Town of Clay
                                Approved
                                   Planning Board Minutes                                                                                          

August 12, 2009                     

The regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Clay, County of Onondaga was held at Town Hall located at 4401 State Route 31, Clay, New York on the 12th day of August, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lepkowski at 7:30 PM and upon roll being called, the following were:

PRESENT:   Walter Lepkowski        Chairman
                        John Dougherty           Deputy Chairman
                        Karen Guinup                Member
                        Hal Henty                        Member
                        Allen Kovac                    Member
                        James Sharpe               Member
                        Russ Mitchell                 Member
                        Scott Chatfield              Planning Board Attorney
                        David Balcer                  Town Planner
                        Mark Territo                   Commissioner of Planning & 
                                                                       Development
                        Ron DeTota                   C & S Engineers 
                        Gloria Wetmore             Planning Board Secretary 


A motion was made by Allen Kovac seconded by James Sharpe to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Motion Passed 7-0


Public Hearings: 

2009-7-1 Hiawatha Plaza Land Development LLC (3), Amended Site Plan – 7359 Oswego Road (American Red Cross, Former Sears Hardware Store)

Chairman Lepkowski opened the public hearing, Jim Hagan, architect for the applicant, Allen Brighton of the Red Cross and Nate Whitaker of DPR Construction Inc. were present. 

Jim Hagan began by explaining the Red Cross currently occupies a building in downtown Syracuse, that building is being sold, therefore they need to relocate their operation. The building at 7359 Oswego Road is a 28,488 square foot building with narrow frontage on Co. Rt. 57, residential to the west, all adjacent property is RC-1. The applicant plans on using this as office space as well as a donor site. There are approximately 100 to 125 employees, however not all of them are on site. On average, there are 15 donors per day. 

The plan reflects changes to the loading dock. Currently the loading dock is a standard 48’’ high, they want to modify it to accommodate the cube trucks, 14ft x 87ft. enclosure for loading in inclement weather, the enclosure will match the building. The applicant will extend one dumpster site in the back of the building, they require one 30 yard dumpster and two 8 yard dumpsters, with a 6ft cedar fence enclosure.


Parking for this building is currently 122 spaces; they will restripe the lot making the spaces 9’6”. This will reduce the spaces to 105. There was some discussion on over flow parking.

Hal Henty asked about the medical waste, Mr. Brighton said they contract out for medical waste removal. Hal also asked if the applicant would add an air conditioning unit on the roof, and will the roof support the weight. They will add air conditioning, and the roof can carry the load.

John Dougherty asked what they have planned for the unheated area of the building, Mr. Whittiker said they would use this area for storage ie. snow blower, garden supplies and maintenance equipment. John Dougherty also asked how many trucks they have. Mr.Brighton said they have 25 vehicles, 7 cube trucks, 1 bus and the remainder are vans. They will park them in back of the building, the over flow will be parked in front. 

Russ Mitchell asked Mr. Brighton where the employees park at the downtown location, he said they park in the parking garage.

Karen Guinip said that she would like to see a block enclosure for the dumpsters, they hold up better than the cedar fencing.

The applicant will build a concrete pad for the generator, with the freezers and coolers for the storage of blood; they need a generator in case of a power failure.
They will use the generator from the Syracuse location. The generator is small, 135 kba, and runs on diesel fuel, it will be in a block enclosure to match the building. A daily test is run on the generator, it is programmable, so the applicant will set the test at whatever time the Board would like. Chairman Lepkowski asked if the generator falls within the allowable disciples for sound according to the town code. David Balcer said it would.

The discussion turned to drainage, there is a 12 to 18 inch dip between the two parking areas. Water pools in this area only if there is a heavy rain storm, David Balcer said he doesn’t recall any major flooding problems in this area. Any problems will be resolved by the town engineer.

Karen Guinip wants the dumpster enclosure to be made of block, and she would like that in writing.
Chairman Lepkowski closed the public hearing.

A motion was made by John Dougherty seconded by Russ Mitchell to adopt a resolution using standard form # 10, that the SEQR determination for Case # 2009-7-1 Hiawatha Plaza Land Development LLC., ( Red Cross ) located at 7359 Oswego Road be declared a negative 



declaration as it appears to have no environmental impact which can not be mitigated and does not involve any other permit granting agencies including the Federal Government.

Motion Passed 7-0 

A motion was made by John Dougherty seconded by James Sharpe to adopt a resolution


using standard form # 20 granting Site Plan approval for Case # 2009-7-1 Hiawatha Plaza Land Development LLC., ( Red Cross ) located at 7359 Oswego Road , based on a map by J.S. Hagan dated July 9, 2009, including amended drawings A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, final date of August 3, 2009, and adding the dumpster enclosure will be made of block.

Motion Passed 7-0 


Old Business: Adjourned Hearings

2007-12-3 Group One Development, LLC (3) Site Plan– Corner of Route 31 & Henry Clay Blvd. 

The applicant requested an adjournment to a September meeting date. A motion was made by Allen Kovac, seconded by James Sharpe to adjourn the Public Hearing to September 9, 2009.

Motion Passed 7-0


2008-6-1 Clay South Development Co., LLC (3), Amended Site Plan – South side NYS Route 31 (Lowe’s outparcel) (Adjourned from 11 previous meetings)

Chairman Lepkowski Opened the public hearing. Joe Gerardi of Clay South Development, Carlie Hanson of QPK and Peter Giovenlo of Bergman Associates were present for the applicant, Mr.Giovenlo explained the plan. They propose to build a 7500 sq. ft building, with 2 retail stores. They will have 50 parking spaces. The storm water and utilities were built in with Lowes. They reduced the number of curb cuts from 4 down to 2, the plan was changed so the entrances face State Route 31, and in doing so the location of the trees and the landscaping had to be adjusted.

John Dougherty asked about the stone entrance, Mr. Giovenlo said that is temporary.

Hal Henty asked if the fire marshal had any comments, he said that he would like to see comments from the fire marshal.


The lighting plan consisted of 12 ft. high mounting poles and 1 pole on the east side at 35 ft. in keeping with Lowes. Mr. Giovenlo asked if the poles could be raised to 16ft. Chairman Lepkowski asked if they raised the poles to 16 ft., would under canopy lighting be added. 

Chairman Lepkowski asked if this plan addressed all the comments made by the Onondaga County Planning Board a year or so ago, does it need to go back to the County? Joe Gerardi stated that the intensity has gone down since the county commented on this. Ron DeTota said the applicant has addressed all the Counties concerns.

Carlie Hanson of QPK Design described the building. It will be consistent with Lowes and Hobby Lobby, there will be an architectural feature on either side, the wall lighting will be decorative as well as emergency lighting. The air conditioners will be on the roof, The utility meters will be exterior however they will be shielded.

The Chairman asked if Ron DeTota had any questions, Ron said the site plan shows 3 entrances but there are only 2 doors.

Chairman Lepkowski closed the public hearing.


A motion was made by John Dougherty seconded by James Sharpe to adopt a resolution using standard form # 10, that the SEQR determination for Case # 2008-6-1 Clay South Development Co. LLC., Located on the south side of State Route 31( Lowes outparcel) be declared a negative declaration as it appears to have no environmental impact which can not be mitigated and does not involve any other permit granting agencies including the Federal Government.


Motion Passed 7-0
A motion was made by John Dougherty seconded by Russ Mitchell to adopt a resolution using standard form # 20 granting Site Plan approval for Case # 2008-6-1, Clay South Development Co. LLC., located on the south side of State Route 31( Lowes outparcel) based on a map by Bergman Associates dated August 5, 2009, including drawings C- 000, C-001, C-101, C- 102 Shows 3 entrances it should be 2., C-111, C-122, C-132, C-500, C-501, C-502, C-702 , amended lighting plan allowing light poles to be increased to 16feet, A-1-0 final date of August 12, 2009.

Motion Passed 7-0 



2009-1-6 Gary Bell (3) Site Plan, 7422 Oswego Road (Adjourned from 6 previous meetings)


The applicant requested an adjournment to a September meeting date. A motion was made by Hal Henty, seconded by Karen Guinup to adjourn the Public Hearing to September 23, 2009.


Motion Passed 7-0



2009-4-3 Self Storage Buckley LLC (3), Site Plan - 7500 & 7502 Buckley Road
(Adjourned from 3 previous meetings)

The applicant requested an adjournment to a September meeting date. A motion was made by Hal Henty, seconded by John Dougherty to adjourn the Public Hearing to September 9, 2009. 


Motion Passed 7-0


2009-5-3 ABC Estates, A New York Partnership (3), Amended Site Plan- 7272 Henry Clay Blvd. (Adjourned from 2 previous meetings)

Chairman Lepkowski opened the public hearing; Brian Bouchard of CHA Inc. was present for the applicant. Mr. Bouchard presented the amended site plan to the Board, which included the changes to the dumpster enclosure, as well as the fire hydrant locations on the plan.

Chairman Lepkowski asked if the Board or anyone in the audience had any questions, there were none. Chairman Lepkowski closed the public hearing.


A motion was made by Allen Kovac seconded by John Dougherty to adopt a resolution using standard form # 10, that the SEQR determination for Case # 2009-5-3 ABC Estates located at 7272 Henry Clay Blvd. be declared a negative declaration as it appears to have no environmental impact which can not be mitigated and does not involve any other permit granting agencies including the Federal Government.

Motion Passed 7-0


A motion was made by Alan Kovac seconded by James Sharpe to adopt a resolution using standard form # 20 granting Amended Site Plan approval for Case # 2009-5-3 ABC Estates located at 7272 Henry Clay Blvd, based on a map by CHA Inc. dated December18, 2007, Project # 17076, and amended drawings C-2 Landscape and C-4, final date of July 9, 2009. 


Motion Passed 7-0


2009-6-1 Oneida Financial Corp. (3), Site Plan – 5232 Witz Drive (Adjourned from 2 previous meetings)

Chairman Lepkowski opened the public hearing. David Colegrave of Harmony Architect Associates spoke for the applicant. Mr. Colegrave explained that the applicant would like to start by paving the parking lot before the cold weather sets in, so there would be an area for construction equipment as well as parking area for workers. 

The applicant would like to move the lot line , this can be administratively approved by the Commissioner of Planning. Mark Territo said that he will review the Site Plan and will approve this at the next Planning Board meeting as long as all the requirements are met.

Karen Guinup and John Dougherty would like to wait on a decision until the subdivision is approved. 

The applicant will have to show SPEDES details on the plan, Ron DeTota said the drainage looks good.

Karen Guinup suggested they adjourn the Public Hearing to the first meeting in September.
A motion made by Allen Kovac seconded by James Sharpe to adjourn the public hearing to September 9, 2009.

Motion Passed 7-0


2009-6-3 Baldini & Isabella Realty Assoc., LLC (3), Site Plan - 7960 Oswego Road (Adjourned from 1 previous meeting)

Chairman Lepkowski opened the public hearing, Jeff Hilderbrandt of Plumley Engineering explained the plan, Mr. Hilderbrandt said the applicant would use additional plantings in the buffer.

Hal Henty said that he would still like to see a privacy fence on the north side along the residential. Chairman Lepkowski said that he doesn’t think a fence is needed because it is a low use. Allen Kovac asked if the neighbors had any comments on the fence, and the applicant said they were not notified.


Karen Guinup asked what species of tree will be planted in the buffer; Mr. Hilderbrandt said they will plant 5ft white pine. Karen asked David Balcer what would be the best conifer for this area, David suggested Austrian pine because they are hardier then white pine.

Ron DeTota questioned the grading and storm water management, he also noted the plan shows 3 handicap spaces, the applicant needs only 1 handicap parking spaces, by eliminating 2 it will make room for parking. 

Chairman Lepkowski pointed out the changes that need to be made to the plan for the next meeting, the applicant will have to address easements, grading for storm water, a future dumpster site, austrian pines and eliminating 2 handicap parking spaces.

A motion was made by Hal Henty seconded by John Dougherty to adjourn the public hearing to September 9, 2009.

Motion Passed 7-0 


New Business: Signs

Value City Furniture (former American Signature Furniture) 3695 Route 31
Zoned RC-1 permit #41,322

Wall sign – Allowed two per tenant space, 8% of tenant space (184’w x 28’ht = 35152 s.f.) Total allowed 412.16 s.f.
Proposed sign (boxed) 236.0 s.f.

A motion was made by Hal Henty seconded by John Dougherty to approve the sign as presented.

Motion Passed 7-0 


Northside Baptist Church – 7965 Oswego Road (in front of K-Mart)
Zoned with a split zone, RA-100 and RC-1, all signs under RA-100 regulations

Wall sign – Allowed one per lot, total allowed 16 s.f. 
Proposed sign 15.38 s.f.

Freestanding sign – Allowed 1/lot, 24 s.f. max., 6’ ht. Max. & 25’ setback
Proposed 1 sign, 23.3 s.f, 5’-7” ht. & 33’ +/- setback. 

A motion was made by Hal Henty seconded by John Dougherty to approve the signs as presented.


Motion Passed 7-0
Nice N Easy – NYS Route 3, Amending previously approved gas price sign

Freestanding sign – All measurements stay the same, just switching to a segmented gas price sign. 

A motion was made by John Dougherty seconded by Russ Mitchell to approve the sign as presented.

Motion Passed 7-0

A motion was made by Russ Mitchell seconded by John Dougherty to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,




Gloria Wetmore 

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