HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-11 CPSC Final MinutesComprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
April 11, 2024
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Zoom Hybrid Meeting
Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2024
Approved: June 5, 2024
Committee Members Present: Chair Ann DiPetta, Rose Hanson, Roxanne Marino, Elizabeth Weatherby,
Mo Klein, Karl Klankowski, Tai Basilius, Diane Cohen
Committee Members Present on Zoom: Rebecca Schneider, Katelin Olson
Committee Members Absent: Alison Weaver
Quorum Present
Town Staff Present: Niels Tygesen, Mollie Duell
Members of the Public Present: Cheryl Thompson
Proceedings
Chair DiPetta called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm at Town Hall.
Approval of Agenda
Marino requested that the committee review plans for attending the April 20 Farmer’s Market event.
Tygesen added a few topics including following up on committee member time sheets, youth
internships, and scheduling the next meeting dates.
Motion: Klein motioned to approve the agenda as amended; Weatherby seconded.
Vote: Chair DiPetta, aye; Hanson, aye; Marino, aye; Weatherby, aye; Cohen, aye; Basilius, aye;
Schneider, aye; Klein, aye; Olson, aye; Klankowski, aye.
Motion Carried.
Approval of Past Minutes
Motion: Klankowski motioned to approve the meeting minutes from February as written; Marino
seconded.
Vote: Chair DiPetta, aye; Hanson, aye; Marino, aye; Weatherby, aye; Cohen, aye; Basilius, aye;
Schneider, aye; Klein, aye; Olson, aye; Klankowski, aye.
Motion Carried.
Privilege of the Floor
Cheryl Thompson asked if there has been any discussion about developing housing beyond single family
homes, something denser such as pod homes, and how zoning might be amended.
Cameron Neuhoff asked if this is the correct forum to ask about changing names in the Town and
whether Jacksonville was the only hamlet in Town and if other areas in Town could be designated as a
Hamlet with unique development regulations.
Hanson noted that there are other historic hamlets, and Klankowski mentioned that Waterburg is the
other main hamlet.
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
April 11, 2024
Chair DiPetta responded that the committee has not gotten into a conversation about housing yet, but it
is good to start thinking about ideas. Weatherby added that it would be appropriate to discuss name
changes, but ultimately the Town Board would decide.
Tygesen spoke briefly about the Waterburg hamlet zone which has different regulations than the
Jacksonville hamlet zone.
Weatherby noted that the 2009 Comp Plan focused on Jacksonville extensively and it will likely be a
large focus again.
Marino described comments from the County that were provided during development of the 2009 comp
plan, in which they expressed that Jacksonville was a main node and more nodes along Route 96 would
not be desirable.
Old Business Items
RFQ Submissions Review
Tygesen started the review of the RFQ submissions; interviews are scheduled for the following week.
Klankowski provided a breakdown of the submissions prior to the meeting.
Schneider noted the perspectives and focus are quite different in the RFQs. Weatherby agreed, adding
that agriculture and natural resources are highly valued in Ulysses.
Schneider voiced concerns that Ulysses is not Ithaca, and the consultant should understand that
examples of successful urban planning may not depict what Ulysses wants. Basilius shared concerns that
some responses seemed too sterile, and some fine details of the Town may not be captured.
Tygesen described the upcoming interview process, during which each firm will have an hour total to
present and discuss with the Committee.
Klankowski offered opinions on the proposals from a business perspective.
Tygesen reviewed the times for the upcoming interviews and asked the committee to take notes.
The committee discussed forming questions for the interviews.
Weatherby asked about questions regarding contracts and suggested this could be discussed afterward;
Marino agreed, adding that a question focusing on sustainability should be included.
Weatherby suggested that a question about housing is necessary, and a question about public
engagement is critical.
The committee discussed how often the chosen firm would be expected to attend meetings, agreeing
that a monthly attendance requirement would be unlikely.
Weatherby noted that DEC wetland regulations are in the process of being updated and this could have
massive impacts on development; Schneider added that the Planning Board uses Tompkins County
wetland resources.
Tygesen stated that draft questions should be submitted by Monday afternoon.
Next Steps
Farmers’ Market Event
Marino spoke about ideas for engaging the community at the Farmers’ Market Earth Day event,
including having a suggestion box and posters. Marino described other aspects of the event from past