Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-07 - MP 3 ):6
TOWN OF ULYSSES
JOINT MASTER PLAN / / TOWN BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 7 , 1997
PRESENT : Supervisor Douglas Austic ; Councilwoman Catherine
Stover ; Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun ; Master Plan Member
Ruth Kahn ; Marsha L . Georgia , Town Clerk .
Mr . Austic called the meeting to order .
Mr . Rachun presented the following introduction and executive
summary to those who were present as follows ;
INTRODUCTION
With the passing of time since the 1978 adoption of the
present Ulysses Zoning Ordinance , it has become increasingly
clear that the law is incomplete and becoming archaic .
Complications with the old law which make it difficult to apply
t oday , stem in part from antiquated standards and concepts for
commercial enterprises . Also , emerging residential options have
added new demands on the zoning ordinance . Changes in state
zoning regulations , as well as court decisions involving zoning
cases further evidenced the need for a Comprehensive Plan .
Several years ago ( almost ten now ) , the Town Board , Planning
Board , and a group of highly motivated and concerned Ulysses
residents embarked on a path which would eventually lead to the
needed plan . In order to facilitate the process , several surveys
were conducted to sample public opinion , the business community ,
t ransportation needs , and the possibility of other public service
needs in the future , such as municipal water and sewer .
Responses to the questionnaires were large in numbers and from
t hem came a statistically significant data base with which to
work . This information along with input from other sources such
as Tompkins County Planning , New York State Department of
Transportation and concerned residents has been complied into the
Comprehensive Plan you see before you .
Many thanks go out to the group of people who have worked
long hours compiling data , doing research , and meeting to discuss
the future of our town . With the Plan completed , we feel that the
path which we will follow into the next century is well marked
and based on sound data and judgment . This path will allow the
Town of Ulysses to remain a great place to live and raise a
family in the future .
The Comprehensive Plan will now be turned over to the
P lanning Board to be used as a guide for the development of an
updated zoning ordinance . I think that all concerned with this
e ffort , both present and in the past , can feel secure in the fact
t hat they have contributed to an effort which will allow future
generations to flourish in our town , THE TOWN OF ULYSSES .
Executive Summary , Town of Ulysses
Comprehensive Plan 1997
The Town of Ulysses is one of the first towns in Tompkins
County to incorporate land use as Town Law . The first zoning
document , a trailer park ordinance , became town law in 1968 . This
was soon followed by a general zoning ordinance in 1972 , which in
turn was last revised in 1978 . With the addition of some new
development districts and of relatively minor additions and
adjustments , the 1978 Ulysses Zoning Ordinance is present town
law .
The current zoning ordinance has served the Township well in
many areas but has fallen short in others . The shortfalls in our
zoning ordinance may be directly attributed to the fact that the
zoning ordinance was created without first creating and adopting
a comprehensive plan . By present standards , our ordinance is
simplistic , ( one residential zone and two business zones ) .
Joint MP / / TB 2
8 - 08 - 97
There is no industrial zone , yet within the residential zone are
allowable uses that could dramatically alter the character of the
township . Much of the presently designated business zone would be
able to reasonably accommodate a business today .
With theses shortfalls in mind , in January of 1991 , the Town
of Ulysses Board issued a directive to the Town of Ulysses
Planning Board to create a comprehensive plan that could be used
as the basis for a new zoning ordinance . The planning board in
turn created a comprehensive planning committee made up entirely
of volunteers . This committee , after six years of meetings ,
surveys , writing , and rewriting , has created the 1997
comprehensive plan for the Town of Ulysses .
The comprehensive plan incorporates the following
recommendations that present a basis and pattern for future
development within the Town of Ulysses . Theses recommendations
are not a fixed document but one must at times be reviewed in
order to adequately reflect the changes facing the Town .
Issues
Principal concerns expressed by residents in the 1994 ,
townwide zoning survey .
1 . Most important resources of the town are its natural
beauty , with its falls , gorges , lakeside setting , woodland
and open spaces . A rural and uncongested lifestyle make the
town of Ulysses an ideal place for residents and visitors
alike .
2 . The most important aspects of the town are the school ,
( Trumansburg Central School , well defined zoning and
planning , the village of Trumansburg , local churches ,
agricultural land and open space , and sense of community .
4 . Outdoor recreation and parks should be encouraged .
5 . Historic structures and the town ' s diverse architecture
should be highlighted .
6 . More local employment opportunities that offer career
opportunities are needed .
7 . Little need is felt for major shopping center , although
small commercial and professional services may be
encouraged .
8 . Tourism should be the major industry for the town .
Natural resources such as Taughannock Falls State Park and
Cayuga Lake should be promoted . Special recreational events
such as art and music festivals , should be encouraged .
Tourist destinations / accommodations need to be provided .
9 . The town ' s two trailer parks offer adequate affordable
and high density housing . A development of low cost senior
housing may be encouraged .
10 . Preservation for watershed and unique natural areas
should be encouraged .
Open space should be maintained and farming should be
encouraged as a way to maintain open space .
11 . Existing zoning regulations for single and two family
houses are adequate . Other current allowable uses in the
residence zone should be reviewed for special permit
application .
Goals and Objectives
330
Joint MP / / TB 3
8 - 08 - 97
Endowed with scenic landscapes , excellent lake access , clean
uncongested roadways , the Town of Ulysses is a destination
for tourists the world over . Although the town is impacted
by a high tourist rate during the summer months , little
effort has been made to capitalize on the tourist trade .
The town should maintain the existing quality of life for
its residents and provide better services when possible . The
town preserve and promote those aspects of the community
that appeal to tourists , and encourage destination
accommodations not now available . The town should look
forward towards balancing the preservation of the rural way
of life with the need for economic stability and employment
® opportunities within the community . The Town should
encourage and help find creative solutions to maintain the
agricultural base that so defines the Town of Ulysses .
AGRICULTURE
Goal : Promote the viability of the agricultural industry .
Objective : Encourage a diversified agricultural sector
keeping agricultural lands in production through tax relief
and other incentives .
AESTHETIC ASPECTS
GOAL : To maintain the natural and man - made aesthetic aspects
of the community .
Objective : Ensure the continuing aesthetic desirability of
the town by promoting the towns architectural heritage
and supporting zoning designations for appropriate land
lir uses .
HOU ING AND RESIDENTIAL LAND USES
Goal : To encourage and maintain the availability of various
types of housing and compatible residential land uses .
Objective : Encourage the upkeep and preservation of existing
architecturally and historically significant structures .
Encourage those ideas and programs that help enable people
to live in their community throughout their lives .
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Goal : To encourage commerce that provides necessary goods ,
services , and employment for the residents of the town while
maintaining the small - town atmosphere valued by existing
® businesses , residents , and visitors .
Objectives : 1 . Support activities that strengthen the
Village of Trumansburg ' s existing commercial
base .
2 . Encourage the development of commercial uses
in clusters and discourage strip development .
3 . Support activities that strengthen the
Village of Trumansburg as the activity " hub "
of the Town .
INDUSTRIAL
r:/)\
Joint MP / / TB 4
8 - 08 - 97
Goal : To promote the expansion and development of industrial
enterprises while maintaining the small - town atmosphere and
environmental integrity of the Town .
Objectives : 1 . Plan for areas where industry could locate
thus providing local employment opportunities
and property tax revenues .
2 . Encourage the development of an industrial
park and set standards for locating and
developing the park so as not to adversely
affect surrounding residential neighborhoods and
the environment .
TOURISM INDUSTRY
Goal : To promote business activities that capitalize on the
historic , cultural , and natural assets of the town and
surrounding region .
Objectives : 1 . Increase the number and diversity of
businesses that provide goods and services
for tourists .
2 . Encourage expanded use of community - based
resources such as the Trumansburg
fairgrounds , the Trumansburg Conservatory ,
Chamber of Commerce , school and parklands .
3 . Foster recreational activities in the Town to
encourage tourists to remain in the area .
TRANSPORTATION
Goal : To maintain a safe , efficient , and environmentally
sensitive transportation system .
Objective : Work with other governmental entities to develop
a diversified transportation system to encourage and support
various travel options including public transit ,
pedestrian , and bicycle modes .
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
Goal : To maintain a clean , healthy , viable natural
environment .
Objective : Encourage community stewardship of the natural
and managed resources of the Town of Ulysses through the •
recognition and acceptance of appropriate planning and
management practices that preserve and protect the air ,
land , water , and energy , and living resources .
The Introduction was discussed and reviewed first and the only
change that was made was in the third paragraph - - remove and
replace with to . Should read as follows The Comprehensive Plan
will now be turned over to the Planning Board to be used - .
The following changes in the Executive Summary were made ; use
current and currently in place of present and presently in the
first four paragraphs . Under ISSUES combine the first statement
67.:a
Joint MP / / TB 5
8 - 08 - 97
and items one and two into one statement . Than start numbering
at the statement of Outdoor recreation - - . Under number 8 change
should to could and under number nine capitalize Town .
The map was discussed and Mr . Austic will ask the Tompkins County
Planning to provide a map of the Town of Ulysses showing all of
the individual tax parcels .
I It was decided to not hold a meeting next week so that it would
give the County extra time to furnish the map . The next meeting
was set for August 21 , 1997 at 7 : 30 PM .
IHearing no further discussion the meeting was adjourned .
Respectfully submitted ,
Marsha L . Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
i 111