Troy City Council considers senior housing redevelopment at contaminated site

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on April 2, 2025, in Troy, NY, focused on a proposed redevelopment project for a contaminated site previously occupied by First American Towing and Recovery. The meeting began with an overview of the site’s condition, which has been vacant since early 2023 and is currently condemned due to significant structural issues.

Sameet, a representative from Abella Associates, introduced the project, emphasizing the challenges posed by the site’s steep slopes, grade changes, and soil contamination from its historical industrial use. He noted that over 47% of the property is deemed unbuildable, despite current zoning regulations allowing for substantial impervious coverage.

The proposed redevelopment plan includes a five-story, 73-unit affordable senior housing building, featuring 23 enclosed parking spaces and additional outdoor parking for visitors. The design aims to enhance the streetscape along Fifth Avenue and includes extensive landscaping to improve the overall aesthetic of the area.

Kelsey Carr, also from Abella Associates, detailed the variances requested for the project, which include adjustments for building height, parking zone, front setback, and ground floor transparency. The proposed building exceeds the neighborhood's height limit of three stories by two additional stories, reaching a total height of 58 feet and 6 inches. Carr explained that this height is necessary to maximize the limited buildable area while reducing impervious cover compared to existing conditions.

The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the building's entrance, which does not face the primary public street as required by zoning codes. To mitigate this, the design incorporates a prominent entry element with a bright red color and a canopy to guide visitors. Additionally, the ground floor will feature parking, which was enclosed following discussions with local police and fire departments to enhance safety.

Further discussions included the roof design, which features a penthouse look to avoid additional height variances while maintaining architectural interest. The project also plans to incorporate a solar array on the roof, aligning with sustainability goals.

The board members engaged in a thorough review of the plans, asking questions about the bedrock conditions and the overall site layout. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of the redevelopment for the community, highlighting the need for affordable housing and improved neighborhood safety.

Next steps include further evaluations of the variances requested and continued discussions on the project’s impact on the surrounding area. The board will reconvene to address any outstanding concerns and finalize decisions regarding the redevelopment proposal.