HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-25 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING
3/25/2004
PRESENT : Planning Board Chairman Richard Coogan, Members Lorren Hammond,
Rose Hilbert, Rodney Porter, and David Tyler, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun,
and Typist Karin Laming.
ALSO PRESENT : Gary Wood, Jim Seafuse, Bret Seafuse, and Craig Norton, applicants
and their representatives . Town Board Members Don Ellis and Roxanne Marino, Main
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Street Project Advisory Committee Members Scott Sears and Jim Constantin, Chris
Koratsis, and Laura Koratsis
Chairman Coogan called the meeting to order at 7 : 05 pm .
Site Plan Review Public Hearing/SEQR/Discussion : Seafuse- 2085 Trumansburg
Road, tax parcel 13 . -3-2 .
The first order of business was a public hearing to hear comments on a Site Plan Review
proposal from Jim Seafuse for the purpose of constructing a new commercial building at
his property located at 2085 Trumansburg Road, known also as Tax Parcel 13 . -3 -2 ,
which is the site of the Trumansburg Shur Save.
Chairman Coogan read the notice of public hearing, which was duly advertised, and
stated no written comments have been received.
Chairman Coogan asked the applicant to briefly describe his proposed project. Gary
Wood - Engineer for the project explained the applicant would like to build a new
commercial building, which would house a pharmacy on the site. The new building will
be about 130 feet south of the existing building, and the applicant proposes a second
access from NYS Route 96, which would be located towards the southern edge of the
r property.
Chairman Coogan opened the public hearing at 7 : 08 pm .
Don Ellis began by noting he is a frequent customer of the Trumansburg Shur Save, and
greatly enjoys shopping and visiting there. Mr. Ellis noted he does have two public safety
concerns regarding the proposal . The first concern is pedestrian safety within the site-as
the site currently exists, the lack of sidewalk in front results in individuals coming out of
the store stepping immediately into parking lot traffic . Mr. Ellis suggested an 8 -foot wide
sidewalk in front of and connecting the stores or, preferably, a 12-foot wide walkway
with a mountable curb to allow drive-up access to fire trucks and other emergency
vehicles . Mr. Ellis noted a wide walkway would be an asset to the store and to the greater
community economically and socially. The second concern Mr. Ellis identified was with
an additional access from NYS Route 96 in particular and the present unsafe situation of
curb cuts along that portion of NYS Route 96 in general . In regards to this proposal, Mr.
Ellis noted not adding a second access might cause sufficient build-up of traffic at the
existing access to force NYS DOT to consider installing a long hoped-for traffic light at
the site. Mr. Ellis also suggested a sidewalk running from the store to NYS Route 96 .
Jim Constantin of the Trumansburg Main Street Project spoke as a member of the
Advisory Committee of the Project. Mr. Constantin began by echoing Mr. Ellis favorable
opinion of the Trumansburg Shur Save, and stating it contributes to the economy of the
community through tax revenues, by boosting local spending, and by providing jobs .
Constantin stated everyone he has spoken to is very much in favor of the proposed
project. In regards to the Main Street Project Advisory Committee ' s perspective on the
proposed project, Constantin suggested the proposal include a sidewalk running from the
stores to NYS Route 96 .
Jim Seafuse asked if sidewalks would be constructed to connect his store to downtown
Trumansburg.
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Planning Board Meeting 2
03/25/2004
Constantin noted some construction could be deferred, but $ 10,000 of in-kind assistance
pledged by the Town of Ulysses might allow additional construction.
Scott Sears of the Trumansburg Main Street Project spoke as a member of the Advisory
Committee of the Project. Mr. Sears also echoed his appreciation of the value the
Trumansburg Shur Save adds to the community. Sears stated he sees an opportunity with
this project to develop the site as a gateway to the Village, which not only announces the
presence of the Village but also slows incoming traffic . Mr. Sears suggested conducting a
traffic study of the area as part of Site Plan Review for this project, noting perhaps Mr.
Seafuse could1work with the Main Street Project Advisory Committee as well as the
Trumansburg Fair Board in this process .
Chairman Coogan asked if there were any other comments, and hearing none, closed the
public hearing at 7 : 25 pm.
Chairman Coogan proposed reviewing S .E. Q .R.A. relative to the proposal next.
Code Enforcement Officer Rachun led the Environmental Review per S .E. Q .R.A.
guidelines, noting that the applicant has completed a long E . A.F. , though as a Type II
Action a short E . A.F . would have been sufficient.
Mr. Tyler asked if the fact the property is located within an agricultural district puts it
over a threshold that would make the proposal a Type I action requiring a Long E .A.F .
Rachun answered it does not.
The Planning Board reviewed the E.A.F . submitted by the applicant.
Mr. Hammond asked if the NYS DOT has approved the access from NYS Route 96 and
granted a permit. Jim Seafuse answered no permit has been issued yet. Mr. Rachun asked
about the septic system, and Gary Wood stated the current store only uses about half of
the system ' s capacity.
Hearing no further questions about the S .E. Q .R. Environmental Review and taking the
E .A.F . into consideration, Mr. Tyler moved to make the determination that the proposed
project is a Type II Action and in so doing conclude the S .E . Q .R. process . Mr. Porter
seconded.
Mr. Coogan aye
Mr. Porter aye
Ms. Hilbert aye
Mr. Hammond " aye
Mr. Tyler aye
Adopted.
The Planning Board discussed the merits of one or two road cuts, vehicle and pedestrian
traffic patterns within the site, and connection to the Main Street Project . The applicant
and his agents were asked and agreed to consider the following suggestions from the
Planning Board:
- Re-route employee vehicle traffic to go around gas pumps and reaches
parking by going around rear of current store.
- Eliminate the second road cut or re-route traffic from it to cut across the
side of the parking lot closest to NYS Route 96 .
- Plan for pedestrian walkway along front of and in between stores .
3 - Include installation of 2 (two) stop signs in front of stores .
Consider potential future development of a walkway connecting the store
to NYS Route 96, which would be comparable to a future walkway along
NYS Route 96 in the vicinity of the store.
Utilize wooden ties or similar barriers to define employee-parking area.
Mr. Seafuse and his Engineer Mr. Wood agreed to consider these suggestions and return
on April 0, 2004 .
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Planning Board Meeting 3
03/25/2004
Site Plan Amendment : Flo-Tech, 7325 Halseyville Road, tax parcel number 12. -4-
15.22
Mr. Coogan asked Mr. Rachun to explain the changes to the approved site plan for
FloTech. Mr. Rachun explained the floor plan was enlarged by approximately 200 sq. ft .
to accommodate a truss arrangement for a t onn MrSRa the
since the change
planned, which will allow for better fire pr otec
represents less than 5 % of the gross floor area this matter would not have to come before
the Planning Board again under the proposed revised Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Rachun
stated the plan also has eliminated a covered entryway to improve traffic flow . The
Planning Board briefly discussed the request .
Mr. Hammond moved to approve the Final Site Plan for Flo-Tech, 7325 Halseyville
Road, Tax Parcel number 12 . -4- 15 . 22 , as amended hange un the roof tru�sstsystemtand the
minor changes in the floor space resulting from
removal of a covered entryway. Mr . Tyler seconded .
Mr. Coogan aye
Mr. Porter aye
Ms . Hilbert aye
Mr. Hammond aye
Mr. Tyler aye
Adopted.
Other Business : Upcoming Zoning Ordinance Meeting
The Planning Board discussed an upcoming meeting concerning the proposed revised
Zoning Ordinance . Ms . Roxanne Marino joined the discussion as Town Board liaison to
the Plannin g Board. Following discussion, Mr. Porter moved to adjourn the meeting and
Mr. Tyler seconded the motion.
Mr. Coogan aye
Mr. Porter aye
Ms . Hilbert aye
Mr. Hammond aye
Mr. Tyler aye
Chairman Coogan adjourned the meeting at 9 : 27 pm .
Respectfully Submitted,
Karin Lanning
Typist
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