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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-11 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES PLANNING BOARD MINUTES June 11 , 2003 Members Present: Richard Coogan (Chair), Lorren Hammond, Rose Hilbert, George Kennedy, Mark Ochs, Rodney Porter, David Tyler (for part of the meeting) . Also, Alex Rachun, Code Enforcement Officer; Eileen Jacobs, Planning Board Clerk; and Representatives of Cornerstone. Chair Coogan called the meeting to order at 7 : 33 p . m . Update on Flo-Tech Chair Coogan reported that the Town Board approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the Flo-Tech project . The Town Board will also act as Lead Agency in the SEQR process . Update on Timelines for Resolutions & Minutes The procedures were reviewed, and it was agreed that resolutions signed by the Chair would be filed with the Town Clerk within 5 days , and the Board will work hard to have draft minutes posted within two weeks, with approval following at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Cornerstone Recover Services Inc. aka Ca ' u ' a Addiction Recover Services Replacement Facility Danielle Carr, Landscape Architect for QPK, presented the plans for a new, 60-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. The new facility has a bigger footprint than the existing building, which will be demolished upon completion and occupation of the new building . The new parcel of land is 31 acres with 24 acres being in Schuyler County. The building site will be wholly within Tompkins County. The land in Schuyler County does not have any road frontage . William Rusen, Executive Director of Cornerstone, said that the organization did not have any short or long-term plans for developing the 24 acres in Schuyler County and explained that in order to purchase the property for the new facility, Cornerstone had to buy the entire 31 -acre parcel . Approval of Minutes At approximately 7 : 50 Mr. Tyler arrived and the Planning Board paused the discussion of Cornerstone to approve minutes so that Mr. Tyler could leave for another commitment that evening. Approval of Minutes of April 9, 2003 was moved by Mr. Tyler and seconded by Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Coogan Abstain Mr. Kennedy Aye Mr. Hammond Aye Ms . Hilbert Aye Mr. Ochs Aye ■ Mr. Porter Aye Mr. Tyler Aye Motion passed 6-0- 1 . Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2003 was moved by Mr. Hammond and seconded by Mr. Ochs . Mr. Coogan Aye Mr. Kennedy Aye Mr. Hammond Aye Planning Board Minutes of 6/ 11 /03 -2- Ms . Hilbert Abstain Mr. Ochs Aye Mr. Porter Aye Mr. Tyler Aye Motion passed 6-0- 1 . Mr. Tyler left the meeting at approximar:ely 7 : 55 p . m. Cornerstone (continued) Some of the issues that were discussed included a new water retention basin, gravel driveway and parking area, and elevations . It was also noted that safety lighting in the parking area will be turned off during nighttime hours, and there will be no change in traffic patterns on the site . Also, there will be no change in the number of employees of the facility. The first floor of the building is utilized only between the hours of 7 : 00 a. m. and 10 : 00 p .m. There will be non-illuminated exterior signage , plans for which were not available, but were requested to be submitted prior to the next Planning Board meeting. Alex Rachun provided a summary of the zoning issues involved with the new facility. Under the existing ordinance zoning, the new facility is not permitted since the use is not specified for a residential area, but a rehab facility is clearly defined under terms . The new draft ordinance would allow the new facility. Options for pursuing the new building included creating a PUD , waiting for the new zoning ordinance to be passed and approved into law, or asking for a ruling by the BZA. After discussion, the Planning Board felt that the best course of action would be recommending that the Town Board create a PUD and to be Lead Agency in filing SEQR. It was noted that the applicants have submitted material so that a PUD and Site Plan Review could be conducted concurrently. There was discussion regarding involved agencies . It was believed that in addition to Tompkins County, Schuyler County and DOT would be involved, and that the Village would be an interested agency. Mr. Kennedy moved that the Planning Board recommend that the project be forwarded to the Town Board with recommendation that they initiate a PUD . The motion was seconded by Mr. Hammond. Mr. Coogan Aye Mr. Hammond Aye Ms . Hilbert Aye Mr. Kennedy Aye Mr. Ochs Aye Mr. Porter Aye Motion passed unanimously. Reasons for approving the motion were : The plans were professionally presented & provided ample information about the project . The Director and Architects had enthusiasm for the project . The, new facility will be an improvement over the existing facility, and much consideration went into making the building fit the character of the area. It was felt that Cornerstone was good for the community and any asset to the Town. There would not be any changes to the traffic patterns on Route 227 . There would not be any changes to employment levels . This action would be consistent with the current zoning law . Creating the PUD for Cornerstone would be consistent with the previous action of the Planning Board in recommending creating a PUD for Flo-Tech . The Planning Board requested that Cornerstone provide details on lighting for the parking area including luminmetrics and details for the sign that will be erected on Route 227 . It was suggested that the Fire Chief be contacted regarding emergency vehicle access on the site. The Planning Board also asked that Cornerstone provide a+. written statement stating Planning Board Minutes of 6/ 11 /03 -3 - that staffing levels are to remain the same and that no changes to existing traffic are expected. Planning Board anticipates voting on site plan approval at the next scheduled Planning Board meeting on July 9th . Planning Board felt the plans were complete and that the project was a good fit for the Town , but felt that it was necessary to review lighting and the sign before granting site plan approval . Cornerstone is willing to submit the demolition plans to the Planning Board in time for next month's meeting so that the demolition can be part of site plan approval . If possible, PB would like to have the site plan Public Hearing at the same time as the Town Board Public Hearing for the PUD . Cornerstone would like to have a start date for construction August, 2003 and anticipates completion by August, 2004 . Zoning Update Planning Board felt that the copy and minutes from the Town Board represented a more professional approach to finalizing the new Zoning Ordinance and will facilitate review . Planning Board members will review the marked copies and meet to discuss the proposed changes by the Town Board . A special meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 23rd at 6 : 30 p . m . Miscellaneous George Kennedy has asked Tompkins County Planning to provide a map of the major streams in Ulysses so that the information can be used to discuss building setbacks from major stream courses . Currently in the draft ordinance this is concept lacks specificity. Meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 p . m . Respectfully submitted, Eileen Jacobs ,� Plannin g Board Cler .'