Village Zoning Board Of Appeals Approves John/Main Street Variance
by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday, July 22, the Hoosick Falls Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved a variance for Alex Koks to construct a restaurant and boarding house together on the corner of John and Main Streets.
ZBA member Linda McGuire said it would be great to see something back there. The next step will be for the Village Board, the Planning Board and Restore NY people to meet at a Public Hearing. The Village Board has been trying to reach State people but to no avail at this point. Mayor Matt Monahan hopes that the three groups and the public can meet at the Village Board Meeting on August 11. At this point, Mayor Monahan said, in spite of the delay from the State, “Everything looks good.” One issue still to be resolved is parking for overnight guests.
Construction
Koks brought the newly revised conceptual drawings of the proposed structure to the ZBA meeting. The building design is in keeping with the Village’s historic district. Though the original foundation will remain,
it will not be used. The building will be supported by cement columns and steel beams that will be placed against the old foundation. The first floor of the new building will be conventional construction with brick facing. The second and third floors will be modular and will have an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), also called synthetic stucco. Koks said he has had successful experience with modular construction in Bennington. The two modular structures will be picked up and lifted onto the building from Main St. It is expected that part of the process will tie up the street for two days. The new building will not touch the buildings on either side, one owned by Koks and the other by Andra Erickson. The structures will be close to each other, but not anchored.
The main entrance to the new building will be on John St. The handicapped accessible entrance will be on Main St. A handicapped lift will be available for individuals to go from the first to second floor. Bathrooms on the first and second floor will be handicapped accessible.
Funding
Koks and the Village are awaiting guidelines from Restore NY officials to begin the next phase. Koks must
invest in the construction of the building. Once the structure is completed and meets the State’s standards, he will be reimbursed all but ten percent of what he has invested in the building. Right now the State’s portion looks to be about $600,000.
Erickson’s lovely building on Main St. has been totally restored. It had to be stabilized, a structural skin placed on it and much more done to make it savable. The total cost was $400,000. That building is also eligible for Restore NY funds.
Koks said he absolutely wants to see the new building completed this year. “People have been wonderful,” he said. He has an idea what he wants for the restaurant in his bed and breakfast. And he is searching for qualified people to operate it.