HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-30-PB Ulysses Planning Board, 9/30/98 -
Town of Ulysses Planning Board
September 30 , 1998
Present : Chair Peter Demjanec, Dave Tyler, Krys Cail , and Paula Horrigan; Absent:
Budd Stover, Gregg Hoffmire, and Rick Geiger.
Recording minutes : Deb Austic
Also present : Lysle Gordon and Tony Ingram.
" Peter called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 p .m . The Board reviewed the minutes of
9/ 15/98 . The first paragraph of the minutes was amended to add "The Kline ' s indicated
the berm was created because of difficulty selling the home behind the development
district due to the view of the building" and "After the applicant left, there was
considerable discussion about the inadequacy of the plan submitted which lacked
important information and did not reflect previously agreed upon changes . The Board
expressed concern about precedent and future enforcement difficulties since the drawing
would be considered the binding agreement . " Krys made a motion to approve the minutes
as amended, seconded by Dave, passed unanimously .
Peter opened the floor to public comments . Tony Ingram introduced himself and
said he was concerned about private property rights and felt it was important to have
forum for public input about development that would affect aesthetics, quality of property
or values, and to protect the natural resources . Ingram brought up a question whether
trailer parks were included under the ordinance .
The Board discussed whether trailer parks and campgrounds would be included
and the use of grandfather rights . Dave suggested grandfather rights were not absolute
and a period of time could be set for compliance .
Lysle commented that he was in favor of strengthening the ordinance to include
farms and single-family houses, but it was most important at present to have the law
passed.
The Board moved on to a regular business meeting . Peter reported that the Town
Board wanted to cancel the facilitator for their meeting on 10/6 . The Board discussed the
facilitator and the process of the 9/23 hearing . Peter also reported a suggestion to
incorporate an appeal process to the ZBA or Town Board to forestall an article 78 . The
Board agreed that careful selection of qualified Planning Board members would ensure
appropriate decisions were made . Dave reviewed some comments he had about the
ordinance and the Board discussed the suggested changes.
The Board moved on to consider the comments brought up at the 9/23 public
hearing . The Board agreed that enforcement was an issue that needed attention, but it
belonged in the zoning ordinance and should be dealt with at a later time . The Board felt
that the performance guarantee and denial of certificate of occupancy were enough
enforcement for now.
Krys reported she had talked with Monika Roth from Cooperative Extension
about the agriculture exemption and was told the Town cannot unreasonably impede the
ability to farm . Krys also mentioned the EPA was set to release new rules aimed at
factory farms . The Board discussed zoning options related to agriculture and the
possibility of creating a right-to-farm ordinance to protect open farmland and farming
currently going on in the Town and allow closer control of big agriculture conglomerates
that might come .
Under section 310 . 2 , the Board decided to change the farm exemption (#4) to
specify farms and structures used solely for farming purposes , as defined by NYS Ag
District Law, and to require that farm buildings converted to other commercial uses be
subject to site plan review. The Board decided to change the use exemption (#3 ) to
exempt changes that do not affect the character and nature of the enterprise conducted
therein.
The Board discussed the question brought up at the public hearing regarding an
opportunity for public comment on the final site plan. The Board decided to keep the
process brief as designed in the ordinance and to make use of the flexibility of
adjournment to allow additional public comment if necessary .
The Board discussed the possibility for the ordinance passing and the upcoming
meeting schedule . The Board adjourned at 9 : 25 p . m .