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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-13-PB TOWN OF ULYSSES PLANNING BOARD MINUTES 07/13/11 APPROVED 09/13/11 Present : Chairperson-Ken Zeserson, Members- Sarah Adams, Stan Beames (Recused during the presentation/vote on Site Plan Review) , Peter Fry, Rod Hawkes, John Wertis, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun Excused : Rebecca Schneider Applicant : Bridgid and Stanley Beames Public : Beth and Don Hickman, Vern and Diana Collins , Dick Coogan, Barbara Bristow Dave and Jean Schurman Mr. Zeserson called the meeting to order at 7 : 01pm . He stated the first order of business was the Site Plan Review application for Bridgid and Stanley Beames to open a Namaste Montessori elementary school at 1872 Trumansburg Road. The Beames received a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals to operate a school . He asked the applicant to present the project . Mr. Beames presented several diagrams to the group . He stated they had received the Special Permit to operate the school in Jacksonville . Jacksonville is a hamlet thus a school was not allowed without a Special Permit. They have operated a school further down the road but would like to expand the program.. He asked Mrs . Beames to expand on the project. Mrs . Beames stated they would operate as an elementary school, grades 1 -6 for approximately 50 students and 6 teachers. The building would remain the same footprint they would be bringing it up to code; upgrade the septic , parking and the driveways would be changed. They are proposing gravel, with permeable mesh to allow grass to grow to help prevent the ground from getting torn up . They have to add and outside egress on the first and second floor for fire safety regulations . The lighting would be up to code for limits, hours etc . Their main hours of operation would be 7 : 30am to 5 : 30 pm with occasional after hours parent meetings, group events . There are 2 bathrooms and they would be adding a third, the septic will be upgraded to handle all of these . Mr. Collins stated this would be a must, there are many issues with drainage, runoff, he stated this has been a long time problem with this facility. He appreciated the applicant taking action on this problem. Mr. Schurman stated he is one of the volunteer stewards of Jacksonville Park. The park has drainage into the creek. He stated while the applicants are working with DOH for septic, perk tests, if there are drainage issues that could be addressed with cooperation from the park they would be willing to discuss . He had planned on contacting the Beames to evaluate the situation. Mrs . Beames stated this would be good. He was one of the next people she needed to reach out to for exactly this issue. She stated it is their plan to not fence the yard. She realized that the public uses this lot as a cut through to access the park. They do not have an issue with this and want the public to feel welcome to access this area. They do plan on removing the old barbed wire that is on the lot due to danger to the children. Mr. Coogan stated he is a member of the Ulysses Zoning Board of Appeals and has been involved with the Route 96 Corridor Study. This type of activity fit a lot of items from the County as well as the Town plan for nodal development. He is in strong support of this application and hopes the Board approves it. Planning Board Minutes 1 07/ 13/2011 Mr. Hickman introduced himself as representing Jacksonville Church. The church welcomes this project and wants to extend a helping hand in facilitating this project getting completed. If they can be of assistance to the applicant just let them know. Mr. and Mrs . Collins stated they welcome this project as well as their neighbor Tom. His wife is still ill and cannot attend the meetings. They share a fence with this project and he welcomes this to the community. Mrs. Beames stated she understands they do share this and she does not have an issue leaving the opening for tractors to access the lots . Mr. Zeserson stated he has used Jacksonville Park to walk his dog, the park itself is amazing and to add the school to the area is wonderful. Mr. Schurman stated the Jacksonville Park stewards are reviewing the park for any potential risk/dangers in the park. They appreciate the school and want to help them feel safe on the park grounds . Mrs. Beames stated the community has been very helpful and she appreciated all the support they have received. Mr. Zeserson asked the public and the members if there were any additional questions or concerns . None were offered. Mr. Zeserson closed the Public Hearing at 7 : 16pm. Mr. Zeserson MADE the MOTION, Mr. Fry SECONDED the MOTION. WHEREAS 13ridgid and Stanley Beames were granted a Special Permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) enabling them to convert an existing property at 1872 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY, (Tax map number 25 . -6- 10 . 2) into an elementary school ; and WHEREAS the ZBA completed a SEQR review with a Negative Declaration and they have asked the Planning Board to conduct a site plan review of the proposed renovation; and WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses Planning Board has conducted a site plan review for the institution that would be called Namaste Montessori-Elementary School and found the project to pose no undue difficulties or threats to surrounding properties or the town proper; and WHEREAS the Planning Board has conducted a public hearing on the matter on July 13th; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby approves the Site Plan to convert the existing structure at 1872 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY, (Tax map number 25 . 6- 10 . 2) into an elementary school . The vote was taken : Ms. Adams-Aye Mr. Beames- Recused Mr. Fry-Aye Mr. Hawkes-Aye Ms . Schneider-Absent Mr. Wertis-Aye Mr. Zeserson-Aye THE MOTION WAS APPROVED, SITE PLAN REVIEW APPROVED . Mr. Zeserson asked the Planning Board members to remain for a quick review of upcoming projects . Mr. Beames joined the group to review the upcoming projects . Planning Board Minutes 2 07/ 13/2011 r Mr. Rachun stated they have several subdivisions that would be coming up for review. One would divide a lot that would the new owner would establish a farmstead on. He would be moving here from Canada and has stated he would build a residence and actively farm the site . This lot has already had a simple subdivision thus this would be reviewed as a minor subdivision. If this is subdivided again it would be a major subdivision. Ms . Adams asked for clarification as to how this works . Mr. Rachun stated they have a master map as of 2007 when the Zoning went into effect. They track all subdivisions from that date forward, once they subdivide the third time it is a major subdivision. The Planning Board can determine how intense they would make the major subdivision; it would be dependent on the project. Mr. Fry asked procedurally if the application they just reviewed should have had a grading plan. Mr. Rachun stated it is this Board ' s right to request the documents they need to complete the review. This application would be utilized as a similar use; sporadic heavier use had been the history. They will have to work with DOH for septic issues, and they will review the grading plan after that. Mr. Fry stated then conceptually they could ask for a design done by a professional . Mr. Zeserson stated this was a friendly application but in the future the members should definitely have all areas of concern addressed during Site Plan Review. This group can request additional and detailed information. Ms . Carlisle Peck stated they have the minutes of 06/29/ 11 to review/approve. Mr. Wertis MADE the MOTION, Mr. Zeserson SECONDED the MOTION to approve the Minutes of 06/29/ 11 . The vote was taken, ALL IN FAVOR, Minutes Approved Unanimously. Mr. Rachun informed the group Darby Kiley had accepted the Environmental Planner position. She has most recently been with Tompkins County assisting municipalities with hydrofracking issues . She had worked with Lansing for a short spell . She is scheduled to start at Ulysses at the end of July. She was also a student of Rebecca' s . She will be working with the Planning and Zoning Board ' s . There will be a transition period until she is up to speed. She currently has a contract with the County through the end of October. Mr. Zeserson stated he was on the search committee and was very impressed with the candidates . They are not sure what her schedule will be but she will be expected to be at the meetings for the Planning and Zoning Board. The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 43pm. Respectfully submitted, Robin Carlisle Peck Secretary Planning Board Minutes 3 07/ 13/2011 1 1 an