HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-03 PB Final Minutes
Planning Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
February 3, 2026
Planning Board
Zoom Hybrid Meeting
Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2026
Approved: February 17, 2026
Board Members Present: Chair Karl Klankowski, Linda Liddle, Jeff McDonald, Mo Klein
Quorum Present
Applicants Present: Katelin Olson, on behalf of the Town
Public Present: Mark Sherman
Public Present on Zoom: None
Town Staff Present: Niels Tygesen, Lori Asperschlager
Town Board Present: Liz Weatherby
Proceedings
Chair Karl Klankowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall.
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Klein motioned to approve the agenda; Liddle seconded.
Vote: Chair Klankowski, aye; Liddle, aye; McDonald, aye; Klein, aye.
Motion Carried.
Board Member Reports
Weatherby will be the new liaison for the Planning Board and will plan to come to one meeting a month.
Olson gave an update on public outreach for board positions that are open in the Town, including
additional planning board committee members.
Weatherby also mentioned the new draft Comprehensive Plan was released on February 2 and the
planning board members can look through it and have comments for the CPSC committee.
Approval of Past Minutes
Motion: Liddle motioned to approve the January 20, 2026 minutes; McDonald seconded.
Vote: Chair Klankowski, aye; Liddle, aye; McDonald, aye; Klein, aye.
Motion Carried.
Privilege of the Floor
No members of the public spoke
Motion: Klein motioned to close privilege of the floor; McDonald seconded.
Vote: Chair Klankowski, aye; Liddle, aye; McDonald, aye; Klein, aye.
Motion Carried.
New Business Items
MNSUB2512-01: Pritts 2 Lot Minor Subdivision, Sketch Plat Review
5230 Cold Springs Road, Parcel Number 12.-4-19.2
The applicant, the Town of Ulysses, on behalf of the owners, Marvin and Allison Pritts, applied for a
Planning Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
February 3, 2026
minor subdivision for the subject site to subdivide the existing 16.58 acre lot into two lots, Parcel A
approximately 1.37 acres and Parcel B approximately 15.21 acres. Proposed Parcel B would be a flag lot
with a proposed width of 38 feet for the ‘pole’ portion of the lot where 50 feet is required per the Code
of the Town of Ulysses (CTU) 212-130.A.
Klein mentioned that on the Variance application, Restrictions and Convenants document (page 7,
number 5) the measurements listed need a correction.
Olson spoke on behalf of the town. She gave the committee an informational memo from the town
attorney regarding flag lots and state law and the town’s flag lot law that the Town Board used in their
decision to put forth the request. Passed out a binder of public comments received for the donation of
the land for the park. Olson spoke about the use restrictions on the property with regard to lighting and
noise. There will be a fence and visual screening for the property next door, there will be no parking on
the flag lot driveway into the park, and year-round vegetative screening for other adjacent property
owners. No site plan has been developed for the park yet.
Klein asked about draining and Olson stated that there would be drainage no matter the type of
material used in the driveway. Klein also about fencing in front of the property line to avoid people
cutting through other properties to get to the park and Olson stated there is not currently a plan for
that. Olson mentioned that there is a creek at the northern end of the property that a fence will need to
be installed.
Olson mentioned that this plan for the park is following in the footsteps of the Town of Newfield who
also created a town park on a previous farmland.
The committee discussed flag lot requirements.
Klein asked when it was subdivided did the owners consider taking more land away from the rental
house. Olson stated that the town attorney recommended that it was best to keep that property zoning
compliant and ask for this request for the flag lot.
Mark Sherman spoke to the committee about his concern for how the Planning Board can make a
recommendation without a plan, even minimal. Spoke of concerns about trees being cut down on the
property line. Does not want dusty gravel for the surface and to accommodate for drainage. Klein
mentioned that a French drain can be installed. McDonald said that the drainage could be sub-surface.
Klankowski said there appears to be enough space to fit all the necessary pieces together within the 38
feet flag lot. Suggested putting the sidewalk next to the Sherman property to keep the flag lot farther
away. McDonald suggested to pitch the road so drainage was only needed on one side.
Tygesen spoke about the town code about setbacks for buildings and structures and there is not code
for driveways such as being discussed. The pole portion is meant for easement access. The regulations
for setbacks are for the flag portion, not for the pole portion.
Olson and Scott Stewart Highway Superintendent met with Tompkins County Whole Health about the
move of the septic tank in January 2025 and the town will handle the move of the septic tank and repair
of line if needed. There will be a condition within the donation agreement that the septic tank will need
to be moved before the driveway is put in.
Planning Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
February 3, 2026
Klankowski read the Planning Board Resolution No. 2026-005 A Resolution Recommending the Board of
Zoning Appeals Grant an Area Variance for the Pritts 2 Lot Minor Subdivision.
Motion: Klankowski motioned to approve Planning Board Resolution No. 2026-005 A Resolution
Recommending the Board of Zoning Appeals Grant an Area Variance for the Pritts 2 Lot Minor
Subdivision; McDonald seconded.
Vote: Chair Klankowski, aye; Liddle, aye; McDonald, aye; Klein, aye.
Motion Carried.
Olson asked the board to give a recommendation to the BZA for permeable pavement. McDonald and
Klein shared their experience of permeable pavement. It can be ok for parking, but there is maintenance
for it that is required (vacuum the pores). If on a parking lot it can heave after freezing, cannot salt it.
McDonald does like permeable porous concrete pavement (ex. at Taughannock Park at the Overlook),
however there are still maintenance issues with this (cannot plow, must brush it). McDonald would not
recommend permeable porous concrete pavement for a busy parking lot. Not worth permeable
pavement, traditional blacktop would be best for the situation.
Board Member Reports
Karl recommends the board to look through the Comprehensive Plan draft.
Motion: Klein motioned to adjourn; McDonald seconded.
Vote: Chair Klankowski, aye; Liddle, aye; McDonald, aye; Klein, aye.
Motion Carried.
ADJOURNED at 8:09PM
Respectfully Submitted by Lori Asperschlager, Planning Board Secretary
February 17, 2026