HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-10 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
Planning Board
10 June 2004
Board Members Present: John Wertis (Chair), Margot Chiuten, Rodney Porter, Rose
Hilbert, and Lorren Hammond (Unexcused absence David Tyler)
Also present : Roxanne Marino
Mr. Wertis asked that the meeting start before at 7 : 35 prior to having a full quorum .
Within a few minutes two more board members arrived and the meeting was officially
opened at 7 : 38PM.
Mr. Wertis asked each member of the Planning Board, the Town Board liaison, and the
recording secretary to introduce ourselves giving name, where we lived, what we did for
a living, educational background, and why we are involved in Ulysses government.
Everyone present talked about who he or she was and why he or she became involved
with the Planning Board.
Second item on Mr. Wertis ' agenda was to outline a scope of what direction the Planning
board could take. Mr. Wertis commented that he would like to see the Planning Board
initiate more proactive endeavors then merely being a body that waits to rule on site
plans, sub-divisions, and cell towers . Such a change in focus would require a larger time
commitment from board members and Mr. Wertis asked if the board felt that this was a
the direction the Board wished to move.
Mr. Hammond commented that he felt the Planning Board needed a fresh perspective and
a self-starter and that he liked the direction proposed by Mr. Wertis . Mr. Hammond
thought the board should define what should be done with no preconceived notions .
No response was elicited on additional time commitment.
Mr. Wertis said that one area would be to update the Town ' s Comprehensive Plan and
that could be a project for the Planning Board .
Ms. Marino pointed out that the Plan calls for a review/revision in 2004 (the 1999 plan
had a five year review as a stipulation) . Ms . Marino said that she would like the Planning
Board to appoint a committee to work on revising the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Hammond stated that he felt the new zoning ordinance should be passed prior to any
work on revising the Comprehensive Plan.
Ms . Marino said that work could begin now because there were a lot of areas that needed
defining, such as rural character and open space.
Mr. Coogan presented the rough flow chart for site plan review and stated that it is up to
the Planning Board to establish procedures within the guidelines established by State law.
He said that he would be willing to incorporate the Board ' s procedures as they are
defined.
Mr. Wertis presented information on using a bright sign to notify people of Planning
Board action on a specific property. Mr. Wertis had contacted Town of Ithaca planning
staff to find out how it was handled there. Mr. Hammond requested that the discussion
on signage be tabled for action at the next meeting. Members present felt that tabling the
discussion made sense at this time.
Ms. Marino updated the Planning Board on Town Board issues and said that she would
like to see the Planning Board involved in working with the Genesee Finger Lakes Group
that is working on local stormwater laws . She did say that the plan was for six or seven
60 to 90 minute meetings that would be in addition to any other Planning Board work.
Planning Board Meeting 2
06/ 10/2004 .
Mr. Wertis volunteered to explore this based on his interest and past experience as
stormwater coordinator in the Town of Elmira.
Ms . Marino then provided an update on the zoning ordinance saying the Town Board
passed a motion by a 3 to 2 vote to make the Al district lot sizes 400-foot frontage
without a minimum acreage. She said that the proportional frontage had many issues
that needed to be worked out and that the Town Board had made as part of the motion to
revisit the issue of proportional frontage in October.
Mr. Hammond asked what happened to 500 feet and three acres . Ms . Marino said that
the Town Board did not feel that that proposal was formally adopted.
Ms. Hilbert asked if the Planning Board should issue a new motion. She felt that there
should be a More restricted measure in place until the proportional method was worked
out to curtail development in the Al . .
Mr. Hammond agreed saying that a more restrictive law now would make proportional
scheme more palatable later.
Ms . Hilbert stated that the Comprehensive Plan wants less development.
Mr. Wertis moved, seconded by Mr. Hammond.
BE IT RESOLVED the Planning Board reiterates its support for the "30/70"
frontage requirement . The Planning Board is disappointed that this concept could not be
moved forward at this time and that it is not included in the proposed draft Zoning
Ordinance. As an interim measure, the Planning Board would like to see increased
protection for frontage from the proposed 400 feet until proportional frontage can be
enacted.
Mr. Wertis (Chair) aye
Mr. Hammond aye
Ms. Hilbert aye
Mr. Porter aye
Ms . Chiuten abstained
Approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Coogan
Temporary Secretary, Ulysses Planning Board