[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550876,"mediaKeyId","5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a","parentId",5374389,"title","Community Builders seeks approvals for 81-unit Post Nickel Place; ZBA declines to be lead agency amid environmental and public-safety questions","audioSeconds",2708,"startMs",4020000,"endMs",6728000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a&start=4020&end=6728","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550876/Troy/Rensselaer-County/New-York/Community-Builders-seeks-approvals-for-81-unit-Post-Nickel-Place-ZBA-declines-to-be-lead-agency-amid-environmental-and-public-safety-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550876-0c4765c97119aa730c1ce47abea91158/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167941&Signature=IH-FJiDtOSuhrOLplKE2a7IxHlv6HzYv7wcbbXTTg0SKYm6KbSKxTvvqxx~WZYZjOvz8qsWRaUJcTZwUGxUYzWNrGMQ-UX3WDL3qXltBBkZEHTBXFsjEyWKKx8AYJdbS6PllJ~hNjRlF7YwcFLolsJ5SAs1PMTGeJO5g~fP7-zg8evknrRUzMCFDFNvGuw6RIEoNh~h0nwJ~KMrhTHp9gHeRW0sYZ6XAuG-GfFU-iNfGdOuwKQXn07CwZd2QIeaLBBA1HI1UHwzDkvJwQzQZf4dgDIzmeCdkBlp5Bc4PhFqmc2cVD7yIxKzIbALPDTLGicXhLAyERBp16He0m8-~sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Troy, NY","date","2025-07-11T20:14:44.27Z","article","Community Builders and development partners reintroduced a planned 81-unit mixed-income development at 244 First Street (the Post Nickel Place site) and requested the Zoning Board consider use and area variances tied to the property's rezoning. The proposal drew detailed questions about brownfield cleanup, floodplain construction, parking and public-safety impacts; the board declined to serve as SEQR lead agency and directed applicants to work with planning staff and the planning board.

Proposal and site history: Jesse Badis, senior vice president for development at Community Builders, said the site is the former Seward equipment property, nearly two acres and entered into the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP). The project team said the site has a BCP agreement with the DEC and that they aim for a Track 1 cleanup (removal of contaminated material), but that elements of the remediation process — including final waste characterization and DEC decision documents — remain part of the ongoing permitting and funding timeline.

Why the zoning relief is sought: the property was rezoned in 2023 under the city's Recode/Rico Troy process to a Business Development district that no longer permits general multifamily dwellings except under specific conditions (conversion of existing nonresidential structures or limited live-work allowances). Community Builders said the rezoning created a unique hardship for this parcel because it previously had approvals for multifamily development under the older industrial designation; the applicant requested a use variance and two area variances (including an Ida Street setback and roof-form relief).

Environmental and technical points: the team said the site has routine BCP documentation (remedial investigation, remedial action plan) and that a final DEC \"decision document\" and waste-characterization sampling will follow in the remedial timeline. They said the site sits within a floodplain and therefore proposes ground-floor parking (residential levels above) and has modified the plan to address fire department concerns, including increased turning space and moving the building edge away from existing high-voltage lines.

Public-safety and neighborhood comments: Deputy Fire Chief Jared Behringer urged caution, describing a pattern the fire department has observed where some recent larger multifamily affordable developments have generated high emergency-service call volumes. \"We're at our breaking point as the fire department,\" Behringer said, noting examples and stating that concentration of vulnerable populations in several new developments had led to increased EMS, police and fire responses in nearby blocks. A neighborhood resident also raised concerns about preserving the city's comp plan and the Recode/Rico Troy vision for business and light-industrial development along the waterfront.

Board action on SEQR lead agency: the applicant asked the ZBA to serve as SEQR lead agency to allow concurrent variance and environmental review. Board members declined, citing lack of sufficient environmental documentation in the record and preferring the planning board or a coordinated lead-agency approach. Several members stated they did not have the materials necessary to act as lead agency that night and required additional DEC documentation and remedial plans.

Project finance and operational details: Community Builders said the project would use Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and a limited-partnership ownership structure common in affordable housing finance; they said their organization would act as long-term owner/operator under extended-use regulatory agreements. The applicant said they did not currently have a PILOT in place and earlier IDA requests had been denied.

Next steps: the board did not take final action on the requested variances and instructed the applicant to provide DEC remediation documentation, health-and-safety plans from the remedial action plan, and to pursue coordinated SEQR review with the planning board. Community Builders indicated it would supply the DEC and BCP materials and continue dialogue with the fire department and neighborhood stakeholders.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Board of Appeals (July 2nd, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Community Builders reintroduced an 81-unit Post Nickel Place proposal at the former Seward equipment site, a DEC brownfield, seeking use and area variances; the Zoning Board declined to act as SEQR lead agency and requested more remedial documentation and coordination with the planning board.","taxTitle","Troy, Rensselaer County, New York","taxId",66125,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550880,"ZBA approves variance for carriage-house apartments at 80 Fourth Street, deems work effectively new construction",1463,2533000,3996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a&start=2533&end=3996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a/thumbnail_2533000.jpg","/articles/6550880/Troy/Rensselaer-County/New-York/ZBA-approves-variance-for-carriage-house-apartments-at-80-Fourth-Street-deems-work-effectively-new-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550880-49c99e60a7cb2520828cf05bdefe6d49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167941&Signature=ZjI4vgbfUMXkIs~HJF-2HGfZ8P1pMRKboRYw1PVuPLIBQeOtN8rsDHlq95hdIUr7QgxigRG1nqKg~uZEWtX-REan3VGIBhU6CaCzTXpEbB6~0Uk17GpuTBrBTL069wbrw9JCCixJZgeNTE7cUSYiV5QXAzV267kud1vuv1N6KCwkkOEV4G5s25AZBK44n~KmOUAilSUx70XceeKEPKmbxQtEAs5jOHpPY8qn0YwMnGOs~KTCYZ2h~xb4Yeig4AEqCgpRa~droQ0T9mLaYW6KYIwyNCUOxBLZEZjG9JeZt4I3WWONbShRErXpk6ErOj8ojYfjVDOBTXSenP2wBX-R8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Zoning Board approved PLZBA2025-0037 to expand and rehabilitate the carriage house at 80 Fourth Street, finding the rear structure constitutes substantial new construction and that the new ordinance's 700-square-foot average-apartment rule for existing buildings does not apply.

Applicant presentation: Kyle Engstrom of ME Studio Architects described a two-building property: a front mixed commercial/residential building proposed to contain one ground-floor commercial space and eight apartments above, and a rear carriage-house structure proposed to be reconstructed to provide four additional apartments. \"The carriage house is effectively in disrepair. We are salvaging the rear facade for historic purposes. But, essentially, it's a new building,\" Engstrom said.

Why the variance was sought: a recent zoning change set a minimum average apartment size (700 square feet) for existing buildings; the applicant contended the carriage house reconstruction results in a new building not subject to that rule. The applicant said the carriage house will have new footings, new floor plates and a new roof, and will be sprinkled; the project team said they would preserve a rear façade corbeling detail visible from the interior but otherwise largely replace the structure.

Board and staff review: planning and building staff reviewed the project's Short Environmental Assessment Form and related materials. The board debated whether the project is rehabilitation of an existing structure or new construction; several members described the carriage house work as effectively new construction. One board member asked whether the building department had agreed with that interpretation; staff confirmed the building department had recommended that a variance was required, effectively signaling new-construction interpretation for this application.

Board action: after finding a Short EAF on file and making SEQR findings, a board member moved to approve the carriage-house expansion and rehabilitation and concluded the 700-square-foot rule was moot if the carriage house is treated as new construction; the motion carried on the record.

Details and conditions: the applicant said the front building will retain the commercial storefront at street level while the carriage house will be rebuilt with new footings and meet sprinklering and egress requirements. The applicant said the carriage-house units are planned as smaller studio/one-bedroom units and that they had preserved interior historic details where possible.

","The board approved an area variance for the carriage-house portion of a redevelopment at 80 Fourth Street after concluding the rear structure is effectively new construction, making the new zoning's 700-square-foot average-apartment requirement inapplicable.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550885,"ZBA approves Central Rock Gym sign variance with condition to remove full backer panel",1625,871000,2496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a&start=871&end=2496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a/thumbnail_871000.jpg","/articles/6550885/Troy/Rensselaer-County/New-York/ZBA-approves-Central-Rock-Gym-sign-variance-with-condition-to-remove-full-backer-panel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550885-5abbe23848ad0392013cf79ba24678e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167941&Signature=BvP7hSwSuiFdSAOaDXQIXqNZlvgsOTsVMzSb74RMeTci06c5JTu1xYgVrdtpyF~hU0UieA6bD9DfZNBmjHJNUxzfWK5TjQBnuqtlE9uNAjFd7-Z7LrkCOvGayZiUhiy9d0Jlag0T967XBxKdjhmEQHi7aNAIk6gu08Q4nSPNqAlBaz-bEKjKqnpaB~rIj-MFe72Fz1BW8QPDpZ0fGAFgh5MHbqcVpa5se38DEHcH0daI3ZorcXCtUS-UNsOqe2cz~Jc4MLdhkqJP9mBMht2dwE1ZfbCEwLxwcrWG8LlBbN0zSL7NunpmBLh3BGoCB1aw6~NEnHx1cPdbsAxeX9QzJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Zoning Board approved a sign-area variance that will allow Central Rock Gym to install front-lit channel letters on the building at the location of its temporary banner, with the condition that the large blue backer panel not remain as the primary sign face.

The applicant and their sign representative explained they moved the sign from an exterior stairwell to a square backdrop on the building that was part of the original site-plan design. \"The building was built for that purpose in that area,\" Jamie Coloritolo said, adding the storefront backer was present to allow lettering without requiring extensive drilling into corrugated siding.

The board first concluded a Short Environmental Assessment Form submitted with the new application (filed after a prior application under a different number was denied) provided sufficient information for a negative declaration under SEQR. The motion and second for the negative declaration passed and the board then considered the sign-area variance.

Key technical points discussed: the applicant said the temporary banner measures 18 feet by 7 feet; the blue backer is roughly 19 feet by 7.5 feet (about 144.6 square feet) and the letters alone were calculated by the applicant to total about 102 square feet. Staff clarified the permitted sign area under the current code is 48 square feet for this building type and zone; the applicant proposed channel letters mounted to a narrow raceway to minimize penetrations through the corrugated siding.

Board action: the zoning board approved the variance for the channel-letter design with the condition that the full backer plaque will be removed or not used as the sign face; the action included a SEQR negative determination for the current application number. The board recorded its approvals on the record and the applicant was instructed on the required mount and wiring details discussed with staff.

What this means: Central Rock Gym can proceed with installation of lit channel letters mounted on a raceway instead of retaining the larger blue backer that exceeds the code's permitted sign area; installation details will be reviewed by city staff for compliance with the condition.

","After a reapplication, the board granted a sign-area variance for Central Rock Gym on River Street, approving illuminated channel letters while conditioning the approval on removal of the large blue backer panel; the board issued a SEQR negative declaration for the new application.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550889,"Zoning board grants setback variance for 2412 Fifteenth Street, allows four on-site parking spaces",488,128000,616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a&start=128&end=616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374389-bc8451c5eb1e04970fdbaddb8db6364a/thumbnail_128000.jpg","/articles/6550889/Troy/Rensselaer-County/New-York/Zoning-board-grants-setback-variance-for-2412-Fifteenth-Street-allows-four-on-site-parking-spaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550889-69ec77219463fafbe8647465db0c9ee0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167941&Signature=Mu7HgYqgdccKEECG7O6IsaxQxapX9OU4Xpcz99LR1az1g9NbJoEcj03os8ydftOL-uAfExEHjQKuOSV4ScNLJgAKHomlyRuvawHYS4AuYIkk1CvDB0CwcOSh8O-hgNuse2CDOwBy-etYcBsiIcED~NhQQKCTc-Wash4B-xmU0NeJZKtmS3iCqYzCD1q~aT8fDwFJgTorA8s5MbYSdrUfQ2UZ33KkFzMWDKuYtIh-v0T8EhhNPSJTByuICEA0V3-T1gwd0L8o7AfRDtMEwP8DAthS0FQHnpAnkAz68aj0q77u~YBVG9fskW5C4OXxCjQ1-8QUmvDUc9TNwefBkR1cHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Troy Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve an area variance for 2412 Fifteenth Street, allowing the owners to alter the 25-foot setback to accommodate on-site parking and related site improvements.

The board found sufficient information in a Short Environmental Assessment Form on file and voted to issue a negative SEQR declaration before considering the variance. \"As supported by the staff reports and my understanding of, a short environmental assessment form on file ... I ask that the board find this proposal to be an unlisted action with sufficient information available for a negative declaration,\" a board member said when moving the SEQR motion.

Why it matters: the property had previously received a use variance to allow two commercial uses in what is technically a residential zone; the current request seeks relief from a 25-foot setback that had constrained site design and prevented meaningful on-site parking. The applicant told the board the goal was to reduce curbside parking on Fifteenth Street and control circulation at the site.

Board and applicant presentations: Andrew Donovan, the project's civil/structural engineer, described the site's history and constraints, saying the team originally tried to provide on-site parking though the zone did not require it. \"Given this site's constraints, the best we're ever gonna do are 4 spots on this lot on this site,\" Donovan said, and added that the submitted site plan shows four spaces and an 18-foot practical setback in places even though the applicant sought relief to reduce the formal setback requirement.

Board members discussed SEQR and agreed the project qualified for a negative declaration based on the Short EAF on file. A motion to approve the area variance followed; the mover framed the findings of fact for the standard area-variance factors, including that the variance \"will not create an undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood\" and that the benefits sought could not be achieved by a feasible method other than the variance. The board voted to approve the variance.

Details: the applicant said the plan will provide a controlled entrance/exit, turning radii and four marked spaces to reduce on-street parking; the team reported there had been a prior use-variance approval but that planning commission sign-off was a condition of that approval. The applicant told the board that the on-site configuration would likely remain at four spaces due to the site's topography and lot dimensions.

What the board decided next: with SEQR complete and the area variance approved, the applicant may proceed with the site plan steps required by city planning staff.

","The Troy Zoning Board of Appeals approved an area-variance request for 2412 Fifteenth Street that reduces required front-yard setbacks so the applicant can provide four on-site parking spaces; the board also issued a SEQR negative determination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community Builders seeks approvals for 81-unit Post Nickel Place; ZBA declines to be lead agency amid environmental and public-safety questions

ZBA approves variance for carriage-house apartments at 80 Fourth Street, deems work effectively new construction

ZBA approves Central Rock Gym sign variance with condition to remove full backer panel

Zoning board grants setback variance for 2412 Fifteenth Street, allows four on-site parking spaces