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Board defers Cherry Hill plan after presentation on ADA access and parking
Summary
The planning board reviewed a development plan for Historic Cherry Hill at 549 and 523 South Pearl Street focused on adding ADA access, relocating parking, and stormwater controls; the board deferred action pending Certificate of Appropriateness and departmental comments.
The Albany City Planning Board reviewed a development plan for 549 and 523 South Pearl Street from applicant Historic Cherry Hill that would add handicap accessibility at the rear of the building, relocate some parking to the south of the site, and install stormwater controls. The board’s staff said the project requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior porch and ramp work and must clear departmental reviews before the board can take action.
Applicant representative described landscaping and a hydrodynamic separator for stormwater, and said the work is intended to protect the building’s historic character while improving access. "Like, what they do need is handicap accessibility," the applicant said while walking the board through the plans. Staff noted the submitted plan shows 11 parking spaces including one ADA space and flagged that two parcels may need consolidation to show a single, lawful lot for the new parking layout.
A resident, Elena Lee, who said she owns property nearby, asked whether museum visitors would be able to use the parking and how secure it would be. The chair and applicant deferred operational and security questions to the building owners and board of directors, saying those operational decisions are outside the planning review. Staff also reminded the board that county referral and departmental comments (engineering, fire, DGS) are pending. The board accepted staff’s recommendation to defer formal action until required reviews and the Certificate of Appropriateness are resolved.
