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Home My WebLink About2006-05-23 - CPC Town of Ulysses Comprehensive Plan Committee Organizational Meeting May 23 , 2006 Present : Robert Brown, Dick Coogan, Heather Filiberto , Roxanne Marino, Sue Poelvoorde, Sue Ritter, Mary Shelley, Darien Simon, Elizabeth Thomas, Jennifer Wapinski-Moordian, Robert Weatherby, Absent : David Tyler, Debbie Watkins Meeting commenced at 7 : 05pm Introduction : Ms . Marino introduced herself as a Town Board member serving as liaison for the Town Board, she was asked to coordinate the Comprehensive Plan Committee . She is not on the committee per se but will be attending the meetings and assisting as needed. The Town Board had placed announcements for a meeting held in March to recruit individuals interested in reviewing and drafting the Comprehensive Plan for Ulysses . There were approximately 25 people in attendance at that meeting who expressed different levels of interest and participation in working on the Comprehensive Plan. Other individuals contacted her directly or names were given to her of individuals who may be interested in being on this committee . The majority of the individuals present were at the meeting or their name was given to her. She had drafted a structure regarding how the committee might work; a Core committee consisting of 10- 12 members would be established . The Core committee would define the goals for the review . The other members would serve on focus groups once these areas are established. The Town Board has committed to hire some administrative assistance ; she introduced Robin Carlisle Peck as the person for this position. The Town Board has also designated funds for a professional planner. At the meeting on April 1 1 tn the names were presented to the Town Board of the Core Committee. She was informed there is statutory law regarding how the committee is developed. The items that need to be done is to specify a reporting structure, affirm that all the names submitted are committed to serving on the committee as well as the number of members, a timeline is required-the original draft had a timeline of two years but this needs to be decided . She will present this information to the Town Board and that should establish the committee. Ms . Marino asked all of the members to introduce themselves to each other, their background as well as place of residence in Ulysses . Ms . Marino stated Ms . Poelvoorde offered to serve as Coordinator until a Chairperson is appointed. Ms . Poelvoorde stated the first couple of meetings will be deciding structure of the committee, the professional planner —what is needed from this person. When the first Comprehensive Plan was developed it was passed with the designation it would be reviewed after 5 years . It. was their hope the Zoning would have been in place longer to have a better idea of the Town ' s needs . She is hoping Mr. Rachun will be of assistance in interpreting the how the Zoning is working and if there are items in the Comprehensive Plan that could be revised . There are also areas that a professional planner can assist with by reviewing the current plan and suggest areas that need strengthening, one area of note is the transportation area is lacking, the infrastructure —i . e . water is another issue . She stated that had obtained some professional help from Tompkins County Planning after asking the Town Board. They assisted with the inventory information ; this information needed to be gathered and was difficult to do in the evening. The rest of the work was done by the first committee . There may be other areas or other potential other tasks that need to be identified . There is open space, recreation, view shed and other recommendations to be looked at. Ulysses is unique in that it sits in Tompkins County yet we draw individuals from Seneca and Schuyler County due to being in the Northwest corner of the county. She distributed a copy of the Comprehensive Plan law from the New York State website . Comprehensive Plan 2 05/23/2006 she also distributed a copy of the Comprehensive Plan fundamentals . She commented it is a primer for Comprehensive Plans . Mr. Weatherby asked if they would be meeting with the Town Board or Planning Board. Ms . Poelvoorde replied they would request members to attend and provide information as needed. Mr. Coogan informed the committee there has to be a member of the Planning Board, the Town Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals . Ms . Simon stated she is a member of the Planning Board and would serve as the liaison for this committee. Mr. Weatherby asked if there would be reporting to the Town Board. Ms . Marino stated she would be providing reports at the Town Board meeting. Mr. Weatherby asked if the Town Board would be given the minutes . Ms . Marino stated if someone would like to attend and report on frequents intervals this would be acceptable as well. This task is part of the reporting structure they need to define tonight. Mr. Weatherby asked if the Town Board had specifically asked, he stated he feels the various Boards ' should be kept up to date . Ms . Marino replied that is part of the reporting structure that needs to be decided when formally establishing the committee . Mr. Brown asked what they have been empowered to do . Are they going to scrap the old plan and start from scratch or just look at the plan and revise it . Ms . Poelvoorde stated it is not her decision, but her request to have it reviewed in five years was to build on the document. Some areas needed additional attention and it was hoped in five years they could have a professional person to review it. In addition, the map will need to be revised as the zoning changes are not reflected on the map in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Coogan stated there are three initiatives going on at the County level . These are scenic views, affordable housing and a natural features focus . Sue Ritter can tell the members about the Town of Ithaca and the conservation district . One of the items the Stormwater committee is looking at is extending that so it is one zone all the way up through including the steep slopes. Ms . Marino stated one of the items of concern is transportation especially road corridors . During the Washington Street Partners Public Hearing there was concern that the Route 96 corridor is zoned commercial there is the potential with additional curb cuts for increasing what is already a hazardous portion of the Town' s highway. A way to control this is through an Access Management Plan. It came up for this are, it may pertain to other areas in the Town. The view sheds and natural areas came up in zoning. Some form of housing, affordable was brought up but also cluster development was brought up . Additionally items brought up in an April meeting were agriculture — traditional, non traditional, rural preservation, tax issues-growing the tax base while reserving the character of the Town, the relationship to the school, economic development how to attract businesses-promote, what kind, intermunicipal communication-the Village of Trumansburg is currently doing their Comprehensive Plan. It is a good opportunity to dovetail with their Plan. Another item is doing another survey, the previous survey was done in the 1990 ' s . The Village is just sending their survey out, it may be helpful to review the one they have . Comprehensive Plan 3 05/23/2006 Ms . Poelvoorde replied that getting a survey that can be compiled information easy and quick is helpful, however for her the comments were the most helpful part . The charts were nice, the public meetings usually have some who come speak but the survey was a tool for those who do not like to speak in public to verbalize themselves . Ms . Simon stated she has a background in demographic and economic statistics, it might be useful to not only revise and readminister it but keep the original data and compare the date. Mr. Coogan stated they have the tabulated form (results) but nothing to go back and look at specifically. The members agreed it would be helpful to have this survey to review prior to the next meeting. Mr. Coogan will obtain this and scan and email the items to Ms . Carlisle-Peck for distribution. Mr. Coogan also mentioned there are two ways to have the maps done, they can be done hardcopy of electronic format . There is a PowerPoint laptop and projector available. Ms . Poelvoorde stated a business item to get done tonight is the night of week that is best for everyone. A discussion concluded that the best night for MEETINGS WOULD BE THE 4th TUESDAY of EACH MONTH. The second item to be decided is the timeline for the Comprehensive Plan; discussion concluded COMPLETION DATE IS DECEMBER 2008 . This would allow adequate time to prepare, distribute and assimilate the surveys ; consult with the professional planner, as well as conduct the focus groups and additional meetings to finalize the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Coogan noted this timeline would have the Comprehensive Plan come before the Town Board that is currently seated . Mr. Weatherby asked how the Chairperson would be selected. Ms . Thomas asked if the duties could be shared. General discussion concluded part of the resolution should include the Chairperson of the Comprehensive Plan Committee be selected by the committee . All members agreed Ms . Poelvoorde should serve as the Coordinator until this can action can be taken. Ms . Poelvoorde stated the next order of business is the number of members that should serve on the committee. In addition, they require consent that the members are willing to serve on the Board . Mr. Coogan stated that the reporting structure could be as simple as the Town Board liaison reporting to the Board on a regular basis . The final draft within the timeline would be the final report . They can have voting members and non-voting members ; the voting members would be sworn in. Mr. Weatherby asked if the board would be making recommendations vs . the final decisions . Ms . Marino confirmed that the Town Board would be making the final approval . Mr. Weatherby asked how the people that are here now were selected . Ms . Marino stated the people here tonight were at the March meeting or their names were given to her after of individuals interested . Mr. Coogan, Mr. Don Ellis and Ms . Marino reviewed the list and selected names based on geographic location. They reviewed the list based on what interest level as to who would serve on the committee vs . the focus groups . Comprehensive Plan 4 05/23/2006 Mr. Weatherby stated is there anybody who really wanted to be on the committee that had been turned away. Ms . Marino stated not that she is aware of Mr. Wertis corresponded with her today and stated he had more time and offered to be on the committee as a small agricultural representative . The question of how many members serve on the committee is a decision that needs to be made tonight. Mr. Coogan stated due to conflict he cannot be a voting member. He would not be appointed but he can be a member. If focus groups come up he would be willing to work with these groups as well . Issues were discussed at length related to individual ' s roles, the area of expertise and geographic location they each would provide. The level of interest that would be needed as well as time requirement commitments . The consequences of having more members vs. less in relation to quorum . The amount of times they committee would actually be voting-the final vote would be in two years, if a few current members drop out could the quorum amount be met. The discussion concluded a maximum of 9 members-the quorum would be 5 . The 9 would be voting members with additional NON-VOTING MEMBERS as listed below : Voting Members Non Voting Members 1 . Robert Brown 1 . Dick Coogan 2 . Heather Filiberto 2 . Roxanne Marino 3 . Sue Poelvoorde 4. Sue Ritter 5 . Mary Shelley 6. Darien Simon 7 . Elizabeth Thomas 8 . David Tyler 9 . Jennifer Wapinski-Mooradian 10 . Debbie Watkins 11 . Robert Weatherby 12 . John Wertis Ms . Poelvoorde asked if all of the above were willing to serve as the committee members for the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Ulysses . The individuals replied they consent to serve in the positions as stated above. Mr. Weatherby stated he had heard from Mr. Rod Porter and Mr. Mark Oaks indicating they were interested in being on the committee. Mr. Brown stated the meeting had been publicized with good attendance . Ms . Marino noted this is the first she had heard they were interested in the committee . Mr. Weatherby replied he was seeking clarification as to how the names were obtained for the committee. Ms . Wapinski-Moordian stated that within the timeline they would include getting the survey together, review the survey results, and adapt the Comprehensive plan accordingly with the assistance of a professional planner. Ms . Marino replied yes . She also indicated that the non-voting members should be kept in communication via email etc . Ms. Simon stated an . agenda item for the next meeting should be a task list for the planner. What types of things are likely to be needed. Comprehensive Plan 5 05/23/2006 Ms . Ritter stated she would be willing to contact a group at Cornell that does surveys and analysis . Further discussion was held regarding the planner cost, duties, and survey firms available, tasks to happen. In addition, how to distribute the surveys, how the components could work together concurrently and how much it would cost . Discussion concluded the task list as follows for the next meeting to be held June 27th in the library (pending approval) at 7 : 00 pm . All members-read Comprehensive Plan review surveys draft task list-how it will fit into the timeline . Dick Coogan-scan/email previous Ulysses survey is advertising the meetings necessary? Heather Filiberto-obtain other surveys from various Towns, give to Dick Sue Ritter-Research Cornell Survey group . Jennifer Wapinski-Mooradian-check with Ulysses Library for permission to use the library on 4th Tuesday of each month. Respectfully submitted, Robin Carlisle Peck Secretary 05/31 /06 1