Planning Board issues SEQR negative declaration for South Hamilton mixed‑use addition

The Planning Board voted to issue a SEQR negative declaration for an application to expand an attached two‑story building to a four‑story mixed‑use structure at 17 South Hamilton Street.

KRC Planning Consultants presented the proposal and explained the reconfiguration of commercial and residential spaces: after renovation the site would include 21 dwelling units and five commercial spaces. The applicant said much of the northern portion’s work (interior renovations) is already covered under an existing building permit; the requested review focuses on the two‑story portion where two additional stories are proposed.

Board architecture consultant Chris and other board members offered design comments — including changes to storefront materials, a simplified front façade treatment and possible modest upper‑story step‑backs — and recommended a follow‑up architectural workshop to refine massing, materials and entries.

Parking was a significant topic. Because the site is fully built out, providing all new parking on the lot would require removing portions of existing structures and extensive retaining walls. The applicant proposed a two‑part strategy: seek a waiver from the Planning Board for 10 new spaces generated by the addition (to be covered by a payment‑in‑lieu), and seek a zoning variance for 13 spaces associated with the site’s prior nonconforming condition. The board asked the applicant to pursue documented arrangements for nearby municipal or private parking and to clarify how the waiver fee would be applied.

At the meeting the Planning Board concluded as lead agency that the project would not have significant environmental impacts and issued a negative declaration; no final site‑plan approvals were given pending additional materials and any required parking waivers or variances.