The Greenport village planning board voted unanimously on Thursday to approve an application for a proposal to remodel a non-conforming multi-unit dwelling into a mixed use residential-professional use building on Carpenter Street.
The building is located at 211 Carpenter Street, and the planning board was voting on applicant Jim Olinkiewicz’s use evaluation for the proposed project.
The parcel is zoned commercial/retail.
Olinkiewicz said his intention is to site an office downstairs and, after an interpretation from the Greenport zoning board of appeals and a use evaluation from the planning board, hoped to create an apartment upstairs. Olinkiewicz said, acoording to the ZBA, an upstairs apartment should not be subject to site plan approval.
Frank Purita, who owns D’Latte, raised some concerns that right of way remain clear leading to his business, as well as parking issues.
Olinkiewicz said many businesses in the village do not have parking.
Planning board chair Peter Jauquet the board is “demanding” that the right of way remain clear.
At first, Olinkiewicz suggested that a chain be put in front of the right of way but Village Attorney Joe Prokop said that would not be allowed; “no parking” signs can, however, be erected. Those that were once there have either fallen or been removed, Olinkiewicz said.
Eileen Wingate of the village building department said the road department had rearranged signs in Greenport.
Garbage removal was also discussed.
The office would be occupied by one tenant, with one lease, Olinkiewicz said; the space would have two offices, a meeting room, and a kitchen area.
Wingate said the entire building would need a new fire suppression system.
Olinkiewicz asked if he could use a half bath downstairs to create a stackable washer/dryer area for the upstairs tenant; the planning board nixed the idea but said it could remain a half bath for the office staff.
The planning board approved the application for a use evaluation with conditions, including that the right of way remain free and clear of obstructions at all times; no residential use be allowed on the first floor; Olinkiewicz should remove the stacked laundry room from the plan and make the space only for office use; and, in addition, Olinkiewicz will be asked to return to the planning board in December, 2015, for review of the project.
