HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes of the Planning Board Meeting June 25, 2008.pdfMinutes for
Village of Cayuga Heights Planning Board
Held on
June 25, 2008
Meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Mayor Jim Gilmore
Board Members Present: Ann Antil, Ron Bors, Dave Donner, Diana Riesman, Frank
Collyer, Roy Staley and Jim Gilmore
Others: Brent Cross, Elena Flash and Kim Rothman
Guests: Neil Olver, Carol Schiffman, Wies VanLeuken, Jack Young and Anita Watkins
Mayor Gilmore stated that item #4 regarding the cable franchise resolution would be
tabled until the July 21, 2008 meeting of the Board of Trustees. The cost to the Village is
not $19,000. More information will be presented at the July 21st meeting.
Minutes
Minutes of the June 9, 2008 Planning Board meeting was presented and reviewed by the
Board.
On a motion by Trustee Bors, seconded by Trustee Collyer the following was
unanimously passed:
RESOLUTION NO.
APPROVING THE MINUES OF JUNE 9, 2008
RESOLVE, that the minutes of June 9, 2008 are hereby approved as
presented.
Brent Cross stated that he had confirmed that there were no footer drains in the prior
building demolished for the construction of the Chemung Canal Bank and that there will
be none in the new building.
Mayor Gilmore reported that the demolition was almost 90% completed. He also
reported that there had been a violation of the demolition permit this past weekend by
working on Sunday. The police responded to the demolition site and the contractor
complied with the police’s request to stop work.
Neil Olver Presentation
Mr. Olver presented photos and a preliminary site plan for a proposed building on the
corner of E.Upland/Triphammer/Hanshaw Roads.
Brent Cross explained that this meeting was for the review of Mr. Olver’s site plan. If
the board finds it acceptable, a public hearing can be scheduled and a SEQR
determination can be made. Mr. Cross stated that it may be a Type II action which does
not require a long form SEQR process, but this is yet to be determined.
Mr. Olver reviewed the site plan with the board. He intends to save as many trees as
possible with as small additional parking as possible to comply with Village
requirements. He also stated that the curb cut already exists and that he plans to conform
to the 35-foot set back from the roads. He also stated that he hopes to move Olver
Insurance Agency into the new building and is looking for a tenant for the existing
building; hopefully a financial type tenant.
Board Member Riesman asked what the intended square footage of the proposed new
building will be. Mr. Olver stated that he will be proposing 3918 square feet on the first
floor with 1200 square feet on the second floor. Mr. Olver stated that his goal is to build
tastefully and attractively, but that he does not intend to build the maximum allowed by
Village ordinances. The current plan does not include a restaurant.
Brent Cross explained that if planning board approved the project as an office, the owner
must come back to the planning board if the use changes.
Board Member Riesman explained that the planning board needs to consider commercial
uses that will benefit the residents of the Village.
Mr. Olver stated that the existing garage may be taken down and reconstructed in another
area or possibly demolished by Finger Lakes Construction. The garage may also be used
for personal vehicles or for storage of insurance business files.
The planning board reviewed with owner and Mr. Cross the history of the current
property and building. The construction of the current buildings was before the Village
adopted the zoning ordinance. Construction took place in approximately 1953. Currently
the existing structure does not meet Village’s zoning ordinances, but is grandfathered.
Planning Board Member Riesman asked if the owner was willing to work with the
Village to attract a tenant that would be useful to the community. Mr. Olver stated that
he wants to be community friendly and that he was willing to work with the Board. She
asked if the owner would consider a food business. Members Antil & Staley commented
that the parking and traffic would need to be studied before an approval could be made.
Chairman Gilmore stated that the owner of the Short Stop may be interested in
establishing a business in the Cayuga Heights area.
Mr. Olver stated that he would prefer not to have a restaurant. He will be renting the
property, not selling it.
Member Bors asked Mr. Cross if the existing building was completely demolished would
the new construction have to meet the Village’s ordinances. Mr. Cross replied that the
new structure would have to meet the Village ordinances. Bors asked Mr. Olver if the
plans will be based on the photos that he has presented. Mr. Olver explained that the
photos are of a building in Florida that he likes. He has contracted with Architect, Mr.
George Breuhaus, to design the building. The proposed building will be similar, but not
exactly like the photo.
Member Riesman asked about the current bus stop at that location. Mr. Cross stated that
it is being studied and may be moved to the other side of the street. Members discussed
concern about turning issues, impairment of motorist visual if intersection.
Chairman Gilmore stated that a traffic study may be needed for this area of the Village,
not only because of Olver’s project, but also due to the construction of the new Chemung
Canal Bank and the Upland Road development. Brent Cross stated that this would be
very useful and has been an on-going discussion with the previous administration. Chief
Boyce has, in the past, informed the members that the intersection is actually very safe.
Mr. Olver commented that it is probably due to the low speed limit.
The board discussed whether a zoning variance would be required. Mr. Cross responded
that a variance request would depend on the tenants’ need for additional parking places or
if the use required a variance. Mr. Olver stated that he intended to keep as much green
space as possible in that area.
Chairman Gilmore introduced Mr. John Young to the members. He was appointed
Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals at the last Trustees’ meeting.
A discussion followed on the procedure for a site plan review and, if required, for a
Zoning Board of Appeals approval. The Board discussed date, time and place to hold the
public hearing on the proposed commercial project for the Olver property.
On a resolution by Riesman, seconded by Staley the following was unanimously passed:
RESOLVED, that a public hearing for receiving public comments on the
proposed Olver project is hereby set for July 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the
Village Fire Hall at 194 Pleasant Grove Road.
Mr. Olver asked if there was a way to change the zoning on the portion of his property
that is zoned residential. Mr. Cross explained that this would be an issue to be discussed
with the Board of Trustees and that it must meet a very high standard. Mr. Cross and
Attorney Flash explained planned unit development. Mr. Olver stated that he would not
request a zoning change at this time.
The second item of discussion is the Mecenas project. Mayor Gilmore reported that the
attorneys are discussing an agreement between the Village and the developer that will
allow for this project to proceed.
Mayor Gilmore informed the members that the ground breaking ceremony for the
Chemung Canal Bank is being held on July 1, 2008 and that he would like to invite all
the members to attend.
On a motion by Riesman, seconded by Donner the following was passed:
RESOLVED, that the planning board meeting is hereby adjourned at
(Time???).
Respectfully submitted,
Elena Flash
Board of Trustee Meeting
Held on
June 25, 2008
Called to order at (time???) by Mayor Gilmore.
Weis VanLeuken presented a proposed resolution to approve PEGASYS’s proposed
budget. There is a time requirement for its approval of July 1, 2008. Mayor Gilmore
explained that the Village is not responsible for the total budget and does not write a
check. The Village’s share is deducted from each franchise check received from Time
Warner.
Attorney Flash requested an executive session at this time.
On a motion by Trustee Donner, seconded by Trustee Bors, the following was
unanimously passed.
RESOLVED, that this Board went into executive session to discuss a legal
issue at (time???).
The board reconvened at (time???).
The Board of Trustees’ meeting was reconvened at (time???).
On a motion by Trustee Riesman, seconded by Bors the following was unanimously
passed:
RESOLVED, that this meeting was adjourned at (time???)