Cohoes meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Cohoes Planning Board approves coffee shop, housing, and other projects

The Cohoes Planning Board on Aug. 10 approved several projects, including a new coffee shop with two apartments and a subdivision for two-family dwellings. All votes were unanimous among the three members present.

Planning Board decisions

The board approved a change of use for a trading card shop at 301 Ontario St. (3-0) and tabled a similar application for 88 Remsen St. because the applicant was absent (3-0). It approved a site plan for a coffee shop and two residential units at 115 Mohawk St. (3-0).

The board also approved a subdivision of vacant land on Rensselaer Ave. into two lots (3-0) and two special use permits for two-family dwellings on Rensselaer Ave. (3-0 each). Extended hours for Flavorful Vibz restaurant at 25 White St. were approved (3-0).

Common Council workshop (Aug. 11)

The Common Council held a workshop to discuss, but not decide, three items: reducing minimum lot requirements for residential properties, exempting the Cohoes Housing Authority from Residential Occupancy Permits, and a change order for the Columbia Street Pedestrian Accessibility and SRTS Enhancements Project. No votes were taken.

Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board (Aug. 18)

The board met to consider several property changes in the historic district. Items on the agenda included approving the July 21 meeting minutes, a door and window replacement at 10 Garner St., and window signs at 88 Remsen St. and 94 Remsen St. (also known as 301 Ontario St.). Public comments were accepted by email or mail.

Board of Managers (Aug. 21)

The Board of Managers met to receive and open bids for the Phase II City Hall Window Replacement Project and to consider accepting a bid from Keller & Sons to replace fuel tanks at the DPW Garage. Both items were up for decision.

Coming up

• **Traffic Commission (Aug. 24):** The board will consider a street closure and parking prohibition on Remsen St. from Columbia St. to Ontario St., plus Howard, White, and Newcomb Sts., on Oct. 17, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the 16th Annual Mac N Cheese Bowl. It will also consider removing two No Parking Any Time signs on Miller Ave. and installing 90-minute parking signs in front of 75 Jackson Ave.
• **Common Council (Aug. 25):** The council will vote on amending the 2026 annual budget (Resolution No. 26) and approving a change order for the Columbia Street Pedestrian and SRP-Enhancements Project with New Castle Paving, LLC (Resolution No. 27). It will also approve minutes from the July 28 meeting.

Cohoes roundup: Council tables grass ordinance, certifies police exam, advances Columbia Street work

The Cohoes Common Council tabled a proposed grass and weeds ordinance after residents raised concerns about its language, while approving updates to stop work orders and city fees at its July 28 meeting. The Council also approved a change order tied to the Columbia Street pedestrian accessibility project.

Common Council: Ordinances and Columbia Street change order

The Common Council took several votes on July 28:

• **Ordinance No. 14, Stop Work Orders** — Approved, All AYE.
• **Ordinance No. 15, Fees** — Approved, All AYE.
• **Ordinance No. 16, Grass and Weeds** — Tabled, All AYE, following public concern that the proposed language was too broad.
• **Resolution No. 25, Columbia Street Pedestrian Accessibility change order** — Approved, All AYE.
• **June 23, 2026 meeting minutes** — Approved.

The grass and weeds ordinance was tabled rather than defeated; no revised text or future hearing date appears in the available minutes.

Board of Managers: Columbia Street Project change order

On July 24, the Board of Managers approved a change order for construction inspections and oversight provided by Creighton Manning on the Columbia Street Project. No dollar amount was included in the available summary.

Civil Service Commission: Police Officer exam certified

The Civil Service Commission met July 28 and:

• Approved minutes from its June 22, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
• Certified results for Police Officer Exam #60056170.

The commission also discussed updating the residence requirement for the upcoming Fire Fighter exam. That discussion did not result in a listed decision in the available minutes.

Traffic Commission: Parking and pavement markings on the agenda

The Traffic Commission met July 27, but only an agenda was available — minutes had not yet been published as of this roundup. Items listed for consideration were:

• Re-installation of a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 191 Congress Street.
• Re-installation of a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 42 McElwain Avenue.
• Removal of No Parking signs on Jackson Avenue and east of Continental Avenue.
• Relocation of No Parking signs in front of 17 Orchard Street.
• Consideration of additional pavement markings on the south side of Columbia Street between James Street and Central Avenue.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not possible to report which of these items were approved.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days, according to the available data. Readers should check the City of Cohoes website for any newly posted or rescheduled sessions.

Cohoes Common Council approves $6.5M bond; Board of Managers OKs Columbia Street change order

The Cohoes Common Council approved a $6.5 million bond ordinance to fund capital improvements at City Hall and the Saratoga Street Culvert at its July 14 meeting, marking the largest financial decision among recent city government actions.

Common Council: $6.5M and $4M bonds on the agenda

The council took up Ordinance No. 12, authorizing a $6,500,000 bond for City Hall and Saratoga Street Culvert improvements. Ordinance No. 13, a $4,000,000 bond for the Columbia Street Improvements Project, was also on the agenda. Minutes for the meeting have not yet been published, so final vote tallies are not available.

The council also held a workshop session covering several topics: changes to permit renewal costs, Stop Work Order fees, and a possible reduction of the minimum lot area for residential properties.

Board of Managers: Columbia Street change order approved

On July 24, the Board of Managers approved a change order for construction inspections and oversight provided by Creighton Manning for the Columbia Street Project. No dollar amount for the change order was included in the available minutes.

Planning Board: Site plans for three Saratoga Street properties

The Planning Board met July 13 to review final site plans for two developments — one at Champlain and South Street, and another at 196 Saratoga Street. The board also considered a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Preliminary Site Plan Review for 620 Saratoga Street (Saratoga Sites), and was scheduled to approve minutes from its June 8, 2026 meeting. Minutes from the July 13 session have not yet been published, so outcomes of the site plan votes are not confirmed.

Coming up

Traffic Commission — July 27: The commission will consider re-installing residential handicap parking signs at 191 Congress Street and 42 McElwain Avenue, removing No Parking signs on Jackson Avenue and east of Continental Avenue, relocating No Parking signs at 17 Orchard Street, and discussing additional pavement markings on the south side of Columbia Street between James Street and Central Avenue.

Civil Service Commission — July 28: The commission will certify results for Police Officer exam #60056170.

Common Council — July 28: The council will vote on three ordinances: Ordinance No. 14 amending Section 152-8 regarding Stop Work Orders, Ordinance No. 15 amending Chapter A290 regarding Fees, and Ordinance No. 16 adding Chapter 165 regarding Grass and Weeds.

Cohoes Common Council set to authorize $6.5M bond; Music Hall repairs approved

The Cohoes Common Council's July 14 meeting agenda included a $6.500,000 bond ordinance to fund capital improvements at City Hall and the Saratoga Street Culvert, along with a separate $4,000,000 bond for the Columbia Street Improvements Project. Meeting minutes have not yet been published, so the recorded outcome of those votes is not yet available.

Common Council: Bond ordinances and code workshops

The July 14 Common Council agenda listed Ordinance No. 12, a $6,500,000 bond for City Hall and Saratoga Street Culvert improvements, and Ordinance No. 13, a $4,000,000 bond for the Columbia Street Improvements Project. The meeting also included a workshop covering several proposed changes to city codes: permit renewal costs, Stop Work Order fees, and a reduction of the minimum lot area required for residential properties. Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet confirmed which items were formally adopted.

Board of Managers: Music Hall change order approved

On July 10, the Board of Managers approved a change order to fund additional gutter bracket installation, chimney reinforcement, and a chimney rebuild at the Music Hall, according to official minutes. The board also received two bids for property adjacent to 16 and 18 First Street but did not record an award decision in the minutes. The meeting concluded shortly after with no further action.

Planning Board: Final site plans on the agenda

The Planning Board's July 13 agenda called for review and votes on final site plans for two development projects: one at Champlain and South Street, and another at 196 Saratoga Street. The board was also scheduled to consider a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Preliminary Site Plan Review for 620 Saratoga Street, identified as the Saratoga Sites project. Approval of minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting was also on the agenda. Minutes from the July 13 meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes for these items are not yet confirmed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for any newly posted sessions.