HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-20-PB 0
TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
10/20/10
APPROVED 06/08/11
Present : Chairperson-Ken Zeserson, Stan Beames, Rod Hawkes , Rebecca Schneider,
John Wertis
Excused : Rick Rainey, Rod Porter
Applicants : Dan Brown- Racker Center, John Brad -Trowbridge & Wolf, David
Carrican, TG Miller, Miles Cullen- Holt Architects
Mr. Zeserson called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 pm, he noted they do have a quorum.
He stated the first order of business on the agenda would be to review the Racker Center
proposition. He asked the members to introduce themselves as well as the applicants .
Introductions were done and the Chair asked Mr. Brown to present the project.
Mr. Brown stated the project is to upgrade a 50 year old building and add 8000 square
feet primarily for learning center programs . They would be adding 2 classrooms by filling
in the space that is created by a connecting entranceway. There would be added parking
to accommodate the increase in use . They are using the same design as the current
building. They are not changing anything other than a new entrance to the learning
center. Long term there would be an additional parking lot, but it would not be visible
from the Wilkins Road side .
Mr. Zeserson noted they would not be adding staff per se thus why the need for increased
parking.
il Mr. Brown noted that in his area he has 4 staff members . Recently they had staff from
Tioga and Cortland County that came for training, they literally ran out of parking spaces
and were parking along Wilkins Road . This would alleviate this and accommodate the
learning center parking.
Ms . Schneider asked if they had given consideration to intergrading education
components into the stormwater plans .
Mr. Brown stated they had not however, they had done stormwater testing and found that
while they preferred impervious surfaces discovered they would be using the system
outlined in the stormwater plans .
Ms . Schneider state she appreciated this however would like to encourage the use of
education e. g. retention ponds for pond life studies .
Mr. Brown stated he liked this approach, the teacher' s currently use the woodland ' s for
nature walks . He would encourage this type of use .
Ms Schneider questioned the run off from the stormwater plan as presented .
The applicants indicated the outlets, run off plans, and swales and indicated where the
stormwater would go .
Ms . Schneider indicated the plans were sufficient.
Mr. Wertis noted that when developing this type of plan it is important that this type of
structure needs to be maintained . The potential for leaves , branches etc . to block the
drainage system exists . The applicants affirmed they have remediation in place if
necessary.
Mr. Zeserson asked if there were any other questions . The members confirmed there had
no other questions however they did confirm they would encourage creativity in creating
the plans to encourage educational components. He asked if the members agreed with
returning a positive recommendation? The following resolution was presented.
The MOTION was made by Mr. Zeserson, SECONDED by Mr. Wertis,
WHEREAS the Racker Center has participated in a Sketch Plan Conference and relevant follow-
up meetings, submitted the required documents and paid the fees for Site Plan Review, and
WHEREAS , after presentation to the Town Board, a request for review was made to the Planning
Board to review, and
WHEREAS the proposed project will renovate the school and build an addition for a learning
center, and
WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses Planning Board has given due consideration to all information
and comments in conducting Site Plan Review, now
THEREFORE iIT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Planning Board of the Town of Ulysses
hereby approves the Site Plan as proposed by the Racker Center and RECOMMENDS approval
to the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses of the plan as presented.
The vote on the motion resulted as follows :
AYES : Mr. Beames, Ms . Schneider, Mr. Wertis, Mr. Zeserson
NAYS : NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Hawkes Mr. Porter, Mr. Rainey
ABSTAINED : NONE
THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Mr. Zeserson stated at the last meeting Mr. Kerness had presented the boundaries and they did not
have quorum. He had asked Mr. Kerness to meet with the missing members to review the
parameters . He noted he would not be in attendance that night due to other commitments .
The members discussed their job as being keeping in the best interests of the town . What are the
compromises they may have to make? They do not want to presume they would have these
compromises before they are here, how do they proceed. It was decided they would be willing to
review the new parameters and consider. Mr. Kerness will contact the members to bring them all
up to speed regarding the revised boundaries .
Mr. Zeserson stated he and Mr. Kerness had asked Ms . Carlisle Peck to review the past meetings
and prepare a 'review of attendance report. He noted we are all busy with lives, work and
tragedies however he noted that per the report more than 2 people had missed more than half of
the meetings . He does not think it is a huge problem however it can be problematic if they do not
have quorum. He wants the other members feedback as to how they feel, this is a 7 year
commitment and originally a once a month meeting however it has grown to twice .
It was the member' s consensus that they would approach each member and ask if they could
honor this commitment. Mr. Porter had stated earlier that he cannot make a regular commitment
but when it is necessary he would make the meeting. He had done this and it is appreciated.
Mr. Wertis stated it was definitely a once a month commitment that has turned into a twice a
month meeting. He will be going out for health reason thus may need to miss meetings,
Ms . Schneider stated it would be worthwhile to speak to each member as she has respect and
values each person ' s input to the board.
It was noted that this may be a good approach to use . With the different energy propositions on
the horizon, it would be a realistic schedule to be meeting twice a month. Can the member ' s make
a commitment to this? It is a lot to ask of a volunteer board, but it was agreed by the members
that it would be worthy of discussion at a later meeting.
Mr. Zeserson expressed his appreciation to the members and his thanks to all of their commitment
to the work they do .
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Carlisle Peck
Secretary