeals.

• Recommended 308 State Street be added to OH Overlay Historic District (carried, 1 abstention)
• Tabled electronic message board sign at 1040 Pearl Street for architectural design updates (unanimous)
• Issued Conditional Site Plan Approval for West Indian store at 1481 State Street (unanimous)
• Issued Special Use Permit for electronic message board at 1235 State Street (unanimous)
• Issued Conditional Site Plan Approval for Destine Preparatory Charter School at 530 Franklin Street (unanimous)
• Tabled private club and business office application at 2525 Broadway pending Board of Zoning Appeals review (unanimous)
• October 19, 2022 minutes not approved

City Council

The City Council unanimously adopted nine resolutions via a consent agenda. The meeting included a public hearing on the abandonment of a 0.15-acre paper street and various resident comments regarding public safety and council conduct.

• Approved minutes from October 24, 26, and 30, 2022
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-245 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-246 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-247 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-248 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-249 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-250 (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-251 (Unanimous)

City Council

The City Council voted to approve an ordinance amending the proposed operating budget for 2023 and the associated appropriations. This was the only substantive action taken during the meeting.

• Approved Ordinance 2022-11 amending the 2023 proposed operating budget (4-3)

Historic Resource Commission

The Commission recommended applying the OH Overlay Historic District zoning to the Masonic Temple and adjacent buildings. It also approved a fence installation at 1454 Lowell Rd. and denied a request for vinyl siding and windows at 1039 Park Ave.

• Recommended local historic designation and OH Overlay Historic District zoning for 302 State St. (unanimous)
• Approved aluminum fence installation at 1454 Lowell Rd. (unanimous)
• Denied installation of vinyl siding and windows at 1039 Park Ave. (unanimous)
• Adopted May 26, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0, 1 abstention)
• Adopted September 22, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council voted to adopt the proposed operating budget for 2023 and authorize the associated appropriations. The measure passed with a 5-2 vote.

• Approved 2023 Proposed Operating Budget and appropriations (5-2)

City Council

The Schenectady City Council approved a consent agenda containing nine resolutions, all adopted unanimously. The meeting also included two ceremonial resolutions recognizing Rotary International World Polio Day and Pede Bros. for 55 years of business. Public comment addressed topics including rent stabilization, planning commission appointments, and city services.

• Approved consent agenda of 9 resolutions unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-236 recognizing Rotary International World Polio Day unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2022-237 recognizing Pede Bros. for 55 years of business unanimously
• Approved minutes from October 11, 2022 meeting

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider four applications for area and use variances. The board will decide on requests regarding signage, parking setbacks, and the operation of an auto business.

• Area variance for two attached signs at 530 Franklin Street
• Appeal of Zoning Interpretation for 2 North Ferry Street
• Area variance for a 4-foot parking setback at 1730-1732 State Street
• Use variance to operate an automobile sales and repair business at 743 Strong Street

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider several area variance requests regarding parking requirements, sign dimensions, and lot sizes. The meeting also includes an appeal of a zoning interpretation for 2 North Ferry Street.

• 31 Lafayette Street: request for 50 parking spaces instead of the required 69
• 2450 Van Vranken Avenue: request for directional signs up to 4 feet-6 inches tall
• 530 Franklin Street: request for two attached building signs instead of one
• 832 Union Street: request for three residential units on a 3,910 square foot lot
• 2 North Ferry Street: appeal of a Zoning Interpretation and Decision

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider several applications regarding property uses and setbacks. These include requests for reduced off-street parking, an auto body repair establishment, and residential unit adjustments.

• AIK Property Group, LLC: Parking variance for 1101/1107 Barrett Street and 519 South Avenue
• AIK Property Group, LLC: Parking variance for 1052/1062 Barrett Street and 608 South Avenue
• Charlie Attar: Parking variance for 104-112 Erie Boulevard
• Sameer Gadwah: Use variance for auto body repair at 1318 State Street
• Steve Cimino, Jr.: Use variance for a three-unit dwelling at 2037 Wabash Avenue

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board will consider two area variance requests from AIK Property Group, LLC regarding onsite parking requirements. The first request involves providing four spaces where 13 are required, and the second involves providing zero spaces where 24 are required.

• Area variance for 1101 and 1107 Barrett Street and 519 South Avenue (4 parking spaces requested; 13 required)
• Area variance for 1052 and 1062 Barrett Street and 608 South Avenue (0 parking spaces requested; 24 required)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider five variance applications. These include requests for changes to impervious surface limits, setbacks, parking capacity, signage, and land use.

• Hometown Health Centers: area variance for 84.5% impervious surface at 1108 State Street
• Hometown Health Centers: area variance for 76-foot front yard setback at 1108 State Street
• John Roth: area variance for 54 parking spaces at 224 State Street
• L&B State Street Properties: area variance for a 3-sided sign at 2200 Maxon Road
• Geeta Jagiah: use variance for a poultry meat slaughtering facility at 714 Broadway

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board will consider three variance applications regarding setbacks, parking requirements, and land use. These items involve properties on Edison Avenue, State Street, and Broadway.

• Area variance for 129 & 133 Edison Ave to allow a 3ft side yard setback
• Area variance for 922 State St to allow 2 off-street parking spaces instead of 27
• Use variance for 2033 Broadway to allow parking as an accessory use

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider area variance requests for a subdivision on Barrett Street. The board will also review two requests for zoning interpretations regarding setbacks and parking requirements for properties on North Ferry Street and Union Street.

• Area variance request for 1128, 1132, 1136, 1140, and 1144 Barrett St to allow a subdivision creating seven parcels with reduced frontage and side yard setbacks
• Zoning interpretation request for minimum rear yard setbacks at 2 North Ferry St
• Zoning interpretation request for off-street parking requirements at 203 Union St

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals is meeting to consider area variance requests for two property developments. The board will review requests to reduce required parking spaces and modify setback and surface coverage limits.

• DePaul Properties, Inc. request for 50 parking spaces instead of 71 at 914-1002 Crane St.
• Bohler Engineering request for 8.1ft rear transitional yard setback instead of 15ft at 1675 Union St and 1017 Dean St.
• Bohler Engineering request for 84.6% impervious surface coverage instead of 80% at 1675 Union St.
• Bohler Engineering request for 76% impervious surface coverage instead of 70% at 1017 Dean St.