HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-14 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 14, 2003
Members Present: Richard Coogan (Chair), George Kennedy, Mark Ochs, Rodney
Porter, David Tyler. Also, Alex Rachun, Code Enforcement Officer & Eileen Jacobs,
Planning Board Clerk.
Absent: Lorren Hammond, Rose Hilbert (excused) .
Chair Coogan called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 p . m .
Streamlining of Minutes
Discussion of availability of draft Planning Board minutes following meetings resulted in
an agreement to have the Planning Clerk submit draft copies of meeting minutes via e-
mail to all Planning Board members and the Town Clerk ' s Office within 10 working days
of any meeting . Formal approval of minutes will take place at the next monthly meeting
o f the Planning Board. In the event that there is a substantive omission or error in the
draft, it will be brought to the attention of the Planning Clerk and the Town Clerk (in
addition to the Planning Board) immediately so that minutes can be made more correct
before posting the draft. These changes will be limited to major errors . The Planning
Board will incorporate grammar, spelling, and detail changes during the approval of the
minutes at their meeting .
Relocation of Flo-Tech to Halseyville Road
Mr. Rachun gave an update on Flo -Tech and the issues surrounding allowing the new
facility with the old and new ordinances . The Planning Board discussed the merits of
passing the A- 1 (Agricultural) section of the proposed zoning ordinance or using the
existing ordinance and designating the new location as a Planned Unit Development
(PUD) . Mr. Rachun informed the Board that the Town Attorney was recommending
passing the A- 1 section of the proposed zoning ordinance instead of using the PUD
process . There was a discussion regarding both options . Planning Board members felt
that passing the A- 1 zone was very problematic in that it would really give the
appearance of manipulating ordinances to accommodate a specific case, particularly since
the A- 1 zone is believed to be one of the most contentious and problematic sections of the
proposed ordinance . The Board then discussed the provisions in Chapter 4 of the Town
o f Ulysses Comprehensive Plan, and the PUD section of the current zoning ordinance and
felt that this approach made more sense , would be more expedient, and would be easier to
justify in findings . The Planning Board discussed the tenuous nature of the PUD process
in the courts when such actions are challenged under Article 78 , but Board members
strongly felt that if such a challenge were made to the Flo-Tech project, that defending
the action as a PUD would be more prudent than to rationalize passing a specific section
o f the proposed zoning ordinance in order to allow the project. In pursuing the PUD
route, the Planning Board would be lead agency in SEQR including public notice and
public hearing, recommend/not recommend project based on site plan review,
recommend/not recommend the creation of the PUD . The Town Board would vote on
creating or not creating the PUD . After discussion , Mr. Kennedy moved that the
Planning Board recommend to the Town Board that the Flo-Tech property be proposed as
a Planned Unit Development under the existing zoning ordinance to accommodate the
Flo-Tech project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tyler.
PASSED unanimously 5 -0 .
Mr. Coogan Aye
Mr. Kennedy Aye
Mr. Ochs Aye
Mr. Porter Aye
Mr. Tyler Aye
Planning Board Minutes of 5/ 14/03 -2-
Open Space Discussion Meeting
The Planning Board was informed that the TCMOA Planaing Coalition would be
discussing the concepts of open space and steps that can be done towards preserving it.
There is a meeting that they are welcome to attend on Wednesday, May 28th. Planning
Board members can also send any questions or comments regarding open space to Chair
Coogan to be brought up at the TCMOA presentation.
Zoning Ordinance
The Planning Board discussed what they should be doing with the new zoning ordinance
at this time. All members present felt that it is time that the two boards rejoin for
discussion. It was agreed that it would be counterproductive for the Planning Board to do
any further work on the ordinance until both boards were on the same script. Planning
Board members would like to be included in the zoning ordinance meeting of May 27 at
5 : 30 so that they can be brought up to date with the changes the Town Board has
considered .
Miscellaneous
Mr. Rachun updated the Planning Board on the problems with abandoned cars, and how
the issue is exacerbated due to the lack of demand for older cars , junkyards not willing to
accept them, or charging fees to accept them. Mr. Rachun also reported that he has not
heard from Cornerstone Rehab since the meeting in earlier this year when they were told
of the zoning issues. In addition Mr. Rachun informed the Board that Tim Maguire
purchased land next to Spike's BBQ and is planning on submitting plans for a storage
facility and that the plans would be coming our way fairly soon .
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of April 9th could not be approved due to a printing error.
Approval of Minutes of March 5 , 2003 was moved by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Ochs,
and passed unanimously, 5 -0 .
Mr. Coogan Aye
Mr. Kennedy Aye
Mr. Ochs Aye
Mr. Porter Aye
Mr. Tyler Aye
Meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Jacobs
Planning Board Clerk -
,