Planning board deems application complete for 158 4th Street but awaits SHPO; public hearing set for May 19

The Troy Planning Board on April 21 deemed the application for PLPB 20260023 (158 4th Street, the former Troy Pork Store) complete and scheduled a public hearing for May 19, while the applicant pursues State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review and required archaeological testing.

Kelsey Carr of La Bella Associates said a structural evaluation by SB Engineering found the existing building "unsafe for occupancy" and recommended demolition. Because the building is listed on state and national historic registers, SHPO requested a Phase 1a/1b archaeological survey. Carr said the team has contacted an archaeological consultant and is awaiting SHPO's full response.

Architect/manager Charlie Meyer said the team would provide revised elevations, material palettes and additional detail on exterior seating and awnings; the applicant said they had applied for a demolition permit and were coordinating utility disconnects and abatement work to remove the immediate safety hazard. "We literally just wanna wait for a...letter," Meyer said referring to SHPO, and added they would document the building (photography and research) where required to mitigate demolition impacts.

Staff reviewed the applicant's submission and said it met the site‑plan checklist sufficient to deem the application complete for administrative processing and to start SEQR. The board voted to deem the application complete, to list the action as unlisted under SEQR, and to schedule a public hearing for May 19; the motions passed.

Next steps: the applicant will submit revised elevations and a site plan update on the board's requested timeline, pursue SHPO's archaeological recommendations and, where applicable, carry out mitigation measures suggested by SHPO prior to final approval.