Board tables 560 Congress Street conversion while easement and survey questions are resolved

The Troy Planning and Zoning Board voted to table an application to convert the former church at 560 Congress Street into nine market-rate apartments until a survey clarifies property lines and any easements that could affect a proposed stairwell addition.

Applicant representative Danny Sanders of Harris Sanders Architects explained the project is an interior conversion with two small enclosed stairwell additions required for code-compliant egress. The board asked whether an existing easement along the driveway might limit the addition located near the lot’s side yard; the applicant said the team will engage a civil engineer and confirm the property survey and easement status before the planning board takes the site-plan matter up.

A board member said the receiver who holds authority over the property has signed authorization for the applicant to pursue approvals, but cautioned that an unimpaired easement would require additional permissions from the easement holder and could affect whether the board can grant a variance. The board voted to table the application until a survey is complete and any easement documents are provided; if an easement exists, the board asked for the easement text showing access width and conditions.

Motion and vote - Motion to table PLZBA-2025-0009 (560 Congress Street) until the applicant provides a survey to identify any easements and clarifies easement conditions as applicable: motion by Lindsey; second by Steve. Roll call: Evie yes; Zach yes; Steve yes; Tamara yes; Lindsey yes. Outcome: tabled (5-0).

Next steps The applicant will obtain a survey and, if an easement is identified, provide the easement document and any required permissions. Planning staff and the applicant agreed to return the item to the board when the survey and easement questions are resolved so the board can act on the requested side-yard variance and site plan.