Planning board approves conversion plan for former school with water, historic conditions

The Albany City Planning Board on Nov. 12 approved a development plan review to convert an existing school into a mixed-use proposal, granting waivers for street amenities and street trees and imposing two conditions before building permits are issued.

Staff explained the project had been updated over the summer and that the Historic Resources Commission denied an applicant proposal to paint a particular elevation; the rendering was removed from the plans. Staff recommended a negative declaration under SEQRA and approval of the requested waivers, noting constraints in the public right-of-way limited street-tree placement.

Board members moved and seconded a negative declaration and separate motions approving the waivers for street amenities and street trees. The board then voted to approve the development plan review with two conditions: final approval from the Department of Water Supply prior to issuance of a building permit, and that all exterior work comply with the Historic Resources Commission decision (removal of the denied gray-and-white elevation treatment).

The Presiding Official recorded the motions and the board carried each by voice vote.

The board did not provide a detailed roll-call tally in the record; outcomes were recorded by voice as "aye." The meeting packet identifies the applicant and the site plan updates; the transcript records that the applicant, present at the meeting, thanked the board after the motion carried.

The next procedural step for the applicant is to obtain the final Water Department sign-off and to revise the elevation drawings to reflect the HRC decision before applying for building permits.