Neighbors and fire officials push back on dormitory expansion at 1987 15th Street; board tables project
Loading...
Summary
An application to add 14 bedrooms to a converted property on 15th Street generated sustained public opposition and fire‑safety concerns; the board denied a waiver for a front‑yard dumpster and tabled the project to allow the applicant to address staff and safety issues.
The Troy Planning Board heard extensive public comment on a proposed addition at 1987 15th Street that would increase an existing converted building from 15 to 29 bedrooms.
Nick Costa, representing the applicant, described the proposed 14‑bedroom addition and said the site has infrastructure (water and sanitary) along 15th Street to support the extra demand. Board members and residents raised multiple concerns, including the adequacy of bathrooms and kitchens, dumpster placement, lack of rear egress, building height and the density on a 0.19‑acre lot.
Neighbors and the Troy Fire Department emphasized life‑safety and emergency‑access questions. Fire Department representatives said prior code‑enforcement actions and conversions at the address had already altered the building’s occupancy and that ladder/aerial access may not reach proposed upper floors. Jared Behringer and other fire officials said the building’s history and current layout raised risk for both residents and responders.
The board voted to disapprove a requested waiver that would have allowed a dumpster in the front yard. After hearing staff comments and multiple public speakers describing overcrowding, parking, and quality‑of‑life concerns, the board voted to table the application to the January meeting so the applicant can address outstanding staff recommendations, clarify bedroom/bath/kitchen counts, and resolve safety and egress issues.
Next steps: applicant to coordinate with planning staff and fire department to supply clearer drawings, bathroom/kitchen counts and revised refuse and egress plans before returning to the board.
